Columbia River Cross-Channel Swim

69th Annual Roy Webster
Columbia River
Cross-Channel Swim
Labor Day, Monday
September 5, 2011
Hood River, Oregon USA
Welcome to the Roy Webster Columbia River Cross-Channel Swim!
Held every year in beautiful Hood River, Oregon, this swim is a
challenging open-water event that gives participants the opportunity to
swim across the mighty Columbia River. Swimmers board the Sternwheeler
paddleboat and are ferried across the Columbia to the Washington side,
where they jump from the boat and swim back to the Oregon shore.
Hosted by
Requirements
• This is not a race!
• The swim is for intermediate level or
better swimmers
• All swimmers must be at least 10 years old,
in good physical health, and must wear a
swim cap due to safety regulations
• Swimmers under 15 years old must each
be accompanied by an adult swimmer
• Each boat carries up to 490 swimmers
• Participants are accepted on first-come,
first-served basis
• No grease or oil allowed as it may damage
the Sternwheeler, but wet or dry suits
are permitted
• You must sign a waiver to participate
NEW THIS YEAR!
Due to the high demand for participation in this event, we will be running two consecutive
boat shuttles this year. This means there will be two check-in and boarding times:
First crossing: Check-in at 5:15am, boarding at 6:30am
Second crossing: Check in at 7am, boarding at 9am
The first 490 registrants will be assigned the first boat.
Your check-in time will be assigned when we receive your registration, payment, and signed
waiver. You will receive payment and check-in time confirmation via email. (We do not share
our email lists.) If you do not have email, please provide us with the best contact phone
number, message line, or mailing address.
Talk About the Swim on Facebook
We have a special Facebook page just for the swim. Friend us on the Roy Webster
Cross-Channel Swim and tell us about your experiences with the swim. New to
the event? Join us on Facebook and talk with others about this exciting event.
Presenting Sponsor
Partners
David M. Cobb
The Event
Check-in for pre-registered swimmers begins at time at the Hood River Visitors Center.
From the East: take exit #64, take a right and an immediate left on to Port Marine Dr. and
follow the signs. From the West: take exit #63 off I-84 and proceed to exit #64, turn north
towards the river, left at the stop light, and follow the signs.
Parking
You can park at the Marina complex area which includes the Hood River Visitor Center and
DMV building and Hood River County Historical Museum.
You will board the Sternwheeler at your pre-assigned time to be transported across the river.
If you miss your assigned check-in you forfeit your spot. There is no guarantee you will get
a spot on the second boat. For everyone’s safety, it is CRITICAL that you register at
your assigned time and board the boat that you are assigned. We must ensure that
every person, once registered, boards the boat and crosses the finish line. The Hood
River Swim Team will collect your extra clothing and take it to the lawn area at the Best
Western Hood River Inn for you to pick up when you get out of the river. (This service is
included with your registration.) Day-of swim registrants will be offered any unfilled spaces
beginning at 7am, at a fee of $70.
You will receive final instructions after boarding the Sternwheeler (NOTE: It is a 7’ jump
off the ship to the water.) Do not leave any clothing or personal items on board the
Sternwheeler, they will not be returned to you. Boaters are anchored on both sides of the
course to form a swim lane to assist you with direction. If you have trouble and drift into the
boat line, you can hold on and rest or choose to be picked up. If you drift through the boat
line you will be automatically picked up.
The landing area is just east of the Hood River Inn, and you will be able to see a marker as
a guide on the shore. Remember, this is a RIVER and the shoreline is quite rocky; we
encourage you to wear watershoes or booties if you are sensitive to walking on rough
shore. As you reach the landing area, an official will ask for and verify your flight number
and name, then you may proceed to designated rooms at the Hood River Inn for a shower,
snack, and hot drink.
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The Course
The course across the river is approximately 1.1 miles diagonally,
depending on water levels. Water temp averages 69°; river depth
is 60’. The fastest swimmers usually finish in just under 30 minutes
(@ 3mph) and most swimmers are out of the water within
40 minutes (1.5 mph).
Teams
For those of you registering as a team or family group, the Chamber offers a discount for
groups of 10 or more. Each swimmer will receive a $5 discount from the entry fee when
registrations are submitted together. Team applications may be mailed together or
delivered to the Chamber as a packet. Separate checks from team registrants are acceptable.
All applications must be submitted together by Wednesday, August 31st to qualify for
the discount.
All swimmers participating on a team must check-in “en masse” to receive consecutivenumbered boarding passes. For your safety, your team name is assigned to a specific flight;
please do not trade swim caps!
The Schedule
Check-In
Check-in for all swimmers takes place at the Hood River Visitor Center deck at
720 East Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR 97031.
Schedule
Boat One
5:00am
6:00am 7:00am
7:45am
Check-in and registration begins
Boat boarding
Boat departs from dock for north side of river
Swimmers begin jumping from boat in flights of 10
Boat Two
7:30am
9:00am
9:30am
10:15am
Check-in and registration begins
Boat boarding
Boat departs from dock for north side of river
Swimmers begin jumping from boat in flights of 10
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After all swimmers have reached the shore, the Swim Committee will present
achievement awards on the lawn area. Join us to get your picture taken with a cutout of
Roy Webster who inspired the swim, have a snack, and listen to some music while you
warm up and congratulate yourself on a job well done.
Check-Out
After you finish the swim and reach the Oregon shore, you must provide your swimmer
information to the check-out team before proceeding to shower and dress. Friends and
family are not allowed inside the check-out area for safety reasons.
After the Swim
After the swim, the Chamber will provide free bus transportation every 15 minutes from
the Hood River Inn back to the Marina parking site.
The Hood River Swim Team will transport your clothing from the Marina Dock area
to the Hood River Inn, so that you can pick them up when you get out of the river.
Registration
• Complete this application or download a copy at hoodriver.org and return the signed
application with your check or credit card information to Hood River County Chamber of
Commerce, 720 East Port Marina Drive, Hood River, OR 97031.
• Register online at www.active.com
NOTE: You must sign and return the waiver with your registration in order to be
considered registered.
Registration Fees
Individual:
A. Entry Fee (through August 31st) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60.00
B. Entry Fee (September 1-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $70.00
Team:
A. Team Entry Fee (w/10 or more registrants, through August 31st) . . . . . . . . . . . $55.00
B. Team Entry Fee (w/10 or more registrants, September 1-5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $65.00
Includes t-shirt and swim cap.
We do everything we can to provide you with the correct size t-shirt, but we cannot
guarantee you will receive the size you order.
Embroidered swim patches (Must be ordered by August 10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.50 each
Entry fees are non-refundable for any reason, including a weather cancellation.
Confirmations
IMPORTANT CHANGE: We will send confirmations to legible email addresses included
on your application. This confirmation will provide your assiged check-in time and boat
boarding time. If time is short, we recommend you call the Chamber at 541-386-2000 x 224
or email us at events@hoodriver.org to confirm your registration.
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$
The Finish Line
Tear off application, sign waiver on the back, and return with payment.
Registration Form and Waiver
Name_ ____________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip______________________________________________________________
Email address_______________________________________________________________
Cell Phone____________________________ Alt. Phone____________________________
Male___________ Female______________ Age (as of 9/5/11) mandatory_ _________________
Years in this swim_ __________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact:__________________________________ Phone_________________
Team Name (if applicable)_______________________________________________________
Conf by m Email
m Mail m Phone Message
Fee must be enclosed for your application to be processed.
NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON
(Including weather cancellation, which can occur at any time including during the event.)
Sternwheeler passage, swim cap, t-shirt, and return bus to the
Visitor Center is included with your fee.
Applicants T-shirt Size: Size not guaranteed.
Swim Patch: $7.50 each
(Included in registration fee)
Available only if ordered before August 10
m S
m M
m L
m XL
m XXL
Entry Fee (See Registration Fees) $___________
Group/team discount <-$5> $___________
Available only if submitted with
at least 10 participants.
Swim patches @ $7.50
$___________
Available only if ordered
before August 10
Total Enclosed
Please make checks payable to and return to:
Hood River County Chamber of Commerce
720 E. Port Marina Drive
Hood River, OR 97031
Charge my credit card:
m Visa
m MasterCard
m Discover
Card No._ _______________________________________
$___________
Name on Card____________________________________
Exp._____________________________________________
Security Code_____________________________________
Zip Code_ _______________________________________
This application will be rejected as invalid without proper
signature of the waiver located on the back!
Waiver
In consideration of the acceptance of my entry in the Columbia River Cross-Channel
Swim (CCS):
1. I hereby agree to comply with all rules and regulations of the CCS and its Directors;
2. For myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors and assigns,
I hereby:
a. Waive and release all claims that I may have against the CCS, its Event Committee,
their officers, directors, members, volunteers, employees, agents, sponsors, the
Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, Columbia River Adventure Cruises
and Portland Spirit (dba sternwheeler Columbia Gorge), or any one or more of
them or their executors, administrators, heirs, next of kin, successors or assigns
(the releasees) including any and all claims for damage caused by the negligence of
any of them arising out of my participation in the event and its related activities,
together with any costs, including attorney’s fees, that may be incurred as a result
of such claim, whether valid or not, and
b. Indemnify and hold harmless the releasees and each of them against any such claim
that I or my guests or any one or more of my or their executors, administrators,
heirs, next of kin, successors or assigns may have or assert and against any costs,
including attorney’s fees with respect thereto.
3. I hereby acknowledge I have sole responsibility for my personal possessions and
athletic equipment during the CCS event and its related activities.
4. I hereby acknowledge that participation in the CCS event carries with it potential
hazard. I therefore release the CCS event, its Event Committee, their officers,
directors, members, volunteers, employees, agents, sponsors, the Hood River County
Chamber of Commerce and Columbia River Adventure Cruises and/or Portland
Spirit (dba sternwheeler Columbia Gorge) of any liability in the event of injury or
death during the event and its related activities.
5. I hereby attest and verify that I am physically fit and have sufficiently trained for this
event; and that my physical condition has been verified by a licensed medical doctor.
6. I hereby consent to receive medical treatment which may be deemed advised in the
event of any injury, accident and/or illness during the CCS event.
7. I hereby permit the free use of my name and picture in broadcasts, telecasts and the
press as they pertain to to the CCS event.
8. I hereby agree that in the event of a swim cancellation due to a storm, rain,
inclement weather, winds or other “acts of God” conditions, my registration fee shall
be Non-Refundable.
Signature of Participant
or Signature of Parent / Guardian if Participant is 18 or under
All participants MUST sign!
Safety is Our Number One Priority!
• NOTE: The Hood River County Sheriff’s Department patrol boat and the US Coast
Guard monitor this event, and will be responsible for cancellation of the swim in the event
of bad weather, right up until the time of the event. There are no refunds should the
swim be cancelled due to weather conditions.
• Volunteers patrol the swim course on paddle boards and in kayaks, and also serve as
lookouts and provide guidance.
• The Hood River Yacht Club and volunteer boaters line the swim lane and pick up any
swimmers having difficulties.
• Columbia Gorge Intertribal Fisheries patrol fishing sites to help swimmers avoid nets.
• Radio Amateurs of the Gorge provide communication services so everyone keeps informed
of current conditions.
Our sincere thanks to all the volunteers who donate their
holiday to make this event happen!
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Hood River Swim Team
Radio Amateurs of the Gorge
Hood River Yacht Club
Columbia Gorge Intertribal Fisheries
Hood River Co. Sheriff’s Dept.
Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
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US Coast Guard
US Army Corps of Engineers
Big Winds Hood River
Port of Hood River
Hood River WaterPlay
and countless individuals…THANK YOU!
Upcoming Hood River County Events
September
9-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WAAAM Fly-In
17 & 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Fruit Loop Pear Celebration
24 & 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbia Gorge Gran Fondo
October
1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hood River Hops Fest
14–16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hood River Valley Harvest Fest
22 & 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fruit Loop Heirloom Apple Celebration
23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Columbia Gorge Marathon
31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safe Halloween
November
12-Dec 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Polar Express Mt Hood Railroad
December
2–4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hood River Holidays
10–11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Last Chance Holiday Bazaar
Visit hoodriver.org/events for more information
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Information and
registration form inside!
Columbia River
Cross-Channel Swim
69th Annual Roy Webster
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Hood River County Chamber of Commerce
720 E Port Marina Dr.
Hood River, OR 97031