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