To streamline the parking and unloading of boats, stop and unload your boat before parking. “Boat Sherpas” will be available to help you off-load your vessel and assist in carrying it to the launch site, if needed. There will be a Paddler Check-in station near the boat launch to the IYC marina. Please check in there after unloading your boat and before launching. It is critical that you also check out at the end of the event so we know everyone is accounted for.
ARRIVE EARLY! This will allow you enough time to unload your boat, park your car, launch your boat and paddle to your position lining the course or across the lake to pick up your pod.
4:45 a.m. Women Swimmin’ staff and early set-up volunteers arrive at Ithaca Yacht Club (IYC) and Cass Park Rink to begin setting up.
5:30 a.m. Other volunteers begin arriving throughout the morning, per their assigned role.
5:45 a.m. The Kayak Saftey Team (KST) and Line Support Paddlers (LSP) arrive at IYC, and check-in at the Paddler Check-in Tent. (All paddlers must wait for the "Go" announcement from the Safety Team Lead before they put their boats in the water, at around 6:30 a.m.)
Sunrise HAB Harriers from Finger Lakes Watershed Network and the Community Science Institute begin visual inspection of the swim course to look for signs of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
6:15 a.m. Women Swimmin' staff and Safety Team meet to make "Go/No Go" decision, based on a detailed weather forcast, lake conditions, reports from HAB harriers, and other environmental concerns. If the conditions are not safe for the swim across the lake, the Women Swimmin’ staff posts to the Women Swimmin' website (womenswimmin.org) and social media (facebook.com/WomenSwimmin).
6:15 a.m. Lake swimmers begin to gather for check-in at Cass Park Rink, according to their pod assignment.
6:00 a.m. Escort Paddlers begin to arrive at IYC and get ready to put boats in the water per their assignments. Please arrive at least one hour before your pod gets in the water. (All paddlers must wait for the "Go" announcement from the Safety Team Lead before they put their boats in the water, at around 6:30a.m.)
6:30 a.m. Paddlers (KST, LSP, and Escort Paddlers for first pods) put their boats in the water to be ready to head out when the Safety Team Lead gives the "Go"
6:35 a.m. The Safety Team Lead, in her kayak, leads paddlers (KST, LSP, and Escort Paddlers for first pods) out across the lake. KST and LSP move into their assigned positions as they cross the lake. Escort Paddlers continue to the east shore.
6:30 a.m. TCAT shuttles start running from Cass Park Union Fields to IYC (only for spectators and volunteers).
6:45 a.m. Lake Swimmers begin to board buses to go to the swim entry point, according to their pod assignment.
7:10 a.m. First pod of swimmers enters the water for their swim across the Lake!
7:30 a.m. Breakfast opens for spectators and volunteers.
7:45 a.m. The Yardvarks begin to play.
7:45 a.m. Merchandise and raffle sales open.
7:45 a.m. Swimmers begin arriving back at IYC.
8:00 a.m. Last pods of lake swimmers arrive at Cass Park Rink to be checked into their pods.
9:10 a.m. Last pod of swimmers enters the water.
11:00 a.m. Final Swimmers complete their swim and arrive at IYC.
11:15 a.m. Closing ceremonies, award presentation, drawing of raffle winner
11:30 a.m. Clean-up begins. Feel free to stay and help!
12:30 p.m. Last run of shuttle buses from IYC to Cass Park
Please read the WS Safety Manual for Swimmers & Paddlers for details about what to expect at the start of the swim and as you're crossing the lake.
If you're an Escort Paddler who is also a Super Paddler, return to the East shore for your next pod assignment. All other Escort Paddlers are encouraged to join the LSP & KST lining the course. When you've finished your assigned duties, you should exit at the launch station at the Ithaca Yacht Club (where you put your boat in the water in the morning). Check-out with the volunteer at the tent by the launch when you're finished.
Boat Sherpas can help you get your canoe or kayak back to your car.
Port-a-potties are on the far side of the IYC, near the North Dock.
Enjoy a good breakfast, with our compliments for a job well done! Your friends and family can also have breakfast, for a suggested donation of $5. Stick around the IYC and listen to the music of The Yardvarks and enjoy the festivities. After all the swimmers and paddlers are ashore, we'll have closing ceremonies to draw the name for the stand-up paddleboard raffle, will announce winners for top fundraising prizes, and will announce the total amount raised for Hospicare!