How many people can I have on my relay?
Relay teams may have 2-4 people. All members of the relay team must adhere to the marathon swim rules as defined by the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association.
Given that courses are different distances (21.3-miles, 12-miles, 10.6-miles) we have found the following is quite ideal as each swimmer has time to rest and get a good amount of swimming. Too many people, and some members of the relay team may only get to swim once as each swimmer must swim a minimum of 1-hour and in the same order.
- Length 21.3-Miles / 34.3-Km -> 3-4 people
- True Width 12-Miles / 19.3-Km -> 2-3 people
- Vikingsholm 10.6-Miles / 17.1-Km -> 2-3 people
We love relays and are happy to talk with you about the right combination for each course.
How do relays work?
Relays are fun! In a nutshell -
- A relay may consist of 2-4 swimmers (see our suggestions "How many people can I have on my relay?")
- All swimmers must conform to marathon swim rules (no wetsuits, no neoprene)
- Swimmers swim in a fixed order and the order may not change.
- Each swimmer swims a 1-hour shift (leg)
- Swimmers may not shorten or extend their shifts
For the complete set of rules, please visit the Rules page at the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association.
Are tandem swims allowed?
Yes, tandem swims of two solo swimmers swimming simultaneously off the same boat on the same course are allowed but must be approved.
Tandem swimmers must be equal in speed and have experience swimming together over long distances.
There is a slight increase in both the pilot and Association fee for a tandem, but in general, if you have a good tandem training partner, it's a cost effective way to get a marathon swim completed.
Are two-way (round-trip) swims allowed?
Yes, two-way (round-trip) swims are allowed for solo, tandems, and relay teams. Depending on the course, additional hours or days may need to be booked in order for us to conform to United States Maritime Laws.
An additional Observer may be needed from the Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association as well.
If you are interested in a two-way swim, please contact us to discuss the course and availability.
Can I do a low-key pleasure swim or training swim and not a marathon swim?
We tend to be fully booked with a waitlist each marathon swim season leaving us little time for non-marathon swims. You are welcome to contact us to see if we have some availability in our schedule.
