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