8/7/2019 Protecting Athletes: Open Water Swimming Safety Conference in San Francisco (March 18-20, 2011)

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Protecting Athletes:Open Water Swimming Safety Conference 

in San Francisco (March 18 - 20, 2011) 

Register for this event at .Active com.

 At this timely conference, United States Masters Swimming and   Pacific Masters Swimming will be hosting dozens of 

renowned open water swimming safety experts from Australia to Argentina to discuss protocols, procedures and policies of 

open water swimming safety. Experienced race directors from Maui to Manhattan as well as administrators, referees and 

officials will descend upon the beautiful city in northern California, itself one of the world’s most recognized open water 

swimming capitals. Career professionals from the U.S. Life Saving Association experts and Safety Officers from several

countries and across America will discuss some of the most timely topics in the open water swimming world – and will

attempt to help determine and document the best practices for mass participation swims, competitive races, training and 

solo channel swims for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Topics will touch upon safety issues that arise in warm water 

conditions and others that arise in cold water conditions. From marine life to human hazards, from water quality to safety

equipment, the conference will be comprehensive and detailed.

Conference Location

The Open Water Swimming Safety Conference will

be held on March 18-20 in San Francisco at the San

Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront Hotel –

everyone can simply fly into SFO and take a shuttle

to the hotel. The conference is open to anyone who is

interested in, involved in or is responsible for safety

of athletes, volunteers and officials during

competitive open water races or solo swims.

Click HERE to register in advance for this event.

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8/7/2019 Protecting Athletes: Open Water Swimming Safety Conference in San Francisco (March 18-20, 2011)

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The areas we will cover include swims in oceans, lakes, rivers, seas and anywhere else there are

competitive races, charity swims, fun swims, professional marathon swims – or any other open water

swimming event for individuals of any age, background or ability.

The Purpose of the ConferenceWe just want to provide a forum where interested and experienced people can openly discuss the

various issues related to open water swimming – from hypothermia to hyperthermia, from marine life

to human intervention in emergencies. The experts will talk about what goes into the pre-race planning,

the equipment necessary, communication protocols, documentation and how professional life savers

can work with race officials and race volunteers.

Open Water Key Note Speakers and Contributors

On the first day, Friday, March 18th, we will have a social where everyone can network and meet each

other face-to-face. The open water swimming community rarely has these occasions where like-

minded enthusiasts can come together and just chat and talk about their sport.

On the second day, Saturday, March 19th, we have an entire line-up of great speakers. We will start off 

with two of the best and continue throughout the day with some great speakers and presenters.

Shelley Taylor-Smith

Shelley Taylor-Smith, one of the most passionate advocates of open water swimming and its athleteswill give the keynote speech.

She has really done everything in the sport, from winning 7 professional marathon swimming

championships to swimming the English Channel. She is a member of FINA’s Technical Open Water

Swimming Committee and has done short swims and marathon swims in very cold water and very

warm water.

Her practical experience and unique way of touching people with humor and a tough-nosed approach is

always a good way to kick-off a meeting.

Lewis Pugh

We also have Lewis Pugh giving a welcome message. Here is a real pioneer who is always pushing the

envelope of human potential. He has literally swam in freezing water in the North Pole and up on

Mount Everest. His swims has an extraordinarily high level of risk – but he mitigates the risk with

extensive planning and proper preparation. His personal experiences and entertaining style of speaking

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will help set the proper ambiance for the conference.

Other speakers and panelists include:

• Maddy Crippen, Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation

• Jim Wheeler,  Pacific Masters LMSC who is one of America’s most knowledgeable aquatics

safety experts.

• Morty Berger, NYC Swim

• Dr. Jim Miller,  FINA Sports Medicine Committee

• Benoit Amyot, Traversee International du lac St-Jean

• B. Chris Brewster, U.S. Life Saving Association

• Chris Sheean, Big Shoulders

• Bob Placak ,  RCP Tiburon Mile

• Marcia Cleveland, USMS National Open Water Championships

• Suzanne Heim-Bowen, International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame

• Lori Bosco, Swim Around Key West 

• Kaia Hedlund, Waikiki Roughwater Swim 

• Yutaka Shinozaki, Japan International Open Water Swimming Association

• Dean Jackson, blueseventy

• Liz Tucker, Race Director Certification Manager, USA Triathlon

• Steven Munatones,  Daily News of Open Water Swimming

Discussion, Discovery and Deliberation

On the third and last day, March 20th, we are going to roll-up our sleeves and prepare documents for

public consumption based on what we discuss, discover and deliberate on the first two days. Those

documents will ultimately be made available to US Masters Swimming.

Conference Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of this conference are plentiful. We hope attendees will be able to:

• identify potential problems in the open water under all kinds of conditions and in all kinds of 

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venues

• identify current issues in the sport – from threats by marine life to water quality to proximity to

boat hazards

• share information, experiences and solutions – from those with practical experience

• learn about equipment, protocols, procedures and policies

• pinpoint proven and potential solutions – what happens in an emergency or what contingency

plans should be made?

• understand the rules, regulations and traditions of the sport as it is currently practiced

worldwide

• document a series of best practices used around the world

• discuss proposals, including minimum and maximum water temperature ranges for all ages

•

discuss what-if scenarios, common injuries and tragic situations• publicly post recommendations and findings

• network with safety professionals, vendors and race directors from around the world

• At the end of the day, the goals of this conference are to help the sport understand how to best

plan for and ensure safety in open water swims conducted in oceans, lakes and rivers for

swimmers of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

• Of course, for those who want to go swimming, the famous Aquatic Park and a swim in San

Francisco Bay is being planned.

For U.S. Masters Swimming members, the fee is $125; for others, it is $175.

You can register at Active.com. Just enter open water safety conference at Active.com and it will take

you right to the registration page.

You can also find more detailed information at openwatersource.com

Conference Summary Document 

Listening and meeting these speakers and panelists is a great opportunity, but we realize not everyonecan make it to San Francisco in March. So, we are going to be coming out with a summary document

that will cover all the recommendations and best practices that will be discussed and presented at the

conference. US Masters Swimming really wants to provide this information as a public service.

Special thanks to Rob Butcher, Mark Gill, Lynn Hazelwood, Michael Moore and many of the always

remarkable masters swimming members who work so diligently to make things happen. They have

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been extremely helpful in organizing and making arrangements for this important conference.

This conference is sure to be a great time with some great information that is truly meant to ensure the

safety of all who venture in the open water beyond the shorelines and coastlines of the world.

© 2011 by Steven Munatones. All Rights Reserved. p. 5