Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe for swimming?

Absolutely! The water is cleaner now than it was ten years ago and by some estimates 100 years ago. It is perfectly safe and sanitary to swim in it under supervised conditions. In the NYCDEP Commissioner's Statement of Aug 14, 2001, Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr. says "New Yorkers and visitors can once again swim on all our beaches and fish the Hudson River." Swimming becomes unsafe and there are water quality concerns after significant and extended rain events. In that case, swimmers would be advised that the water quality is compromised so they can decide whether to participate.

How do I upload my pool certification?

The pool certificate template can be found at http://www.nycswim.org/Template/poolcertificatetemplate.pdf. You may complete your pool swim at any pool as long as the lifeguard is willing to monitor your swim and sign the pool certification form; a list of public and private pools in New York City is available on our website for your reference.

Once you have completed your qualifying pool swim and filled in the form, you can upload it via the "Swimmer" page of your profile (PDF files only) or fax it to 212-784-6850. Please note that the pool certification for events is generally due two weeks in advance or, if you are enrolling closer to the swim date, within 24 hours of your enrollment.

What will the water be like?

The water will probably be in the mid 60's during June, the beginning of July and September, but in the 70's during the end of July and August. There can be a substantial amount of chop in the water from wind and Tide action. The waterways are saltwater and there is shipping traffic. There may be random Jetsam and Flotsam in the waterways.

What are the qualifications to race?

All applicants must fill out an extensive application detailing their swimming and personal background.

For the Manhattan Swim and Ederle Swim: Applicants must complete a qualifying swim in a prescribed water temperature and include recent workouts and their training plan. They must also write an essay about why they want to participate; a medical exam is required as well. For additional information on qualifications for solo swimmer and relay applicants, check the MIMS web page and the Ederle web page.

For Swim Series: Applicants have to meet the swim standards determined for the event. Check the race you are interested in the "Experience Requirement" section. There is no medical requirement for swim series events, though it's always a good idea to check with your doctor before embarking on a new fitness plan.

Are wetsuits allowed?

For the Manhattan Swim and the Ederle Swim: All swimming costumes must be made of a porous material and conform to the "traditional" swimming suit style. These events do not allow attire that increases buoyancy or heat retention, including wetsuits, neoprene caps, or neoprene socks. Caps shall be defined as headgear conforming to traditional swim cap design and not extending to protect the neck or shoulders. Please consult the Race Rules on the MIMS Policies and Ederle Policies pages for additional details on permitted swimwear.

For the Swim Series: When the water temperature is 68°F (20°C) or higher, only swimmers wearing traditional-style swim suits will be eligible for awards. A traditional-style swim suit is one that is made of a porous material, is sleeveless, and is legless. Any suit that extends to the thighs or shoulders, reduces drag in the water, increases buoyancy, or improves heat-retention makes the wearer ineligible for awards. Suits in the non-traditional category include Speedo LZR Racer, Speedo Aquablade, Speedo FS II, Speedo Fastskin, TYR Aqua Shift, TYR Aquapel, TYR Fusion2, Nike Liftsuit, blue seventy zeropoint3, and suits with similar materials. When the water temperature is below 68°F, all swimmers will be eligible for awards, regardless of whether they wear a traditional swim suit or wetsuit. For each swim, an official announcement regarding temperature and award eligibility will be made on the website and in a final email to participants no later than two days before the event.

Are fins, snorkels, and other swim aids allowed?

Fins, snorkels and other swim aids (including, but not limited to, items such as swim paddles, gloves, kick boards, flotation devices, etc.) are not allowed in any of the NYC Swim swim events or races.

Is there anyway to receive photos from past swim events?

We have an online photo gallery. These photos are copyrighted and permission must be obtained before use.

How do I apply?

Applications for each swim and aquathlon in the summer series are available online at www.nycswim.org. Registration remains open until 3 days prior to the event unless the maximum number of participants allowed has already been reached.

How much does it cost?

Please check the application of the event you are interested in.

What happens to my personal belongings once I get in the water?

At swimmer check-in, you may also check a bag of personal belongings to be transported to race finish for you. You should bring an inexpensive bag and leave your valuables at home. NYC Swim is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

I'm a collegiate swimmer with lots of experience; can I have the qualifying swim requirement waived?

Due to both safety and liability reasons, we are unable to waive the qualification requirements for any prospective swimmer. Additionally, we use the swim time information to place swimmers in an appropriate starting wave.

If you have completed an NYC Swim event of appropriate distance within the past three years, your participation may automatically qualify you for the race that you would like to enter. If you have non-NYC Swim open water swim experience, you can enter the information under your user profile (click on the “My Events” tab, page down to the “Swim History (Non-NYC Swim Events)” section, click on “Add Non-NYC Swim Event”) and it will be reviewed to ensure that it meets the standards set for the race that you would like to enter. You may also qualify for a swim by completing a monitored pool swim as detailed in the race requirements section. (Login to your swimmer profile, click on the “Swimmer” tab to see the requirements for the different races as well as to access the pool certificate template.)

Are the swims with the current or against the current?

Most of our swims are timed to have a Tidal assist, but weather conditions could diminish or offset that. If you are interested in the Tide information, please see this page for details.

Can I listen to my MP3 player or waterproof radio while I'm swimming in the event?

No, headphones are not allowed.

Should I wear a wetsuit?

Whether or not to wear a wetsuit is up to you. Taking a practice swim in water of a similar temperature to what you might experience on race day might help you make a decision. Please be sure to read our Swim Attire and Wetsuit Policy.

Steps to Create a New User Profile

Applicants and crew members who have not previously participated in a NYC Swim event must create a user profile in order to utilize the online application form. At a minimum, a person wishing to create a new user account will need a name and a unique e-mail address (i.e., not an e-mail shared with someone already in the system). To create a new account, click here and follow the prompts.

Error Message - Email already exists in DB

The NYC Swim system allows an email address to be used ONLY once. Two users may NOT share the same email address. This policy helps prevents unauthorized, third party access to a User’s personal information and communications. We recommend that each NYC Swim website User establish his/her own PRIVATE email address (Gmail, AOL and Yahoo are possible options).

Forgot your Account's Password

User accounts are created either by the user OR the NYC Swim system, when a Manhattan Island swimmer/participant designates his/her swim support “crew” members. A user may request his/her account’s password by clicking here. Once User complete’s the form, the NYC Swim system will send by email the password on file to the User’s email address.

Steps to Update the User Profile

Login to your account
          Thoroughly complete
                    Account and Personal Information
                    Contact Information
                    Work Information
                    Emergency Contact Information
                    User Bio
          Click 'Save'

          Click on 'MyEvents'
                    Scroll down to Swim History (Non-NYC Swim Events).
                    Follow the Steps to Upload Non-NYC Swim Event

          Click on 'Swimmer'
                    Thoroughly complete
                              Doctor Information (MIMS Solo and 2-person relay; Ederle)
                              Membership
                              Pool Certificates
                              Medical Forms (MIMS Solo and 2-person relay; Ederle)
                              Qualifying Swims - (MIMS Solo, 2-person, 4-person and 6-person relays; Ederle)
                              Other
                    Click 'Save'

          Click on 'Photos'
                   If no photos exist, please follow Steps Add a Photo to the User Profile
                   If no headshot is chosen, follow Steps to Add a Photo Headshot to the User Profile
          Click 'Save'

I am unable to log in even though I know my ID and password. Help!

If you are experiencing difficulty logging in, here are some possible solutions:

1. Try logging in from a different computer.
2. Try logging in from a different browser on the same computer.
3. Try clearing the cookies and cache out of your browser before logging in.
4. Log in from swimnyc.org from the same computer.

Where are the best viewing spots for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim?

We're often asked where spectators should go in order to get a great view of the race. Just about anywere on the waterfront between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm on race day could net some good opportunities to see your favorite swimmers. Best bets are at South Cove and Battery Park at the start; the Upper East Side at about 9:00 am; anywhere along the Harlem River throughout the mid morning; and back at the World Financial Center starting around 2:00 pm.

Some local favorites:

A mile is 1760 yards (1609 meters); why is the NYC Swim qualification standard 1650 yards (1500 m.)?

It's true that a statute mile is 1760 yards (1609 meters); however, the NYC Swim qualification standard is based on the competitive pool "mile" event, which is 1650 yards (1500 meters).

Steps to Upload Non-NYC Swim Events to the User Profile

Uploading non-NYC Swim event results is a multi-step process that depends on identifying the event, the instance (the date/year the event took place) and the individual results of the user.

Login to your account
     Click on "My Events"
     Scroll down to "Swim History (Non-NYC Swim Events)"
     Click on "Add Non-NYC Swim Event"
           If your result is in our system, it will appear.
                 Click on the "Action" box and the "Add Non-NYC Swim Event" button to add the information to your profile.
           If your result is not in our system, you will need to enter the result information yourself.
                 Select either of the "click here" links.
                 Enter the name of the event (or portion thereof) and click the "Search" button.
                 All events in our database with a similar name will appear below the search box. If your event is in our system, click
                 on it to select. (If your event is not in our system, you will need to enter the information yourself. Please see
                 below for additional instructions.)
                       Select the "instance" (year) of your event, page down to the "Result" section and enter your results, and click
                       the "Add Non-NYC Swim Result" button.
                       If the "instance" (year) of your event does not appear as a choice, you will need to enter the event information
                       yourself. Select "click here" link.
                             Complete the "Instance" and "Result" sections, and click the "Add Non-NYC Swim Result" button.
                 If your event is not in our system, select the "click here" link to create the event and enter your results.
                       Enter general event information in the "Name" section.
                       Enter instance-specific (year-specific) information in the "Instance" section.
                       Enter your results in the "Result" section.
                       Click the "Add Non-NYC Swim Result" button.

If you create a new event, you WILL see it in your personal profile, BUT you will NOT immediately see it in your public profile. We'll have to approve it...once it's been approved you'll be notified and it will appear in your public profile as well. If you are having trouble with the directions above, please e-mail a link to your qualifying result to info@nycswim.org.

Under what conditions would NYC Swim cancel a race?

NYC Swim always endeavors to hold events as scheduled and rarely issues cancellations in advance. That said, because our events are Tide specific, and require the cooperation of many shore-side and waterborne agencies, many conditions have to be met in order for us to proceed as planned.

We must have support boats and kayaks on hand to ensure swimmer safety. If visibility conditions on the water in the hours preceding the scheduled start of the race are poor, or if conditions for the return after the event are forecasted to be very poor, our boaters and kayakers may not be able to make it to the event, and we would be forced to cancel the swim.

If conditions at the time of the race are so rough that they would make it unsafe for swimmers and boaters to be in the water, we would not hold the swim. If conditions are borderline, we may allow only the fastest swimmers to start.

For swims with different start and finish locations, we must be assured of the ability to get our support vehicles from one location to the other.

We must feel confident that the water quality is high enough for us to allow swimmers to enter the water. If we receive a considerable amount of rain, or if there is a power outage causing the sewage-treatment system to be turned off, water quality may become an issue.

Lightning at the time of the swim would result in a delay, which if substantial could lead to cancellation.

Would you cancel a race due to water quality concerns?

If water quality is an issue, swimmers would be advised on site so they can decide whether to participate. After a severe storm, such as one involving torrential downpours over an extended period of time whereby water quality in an entire region is compromised, we will not permit swimmers to go in the water. An indication of such a situation would be the closure of many local beaches, as the water quality at various locations is interdependent. If an event is canceled in advance, information will be posted on our home page as soon as it is available. [Cancellation Policy]

Is there a medical requirement for NYC Swim events?

Most swims do not require any shots or a medical exam. We recommend that all swimmers have up-to-date Tetanus shots; some swimmers get a gamma globulin or hepatitis A shot. Our marathon swims — the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the Ederle Swim — require swimmers to submit a medical form completed by their doctor. The medical form is not necessary for any other swim, though it can't hurt to check with your doctor before trying any new athletic endeavor.

How can I register for the Liberty Island Swim?

All qualified swimmers are pre-loaded into the swim, so that they can click through to register. If you try to click "Enroll as a Swimmer" and aren't able to get anywhere, that means you aren't yet eligible to sign up. Experience requirements for this swim are listed on the event page.

How can I use my swim as a fundraiser?

NYC Swim organizes the swim events to help further its goals of supporting and expanding public Learn-to-Swim programs throughout New York City, particularly those that serve at-risk youth, as well as to raise awareness of the waters that surround New York by supporting efforts to clean and protect them. NYC Swim’s swim events are excellent opportunities for individuals and companies to raise funds for their preferred charity. Participants may fund-raise for one non-NYC Swim charity per event, and all donations must be processed, tracked and publicized via NYC Swim’s web site.

For the swim series events, fundraising is completely voluntary. Participants may choose to fundraise for NYC Swim only or to include a charity of their choice. In that instance, proceeds are split 50/50 between NYC Swim and the selected charity and will be disbursed by NYC Swim after fundraising is complete.

For the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, there are two classes of fundraising: voluntary and obligatory. Voluntary fundraisers apply and are accepted through the open enrollment process and may choose to fundraise for NYC Swim only or include a charity of their choice. In that instance, proceeds are split 50/50 between NYC Swim and the selected charity and will be disbursed by NYC Swim after fundraising is complete. Obligatory fundraisers apply and are accepted for one of the relay slots reserved for fundraisers and have minimum fundraising requirements and distribution arrangements. The full policy can be found here.

All fundraisers (voluntary and obligatory) may enter a charity at the time of enrollment or e-mail info@nycswim.org to add a charity to an existing enrollment.

Is it true that the 2010 Brooklyn Bridge Swim starts in Brooklyn?

We are currently seeking approval to start the swim at 12:00 PM in Brooklyn and to finish in Manhattan. Among other things, this course change would allow us to have a back-up date on Sunday; a beach finish without the pontoon (improving safety); a wider, in water start; and an easier-to-follow course. As a bonus, swimmers would have the Manhattan skyline to gaze at before the swim start and post-swim refreshments at the nearby Water Taxi Beach. If this course change is not approved, we will run the traditional Manhattan-to-Brooklyn course with a picturesque dawn start on September 11 at Dover Street/South Street. It's a great swim either way.

How do I add a photo headshot to my profile?

Adding a headshot to your profile is relatively simple. If you already have photos uploaded in your profile and wish to select one as your headshot, follow these four easy steps:

How do I upload a photo to my profile?

Follow these eight steps to upload a photo to your profile:

How can I apply for a Battle of the Bridge team in the Brooklyn Bridge Swim?

Battle of the Bridge essays can be submitted as a part of your enrollment or at a later date (provided teams have not yet been selected). If you didn't submit an essay at the time you enrolled in the swim, you can follow these steps to submit one now:

I'm new to open water swimming. Do you have any tips for me?

We polled the readers of our newsletter Cross Currents and came up with these tips: