Race InformationThe First National Kimberley Lake Argyle Swim is held on the first Saturday each May.
The race departs from a deep water start at the heart of Lake Argyle and finishes in the spectacular Bamboo Cove near the Lake Argyle Boat Ramp & Resort. The distance of the race is 10 or 20 kilometres. The event categories for competitors are: Solo Duo - teams of 2 Team - teams of 4 Situated 75 kilometres from the town of Kununurra, Western Australia, Lake Argyle is located 40 kilometres from the Northern Territory Border and covers 980 square kilometres at normal water levels. Twenty-one times greater in size than Sydney Harbour, Lake Argyle can increase to over 80 times the size of Sydney Harbour when in flood. Long since recognised as one of the most spectacular places to visit in Australia, the Lake Argyle Swim provides experienced swimmers with an unsurpassed outback adventure. Clean freshwater awaits all solo, duo or quad teams, no sharks, bluebottles, ocean rips or chafing, just a very pleasant 22 - 26 degrees in 980 square kilometres of lake to enjoy. Minimum Age The age requirement for the Lake Argyle Swim is a minimum of 14 years of age on the day of the swim. (A junior swim is held on the Sunday morning) Entries Open Registration for the Lake Argyle Swim will open 0900 hours (WST) 1st November. Entries will close when the swimmer capacity is filled. Entry numbers are restricted for safety and logistical reasons. Registration Payment Payment must be made online at the time of registration for your entry to be received. Swimmers Details Initial registrations will only require the Team's Captain details. Within one month you will be required to supply for each swimmer: · First name · Surname · Date of birth · Gender · Address · Telephone number · Email address Solos Entry fee $290. Duos and Quads Duo entry fee $480 per team. Quad entry fee $920 per team. Entry fees includes race merchandise and a ticket to the gala presentation dinner Saturday night for each swimmer,the skipper and the paddler. Compulsory Briefing & Gear Collection Sessions Briefing material will be sent to all teams and be available online closer to the event. There will be plenty of opportunity to have any final instructions issued and have any of your questions answered at the Compulsory Briefing & Gear Collection Sessions. Gear collection options will be in Kununurra Wednesday evening prior to the event, or at Lake Argyle Resort on Friday evening prior to the event. Support Boats 10km solo swimmers compete without a motorised support boat - with a paddler only. There will be inflatable kayaks available for hire for 20 entrants in the 10km solo category. This will allow 10km solo entrants to fly into town with their paddler without the need to transport a kayak or organise a support boat. (Local 10km solo competitors can still utilise a motorised support boat if you wish) All duo and quad swimmers and 20km solo swimmers require a motorised support boat that is a minimum of 4m in length. This boat is required to get your team, paddler and paddle craft to the start line of your event. The support boat information that is required to complete your entry (after registration) is listed below: · Boat registration number · Make of boat · Boat length, name (optional), colour · Type of marine radio - 27Mhz or VHF · Boat skipper name · Boat skipper Recreational Skipper's Ticket number - *Northern Territory Skippers note that you require a WA recreations ticket or the equivalent (all other Australian States have an equivalent skipper ticket/registration requirement in place). Paddlers All solo, duo and quad swimmers require a support paddler/kayaker. It is compulsory that paddle craft be used to assist the swimmer/s and skipper on the day. *As noted above, there will be places available for 10km solo entrants to hire a kayak for use, allowing competitors to fly into town with their paddler and enter the event without the need to transport water craft. These competitors and kayaks will be transported to the 10km start line by Lake Argyle Tours. The paddler details required to complete your entry:
Swim Suit Regulations Any suit improving buoyancy or propulsion would exclude the wearer/team from winning prizes; anyone who wants to wear one is still able to participate. Times Race Start: All swimmers, paddlers and skippers are required at the starting line 10 minutes before the scheduled race start. Paddlers and Skippers will liaise with event staff regarding boat and paddle craft launching. · 20km race starts 8:00 AM (Allow a minimum 60 minutes travel time from the boat ramp to the start line); and · 10km race start 10:00 AM (Allow a minimum 40 minutes travel time from the boat ramp to the start line). 5:30 AM – 20km Race crews must be at Lake Argyle Resort. Boat ramp coordinators commence organising boat launches. 6:30 AM - Bus at Lake Argyle Resort to pick up all Start Line Cruise passengers. 6:50 AM – Boats depart for 20km start line 6:51 AM – Boat Ramp Coordinator begins to launch 10km race boats 7:30-7:50 AM – Boats arrive at 20km start line 8:00 AM –Official 20km race start 9:00 AM – 10km race boats depart. 9:40 AM – 10km race boats arrive at start 10:00 AM –Official 10km race start 11:15 AM - Finish Line Cruise passengers need to be at lake edge for departure 3:30 PM – Sweeper boat instructs all remaining teams swimming to pick up their swimmer and return to the finish line 4:50 PM until late - Gala Dinner Party to celebrate, great music and dancing into the night! Withdrawals There are no refunds for the Swim. However, team changes are allowed up to two weeks prior to the event. Presentation The presentation of prizes will be held at Lake Argyle Resort at 4:50 pm on race day. Cash or voucher prizes will be awarded to first place getters in the Solo, Duo and Team categories. Event Cancellation An event of this nature is dependent upon weather conditions. The Lake Argyle Swim Inc. Committee has the right to alter or cancel the event if adverse weather conditions prevail or are likely to occur. No swimmer or team is to disregard this decision. Weather The following outlines the average weather conditions found in Lake Argyle in the months of April and May: Average daily temperatures April Average maximum – 35.4 degrees Celsius Average minimum – 22.1 degrees Celsius May Average maximum – 32.9 degrees Celsius Average minimum – 19 degrees Celsius Average relative humidity April Morning – 42% Afternoon – 31% May Morning – 34% Afternoon – 26% Average rainfall April: 26.1 mm May: 7.5 mm Average wind speed April Morning – 12.5km/h Afternoon – 13.3km/h May Morning – 15.5km/h Afternoon – 12.9km/h Lake Argyle expected water temperature 22 - 26 degrees Celsius |
2019 Competitor HandbookThe Draft 2019 Competitor Handbook is here. A final update will be released one month prior to the Swim if any changes come to hand.
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Course Maps
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