4.4 Swim
 NO TRANSFER OR "SELLING OF" SWIM SLOTS PERMITTED.  WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.
 

• 1st Male & Female out of the water - Non Wetsuit Wearers
• Top Masters Male & Female 40+
• Top 3 Males & Females Physically Challenged Division (must check this division on entry form)

• AGE GROUPS: Top 3 Males & Females (no duplicate awards)
  15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59,
  60-64, 65-69, 70+
  10 Year & 15 Year Completion Awards: (click to view listing)
  All swimmers with 9 or 14 prior recorded Bay Swim finishes will receive a specially inscribed award plaque upon the successful completion of GCBS 2004. Please click above for qualification information. 
  Statistics by Bob Astheimer
   

• All finishers receive a very nice finisher's shirt in addition to the general swim t-shirt.

2.     The Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4 Mile Swim
Event Day Schedule – 4.4 Mile Swim
June 11, 2006

NEW START TIMES POSTED:  5/22/06
The Race Director reserves the right to vary the start time to account for deviations from the predicted tide and current conditions, as indicated by NOAA.

Start time of 2:00 p.m. has been
established to allow maximum swim safety for a slack tide
during the 4.4 swim.

4.4 MILES BAY SWIM:
The following schedule is based on the new 2:00 p.m. start which all must follow.

10:00 a.m.      Volunteers/Registration Staff arrive.                          Meet at Sandy Point State Park – Beach House area.

10:30 – 12:00   Shuttle buses depart from the Park & Ride.
4.4  SWIM Parking - Bus Shuttle Service:  10:30 to Noon (FINAL BUS RIDE) Shuttle buses depart from the Park & Ride.  SEE ALL SHUTTLE BUS INFO. LISTED NEAR BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE -- Separate buses for the 4.4 and for the 1 Mile swims.

10:30               Start Pen facing to be set-up.

 11:00 – 12:30   Registration, Packet Pick-Up, Body Marking             At Sandy Point State Park

Note:  There will be a drop table for all swimmers to place their personal items in plastic bags, and i.d. them.  Volunteers will load the bags onto the truck for transportation back to the finish area at Hemingways Marina. 

1:00 p.m.          Pre-Race Swim Meeting.                                      Beach and Water emptied and Start Pen security in place

             1:30                 Wave 1 – check in begins at the start pen.  
             Final boat check in – command post up and running.                                     Medical support all ready Start Side

             1:50                 Wave 1 – Lead Boat in position

             2:00                 Wave 1 – STARTS*

             2:01                 Wave 2 – check in begins at start pen

                                    Wave 2 – Lead boat in position 

            2:15                 Wave 2 – STARTS*

            2:20                 Break down of Start Pen

            2:45                 Bulk of Swimmers around Mile 1

            2:50                 GCBS Staff leaves Sandy Point State Park

            3:00                 Mile 1 – Time Cutoff

            3:20                 Finish Chutes and Control Area in Position

            3:45                 Approximate finish time for first swimmer

                                    Mile 2 – Time Cutoff

             4:10                 Approximately one-half of the swimmers finish

                                    Ongoing Swimmer Accountability

             4:30                 Mile 3 – Time Cutoff          

             5:10                 Approximately three-fourths of the swimmers finish

             5:15                 Mile 4 – Time Cutoff

             5:45                 Mile 4.4 – Time Cutoff – Race Finish.                           Last Swimmer – Final Accountability

NOTE:  Fire trucks will be set up, just off of the finish line fencing, with shower sprinklers on for all swimmers to wash off after the swim.

             6:15                 Approximate time for Awards Ceremony    

• These are anticipated start times. The Race Director reserves the right to vary the start time to account for deviations from the predicted tide and current conditions, as indicated by NOAA.

Spectators:  You are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into Bay Bridge Marina - Hemingway's complex. 

Food, beverages and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at Hemingway's Restaurant.  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the music while watching the awesome athletes finish.  Spectators are not permitted to enter into the finish line beach area. . .for officials,
medical and media personnel only. It will be fenced off and policed by security.

• There will also be several vendors on site selling fresh cooked hot sandwiches, and beverages.  Spectators may also bring their own picnic baskets.
  
  There is a large lawn area which sits high above the water and small finish beach.  All spectators will have an excellent view of the swimmers coming into the finish beach -- for both swims.

• Full refunds, minus the on-line vendor/charge card processing fees will be made if received by the deadline of  May 1st.
  These requests must be sent to the attention of swim processing coordinator:    Linda Toretsky

LODGING --  Accommodations:

• Days Inn Annapolis, 1 mile from Sandy Point State Park: 410-974-4440
• Chesapeake Motel, East of Bridges, Rt. 50:   410-827-7272
• Annapolis Comfort Inn, West side of Bridges: 410-757-8500
• Comfort Inn Kent Narrows, 5 Miles East of Bridges:
   800-828-3361
• Sleep Inn: East of Bridges, Rt. 50:  410-827-8921
   
• Here are more suggestions for obtaining accommodations:

• • Maryland Bed and Breakfast - Country Inns   Descriptions and links to establishments statewide.

    • www.dallasadmall.com/marinn.html
    • Cached page

  • The Inn at 30 Maryland Bed and Breakfast-Historic Annapolis Maryland    The Inn at 30 Maryland Bed and Breakfast: Annapolis Historic District Accommodations on Chesapeake Bay. ... 30 Maryland Ave Annapolis MD-21401 Ph: 410 263 9797 Fax: 410 263 7263  

    • www.30maryland.com   Cached page

  • Hotel Reservation  Need a place to stay on your trip? Check this listings and directory.     www.business.com

  • Bed & Breakfast Deals   Compare Bed & Breakfast Rates And Save With CheapTicketsฎ!    www.cheaptickets.com

  • Bed And Breakfast    Compare Prices from 120+ Sites and Save up to 70% on Bed And Breakfast   sidestep.com

  • Great Deals On Hotels  Shop and compare hotels. Save up to 40% more at Priceline.     www.priceline.com

  • Find a Hotel   Thousands Of Hotel Rooms Booked Daily. Find Your Hotel On Orbitz!    www.orbitz.com

  DIRECTIONS to PARK & RIDE lots for taking the shuttle buses to Sandy Point State Park for the 4.4 Swim Packet Pick up & Swim Start.  Plus, shuttle service to Hemingway's Marina for the 1 Mile Bay Challenge and to view the finish of the 4.4 Bay Swim:

  From Baltimore/Washington: Take Route 50 East over the Bay Bridges.  Take the first exit - Route 8 after leaving the bridges.  Take a right at the stop sign.  Follow signs to Park & Ride lot.  If arriving from the east, bear right on the last overpass BEFORE you come to the bridges - on to Route 8.  Go to the overpass and take the first left.  Follow signs to the Park & Ridge lot.

  The new Woodrow Wilson bridge has issued a stay away warning for June 9-12 weekend due to lane closures I 95 North.  Info at www.wilsonbridge.com.  Thanks.

  • The following is the exact address of Hemingway's at the Bay Bridge Marina:
     Exit 37 South off of Rt. 50
     357 Pier One Road, Stevensville, MD  21666

  4.4  SWIM Parking - Bus Shuttle Service:  10:00 to 11:30 (FINAL BUS RIDE) Shuttle buses depart from the Park & Ride.  SEE ALL SHUTTLE BUS INFO. LISTED NEAR BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE -- Separate buses for the 4.4 and for the 1 Mile swims.
  
  Note this new announcement posted 6/1/06 regarding 4.4 swimmers:

  • Due to the adjusted start time of the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim:
    1 Mile Bay Challenge starts at 11:30 a.m. -- 4.4 GCBS starts at 2:00 p.m., all 4.4 MILE SWIMMERS MUST take the courtesy shuttle bus transportation from the Eastern Shore to the start side at Sandy Point State Park, prior  to the start of the race. 

  • PLEASE NOTE;  THE SHUTTLE BUSES WILL RUN FROM 10:00 AM UNTIL 11:30 AM.
    Friends and family are NOT permitted to utilize the shuttle buses and are discouraged from attempting to enter the Park, due to extremely high traffic and limited parking expectations this year.
  • It is strongly recommended that swimmers be prepared to take the earliest available shuttle transportation to avoid any late arrivals.  In order to ensure swimmer comfort, additional shaded areas and water will be provided. 
    Thank you for your cooperation.

  • Upon arriving at the marina area you will be directed  to begin parking at the Park & Ride area just off of Rt. 8.  Once this lot is filled you will be directed, by the parking officials, to specific parking areas in the adjacent Bay Bridge Marina.  There is a $2 cost to park in the Marina lots.  THERE IS NO PARKING IN THE LOTS ADJACENT TO HEMINGWAY'S RESTAURANT.  (These lots are for the restaurant's daily customers!)  This will be strictly enforced.  Please cooperate and follow directions.  
     
  • SHUTTLE BUSES TO 4.4 Mile Start at Sandy Point State Park & to 1 Mile Packet Pick-up/Late Registration at the Marina next to Hemingway's Restaurant: 
     
  • There will be separate marked buses for the 4.4 Mile Swim and the 1 Mile Swim.   There is no charge for this service.  
  • Shuttle service for the 4.4 Swims begins at:  10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  (the final 4.4 bus departure to Sandy Point State Park is:  11:30 a.m.!)
     
  • 4.4 Swimmers are TO ALL TAKE THE BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE!! to Sandy Point State Park.  There will be no shuttle buses or other forms of transportation to return anyone back to their cars on the other side of the bridge at the Marina!
     
  • NOTE:  1 Mile Bay Challenge Spectators MAY RIDE THE SHUTTLE BUSSES TO HEMINGWAY'S MARINA FROM THE PARK & RIDE LOTS. 
     BUT . . . spectators for the 4.4 Mile Bay swim CANNOT RIDE THE SHUTTLE BUSES TO SANDY POINT STATE PARK -- 4.4 marked buses  ARE FOR THE 4.4 SWIMMERS ONLY.   AGAIN, DUE TO THE LATE START & HEAVY TRAFFICE AS A RESULT -- spectators -- PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE START!
    
    4.4 swim spectators are to take the 1 Mile bay swim shuttle buses for transportation to Hemingway's Marina to watch the swim finish from the Park & Ride parking lot.

• Wetsuit Rentals:  Please go to the Bonzai website to reserve a wetsuit:  www.tribonzai.com  NOTE:  1 MILE SWIMMERS WHO RENT WET SUITS FROM BONZAI -- CONFIRM YOUR PICK UP PLACE & TIME!
  If you want to rent a suit, please reserve a suit early, limited availability, there will be no race day rentals. 
  Bonzai Sports -- Will be set up at 4.4 swim start at Sandy Point. 
  This is not the start for the 1 mile swim! 
   
• Information on wetsuit rentals are available at: www.tribonzai.com 703-280-2248
  Location:
  Bonzai Sports   2826 Fallfax Dr.  Falls Church Va.  22042
  
  Spectators:  You are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages into Bay Bridge Marina - Hemingway's complex.  Food, beverages and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at Hemingway's Restaurant.  Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, and enjoy the music while watching the awesome athletes finish.  Spectators are not permitted to enter into the finish line beach area.  For officials, medical and media personnel only.

Volunteers:  All Volunteers Are Welcome!  If you are interested in volunteering for this event please e-mail:  racedirector@bayswim.com

SPECIAL THANKS . . . IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THEIR ASSISTANCE

• The United State Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary
• The Chesapeake Bay Power Boat Association
• Bay Bridge Marina
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Sandy Point State Park
• The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• The Maryland Port Authority
• Boston Whaler's Club
• Chesapeake Paddlers Club
• Anne Arundel County Fire Department & Queen Anne's County Fire Department
• Kent Island & Gransville Volunteer First Aid Department
   
• Quality Assurance:  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be measuring tidal, current and weather conditions at periods prior to the event.  The testing results will be analyzed in comparison with predicted tidal and current conditions to determine the optimum start times for both swims.  If necessary, the anticipated start times will be adjusted accordingly and announced.
   

• LIVE WEATHER STATUS HERE

• LIVE TIDE STATUS HERE

• COASTAL PREDICTION CENTER

• NOAA TO  HELP  PLAN SAFE CHESAPEAKE BAY SWIM
  
  We trust the above information will assist you to be prepared for swim day!

• Any questions . . . please e-mail Linda.
  Train save, train smart, swim strong!