Wilmington, NC US 28403
2021 UPDATES - MODIFIED COURSE
Here are the 2021 Updated maps. Details below
1. Both races will start at 9:00am
2. Swim the Loopers will start at Dockside and swim an out and back to Blockade Runner. First following the red line below and then returning following the green line. There will be a timing mat at Blockade Runner to cross to get a split time.
3. Mott's Channel Sprint will begin at Blockade Runner and follow the green line as normally planned.
4. Both races will keep buoys on your left (swimming to the right of the buoys) to avoid collisions.
5. Both races are wetsuit legal. No penalties if you do not want to wear a wetsuit.
Come and have fun, this will be a new challenge and we appreciate your support!
Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach are beautiful in the months of September and October. The race will take place 12 day into the fall season and hurricane season does not end until November 30th. The average air temperature is 75° with an average water temperature of 75-79°. The average wind speed is between 5-10 mph and usually comes from the Southwest. On race morning the expected sunrise is 7:08am with a high tide of 5.52ft at 11:06am.
Swim The Loop starts and finishes at the Dockside Restaurant, which is located on Airlie Road (Wilmington side of the Intracoastal Waterway). The race will start at a high tide to ensure an even tide pattern throughout the 3.5 mile swim. Don’t be fooled though; there will be times of slight incoming tide, slight falling tide and a mostly slack tide.
Mott’s Channel Sprint starts at the Blockade Runner Resort, located on Wrightsville Beach, and finishes across the intracoastal at the Dockside Restaurant on Airlie Road. The course is approximately 1.3 miles long and is a point to point swim. The race will start at a high tide (based off of the Masonboro Inlet tide chart) to try and ensure a slight incoming to slack tide throughout the 1.3 mile swim.
WEDNESDAY
Pre-Race Virtual Video
This video will be pre-recorded and sent to all swimmers. It will also be posted on FaceBook. This video will go over the following -
- Race Rules
- COVID Protocols - separate start times, mandatory face masks, separate packet pickups, social distancing, pre- and post- race rules
- Course Details
- Updated Weather and review of tide
- Water Safety
- Course Tips and Tricks
- Appropriate Swim Gear
- What to expect on race day
- Parking and Shuttles
- TT Starts for both races
FRIDAY
Q&A via ZOOM
Link and time will be provided. Please watch pre-race virtual video prior to Q&A
SATURDAY
Packet pick-up
4:00-6:00PM at Dockside Restaurant - SWIM THE LOOP (https://goo.gl/maps/u5kBTPMR29ZaypWR9)
4:00-6:00PM at North Carolina Coastal Federation - MOTT'S CHANNEL SPRINT (https://goo.gl/maps/NvsJgVEvzTpqrqsn9)
Pre-Race Virtual Video
Athletes are recommend to watch this. We will go over the rules, swim gear, course, and give advice on how to swim each race efficiently.
SWIM THE LOOP 3.5 and MOTT’S CHANNEL SPRINT 1.3
The Virtual Video will be posted Wednesday evening 10/06/2021, time TBD
SUNDAY
Packet pick-up
NO Packet pick-up will be available on race. YOU MUST pick up your packet Saturday
Body marking
Your swim cap and arms must be marked with your race number. This number must be bold and large. Your cap will already have the number on it so please mark either your UPPER arms or TOP of your hands before swimming
Mott's Channel Sprint SHUTTLE to START (Blockade Runner)
7:30-8:30AM. PAID meters start at 9:00am if you choose to park at the start. The fee is $3.00-$5.00 an hour.
NEW this year - the shuttle will be picking ALL Mott's Channel Swimmers up from Fish House Grill (https://goo.gl/maps/Nb5beExJohTVvoV77)
*We are doing this new pick up location to reduce the amount of people at Dockside first thing in the morning. Once you park at Dockside please walk straight over to the Fish House Grill to catch the shuttle to Blockade Runner*
Pre-Race Virtual Video
Will be recorded and posted 10/06/20 in the evening. Time TBA
SWIM THE LOOP WILL START AT 9:00AM and MOTT'S CHANNEL will START AT 9:00AM
At the start everyone must cross over the timing mats before entering the water (Swim The Loop) or a mass start (Mott's Channel Sprint). At either start let the more competitive swimmers start up front. If you wait 10-30 seconds at the start, you will have plenty of room and won’t have to worry about contact with another swimmer. At 12:00pm you must be finished with the swim course. If you do not make the time cut-off you will be pulled from the water and be brought back to Dockside.
THERE WILL BE A HARD CUT-OFF for SWIM THE LOOP at the green channel marker 23. IF YOU DO NOT PASS THIS POINT BY 2.5 HRS YOU WILL BE PULLED FROM THE COURSE.
Awards at Dockside Restaurant
Motts Channel 1.3 10:00 am
Swim The Loop 3.5 11:30 am
Post-race food and drinks will be from 9:15am-12:00pm.
Event Parking
Parking will be available at Dockside’s main lot and larger side lot. Both lots are marked as Dockside Parking. There is plenty of parking; however, street parking is not allowed. Please DO NOT park at any other businesses along Airlie Rd unless you have approved permission.
NORTH CAROLINA COASTAL FEDERATION
Does the race benefit a charity?
Yes! A portion of the race proceeds goes to support the North Carolina Coastal Federation,a non-profit conservation organization. We firmly believe in the importance of keeping our coasts clean, since clean coastal waters is something we all need to live and play! Through education, advocacy and restoration, the North Carolina Coastal Federation works in our region to keep polluted stormwater out of our Swim the Loop waters and to restore oyster reefs and wetlands.
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