For the 77th time since 1916, the La Jolla Rough Water Swim will be held on the beach at La Jolla Cove on Sunday, Sept. 9. Two thousand swimmers are expected to compete in the five different events: Junior, Amateur, Men Masters, Women Masters, and Gatorman.
Start and finish for all races is on the beach at La Jolla Cove.
Starting times are as follows: Junior Event (9 a.m.), Women Masters (11 a.m.), Men Masters (noon), Gatorman (1:30 p.m.) and Amateurs (1:35 p.m.). Due to weather, unsafe water conditions and other delays start times can change.
The organization encourages the competitors to avoid Coast Boulevard after 7 a.m. The swimmers can check in on the day of the event and should anticipate a check-in time of up to an hour to receive the race packet. Check-in is located adjacent to the officials’ stage above the cove.
There is also the option to check in the day before in downtown La Jolla between 9 a.m. and noon at Washington Mutual bank, 7777 Girard Ave.
The course for the Junior Event is 250 yards long. In the Amateur and Masters Events, the swimmers have to swim a triangular 1-mile course. There is one Amateur Boys and one Amateur Girls group. In the Masters Event, the competitors start in three age groups for men and in two groups for women.
The Gatorman Event, with one group for men and one for women, is a 3-mile course with two longer legs and one shorter leg. For safety reasons, Gatorman swimmers must wear bright yellow caps that are supplied at the check-in. This event is by far the most technical. The organization recommends using board paddlers. Swimmers can also compete in the Dual Event, when they pre-register in the Masters and the Gatorman Event.
Every swimmer is required to cross the finish line with a chip attached as instructed, or he or she will be disqualified. The swimmers in the LJRWS are not allowed to use flotation or propulsion aids, wetsuits, fins, or hand paddles.
All finishers are awarded a LJRWS Survivor medal or a Gatorman Finisher medal.
Last year saw Mark Warkentin of Santa Barbara win both the Men Masters 1-mile race in a time of 17:38.6, then take the 3-mile Gatorman in 53:41.4.
For information, call (858) 456-2100 or visit www.ljrws.com.