FMCT Open Water Swim
Apr 30, 2010
FMCT members,
In April 2010, the executive from FMCT met with staff from the City of Brampton regarding the continuation of the open water swim at Professor's Lake. I am happy to report that we are once again going to have the open water swim at Professor's Lake. I want to thank all of those FMCT members who took part in the past three years for making this program successful. It is because of your efforts and conduct that the City of Brampton is welcoming us back to Professor's lake.
So here once again are some of the policies in place regarding the open water swim at Professor's lake:
· Commencing on Thursday June 17th, 2010, and every Thursday after that, concluding on Thursday September 2nd, 2010, there will be an open water swim at Professor's Lake. This start date is dependent on water temperature. We should have a better idea by the middle of May.
· The open water swim will start at 6:30pm and will conclude at 8:00pm. There will be buoys set up in the lake outlining a 750m course. YOU MUST STAY WITHIN THE COURSE.
· Each swimmer MUST check in by signing the sign-in' book prior to going into the water and each swimmer MUST check out by signing the same book after coming out of the water. This is extremely important. If you fail to sign out and we do not know where you are then the lifeguards will have to start an Emergency Search of the Lake to try to find you. In the last few years there have been a few times that people failed to sign out and have gone for a run around the lake. Luckily someone had seen them leave the water but if not for that we would have faced one of these Emergency Search procedures. This sort of situation would seriously compromise this wonderful training opportunity. Enough said.
· The swim commences at 6:30pm SHARP.
· Once you are in the water you can swim as many or as few laps of the 750m course as you wish until the conclusion of the swim at 8:00pm SHARP. You do not have to come out of the water between laps.
· Cancellations. A swim may have to be cancelled due to water quality problems. Professor's Lake is tested each Monday and the results are known by Wednesday. The FMCT website will be updated each Wednesday in regards to whether the Swim has been cancelled due water quality problems. So check the website before you head out the door.
· Cancellations may also result due to weather but that is a little harder to predict. Here is the City policy on weather: a sighting of lightning or sound of thunder (in anticipation of lightning) will cause a delay of 20 minutes. All swimmers will be kept out of the water or ordered to exit the water. If no lightning or thunder occurs within that 20 minute period then the swim will commence or resume. HOWEVER if within that 20 minute period lighting or thunder re-occurs then the 20 minute period will commence once again.
· A maximum of 40 swimmers will be allowed in the water (10 swimmers per lifeguard). Swimmers must wear a wetsuit and FMCT swim cap. The water temperature has to be at least 68C, to allow swim to go ahead.
Who can participate:
· ONLY FMCT MEMBERS CAN PARTICIPATE.
· If you have a friend or family member who may want to swim, then he or she will have to become a FMCT member. So get them to join. One word of caution, this is not a learn to swim program. Anyone considering taking part in the open water swim should be able to swim 750m (or more) without stopping.
What is the cost for the open water swim:
· If 40 FMCT members commit to the open water swim sessions. The cost to each member will be .00 (GST included). That will cover the cost of the 12 open water swims and FMCT swim cap.
· You will also have to submit a Signed Waiver (which will be forwarded to you) with your payment (cash or cheque made payable to FMCT).
· If a swim session is cancelled due to water quality or weather the City of Brampton will not charge FMCT and this will result in a refund at the end of the year. There were NO cancellations in 2008, one cancellation in 2009.
Please contact Bill VIEIRA (billvieira@yahoo.ca) if you are interested or have any questions regarding the open water swim sessions.
Attached to this document is a list of the FMCT members who have signed up for the 2010 Open Water Swim. There are only 9 spots left. Once those spots are filled I will start a waiting list.
Bill
