EAST COAST OPEN WATER FESTIVAL

EAST COAST OPEN WATER FESTIVAL Race Information

<p><strong>Dates: </strong>September 13-14,  2025</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Address: </strong>Smith Mountain Lake State Park, 1235 State Park Road, Huddleston, VA, 24104</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Start/Finish:</strong> This is less than a quarter of a mile from Mariners Landing (where we’ve had for the last six years). We have moved to a new location to accommodate for the growth of our event. Please make sure you take a moment to familiarize yourself with the <a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/smith-mountain-lake" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">smith mountain lake webpage</a> and plan accordingly. The start location is on the beach directly behind the Smith Mountain  Lake State Park.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Parking: </strong>Please note that there is a $7 parking fee which covers both days into the park. Participants are encouraged to pre-pay for parking upon registration for a discounted price of $5 or anyone (competing or not) is able to purchase a stand alone pass within the <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/Store/VA/Huddleston/EASTCOASTOPENWATERFESTIVAL" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">registration store</a>. Anyone who pre-pays for parking will be put on the pre-paid list at the guard shack.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Time of first event: </strong>Saturday 10am, Sunday 11am</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Course: </strong>The racecourse will consist of a mile loop marked with large colored buoys. There<br />will be an in water start at the start/finish line. Finish Banner marks finish line. A video based timing system will be used.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Schedule of Events</strong></p> <p><strong>Saturday, Sept 13th </strong></p> <ul><li>5K Swim Race –Open to All Ages <ul><li>Registration 9:00am to 9:45am</li><li>Race Starts at 10:00am</li></ul> </li><li>One Mile Splash / One Mile Dash – Open to All Ages <ul><li>Registration 10:45am to 11:30am</li><li>Race Starts at 12:00pm (noon)</li></ul> </li><li>The Great Knockout -Open to All Ages <ul><li>Registration 1:00pm to 1:45pm</li><li>Race Starts at 2:00pm</li></ul> </li></ul> <p><strong>Sunday, Sept 14th</strong></p> <ul><li>Half Mile Race –Open to 9 &amp; Under <ul><li>Registration 10:00am to 10:45am</li><li>Race Starts at 11:00am</li></ul> </li><li>One Mile Race -Open to All Ages <ul><li>Registration 10:30am to 11:45am</li><li>Race Starts at 12:00pm</li></ul> </li><li>Half Mile Splash / Half Mile Dash –Open to All Ages <ul><li>Registration 12:30pm to 1:15pm</li><li>Race Starts at 1:30pm</li></ul> </li></ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Registration Options</strong></p> <ol><li>Individuals are encouraged to use this page for registration. <ul><li>You are permitted to register multiple participants under the same transaction.</li></ul> </li><li>Teams can request a coupon code which would permit either individuals on a team to register without having to pay at that time or a coach can enter all of their athletes and then be sent a single invoice or the entry fee would be payable at check-in.</li><li>Large Teams can request a preformatted spreadsheet to complete their entries. This option would bypass the online platform and allow for a team leader to enter all information on the spreadsheet. Please contact the meet director if you are interested in this option.</li></ol> <p> </p> <p><strong>Registration Fees</strong><br />Fee for one individual event...........................................$ 85.00<br />Two Events .........................................................................$ 100.00<br />Three Events.......................................................................$110.00<br />(Fees include registration: swim cap, and event T-Shirt)</p> <p>*** Note: discount applied at check-out. You must register for multiple events during the same transaction in order to receive the discount. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Awards:</strong></p> <p>5K Open Water Swim Winners: Top Male and Female: Backpacks and Plaques.<br />All Other Events will be Awarded 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Plaques</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Age Divisions: </strong></p> <p>1/2 Mile: 9 &amp; Under Only<br />1 Mile: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 &amp; Over<br />5K: 11 &amp; Under, 12-13, 14-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 &amp; Over<br />Half Mile Splash / Half Mile Dash: 9 &amp; Under, 10-11, 12-13, 14-17, 18 &amp; Over<br />One Mile Splash / One Mile Dash: 12 &amp; Under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30 &amp; Over<br />The Great Knockout: 1,500, 1,000, 500 with 15 minute break between and after the 1,500 we will drop down to 20 swimmer, after the 1,000 we will drop down to 10 swimmers.</p> <p>Note: Age on September 13th, 2025 will determine age for the entire meet.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Volunteering</strong></p> <p>Anyone wishing to help with registration check-in, body marking, on the water drink station, event check-in, water safety personnel or first aid station, please contact Doug Fonder at DougFonder&#64;gmail.com</p>