Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll as a crew member?

Enrolling as a crew member is a quick process that can be started before the swimmer enrolls but must be completed after the swimmer has enrolled.

Prior to the Enrollment Day:

Create or update your user profile

Please refer to the User Profile (Enter in Advance) section of the application procedures for fields to complete

Advise your swimmer of the following information in your profile: username, email address(es), your name as shown in the user profile

On Enrollment Day:

Do not create a new User Profile

Wait for the email from the NYC Swim website and/or for the Swimmer to advise you that their enrollment is complete so you can enroll as his/her crew member. To ensure accuracy, the swimmer should designate each crew member by e-mail address.

Login to your user profile

Click on the "My Events" tab

Scroll down to "Crew Enrollments"

Click on "Enroll"

How do I add a photo headshot to my profile?

Adding a headshot to your profile is relatively simple. If you do not have any photos uploaded into your profile:

1. Login to your account
2. Click the "Add Photo" link under the box showing "no photo available"
3. Click "Browse" button to select a file from your computer (JPG format, maximum size 500Kb/800x800; if your file is larger than this, you can reduce it using an online editor such as Pixlr or contact info@nycswim.org for assistance)
4. Click "Save" button

1. Login to your account
2. Click the "Photos" tab
3. Choose one of the pictures and click the "Make this my headshot" link for that photo
4. Confirm that you want to make this your headshot by clicking the "OK" button when prompted

How do I upload a photo to my profile?

Follow these eight steps to upload a photo to your profile:

Steps to Create a New User Profile

Applicants and crew members who have not previously participated in a NYC Swim event must create a user profile in order to access and complete the online application form. Anyone wishing to create a new user account must provide a name and a unique email address (i.e., not an email shared with someone already in the system). To create a new account, click here and follow the prompts.

A good friend of mine is swimming in the Manhattan/Ederle Swim. Can I be his/her boat observer?

Sorry — we generally assign boat observers to the boats of people they don't know, so they can act as neutral, impartial race officials. You're still welcome to volunteer for the event, but you would be assigned to a swimmer that you don't have a relationship with.

Are wetsuits allowed?

We take a very simple approach by instituting some very basic swimsuit eligibility rules. Like baseball with the wooden bat, we favor very basic bathing suit designs in lieu of new fabrics and technologies. This has many benefits, including ensuring that proper swim attire is affordable to all economic strata and available at nearly every sporting goods store, and upholding designs and styles used back in the 1920s when open water swimming was in its heyday.

For the Manhattan Swim and the Ederle Swim: All swimming costumes for solo swimmers, 2-person relays, 3-person Team Pursuit teamsn, and NYC Traditional relays must be made of a porous material and conform to the "traditional" swimming suit style. These events do not allow attire that increases buoyancy or heat retention, including wetsuits, neoprene caps, or neoprene socks. Caps shall be defined as headgear conforming to traditional swim cap design and not extending to protect the neck or shoulders. Please consult the Race Rules on the MIMS Policies and Ederle Policies pages for additional details on permitted swimwear.

For the Manhattan Swim NYC Catch'em Relay Teams: Teams may compete in either a wetsuit or a non-wetsuit division. Non-traditional suits, including wetsuits and jammers, are allowed for swimmers on NYC Catch'em Relay Teams competing in the wetsuit division. Teams will be classified as participating in the wetsuit division if one or more swimmers wear non-traditional swim attire during the race.

For the Swim Series: When the water temperature is 68°F (20°C) or higher, only swimmers wearing traditional-style swim suits will be eligible for awards. A traditional-style swim suit is one that is made of a porous material, is sleeveless, and is legless. Women may wear suits that come up to their necks, with the zipper up the back. Men may not wear jammers (since they are not legless) or suits that cover their torsos. Any suit that extends to the thighs or shoulders, reduces drag in the water, increases buoyancy, or improves heat-retention is considered non-traditional. Suits in the non-traditional category (which means they affect award eligibility) include jammers of any type; Speedo LZR Racer, Speedo Aquablade, Speedo FS II, Speedo Fastskin, TYR Aqua Shift, TYR Aquapel, TYR Fusion2, Nike Liftsuit, blue seventy zeropoint3, and suits with similar materials. When the water temperature is below 68°F, all swimmers will be eligible for awards, regardless of whether they wear a traditional swim suit or wetsuit.

For the Aquathlon: Non-traditional suits, including skinsuits, speedsuits and jammers, are allowed for the Aquathlon provided they conform to USAT standards for approved swimwear. When the water temperature is 78°F (25.56°C) or higher, swimmers wearing wetsuits will not be eligible for awards.

For each swim, an official announcement regarding temperature and award eligibility will be made on the website and in a final email to participants no later than two days before the event.

Both my registered crew members won't be able to make it for my swim. Is it possible to change them?

As per our policy at http://www.nycswim.org/Event/Event.aspx?event_id=2202&from=policies#364, you may not change or add crew members after enrollment has been completed. Should a primary crew member become unable to participate in MIMS, you should contact NYC Swim to request a substitution with the designated alternate. All such requests must be submitted no later than 14 days before race day. You may not make substitutions outside of the alternate listed during enrollment. If all crew members attached to a swimmer or a relay withdraw prior to the event, NYC Swim will assign a boat observer to act as crew.

Crew enrollment is part of the application process because the crew is essential to the swimmer’s planning and success, particularly for new marathon swimmers. We want to be sure swimmers have thought through this aspect of the event and that their crews are on board, so to speak. Applications are not considered complete until the crews have signed on, so this can make the difference between a successful applicant and someone who is not accepted. Changing crew prior to acceptance resets the application completion date and puts the application at the bottom of the pile, so allowing someone to change after they have been accepted would be unfair.

Can I hire a boat or paddle a kayak and follow the Manhattan Island Swim on the water?

For safety reasons, vessels on the course are limited to those assigned by NYC Swim. For the Manhattan swim, the race will have nearly 120 water craft under its management (each participant (swimmer and/or relay) is assigned a motorized boat and up to two paddlers); as such, the rivers get very congested since the race must share the waterways with the regular operators (such as ferries, cruise ships, barges and freighters). Our boats have very specific roles and responsibilities. They create safety zones around the swimmers, and only vessels associated with the event are permitted within the zone. Those boats follow a set chain of command on the water to protect the participants and the integrity of the race. If a participant has a non-sanctioned boat on the course, the participant will immediately be disqualified and removed from the race, and the non-authorized boat will be “introduced” to the New York City Police Harbor Patrol, for further processing.

Do I need any shots to participate in the Manhattan or Ederle swims?

Although, we do not require shots for our swims, we do recommend that all swimmers have up-to-date tetanus shots, and some swimmers get a gamma globulin or Hepatitis A shot.

Solo, 2-person relay, and 3-person Team Pursuit swimmers for the Manhattan Island Marathon and solo swimmers for the Ederle Swim are required to submit a medical form completed by their doctor.

How can I access the important course information for the swim?

The documents have been uploaded to the internet and are located as follows:

MIMS Presentation – Course Only Overview
https://s3.amazonaws.com/nycswim-userdocuments/UserDownloads/ActiveGeneral/2012_MIMS_Presentation_course_only.pdf

MIMS Nautical Map
https://s3.amazonaws.com/nycswim-userdocuments/UserDownloads/ActiveGeneral/2012-MIMS-Regular-Course.pdf

MIMS Waypoints
https://s3.amazonaws.com/nycswim-userdocuments/UserDownloads/ActiveGeneral/2012_MIMS_ManhattanWaypoints.pdf

Richard Clifford’s Paddling for Manhattan
https://s3.amazonaws.com/nycswim-userdocuments/UserDownloads/ActiveGeneral/RC_paddling_for_mims.pdf

How can we enroll as a relay team for MIMS, the Manhattan Island Relays, or the Ederle Swim?

Relay enrollment requires the involvement of all participants in the relay — captain, swimmers, and alternate(s), if any. To start the relay team's enrollment, the team's captain must first log in and select the relay size/type, enter a relay name, complete selected required fields, designate the relay's participants and tentative swim order, designate the relay's alternate(s) if appropriate, and enter a credit card number. We recommend that the captain use each swimmer's e-mail address when adding them to the enrollment; that way, there is no chance of selecting someone else with the same name or the wrong user account.

Once the team has been created, all members — swimmers (including the captain if he/she is swimming) and alternate(s) — will need to complete their individual swim enrollments by clicking on the "Enroll as a Swimmer" link on the swim event page, selecting the appropriate type of relay team, reviewing/completing the information in their user profiles, answering any additional questions, and agreeing to the waiver. The team’s enrollment will be evaluated once the individual enrollments of all relay members are complete.

How much does it cost?

Please check the Overview tab of the event page for the event you are interested in.

I am hoping to enter one of your marathon swim events. Who can I recruit to be my crew?

Please refer to the race specifications for how many crew members you may have aboard the escort boat – either one or two people. Beyond that, the choice of crew is completely up to you. Keep in mind, however, that your well-being will be the primary concern of your crew. If you have concerns about their ability to remain focused on you and perform their duties under potentially adverse conditions (i.e., bad weather, small boat, no on-board bathroom), you may wish to reconsider your choice of crew. Good candidates include coaches, past event participants, officials, and crew members, swim teammates, lifelong friends, distant relatives, and athletes experienced in ultra-distance events. Close relatives (including spouses/partners, parents, and children), business colleagues, individuals with weak bladders, and individuals who get seasick may not be able to keep the proper balance of support and objectivity in order to best fulfill the crew role.

I'm a collegiate swimmer with lots of experience; can I have the qualifying swim requirement waived?

For both safety and liability reasons, we are unable to waive the qualification requirements for any prospective swimmer. In addition, we use the swim time information to place swimmers in an appropriate starting wave.

If you have completed an NYC Swim event of appropriate distance within the past three years, your participation may automatically qualify you for the race that you would like to enter. If you have non-NYC Swim open water swim experience, you can enter the information under your user profile (click on the “My Events” tab, page down to the “Swim History (Non-NYC Swim Events)” section, click on “Add Non-NYC Swim Event”) and it will be reviewed to ensure that it meets the standards set for the race that you would like to enter. You may also qualify for a swim by completing a monitored pool swim as detailed in the race requirements section. (Log in to your swimmer profile, click on the “Swimmer” tab to see the requirements for the different races as well as to access the pool certificate template.)

Is there a medical requirement for NYC Swim events?

Most swims do not require any shots or a medical exam. We recommend that all swimmers have up-to-date tetanus shots, and that they be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Our marathon swims – the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the Ederle Swim – require solo swimmers, two-person relays, and three-person Team Pursuit teams to submit a medical form completed by their doctor. The medical form is not necessary for any other swim, though we recommend that you check with your doctor before trying any new athletic endeavor.

MIMS Race Personnel - Terminology

Understanding the following terminology will help with race preparations.

"Crew" members are chosen by the swimmer (solo, 2-person relay, and 3-person Team Pursuit team) to accompany the swim on board an escort boat [Crew Members and Alternates policy]. Crew members are the only people swimmers may designate to be on the boat; all other personnel are assigned by NYC Swim. NYC Swim limits how many crew people are allowed on a boat and all crew members must be designated at time of enrollment.

"Paddlers," aka "kayakers," are volunteers in kayaks, paddle boards, or surf skis who paddle their way around the island while escorting a swimmer. Paddlers work with the swimmer's crew for feedings and follow the lead of the head boat to make sure the swimmer stays on course. NYC Swim assigns the escort paddler(s) unless a swimmer or relay recruits their own in accordance with NYC Swim's requirements. [Race Rules]

"Boat captain" or "boater": This person pilots his or her own boat and serves as a dedicated escort for a swimmer or relay. NYC Swim recruits and assigns all boat captains for the swim except in the case of corporate relays, who may recruit their own boat [Race Rules]; all other swimmers may not request a particular boat or captain. Boat captains may bring their own crew to assist with the operation of the boat.

"Boat observers" aka "race officials": NYC Swim assigns a volunteer boat observer to serve as a neutral race official on board each escort boat. Swimmers may not request a particular boat observer. NYC Swim may place more than one boat observer on an escort boat.

Steps to Update the User Profile

1. Login to your account; thoroughly complete:
1. Account and Personal Information
2. Contact Information
3. Work Information
4. Emergency Contact Information
5. User Bio
2. Click "Save"
3. Click on "MyEvents"
1. Scroll down to Swim History (Non-NYC Swim Events)
2. Follow the Steps to Upload Non-NYC Swim Event
4. Click on "Swimmer"; thoroughly complete:
1. Doctor Information (MIMS Solo and 2-person relay; Ederle)
2. Membership
3. Pool Certificates
4. Medical Forms (MIMS Solo and 2-person relay; Ederle)
5. Qualifying Swims - (MIMS Solo, 2-person relays; MIR 4-person and 6-person relays; Ederle Solo or relay)
6. Other
5. Click "Save"
6. Click on "Photos"
1. If no photos exist, please follow Steps Add a Photo to the User Profile
2. If no headshot is chosen, follow Steps to Add a Photo Headshot to the User Profile
7. Click "Save"

Steps to Upload Non-NYC Swim Results to the User Profile

Login to your account
Click on "My Events"
Scroll down to "Swim History (Non-NYCSWIM Events)"
Click on "Add non-nycswim event"
Enter the name of the event that you participated in and have a finishing result for.

If the event’s name is in our database, it will appear in the pop up box for you to select (this may take a few seconds to load).

Click the "Submit" button if you see the name of your event.

Next you will be prompted through drop-down windows to select the year, date, and distance of the event.

If your event is already in our database, you will be prompted to add your swim time and swim placement.

If you do not see the event’s name, date, or distance listed within the appropriate drop-down box, then select the "Add new" box at any stage of the process and complete the required fields to add your event and finishing result to your profile.

Certain events may be included in your self-reported user bio but cannot be used to satisfy experience requirements for NYC Swim events. These include events without publicly posted results, triathlons with pool swims rather than open water swims, and relay triathlons where the results do not specify which participant completed the swim leg. Please see What type of results can I list in my profile and use to qualify for an NYC Swim event? for more details.

The entry fee is a lot of money. Why?

We do our best to keep the swim price reasonable and provide a high value in return. The fee includes all support services, from event planning and the pre-race meeting to boat and kayak support, on-water race officials, souvenir T-shirts for you and your crew, the post-event dinner, and more. By way of comparison, MIMS pricing is the lowest among Triple Crown events:

English Channel (CSPF): £120 admin fee, £120 swim fee, £20 CSPF membership, £2300 pilot fee, for a total of £2,560 or US$4,103 based on exchange rates in November 2011.

Catalina Channel (CCSF): $500 sanction fee, $1,750 pilot fee (or more for swims longer than 9 hours), $25 CCSF membership, totaling at least $2,275.

Note: The above prices reflect 2011 season rates.

Under what conditions would NYC Swim cancel a race?

NYC Swim always endeavors to hold events as scheduled and rarely issues cancellations in advance. However, because our events are tide-specific, and require the cooperation of many shore-side and on-water agencies, certain conditions must be met in order for us to proceed as planned.

What are the qualifications to race?

All applicants must fill out an extensive application detailing their swimming and personal background.

For the Manhattan Swim: Applicants must complete a qualifying swim in a prescribed water temperature and include recent workouts and their training plan. They must also write an essay about why they want to participate; a medical exam is required as well. For additional information on qualifications for solo swimmer and relay applicants, check the MIMS web page.

For the Ederle Swim: Applicants must complete a qualifying swim and include recent workouts and their training plan. They must also write an essay about why they want to participate; a medical exam is required as well. For additional information on qualifications for solo swimmer and relay applicants, check the Ederle web page.

For Swim Series: Applicants must meet the swim standards determined for the event. Check the race you are interested in the "Experience Requirement" section on the event Overview page. There is no medical requirement for swim series events, though it is always a good idea to check with your doctor before embarking on a new fitness plan.

What does it take to be a crew member for the Manhattan Island Marathon and Ederle swims?

Crew members are the eyes and the ears of their swimmer. The Manhattan Island Marathon and Ederle swims are fun races, but long ones. Most likely, crew are busy the entire race, meaning a good straight 6 hours of attentiveness — just like the swimmer they support. Crew members are also among the first in line to assist the swimmer in the event that an emergency situation arises and should be selected with those criteria in mind; minors and close family members are generally unsuitable for this role.

Before the race begins, crew need to figure out with their swimmers how they are going to interact during the race so that everyone stays happy and safe. Crew also need to be familiar with the equipment so when their swimmer requests something (like another pair of goggles), the crew member can provide it immediately. It is best to decide before you get on the boat what responsibilities each crew member will have, with the understanding that flexibility may be necessary.

We've tried to think of the key elements involved in being a crew member and listed them below. In practice, crew members may need to improvise as situations occur.

1. Greaseboard/Chalkboard/Megaphone
2. Verbal: Try to keep to a minimum, especially for the swimmer
3. Hand Signals: Determine these, and any others with your swimmer before the race begins
1. OK
2. Closer/Farther away (fast & slow)
3. Stop
4. Danger
5. Thumbs up
6. Boat Traffic
4. When your swimmers completes a request, give your swimmer an OK.
5. SMile a lot

1. Mechanism (ie: Pole/Bucket, Cups over the side (with string). Remember, No polluting!)
2. Preparation
3. Intervals
4. Quick communication during feedings:
   1. Assess the mental and physical state of your swimmer
   2. How are the feedings (taste, quantity) agreeing with your swimmer?
   3. Stretch?

1. Watch out for debris, boats and other swimmers

1. Stroke Rate ............Bring a stop watch or watch with a second hand
2. Course Position ......Bring a detailed map of Map of the Upper and Lower Bay New York Bay
   (We recommend Waterproof chart #62 from www.waterproofcharts.com)


3. Keep a log ..............On notebook paper using a ball point pen

1. Who’s going to take the pictures/video? Pace yourself!

1. Food & Water..........If you eat/drink, do so out of sight
2. Seasickness ..........ditto
3. Bring Sunscreen, hat, rain slicker, sunglasses, change of clothes, and appropriate footwear.
4. Food for your boat captain is also a nice idea

What is Swim Free?

Since its inception, NYC Swim has been committed to promoting and expanding public learn-to-swim programs, as well as raising awareness of New York’s rivers and waterways by supporting efforts to protect and improve them. However, the growing popularity of the events and the work involved in producing them gradually overwhelmed the operation and growth of the charitable arm of our organization. Then came Swim Free.

Swim Free is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health of children and adults through swim, and its goals and activities are closely aligned to those traditionally carried out by NYC Swim. Swim Free is completely separate from NYC Swim, with its own board of directors and staff, and has the advantage of being able to fundraise not only through NYC Swim events, but also through other prestigious events like the New York City Triathlon. As NYC Swim's preferred charity since the 2010 season, Swim Free receives a portion of the money donated on behalf of swimmers who use their NYC Swim events as fundraising opportunities.

What will the water be like?

The water temperature will probably be in the mid 60's during June, the beginning of July and September, but in the 70's during the end of July and August. There can be a substantial amount of chop in the water from wind and tide action. The waterways are saltwater and there is shipping traffic. There may be random jetsam and flotsam in the waterways.

Where are the best viewing spots for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim?

We're often asked where spectators should go in order to get a great view of the race. Just about anywere on the waterfront between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm on race day could net some good opportunities to see your favorite swimmers. Best bets are at South Cove and Battery Park at the start; the Upper East Side at about 9:00 am; anywhere along the Harlem River throughout the mid morning; and back at the World Financial Center starting around 2:00 pm.

Some local favorites: