21st Annual Flowers One Mile Sea Swim – 15 June, 2013

Flowers International 5K and 10K Swims – June 17th, 2013

Saturday 15^th June 2:30pm at the Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman is the place to be. There will be international swimming stars partaking among the 900 starters

The Cayman Islands, located in the beautiful Caribbean Sea with crystal clear waters, white sands and warm weather all year, is the perfect location for outdoor water sports. Over two decades ago, against such an ideal backdrop, the tradition of the Flowers One Mile Sea Swim began. As the event swims into its 21st year on June 15, 2013, we invite you to participate in what has come to be considered a must-do event for open water aficionados and has been named one of the World’s Top 13 Open Water Swims.

The Flowers Sea Swim is Grand Cayman’s flagship sporting event. Last event’s race boasted over 900 registrants. Participants vary in age from 8 to 80 years old and in skill from novices and first-timers to gold medal Olympians and world championship open water specialists from around the globe. The Flowers Sea Swim welcomes Swimmers from all strokes of life!

The unique draw of the Flowers Sea Swim is not only its flawless course conditions along Cayman’s beautiful Seven Mile Beach, but the numerous random prizes. The race is the world’s richest open water event with over $100,000 in cash and random prizes. The odds to win a random prize are 1-in-5 and previous giveaways have included blackberries, Ipad’s, hotel stays, and dozens of airline tickets to premier destinations such as Miami, New York, Panama, Rome, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, London, Dublin, Rio De Janerio, and Toronto. All finishers receive a fantastic t-shirt and goody bag filled with prizes and surprises!

The Walk & Watch program will also be offered again. Ideal for the non-swimmer who wants to be able to take part in the excitement of the Flowers Mile and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.

All registration proceeds are donated to the Feed Our Future charity which provides healthy meals to needy school children in the Cayman Islands.

Schedule of Events

This year the Flowers Sea Swim is bigger and better than ever! We have expanded the swim to include a host of other events to ensure that there is something for everyone. Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to participate in the Flowers Mile as well as in the days before and after the swim, so that you can share in as much of the experience as possible!

Dates & Events

Thursday June 13

2013 Feed Our Future/ Flowers Sea Swim Charity Gala.

Friday June 14

2013 Flowers Sea Swim Welcome Luncheon, Abacus in Camana Bay.

Saturday June 15th

Flowers One Mile Sea Swim starting at 2:30pm at the Ritz Carlton.  Register for Sea Swim

June 15

Walk & Watch which also starts alongside the Flowers One Mile Sea Swim at 2:30pm at the Ritz Carlton. Register

Monday June 17

Flowers International 5k & 10k, starting at Grand Cayman Beach Suites. Register

Race info:

Start and Finish Lines

START: Ritz-Carlton – FINISH: Royal Palms The Finish site will be either at Royal Palms or Surfside Beach & Restaurant depending on the ocean currents.

Parking

Parking at both the Start and the Finish is limited. You may want to carpool or take public transport. Please do not block any nearby businesses or driveways. Please bring only one car and walk to the Start before the race or from the Finish after the race.

Surfside Beach & Restaurant:

There is parking close to the Surfside Beach & Restaurant along West Bay Road.

Royal Palms Finish:

Please note that there is very limited parking at Royal Palms. However, Dart Realty and Property Management have generously offered Camana Bay for race day parking. There is parking along the connector road from West Bay Road to the EsterleyTibbets Bypass. There is also ample parking in the Camana Bay parking lots and garages. Camana Bay is less than a 10-minute walk to Royal Palms.

The Start Line

The Start Line is a rope strung between the beach and a buoy. The Starter will ensure that everyone is behind the Start Line before beginning the race. Both an air horn and a flag are used to start the race (audible and visible signals).

Please note that 75:00 minutes is a very generous cut-off time. You need not be in any rush at the start. The race start can be tricky – in a “cuisinart start” such as this one, where everyone starts at once and arms and legs are flailing everywhere, it is best if you pace yourself. Faster or more able swimmers prefer the outside edge at the front of the pack. If you are more of a novice whose goal is to finish the race, then you may want to place yourself at the back of the pack.

Once the start horn has sounded, stay relaxed and work your way forward in the water. As you pass over the Start Line you will swim over the rope (you may not even notice that it’s there). If you are at the back of the pack, it may take you up to 3 minutes to get from the spot where you entered the water up to the Start line. The cutoff time has been set to take into account the fact that some swimmers will take a couple of minutes to actually cross the Start Line.

Course

The 1-mile course runs parallel to shore along Seven Mile Beach. Water safety craft will patrol the outer limit of the course. Please do not swim out beyond the boundary marking the course.

Large yellow and orange buoys will mark each 1/8th mile along the course. The Finish line is between 2 orange poles and under the Flowers Sea Swim banner. A funnel marked by lane ropes and yellow buoys will lead up to the Finish line.

Ceremony and Awards

The ceremony at the Finish will begin at 4:00p. Awards for the top 4 Men’s and Women’s swimmers will begin as soon as the ceremony is finished. Random prizes will be drawn after the awards. This is a great time to relax, rest, rehydrate and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach.

Swimmers must be present to win random prizes and must show the race number on their arm. Only the winning swimmer can collect her or his own prize. Prizes are non-transferrable.

First Aid

First aid will be available at the Start, Finish, and along the course. Please notify the nearest official should you require attention.

Safety

The course will be patrolled by event staff and volunteers on boats, kayaks, and jet skis. Beach Marshals will be stationed at intervals along the beach. If a swimmer feels unable to proceed or wants to get out of the water, they should attract the attention of safety personnel.

Swimmers enter this event at their own personal risk. They are responsible for their own physical condition, and are urged to train and have a medical check prior to entry. A swimmer deemed incapable of completing the course may be taken out of the water by safety officials at any time. While in the water all swimmers must comply with the directions of the event staff. Any swimmer who pulls out of the race must notify race officials immediately.

Please be aware that there are other buoys and markers in the water along the course not related to the race. Swimmers should note that these fixtures may have barnacles or other marine growth that may cause abrasions or other injuries, and swimmers should avoid contact with them.

In case of emergency, air horns will be sounded repeatedly. Get out of the water immediately.

Other Considerations

Come to the beach on race day well-hydrated, and continue to drink water before the race starts. Sunscreen is important. Please wear it according to best practices – don’t let a sunburn ruin your afternoon!

For more information on the Flowers Sea Swim go to:

http://www.flowersseaswim.com/