8 Bridges | Hudson River Swim

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Swimmer Information

Stage Information: To learn more about each stage including dates, rain dates, water temperatures, maps and recommended pace limits (if you intend to finish the stage before the tide turns) see Swim Stages.

Pricing:
Stages 1 to 6 = $700 solo*, $1,300 two person relay*
* Subtract $100 per stage if you will provide your own kayaker and kayak. Your kayaker must be declared at time of enrollment and must be approved by the race director.

Stage 7 = $1,300 solo**, $1,300 two person relay**
** Subtract $100 if you will provide your own kayaker and kayak. Only kayakers with prior New York Harbor swimmer escort experience will be approved. Your kayaker must be declared at time of enrollment and must be approved by the race directors.

$500 discount for solo and relay applicants swimming all seven stages.

Prices increase by $100 per stage after April 1, 2013

Entries close on May 1, 2013

8 Bridges swimmers are encouraged to become a CIBBOWS member to help offset the increasing costs of holding open water swimming events.

Relays: In 2013 we are offering 2-person relays in two categories
+ Casual: swimmers can change out as desired.
+ Official: each relay member will swim 60 minute legs. Relay teams that are swimming all seven stages must alternate the lead swimmer daily.

Accommodation:
+ We have discount hotel rooms booked at the Holiday Inn Express, Poughkeepsie from June 14 to 18, and the Double Tree, Tarrytown from June 18 to 21st. Please contact the event organizers for more information about booking a discounted room.

Swimming Attire:
+  Swimmers are not permitted to wear any device or swimsuit that may aid his/her speed, buoyancy, heat retention or endurance (such as wetsuit, webbed gloves, paddles, fins, etc).  The swimmer may wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces.  For men, the swimsuit shall not extend above the navel, nor below the knees, and for women, shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend below the knees. All swimsuits shall be made from textile materials.  The swimmer is permitted to grease the body before a swim, use goggles and one or two caps.  Silicone or latex caps are permitted. Nose clips and earplugs are permitted. Any kind of arm band or tape on the body is not permitted unless approved by the race director.
+  The swimmer must be sure that their suit and cap are of an approved type before the swim starts as the swim will not be recognized if they are later found not to conform.
+  During a swim no physical contact with the swimmer shall be made by any person other than to pass food and drink or secure such items as light sticks for safety reasons.
+  The use of MP3 players and other electrical audio/communication devices shall not be allowed by the swimmer while swimming.

Swimmer Escorts: An escort craft or paddler will accompany each swimmer throughout the event.
+  If the escort paddler or craft becomes disabled or cannot continue to accompany the swimmer, the swimmer may stay in the water near the disabled escort craft until a replacement arrives, join another escort craft that is accompanying only one other swimmer until another escort craft arrives, or exit the water.
+  Any one paddler or craft may escort no more than two swimmers.  The two swimmers must stay within 3 meters of each other. Failure to stay within 3 meters shall result in immediate disqualification of the second swimmer assigned to the escort and the immediate removal of that person from the water.
+  Swimmers may receive food or drink from escorts as long as deliberate contact is not made between the two. The escort may also assist the swimmer with navigation, including verbal and written communication.
+  Swimmers shall not receive flotation or propulsion from any escort craft nor make intentional contact with any craft.  +  +  Swimmers are not allowed to draft off the escort boat. Escort boats shall not obstruct other swimmers in the race.

USMS Rules: 8 Bridges follows USMS rules. For more details about the rules download the Long Distance Swimming Rules document here.

Degree of Difficulty: Below is a degree of difficulty comparison for the 7 x 8 Bridges stages and some of the more well known swims in the area. Listed from easiest to most difficult (opinions may vary):
+  Little Red Lighthouse
+  Aquarium 5k
+  Chesapeake Bay 4.4
+  Stage 6 Tappan Zee to George Washington Bridge
+  Stage 3 Mid-Hudson Bridge to Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
+ Boston Light (depends on water T)
+  Kingdom 10 mile
+  Stage 4 Newburgh-Beacon Bridge to Bear Mountain Bridge
+  Rose Pitonof
+  Ederle
+  Stage 1 Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge
+  Stage 7 George Washington Bridge to Verrazzano
+  Stage 2 Kingston-Rhinecliff to Mid-Hudson Bridge
+  Stage 5 Bear Mt Bridge to Tappan Zee
+  MIMS
+  Tampa Bay

Volunteer Information

There are many volunteer opportunities available including boat and land support.

Kayaker Information

Required Equipment: Kayakers are required to have a kayak, marine radio, cell phone, signaling device.Per Diem: Kayakers will be paid a $150 per diem. Kayakers participating at the personal request of a swimmer will not receive a per diem.

Boater Information

Boat type: Motor boat of 20 to 50 feet length Compensation: Yes Preferred Equipment: AED, hailer, flashing lights, GPS, radar Required Equipment: Marine radio, back-up radio, cell phone, life ring/buoy, swim ladder, first aid kit.

All propeller driven watercraft used in conjunction with the sanctioned open water events must have a propeller guard(s) installed for the duration of the event. The following are exceptions:

• Boats owned and operated by Coast Guard, police, fire and rescue, or other government agencies;
• Boats with propellers fore of the rudder (e.g. inboard motors), provided
  • These boats do not run directly on the designated swim course.
  • For events requiring personal escort craft, water craft with inboard motors may be allowed on the course provided their engines are off when any swimmer is within 20 feet of the propeller and during relay exchanges. For feedings the swimmer may approach within 5 feet of the bow or side of boat with engines engaged.
• All motorized watercraft hired for the event (by the host, participants, or others) must provide a certificate of insurance naming United States Masters Swimming, Inc., its LMSCs, officers, directors, employees, sponsors, trustees, and event host as additional insured. The certificate shall be submitted to the referee at least 24 hours prior to the event. Liability coverage limits shall not be less than $1 million with a $2 million aggregate.
• All motorized watercraft volunteered to the event must provide proof of insurance. The proof of Insurance shall be submitted to the referee at least 24 hours prior to the event.