Experience

Boaters should have experience in open water and be comfortable in choppy and/or windy conditions.

This event is NOT for individuals who are beginning kayakers or canoeists.

Inexperienced boaters can compromise the safety of both swimmers and other boaters.
 

What to Expect

The morning of the swim, you will launch your boat at the Ithaca Yacht Club, paddle to the eastern shore of the lake, and accompany a group of swimmers back to the yacht club.

Swimmers will be grouped according to their swimming pace in "pods" of 8 to 10 women. You will be assigned to a pod and, with other boaters, will guide that pod across the lake. When you register, you may indicate the name of a swimmer you wish to accompany. Please note, however, that we cannot guarantee that all requests will be honored. Also remember, you are responsible for a group of swimmers, not just one swimmer.
 

Registration

Only registered boaters and their passengers can participate in the event. It is important to include the name(s) of those who will be in the boat with you at the time you register.

		Secure Online Form
		Boater Registration Form (PDF: 53K)

 

A Volunteer Boater Agrees to:

• Register as a volunteer boater.
   
• Sign our liability waiver and publicity release.
   
• Attend the briefing meeting before the event. Attendance at this meeting is mandatory for boaters and their passengers participating in the event. Our insurance carrier insists on this. The meeting for kayakers and canoeists will be held on FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 at 6:30 pm at a location to be determined. The meeting for powerboaters will be held on THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 at 7:00 pm at the Ithaca Yacht Club.
   
• Wear a Women Swimmin' baseball cap at the event. (Please note: hats will be ordered only for boaters and the passengers named on the registration form; passengers not named cannot receive a hat.)
   
• Have a personal flotation device (PFD) for him/herself and at least one extra PFD to throw to a swimmer.
   
• Arrive at the Ithaca Yacht Club at 6:00 am in time to launch his/her boat by 6:20 am on August 9.
   
• Escort swimmers across Cayuga Lake, following the instructions given by the event organizers.
   
• Pick up a colorful "Ask me about Women Swimmin'" button at Hospicare, Satori Day Spa or Handwork.
   

• Raise money for Women Swimmin' (raising money is NOT required in order to be a volunteer boater).
   
• Receive a prize for raising money for the event.
   
• Enjoy breakfast at no charge after the swim.
   
• Spread the word to friends and family who may be interested in participating in this fun and worthwhile community event!
   

A training clinic for kayakers and canoeists participating in the Women Swimmin' event will be held on Monday, August 4, at 6:30 pm at the Ithaca Yacht Club.

This optional event will benefit less experienced and first-time boaters, but all participants are encouraged to attend! Activities will take place on the water, so boaters should bring their vessels to this session.
 

Kayak Safety Rescue Team

Experienced kayakers may volunteer to be on the Kayak Safety Rescue Team. Boaters who have had safety rescue training - or who would like to learn rescue, boat handling, and paddling skills - AND who have a kayak with airtight flotation compartments fore and aft, or a sit-on-top kayak, are invited to join this team. These highly trained kayakers will be distributed among the boaters to offer assistance as needed throughout the swim. If you are interested in joining this group, please download and complete the questionnaire (see below) and return it to Hospicare at 172 East King Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
 

Important Downloads

		Boater's Manual (PDF: 70K) We encourage all boaters to read the Boater's Manual. The manual provides additional information about our mandatory meeting, fundraising, parking and driving directions, and what to expect the day of the event.
		Kayaker Questionnaire (PDF: 76K)

 

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