Protecting Athletes... was the theme of the Open Water Swimming Safety Conference at the San Francisco Airport Marriott Hotel on March 18-20, 2011.
Under the leadership of U.S. Master Swimming, U.S. Lifesaving Association experts, experienced administrators from Australia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Bermuda, Japan, Great Britain and across America, and some of the world's top open water swimming and triathlon race directors discussed these timely topics:
· identify potential problems in the open water
· identify current issues in the sport
· share information, experiences and solutions
· learn about equipment, protocols, procedures and policies
· pinpoint proven and potential solutions
· understand the rules, regulations and traditions of the sport as it is currently practiced worldwide
· document a series of best practices used around the world
· discuss proposals, including minimum and maximum water temperature ranges for all ages
· discuss what-if scenarios, common injuries and tragic situations
· publicly post recommendations and findings
· network with safety professionals, vendors and race directors from around the world
The goals of this conference were to help the sport understand how to best plan for and ensure safety in open water swims conducted in oceans, lakes and rivers for swimmers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
Protecting Athletes: The Open Water Safety Conference brought together open water and triathlon event directors, administrators, medical personnel, military experts, researchers and athletes who discussed the best practices in the sport and case studies in risk management and open water event safety.
Location: San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront
Sponsor: Sponsored by U.S. Masters Swimming and Pacific Masters LMSC
Guests: Shelly Taylor-Smith, 7-time World Marathon Swimming Champion Rob Butcher, Executive Director, U.S. Masters Swimming Maddy Crippen, Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation Jim Wheeler, Total Aquatic Managment / Pacific Masters LMSC Steven Munatones, Editor, Daily News of Open Water Swimming Dr. Jim Miller, renowned open water swimming physician Eric Juneau, General Manager, Traversée International du lac St-Jean Paul Asmuth, 7-time World Professional Marathon Swimming Champion Lawrie Cox, Board Director, Swimming Australia Dale Petranech, International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame Bruce Wigo, CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame Ralph Goto, City & County of Honolulu Ocean Safety & Lifeguard Srvs. Kate Alexander, Safety Coordinator, Flowers Sea Swim (Cayman Islands) B. Chris Brewster, President, U.S. Lifesaving Association Chris Sheean, Race Director, Big Shoulders Bob Placak and Mike Carr, Founder & Safety Officer, RCP Tiburon Mile Captain Brent Jacobsen, Newport Beach Lifeguard / Fire Department David Robinson, Aquatic Specialist, Somona County Regional Parks Malcolm Cooper, Safety Officer, Maui Channel Swim Marcia Cleveland, Author of Dover Solo Lori Bosco, Race Director, Swim Around Key West Kaia Hedlund, President, Waikiki Roughwater Swim Committee Yutaka Shinozaki, Japan International Open Water Swimming Association Lt. Greg Buchanan, San Diego Lifeguard Svc. / San Diego Fire Rescue Joel Wilson, Race Director, Santa Cruz Cruise Dick Sidner, Race Director, USMS National 25K Championships John Dussliere, 2008 Olympic Open Water Swimming Coach Rick Gould, US Lifesaving Association and Santa Cruz Roughwater Swim Dean Jackson, Executive Vice President, blueseventy Liz Tucker, Race Director Certification Manager, USA Triathlon
Friday, March 18, 2011
7 - 9 pm: Conference Social
Saturday, March 19, 2011
8:00 am: Keynote Speech by Shelley Taylor-Smith
8:30 am: Setting The Stage by B. Chris Brewster
9:00 am: Session #1: The Inherent Risks of Open Water Swimming
10:00 am: Session #2: Current Rules & Guidelines Used in Open Water Swimming
11:00 am: Session #3: Emergencies - What Happens When Disaster Strikes
1:30 pm: Case Study #1 Safety in Ocean Swims, Things to Consider
1:30 pm: Case Study #2 Safety in River Swims, Things to Consider
2:30 pm: Case Study #3 Safety in Lake Swims, Things to Consider
2:30 pm: Case Study #3 Safety in Cold Water, Things to Consider
3:30 pm: Case Study #4 Safety in Marathon Swims, Things to Consider
3:30 pm: Case Study #4 Safety in Warm Water, Things to Consider
4:30 pm: Session #4: Tools of the Trade - Equipment Used in Races
5:30 pm: Session #5: What Swimming Can Learn from Other Sports and Activities
7:00 pm: Closing Speech by Maddy Crippen of Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation
March 20, 2011
7:30 am: Optional Swim in Aquatic Park in San Francisco Bay
9:00 am: Summary of the Conference
11:00 am: A Blueprint for the Future - Recommendations
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We will try to consolidate case studies from open water swims around the world and will provide follow-up information on the ever-expanding issue of open water safety.
openwatersource 11 months ago