FORMAT

ENTRY

EVENTS / RESULTS

The Florida Open Water Championship Series will be based on a combination of results in open water events sanctioned by USMSthat are held in the state of Florida during a given calendar year. It is not a separate swimming event itself. Events sanctioned by USA Swimming can be included if there is a separate Masters division.

To be eligible for awards and recognition, swimmers must enter and complete three open water events, one of which must be 3K or longer, during the calendar year.

Official results of the event must be published on-line. Only the best three finishes will count for the final point total.

Classes for points:

  • Class I: 1000 yards up to less than 3K (includes 1-mile)
  • Class II: 3K or greater

Age group:

Swimmers are eligible for awards in only one USMS age group, even if they age up during the year. Event points will be based on the age group at each event. However, final results will be based on the age on December 31.

Point system:

Within each gender, swimmers will be awarded points based on overall place finish and age group place finish, with bonus points for finishing within a set time behind the overall winner's time.

In the event that a swimmer enters more than the minimum three required events, the best point finishes in each class and the third best finish in either class will be counted.

Points & examples

A swimmer enters the Florida Open Water Championship Series by completing an ENTRY FORM, attaching a copy of the 2010 USMS registration card, and sending it with the entry fee to Dick Brewer.

2010 Events

Oct. 2: Dixie Zone OW Championships (1K/2.5K/5K). Sarasota

2010 Results

Apr. 17: Nike Swim Miami. Miami (1-mi, 5K, 10K).
May 1: Lake Weir Swim. Ocklawaha FL.
May 8: Hurricane Man. St. Pete Beach
May 29: Ed Gaw Open Water. Fernandia Beach
May 29: Tri This Series. Clearwater
June 12-13: Open Water Festival. Ft. Myers Beach
June 12: Swim Around Key West. Key West
June 19: Tri This Series. Clearwater
July 17: Tri This Series. Clearwater


2009 Results

Results:

W18-24: Kristy Marques, 218 pts.
W50-54: Darcy LaFountain, 213 pts.
W55-59: Becky Willman, 184 pts.
 
M35-39: Ramses Rodriguez, 270 pts.
M40-44: Ricardo Valdivia, 300 pts.
M40-44: David Miner, 159 pts.
M40-44: JR Woodward, 99 pts.
M55-59: William Highsmith, 120 pts.
M55-59: Peter Kent Harman, 110 pts.
M55-59: Byron Keirnes, 98 pts.

April 18: Tampa Bay Marathon Swim ~ Tampa FL

April 25: Nike Swim Miami 10K ~ 5K ~ Mile. Miami.

May 9: Hurricane Man & Pass-a-Grille ~ St. Petersburg Beach You must click HERE and then scroll down to get results

May 12: Open Water Festival 5K ~ Ft. Myers Beach

May 14: Open Water Festival Mile ~ Ft. Myers Beach

June 13: Swim Around Key West ~ Key West

July 18: Ed Gaw Amelia Island Open Water Challenge (1-mile & 5K) ~ Fernandia Beach

Oct. 3: Daiquiri Deck Tropical Splash ~ Sarasota

Oct. 4: Boca Mile ~ Boca Raton

Oct. 11: Aaron Peirsol Race for the Oceans ~ Ft. Myers Beach


2008

Top five individual overall finishers in the 2008 Florida Open Water Championship Series:

1. Ricardo Valdivia, South Miami, 300 pts.
2. Bill Highsmith, Sanibel, 163 pts.
3. Lars Pedersen, Ft. Lauderdale, 151 pts.
4. Sarah Bennett, Ft. Lauderdale, 111 pts.
5. Byron Keirnes, Ft. Myers, 110 pts.

EVENTS

April 12: Swim Miami (mile | 5K |10K) -- Miami.

April 19: Tampa Bay Marathon Swim (24 miles) -- Tampa. Results

May 10: Hurricane Man (1000 yds & 2.4 miles) -- St. Pete Beach

May 24: Ed Gaw Amelia Island Open Water Challenge (1-mile & 5K) -- Fernandina Beach

May 31: Masters Mile -- Fort Myers Beach

June 1: 10K Open -- Fort Myers Beach

June 21: Swim Around Key West -- Key West

October 4: Tropical Splash -- Sarasota

Nov. 9: Aaron Peirsol's Race for the Oceans -- Fort Myers Beach

AWARDS

All swimmers entering the Florida Open Water Championship Series will receive a custom T-shirt. (IMAGE)

First, second, and third place winners in each USMS age group will receive a winner's patch. (IMAGE)

T-shirts and awards will be mailed in January when all of the previous year's Florida open water events are over and results are posted.

LINKS

Open Water Festival
AquaMoon Adventures (Bermuda & Bonaire)
Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Distance Matters
Amelia Island Open Water Challenge
 
 
     
     
     
     
     

POINT SYSTEM

Place Points


Bonus Points for Overall Time


Overall
Age Group

Class I (1000 yds to less than 3K) Class II (3K or greater)
winner = 30 points
 
time behind winner:
30 seconds or less = 27 points
31 to 59 seconds = 24 points
1 to 2 minutes = 20 points
2+ to 4 minutes = 18 points
4+ to 7 minutes = 15 points
7+ to 10 minutes = 10 points
winner = 30 points
 
time behind winner:
1 minute or less = 27 points
1+ to 3 minutes = 24 points
3+ to 6 minutes = 20 points
6+ to 10 minutes = 18 points
10+ to 20 minutes = 15 points
20+ to 30 minutes = 10 points


Examples:

1. The overall winner gets 100 points for the event (40 overall place points, plus 30 age group place points, plus 30 bonus points for overall time.

2. In a Class II event, a swimmer finishes 20th overall (0 points), is 2nd in the age group (25 points), and is 28 minutes behind the overall winner (10 bonus points). This swimmer earns 35 points for the event.

1st = 40 pts
2nd = 35 pts
3rd = 30 pts
4th = 25 pts
5th = 20 pts
6th = 18 pts
7th = 16 pts
8th = 14 pts
9th = 12 pts
10th = 10 pts
11th = 8 pts
12th = 6 pts
13th = 4 pts
14th = 2 pts
1st = 30 pts
2nd = 25 pts
3rd = 20 pts
4th = 15 pts
5th = 12 pts
6th = 9 pts
7th = 6 pts
8th = 3 pts

AWARDS & T-SHIRT

Awards


T-shirt designs


The actual patch size is 3" across. Pale blue is the background on all patches and the other colors are embroidery.

2008, royal blue shirt

2009, navy shirt