About The event
Date: August 10, 2013
Course: A straight 2.1 mile distance across the big lake in open water
Purpose: to swim fast, have fun and raise money for the Bayfield Area Recreation Center
*Prizes for most pledges raised and fastest age group swimmers
Entry:
Entry includes hooded sweatshirt, breakfast on the Island, swim cap, "green bag" with goodies, and the ferry ride back to Bayfield.
Cost $94, or raise $125 in pledges and waive your entry fee!
Refunds will be allowed until one week prior to the race
Thanks to Open Water Source for listing Point to LaPointe as one of the top 50 open water swims in America! http://www.americastop50openwaterswims.com
Wetsuit strongly encouraged for Race Event (see details in Race Event below). Those wishing to swim without a wetsuit must have experience and get permission from the Race Director.
Wetsuit required for Community Event. Community event swimmers must arrange for their own non-motorized escort (kayak or rowboat). Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See requirements under 'Community Swim' below in this web site, or call Scott at 715-779-5408.
Location: Bayfield, WI is small city of 530 on the shores of Lake Superior
in northernmost WI. Bayfield is the gateway to the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its camping, kayaking, trails, sea caves, and beaches. Madeline Island has long been a vacation destination as the only one of 22 Apostle Islands that is inhabited year-round, serviced by the Madeline Island Ferry Line. August is the ideal time to experience the beautiful scenery, clean air and water, friendly people and waiting adventures of the region. Bayfield is 90 miles from Duluth, MN, 240 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, and 320 miles from Madison.
Course: A straight 2.1 mile distance across the big lake in open water
Purpose: to swim fast, have fun and raise money for the Bayfield Area Recreation Center
*Prizes for most pledges raised and fastest age group swimmers
Entry:
Entry includes hooded sweatshirt, breakfast on the Island, swim cap, "green bag" with goodies, and the ferry ride back to Bayfield.
Cost $94, or raise $125 in pledges and waive your entry fee!
Refunds will be allowed until one week prior to the race
Thanks to Open Water Source for listing Point to LaPointe as one of the top 50 open water swims in America! http://www.americastop50openwaterswims.com
Wetsuit strongly encouraged for Race Event (see details in Race Event below). Those wishing to swim without a wetsuit must have experience and get permission from the Race Director.
Wetsuit required for Community Event. Community event swimmers must arrange for their own non-motorized escort (kayak or rowboat). Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See requirements under 'Community Swim' below in this web site, or call Scott at 715-779-5408.
Location: Bayfield, WI is small city of 530 on the shores of Lake Superior
in northernmost WI. Bayfield is the gateway to the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its camping, kayaking, trails, sea caves, and beaches. Madeline Island has long been a vacation destination as the only one of 22 Apostle Islands that is inhabited year-round, serviced by the Madeline Island Ferry Line. August is the ideal time to experience the beautiful scenery, clean air and water, friendly people and waiting adventures of the region. Bayfield is 90 miles from Duluth, MN, 240 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, and 320 miles from Madison.
Course information
The start will be in waist deep water. The finish will be at the water's edge. Swimmers will have to get up and run or walk in shallow water the last 30' to cross the finish line. It is a straight line swimming from start to finish. There will be large buoys marking the course every 1/3 mile. For safety reasons, swimmers will be expected to swim along the marked course, and may be steered by escort vessels if they get too far off track.
The organizers of this event will provide kayak coverage for the competitive race. Swimmers in the Community Event must provide their own escort. Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See under "Community Event" below or call Scott at 715-779-5408 for requirements.
This event is registered and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event in addition to race officials and escorts.
The swimming course follows the same route of the winter ice road, from the beach at the end of Washington Ave. in Bayfield, straight across a house just south of Griggs Landing on Madeline Island. This course parallels the route of the Madeline Island Ferry, finishing approximately 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock.
The ferry affords excellent viewing for spectators.
The organizers of this event will provide kayak coverage for the competitive race. Swimmers in the Community Event must provide their own escort. Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See under "Community Event" below or call Scott at 715-779-5408 for requirements.
This event is registered and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event in addition to race officials and escorts.
The swimming course follows the same route of the winter ice road, from the beach at the end of Washington Ave. in Bayfield, straight across a house just south of Griggs Landing on Madeline Island. This course parallels the route of the Madeline Island Ferry, finishing approximately 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock.
The ferry affords excellent viewing for spectators.
Race Event
You should have some open water swim racing experience or able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool to swim in the race event. If you cannot do this, please enter the Community Event. Wetsuits are strongly recommended - shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit would be best in case of cold temperatures. (If you need a wetsuit, visit wetsuitrental.com to rent or buy a good used suit) Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather (63 to 71 degrees the past six years). No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, flotation devices) will be allowed in the race event, except wetsuits. Voluntarily touching a boat or receiving items handed to them by a boat will result in disqualification.Cut off time for the community swim is 10:00 (2.5 hours). Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
community event
The community swim is not a race, but will be timed for the
swimmer's interest. Swimmers in this event should feel confident in their ability to swim 2 miles in open water.
All Community Swimmers must have their own escort (ideally non-motorized such as a kayak or rowboat) in this event. This should be provided by the swimmer. Race organizers must approve the boat and paddler. The required guidelines are as follows:
-Kayaks must be at least 13 feet long with double bulk heads and rudder or skeg.
-Paddlers MUST have PFD that fits. Pump, paddle float and wetsuit are highly recommended.
-Paddlers/rowers should be experienced, including experience in the wind and waves in case of rough Lake Superior conditions.
-Any craft that is not a kayak MUST be cleared before the race with the race director. This includes motorized boats, rowboats and paddleboards.
-Call Scott at 715-779-5408 for more information or questions.
Swimming aids are allowed, including fins. Swimmers may rest on and get help from their escorts, but towing is not encouraged. A relay team from a surfboard or rowboat is allowed only with permission from the race director.
Wetsuits for Community swimmers are required- shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. (If you need a wetsuit, visit wetsuitrental.com to rent or buy a good used suit) Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will vary with previous days' weather and winds (63 to 71 degrees the past three years).
Cut off time for the community swim is 10:00 (2.5 hours).
Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
swimmer's interest. Swimmers in this event should feel confident in their ability to swim 2 miles in open water.
All Community Swimmers must have their own escort (ideally non-motorized such as a kayak or rowboat) in this event. This should be provided by the swimmer. Race organizers must approve the boat and paddler. The required guidelines are as follows:
-Kayaks must be at least 13 feet long with double bulk heads and rudder or skeg.
-Paddlers MUST have PFD that fits. Pump, paddle float and wetsuit are highly recommended.
-Paddlers/rowers should be experienced, including experience in the wind and waves in case of rough Lake Superior conditions.
-Any craft that is not a kayak MUST be cleared before the race with the race director. This includes motorized boats, rowboats and paddleboards.
-Call Scott at 715-779-5408 for more information or questions.
Swimming aids are allowed, including fins. Swimmers may rest on and get help from their escorts, but towing is not encouraged. A relay team from a surfboard or rowboat is allowed only with permission from the race director.
Wetsuits for Community swimmers are required- shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. (If you need a wetsuit, visit wetsuitrental.com to rent or buy a good used suit) Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will vary with previous days' weather and winds (63 to 71 degrees the past three years).
Cut off time for the community swim is 10:00 (2.5 hours).
Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
relay event
A team of up to 4 swimmers may swim the course as a relay. The team may switch from a motorboat, surfboard, or other craft by tagging each other. There are no rules concerning how long or often each swimmer must swim, only that they must physically tag each other. This event is ideal for swimmers that feel 2 miles is too much solo. Wetsuits will not be required for relay swimmers that are using a boat. The relay team must provide their own watercraft (motorized OK) to switch on and off from. All relay teams must get their watercraft and driver approved by the race director. Call Scott at 715-779-5408.
spectator information
The swim course parallels the path of the Madeline Island Ferry
for most of the 2 miles. Spectators can watch the start of the
race, then take the ferry over to the island and get a view of the race as it spreads out across the lake. The ferry landing dock on Madeline is about 3/4 mile from the finish. Event organizers will offer bus transportation from the ferry dock to the finish line so that spectators can watch the end of the race, but we encourage fit spectators to walk. While extremely fast swimmers (under 50:00) might actually beat the ferry over, we will do our best to get their friends and loved ones to the finish line in time to see them finish!
For more information, prices, and schedules for the ferry,
go to the Madeline Island Ferry Line web site at www.madferry.com or call 715-742-2051.
for most of the 2 miles. Spectators can watch the start of the
race, then take the ferry over to the island and get a view of the race as it spreads out across the lake. The ferry landing dock on Madeline is about 3/4 mile from the finish. Event organizers will offer bus transportation from the ferry dock to the finish line so that spectators can watch the end of the race, but we encourage fit spectators to walk. While extremely fast swimmers (under 50:00) might actually beat the ferry over, we will do our best to get their friends and loved ones to the finish line in time to see them finish!
For more information, prices, and schedules for the ferry,
go to the Madeline Island Ferry Line web site at www.madferry.com or call 715-742-2051.
race postponement/ cancellation policy
The Point to LaPointe Swim to Madeline Island requires a permit from the US Coast Guard. The safety of the swimmers and escort kayakers is of primary concern. For this reason, race organizers may be forced to postpone or cancel the race under the following conditions:
Fog - the finish line must be visible to the naked eye from Bayfield.
Lightening – the race will not be started if there is visible lightening or audible thunder in the area, or weather radar shows a threatening system approaching the area.
Winds and Waves – the race will not be started if wave heights exceed 3’ on the course. Depending on direction and duration, a 20 mph wind can cause these wave heights. This condition will be evaluated in consultation with the US Coast Guard and kayak guides.
If the race cannot be started prior to 11:00 am, race organizers will cancel the event. Some conditions (strong winds or storms all day) may require outright cancellation. If the event is canceled, no refunds will be made.
Mid-race pullout – if the race organizers conclude that conditions are unsafe mid-race, swimmers will be pulled out of the water. No credits will be issued.
Fog - the finish line must be visible to the naked eye from Bayfield.
Lightening – the race will not be started if there is visible lightening or audible thunder in the area, or weather radar shows a threatening system approaching the area.
Winds and Waves – the race will not be started if wave heights exceed 3’ on the course. Depending on direction and duration, a 20 mph wind can cause these wave heights. This condition will be evaluated in consultation with the US Coast Guard and kayak guides.
If the race cannot be started prior to 11:00 am, race organizers will cancel the event. Some conditions (strong winds or storms all day) may require outright cancellation. If the event is canceled, no refunds will be made.
Mid-race pullout – if the race organizers conclude that conditions are unsafe mid-race, swimmers will be pulled out of the water. No credits will be issued.
looking for another event in northern wisconsin?
Check out the Minocqua Island Swim Challenge at www.minocqua.org/minocqua-island-swim-challenge.html
One mile
One mile
