To register look for the blue 'register' button in the info box at the top right of the page.
Paddler and Boater InformationWith an anticipated 300+ swimmers, support on the water from paddlers and power boats or wave runners is critical! Women Swimmin' & Go the Distance for Hospicare could not happen without the paddlers, power boaters, and wave runners supporting swimmers. We need about 150 experienced paddlers and a dozen power boats/wave runners. Because of the complexities of escorting swimmers, supporting paddlers, and the length of time spent on the water, paddling/boating for Women Swimmin' is not a task for new or inexperienced paddlers/boaters.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Teams vs. Pods
Over the years there has been some confusion between 'Teams' and 'Pods'. To keep it simple:
Teams are fundraising teams and have nothing to do with who you are assigned to swim (or paddle) with, people create teams to honor a loved one, through their place of work, etc... (the top fundraising team(s) receive prizes).
Pods are who you swim (or paddle with) and while we try to keep people in the same team together this cannot be gaurenteed, in late June swimmers will recieve a 'pod request' email - this is where you would identify who you want to swim with (paddlers are given the opportunity to indicate swimmers they'd like to paddle for during registration). This year's pod request opens 06/12/2026 and closes 07/14/2026.
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Attendance at these meetings is required by Hospicare's insurance carrier in order for you to participate in the event.
Kayak Safety Team Training
Optional Support Paddler Clinic
Line Safety Paddlers (LSP):
We will assign 30 Line Safety Paddlers to partner with Kayak/SUP Safety Team (KST) members and rove a zone along the edge of the course, maintaining the tightest and most direct course possible. LSPs are responsible for providing rest and assistance to swimmers and helping pass swimmers from pod to pod/escort to escort.
Escort Paddlers (Escort):
We will assign 3 Escort Paddlers to paddle across the lake with each pod of 8-10 swimmers. Escorts are responsible for guiding swimmers across the lake in the most direct line WITHIN THE COURSE, providing rest and support as needed for all swimmers in their pod and passing slower/faster swimmers to other escorts as pods break up and recombine.
Kayak/SUP Safety Team Paddlers (KST):
KST members are experienced kayakers and SUPers with self-rescue skills and assisted rescue skills, responsible for supporting all swimmers and paddlers on the course. If you have paddled as KST in the past, please register as KST. If you are interested in joining the KST, have self-rescue skills, a complete kit of safety equipment, and a kayak with flotation fore and aft or are rescue trained on your SUP, please register as a support paddler and say YES to the question ‘Are you interested in joining the Kayak/SUP Safety Team’.
Powerboaters/Wave Runners:
Powerboaters will be stationed along the downwind edge of the course, outside the Kayak Safety Team & Line Safety Paddlers, close enough to the course to see and hear calls for assistance but not so close as to have exhaust impact swimmers or paddlers. Power boaters will have at least one other person onboard to observe the course, binoculars, towels, and standard safety equipment.
Wave Runners will rove a section of the downwind side of the course and be responsible for removing swimmers who need to leave the course. Wave Runner operators must be skilled with their craft and able to physically assist fatigued swimmers onto their craft.
Volunteer Paddlers may use Kayaks, Canoes, or SUPs and MUST be proficient with their watercraft, able to paddle across the lake in 15-20 minutes, and comfortable staying in/on that craft for between 2 ½ and 4 hours.
Please review the the Safety Information page and especially the Women Swimmin' for Hospicare Safety Manual for Swimmers & Paddlers to understand our event safety plans, procedures and expectations.
Whether this is the first time you're paddling for Women Swimmin' or the 23rd time, please review the information below. Some information is new this year, so all paddlers should review the information.
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.
Line Safety Paddlers (line the course with KST) should arrive at Myers Park on Swim Day at 6am.
Escort Paddlers (travel with swimmers) should arrive at Myers Park 1 to 1.5 hours before their Swimmer Pod is scheduled to go in the water.
Paddlers should not leave the the park before the KST, around 6:45am. KST will distribute Line Safety Paddlers across the lake and lead the Escort Paddlers to the east shore. When you reach the swim entry ramp on the east shore, check in with the Escort Wrangler who is stationed in a kayak near the swim entry point.
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 Myers Park (where you put your boat in the water in the morning).
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 Myers Park 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!