Policies

Race Cancellation Policy

All of NYC Swim's events require permits issued by the Coast Guard. These permits are issued subject to prevailing Homeland Security concerns and Maritime Security Levels in the area. If conditions change, the Coast Guard may require that we alter, reschedule or cancel an event.

Our paramount concern is the health and safety of our swimmers and volunteer kayakers. For this reason, we are sometimes forced to cancel races due to unsafe weather conditions or unsanitary water conditions.

After a prolonged or heavy rainfall, it may take several hours to several days before the rivers are again safe for swimmers, due to the trash, untreated storm runoff, and Flotsam and Jetsam that may flow into Manhattan's water ways. In addition, inclement weather may interfere with our ability to set up a race, forcing us to cancel the event even when the forecast calls for better conditions at the scheduled starting time.

The race director has full discretion to cancel a race at any time. In the event of an advance cancellation of an event by NYC Swim:

If the event has a scheduled back-up date:
NYC Swim will automatically transfer the registrations of all registered applicants to the back-up date.

If the event does not have a scheduled back-up date:
If the event cannot be rescheduled, all registered applicants will receive a 50% credit towards any NYC Swim swim race in the Current or next following season, with the exception of the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim and the Ederle Swim.

If an event has to be canceled or halted while swimmers and race staff are on site, the above advance cancellation policies do not apply. If conditions continue to be unsuitable for allowing swimmers into the water or if the event does not have a scheduled back-up date, race souvenirs will be distributed to all swimmers and volunteers who are present.

Volunteer Policy

NYC Swim is an organization with no full-time staff. Without volunteers, the races cannot take place. We encourage you to volunteer for races in which you are not participating. We also encourage you to invite your family and friends to volunteer while you are swimming. Volunteers will receive gift bags, including official race shirts, for each event at which they volunteer.

Those individuals who are volunteering as a means of accruing frequent participant points for 2009 must enroll online as a volunteer in advance of the event and must check in with the volunteer coordinator on the day of the event in order to receive volunteer credit.

Substitution and Withdrawal Policy

NYC Swim incurs nearly all race expenses before race day. For that reason, we are not able to reimburse registered swimmers who wish to withdraw from an event. However, we will provide a 50% credit to registered swimmers who are unable to participate in an event due to a medical condition. To obtain this credit, you must contact us at withdraw@nycswim.org no less than two weeks prior to race date with medical documentation showing that you will be unable to participate in the enrolled event. No other refunds, credits or exchanges will be provided.

Swimmers who withdraw for medical reasons will receive a credit equal to 50% of their registration fee, which can be applied towards any future NYC Swim event except for the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, the Manhattan Island "Quiet" Swims and the Ederle Swim. The credit must be used within 365 days of the date of issue.

We will not grant any other credits or exchanges, except in instances where we are forced to cancel an event (see Race Cancellation Policy, above).

No entrant may sell, trade or otherwise allow another person to use an entry. Such substitutions jeopardize our insurance and our ability to secure the permits necessary to produce future events.

Anyone found to be participating under another person’s entry will be disqualified from the event, and both the participant and the original registrant will be barred from all future NYC Swim events.

Safety Policy

The race officials have authority to pull a swimmer from the water at any time for the swimmer’s own safety. Potentially dangerous conditions may include, without limitation, hypothermia, changes to weather or water conditions, or interference by shipping or other watercraft traffic. The race courses are patrolled by lifeguards and government safety officials, and each race includes a medical team. The race officials shall have full discretion to pull any swimmer from the water for safety reasons, and to determine when and if the swimmer may resume swimming.

Swim Attire and Wetsuit Policy

Traditional Swim Costume, Headgear and Accessories
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 is considered non-traditional. 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.

Caps shall be defined as headgear conforming to traditional swim cap design and not extending to protect the neck or shoulders. Neoprene accessories such as caps and socks are also classified as non-traditional items.

Event Specific Swim Attire and Wetsuit Policy
For the Manhattan Swim and the Ederle Swim: All swimming costumes must be permitted under NYC Swim’s Traditional Swim Costume, Headgear and Accessories definitions above.

For the Swim Series: When the water temperature is 68°F (20°C) or higher, only swimmers wearing traditional-style swim suits and accessories [as defined under NYC Swim’s Traditional Swim Costume, Headgear and Accessories] will be eligible for awards. 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.

Fundraising Policy

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 Charities only or to include a charity of their choice. In that instance, proceeds are split 50/50 between NYC Swim Charities and the selected charity and will be disbursed by NYC Swim Charities 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 Charities only or include a charity of their choice. In that instance, proceeds are split 50/50 between NYC Swim Charities and the selected charity and will be disbursed by NYC Swim Charities after your 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.

Violations of this policy may prevent the swimmer from participating in MIMS and other NYC Swim events.