Swim for Kids

Swim for Kids 1.5 km & 3 km Open Water Swim

A partnership event between the YMCA of Kingston & Easter Seals Ontario

*NEW DATE: Saturday, August 19, 2017, Kingston, Ontario

Saturday, August 19, 2017 marks the 1^st Annual Swim for Kids. This 3 km,  open water swim in beautiful Lake Ontario will be held at Richardson Beach.  The swim is open to swimmers aged 11+ of all abilities and provides a healthy way to enjoy some friendly competition while supporting two great causes, Easter Seals Ontario and YMCA of Kingston.

The Swim for Kids event is an extension of Ottawa’s Bring on the Bay Swim that began with 11 swimmers in 2007 as a small fundraising component of the Easter Seals Regatta Weekend. Over the past several years, the swim has grown tremendously, featuring over 580 registered swimmers and raising over $58,000 for Easter Seals Ontario in 2016. The outstanding growth and success of the event has quickly turned this local fundraiser into one of the largest open water swims in Canada. This year, we are bringing this exceptional event to Kingston!

Highlights of the event include the post-swim breakfast and awards ceremonies. Here, swimmers celebrate their accomplishment, receive awards, prizes and recognition for their swimming and fundraising efforts, as well as have the opportunity to meet YMCA of Kingston and Easter Seals local Ambassadors. Other highlights of the Swim for Kids include electronic chip timing for swim results and an easy-to-use online registration and fundraising system.

• Participants aged 13- 17 will require a waiver signed by their parents or guardians
• Participants aged 11- 12 and on a competitive swim team will require a waiver signed by their parents or guardians but will NOT be required to participate in the support day swim prior to the event
• Participants aged 11 and 12 and not on a competitive swim team must have a waiver signed by their parents or guardians and WILL be required to participate in the support day swim prior to the event

What

1.5 km and 3 km, open water, swim in beautiful Lake Ontario, Kingston, Ontario,

When

Saturday, August 19, 2017

3 km Route Start: 8:00 AM

1.5 km Route Start: 9:00 AM

Swim for Kids Fudraising Incentives

Exciting prizes available for Top Fundraisers! ALL AGES encouraged to Register to swim and fundraise to support children with physical disabilities in the community! Some of the fun prizes include:

• 1 Hurricane Sojourn Kayak
• 1 VIA Rail Package for a trip for 2 people from Kingston to Halifax Return Trip
• Golf Packages to The Landings Golf Course and Amherstview Golf Courses
• A pizza and pool party for 20 kids at The YMCA of Kingston
• Gift Certificates to Blackdog Pottery, Kings Town Chiropractic, Immerse Spa, Frontenac Outfitters
• Swim Items from Team Aquatic Supplies

….and more!

Under 18 Waiver

Swim-For-Kids-Event-Waiver-Under-18 (Adults can use the online waiver during the online registration process.)

The Cause

To help children and youth with physical disabilities succeed!

Swim for Kids Event Schedule

7:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Warm up swim.
7:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.	Swimmers should be with their assigned marshals
7:30 a.m.	Opening remarks
8:00 a.m.	The 3 km Swim starts (each wave should be prepared to enter the water 5 min’s before their start time)
9:00 a.m.	The 1.5 km Swim starts (each wave should be prepared to enter the water 5 min’s before their start time)
9:30 a.m.	Closing ceremonies, breakfast, and awards at the Swim Finish

Global Swim Series

The Global Swim Series which now boasts more than 91 open water swim events around the world with more than 60,000 swimmers. Join our event and others to earn points for participation and placing for ranking in the Series.

Swim Support

Swim support will be offered for the 2017 Swim for Kids.

Swim support  is intended to attract and accommodate swimmers who would like to swim in the event but, for reasons ranging from disabilities, to medical conditions, to even fear of swimming alone, would not otherwise be able to participate.

Swim support offers an experienced swimmer to swim alongside a participant to provide an extra measure of confidence and safety needed for them to participate. These would be participants who, for whatever reason, are physically able to complete the race but could (or would) not do it (safely) without having a support person present. If required during the race, the support person will provide reassurance and encouragement to the participant in order to help them avoid anxiety and be able to finish the race. If the participant needs to be pulled from the race, swim support personnel will provide immediate assistance until a nearby kayak/boat arrives. All swim support personnel are experienced lifeguards or strong swimmers with open water experience who receive specialized training prior to the event.

If you feel that you need support in order to participate in and finish the swim safely, please choose that option when completing the registration.  You will be contacted by Vicki Keith, who will discuss your specific needs in order to pair you with the most appropriate swim support.

You will be required to participate in a pre-race event to be held at the YMCA of Kingston on Friday, July 28. Everyone will complete a 400 metre swim. Following this, you will be introduced to your assigned support and you will do some in-water swimming together, under the supervision of Vicki Keith, and a qualified lifeguard.

Please note that swim support is offered specifically for the 1.5 km race. Participants requesting support for the 3 km race will be considered on a case by case basis. Although we will endeavour to provide support staff personnel for each request, there are a limited number.

Cut-off for swim support requests is Tuesday July 25, 2017

Contact Swim for Kids

For more information contact Krista LeClair at 613.547.4126 ext. 221 or kleclair@easterseals.org.