FORMAT

AWARDS

RESULTS

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

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

Official results of the event must have been published on-line. Only the best three finishes counted 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

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

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

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

2011 Results

W40-44: Diane Babec, 182 pts.
 
M40-44: Luiz Andrade, 181 pts.
M40-44: David Miner, 163 pts.
M40-44: JR Woodward, 49 pts.
M45-49: Ricardo Valdivia, 300 pts.
M45-49: Hugo Vila, 116 pts.
M55-59: William Highsmith, 88 pts.
M55-59: Byron Keirnes, 72 pts.


2010 Results

W18-24: Sara Holman, 287 pts.
W18-24: Mary Holman, 267 pts.
W40-44: Diane Babec, 168 pts.
W50-54: Darcy Lafountain, 222 pts.
W50-54: Karen Lewin, 60 pts.
 
M40-44: JR Woodward, 115 pts.
M45-49: Ricardo Valdivia, 292 pts.
M45-49: Hugo Vila, 123 pts.
M50-54: Russell Harbach, 164 pts.
M55-59: Carlos Lloreda, 155 pts.


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.


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.

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

2010, tan shirt

2011, white shirt