Queenford Relays

THE QUEENFORD RELAYS are a 4 x 1000m course relay swim, plus optional 1000m
team pursuit.

Your full event information pack will be available to download here shortly

Event Details

Features
This event will provide a fast, furious and exciting end to the open water season, with lots and swimming, screaming and shouting. We’ve worked closely with the lake owners to bring you a venue that is second to none. So bring along your family and friends, do your swim, have a picnic and enjoy the stunning lake surroundings. There’s even a playground for the children; and the parking is free!

Relay Format
Teams of 4 will compete over the same 1000m course in a relay format. The first team to complete the 4km relay course will win their category, it’s as simple as that. And don’t worry if you are a swimmer down; we will have wild card swimmers able to team-up with you if needed. Alternatively, enter as a wild card swimmer and swim with other teams that we match you up with!

Team Pursuit
After the main event, there will be a chance for a second ‘free’ swim with our “Team Pursuit”. Teams of 4 swimmers will start at the same time – with 30 seconds between each team – and swim the 1K course in track cycling pursuit format. Team members will need to work out and practice how they draft; either at the hip or directly behind; how they communicate with each other, who goes off first and how long each stint at the front will be for? Please note you do not need to enter this beforehand, you will enter as the same team from the relays. Anyone entering the individual event will also be given the chance to team up with others to form a pursuit team.

Distance
Each swimmer swims 1000m and ‘hands over’ to the next team member inside a buoyed area. The ‘baton’ is a rubber wrist band, which does not float!

Course
The event will take place over a buoyed triangular 1000m course.
A course map will be available to view here shortly

Categories
Teams of 4 are invited to compete in the following categories in either men’s or women’s (or the mixed option):-
Open – men or women
Masters - men or women (aged 45+ on the day of the race)
Traditional – men or women (Speedo style swimsuit only)
Mixed – 2 men and 2 women (these can be open, masters or juniors)
Junior men or women (aged 14-18 on the day of the race)

Eligibility
You will need some experience of open water swimming.

Entry Fees
These are £25 per person (as part of a team of 4)

Team Entry Process
Team Captains will be required to make the initial entry, stipulating the Team Name, after which the other team members will be able to make their entry individually up to a maximum of four.

The closing date for entries to this event is midnight on Sunday 16th September 2012, unless the entry limit is reached before this date.

Other Event Information

Location

This event is held at Queenford Lakes Watersports Centre, situated between Wallingford and Oxford on the A4074. This venue is perfect for open water swimming , with great quality water and good consistent depth all the way round.
Parking
Free onsite parking

 


Our Official Retail Partner Mailsports, a local Bourne End company which has traded as a Swim Specialist for over 30 years, will be on site with an extensive range of swimwear, goggles, hats, towels and accessories, to cater for any needs you may have on the day.

They have enhanced their range to include both Wetsuits and Triathlon suits, and offer an unrivalled range of swimwear and accessories from established brands such as Maru, Speedo, Tyr, Blue Seventy, 2XU, Orca, Zoggs and Aquasphere.

For purchases of swimwear, wetsuits or accessories in advance of the event, please visit www.mailsports.co.uk

 


Post race massages will be provided by SB Sports Massage.
Sessions are £10 for 15 minutes, bookable in advance by emailing info@sbsportsmassage.co.uk

Wetsuit hire and Event memorabilia will be available on the day

Mementos
Medals are presented to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd for each category, men & women

Event History
This event was first held in 2011, to provide a fun and exciting format, for a different open water swimming event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the race distance?
The event will take place over a buoyed triangular 1000m course. Each swimmer swims 1000m and ‘hands over’ to the next team member inside a buoyed area. The ‘baton’ is a rubber wrist band, which does not float!

I hear that the winning team members from each category will gain an entry to the 2012 Henley Swim Classic – is this true?
Yes – each member from the winning team from each category will gain automatic qualification for the 2013 Henley Classic (subject to T&Cs and payment of course!).

Is there electronic timing?
No.

What if I don’t have a team?
Don’t worry – you can enter as a wild card and we hook you up with other wild cards to form a team! Email us to let us know you want to be hooked up with other individuals.

Are you running an individual wave as well?
Yes. We will have at least one wave for individual swimmers who do not want to swim as part of a team.

How do I enter my relay team on the entry system?
Simply organise yourself into a team and enter online through the normal entry process.

I hear you are doing a team pursuit event as well – is this true?
Yes. After the main event, we will offer swimmers the chance of a second and maybe even a third swim. Teams of 4 swimmers will start at the same time – with 30 seconds between each team. Team members will need to work out and practice how they draft; either at the hip or directly behind; how they communicate with each other, who goes off first and how long each stint at the front will be for. Please note you do not need to enter this beforehand, although you must email your team pursuit member details – but it’s only open to anyone who swam in the earlier relays or individual wave – and you can mix and match anyone into each pursuit team!

What are the rules for team pursuit?
Each 4 team members start in a line, side by side, at the same time. You can draft as you like with no minimum or maximum stays in any one position. The last team member to cross the line records the whole team’s time. If you drop a member or do not stay together, you will be eliminated with no time recorded. There will be 30 seconds between each team. Over-taking teams are required to go around the slower teams – there is no obligation for the slower team to move out the way. No contact is permitted between different teams.