The Armed Forces OWS Champs

Overview. The Armed Forces OWS Champs will be held at Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset BH5 1BN on Wed 26 Sept 18. This will be hosted by Votwo in partnership with the Army Swimming Union. The event will involve competitors from the RN, Army and RAF.

Intent. Service swimmers will compete in a testing environment to win the FUJIARM Trophy at the Armed Forces OWS Champs with a 5km in concert with running an inclusive and rewarding 1.5km unit and Corps event.

All competitors must pre-register through their Corps Reps or direct via Nathan Pearce by 17 Sept 18. The Armed Forces OWS Champs will commence with the 5km race including the Inter Services Championship, followed by the 1.5km race which will include the Army Inter Corps Championship, the Army Inter Unit Championship, and the Masters Freestyle Championship. Event details are in para 4b and timings are at Annex A. On arrival, individuals will go to the registration area and collect their race number, electronic timing chip, race t-shirt and race hat. A race briefing will commence approx 15 mins before the start of each race. 

Entries.   The cost of registration (regardless or number of races) is £20. This fee will cover the costs of providing hats, safety cover, t-shirts and presentations. All payments are to be made on the day by cash or by cheques made payable to ‘CSSA’. ALL REGISTRATION IS TO BE COMPLETE BY 17 Sept 18 via dclark@ascb.uk.com

Team Captains are to ensure that Registration is carried out as early as possible. Payment and entry confirmation (check-in) will be on the day.

Wearing of wetsuits. Please note that wetsuits may be required for races as follows;

                        Below 16°C No Race

                        16 – 17.9°C - Wetsuits mandatory

                        18° - 20°C – No wetsuit (wetsuit swimmers will NOT score)

                        Over 20° - No wetsuits allowed

The temperature will be formally stated the morning of the race by the race civilian organisers, Votwo. 

Scoring. 5km Race – Inter Services OWS Champs

The Inter Service OWS Champs 2018 will be held over 5km distance race will; the 3 best placed swimmers for each Service will count, the finish times of each swimmer being added together to give a team finish time. The team has completed the course in the shortest time will be declared the winners. Only experienced Open Water Swimmers will be allowed to enter the 5km event and must certify that they are fit to swim using the form at Enclosure 1. Team Captains are to ensure that their swimmers have completed a 2hr swim prior to the event. Competitors are to bring a signed copy of Enclosure 1 to the event. 

1.5 km Race – Incorporating Army Inter Unit OWS Champs & Inter Corps OWS Champs and Masters (40 plus) Freestyle Championships.

The Army Inter Corps OWS Champs 18 will be held over the 1.5km distance; the first 8 swimmers from any Corps will count, each swimmers place will be added to give a total, the team with the smallest total will be declared the winners.

The Army Inter Unit OWS Champs 18 will also be held over the 1.5km distance; the first 6 swimmers from any unit will count, each swimmers place will be added to give a total, the team with the smallest total will be declared the winners. The Masters (40 plus) Freestyle Championships & Battleback Freestyle Race will also be run as part of the 1.5km race with individual prizes for 1^st and 2^nd.

Safety 

(1)        Safety Officer. During the swimming event the event organiser (Votwo) will be responsible for swimmers safety and their decisions regarding safety will be final.  

(2)        Officials. Votwo will officiate the event. Additional tasks will be undertaken in accordance with Annex B to UKAFSA Constitution and Rules.

(3)        Medical. Votwo will provide a medic, lifeguards are also on duty and are appropriately trained. Additionally, the paramedics will provide a first-aid facility on Boscombe Beach. 

(4)        Safety Brief. A brief on all aspects of the event, including safety, will be given by the race organiser Votwo before each individual race. 

(5)        Swimmers. Novice open water swimmers are welcomed but should have carried out a minimum of 1.5km open water sea swim prior to the event. A more comprehensive swimmer’s guide is at Annex B.

(6)        Cancellation. The event will be cancelled if the sea temperature is less change to than 16 deg C or the sea / wind state is deemed unsafe by the event organiser (Votwo). Cancellation will be notified through the chain of command and on the Votwo website.   

Lt Col IK Dzisiewska will exercise command and control prior to the event and the race organiser (Votwo) will retain responsibility for all water and race safety issues. Full details are contained in the military admin instruction distributed on DII.