RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Swim Crossing Association of the Strait of Gibraltar in accordance with the requirements of the Spanish and Moroccan maritime authorities as well as those of this association are based on international standards, requires a series of conditions that must be met before and during the completion of the crossing.
Therefore, please read carefully the instructions and advice described below.

REMEMBER

MINIMUM AVERAGE SPEED 3KM/H

(4km/h in Round trip)

EXPERIENCE ON OPEN WATER SWIMMING

Not all days are the same conditions

GOOD COORDINATION ON GROUPS

Less 3 meters between swimmers

SHORT FEEDINGS

Less than 1 minute

CARRY THE PASSPORTS

All the people in boats

We thank you in advance for your trust in us and we wish you a happy journey.

The swimmer must complete the attached application form in order to comply with the requirements of the maritime authorities of the area. Any error or breach of these requirements may lead to the non-acceptance of said request to make the crossing.

1. Have a swim speed greater than 3 km / h.

Due to the strong currents existing in the Straits and to ensure the success of the crossing it is advised that the speed of the swimmer is equal to or greater than 3 Km./h,  lower speeds jeopardized the success of the swim. In the case of a double crossing the speed must exceed 4km / H.

(The boats have technology that verifies the speed of the swimmer and if the speed does not allow the swimmer to overcome currents the swimmer will be pulled  from the water).

2. Have insurance (accidents, life and / or property)

That includes the possibility of an accident in extreme sports and also covers the deterioration or loss of the swimmer’s property from the moment he embarks until the end of the race. This will be borne by the swimmer himself. Any accident within the boats are covered by the insurance of the boat, outside of that the Association is not responsible for the consequences that arise as long as they are not within their responsibilities.

3. Notify arrival Spain

to President of the Association at least two days before the swim window assigned.

4. Provide the medical certificate of the Association

Certifying that the swimmer is in perfect health and that it does not suffer from any type of illness or defect that prevents him/her from making the crossing. Signed by a doctor or officially recognized clinic and must contemplate all aspects of effort, urine and blood analysis, electro as well as general physical examination.

5. Consumption of any type of stimulant

Is strictly forbidden before and during the swim in which case it would result in the non-recognition of the crossing if there is evidence of it.

6. Communication & languaje

The swimmer and / or his coach (or accompanying staff) should be able to communicate in Spanish or English.

7. swimmer's safety

The skipper of the vessel, after consulting the details of the event, will be the one who makes the final decision regarding the swimmer’s safety.

8. carry a passport

Both the swimmer and all accompanying personnel must carry a passport that identifies them.

9. Crossings of swimmers under 18 years are not allowed

Crossings of swimmers under 18 years of age before the year of the crossing date are not allowed.

10. Basic Rules

Crossings must begin after sunrise and must end before sunset. Likewise, the swimmer must know.

The basic rules (internationally recognized) of open water swimming, including:

  1. The crossing will begin after the sunrise, from the escort boat located on the Island of Tarifa, from where the swimmer will proceed to touch the ground.
  2. The crossing will end, before sunset, at a natural point on the north coast of Africa (either Moroccan or Spanish), or in case it is a difficult place for vessels, the swim will be considered completed when touching the ground or being located within any natural bay if the sea conditions do not guarantee the safety of the swimmer when approaching the coast.
  3. The swimmer will not receive any external aid nor will be allowed to hold on to the boats. As an exception swimmers will be allowed to get on board to avoid an imminent danger (proximity of a merchant ship, presence of cetaceans etc …).
  4. The swimmer can carry:
  • A standard swimmer suit, never below the knees.
  • A standard swimmer cap.
  • Goggles, ear plugs, nose protector and grease. In cases of doing the swim with wetsuit or Lycra rules are included in a different list.
11. Crossings in group

When the crossing is made in a group (maximum 4) the swimmers must have the same characteristics, not being able to separate more than 3 meters during the crossing. In case of exceeding this distance, the fastest swimmers should wait or slow down. If for any reason (dizziness, vomiting, fatigue …) one or several swimmers are delayed several times the organization will be forced to withdraw them for the sake of the crossing.

12. Adverse weather

Adverse weather is a reason for cancellation of the crossing, and takes into account the peculiar problems of the area (currents, winds, fog, etc …)

13. BUROCRATIC ISSUES EXTERNAL TO THE ASSOCIATION

The swimmer assumes that he is doing a sports course that includes the jurisdiction of two different countries. Both countries have their rules, so any order or mandate of the authorities of those countries can affect the crossing.

THE ASSOCIATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CANCELLATION OF THE CROSSING FOR SURVEYED SITUATIONS OF FORCE MAJEURE, AS WELL AS THE CANCELLATION FOR THE RIGHT OF ADMISSION.

We insist that any previous information about the state of health of the swimmer is fundamental in relation to illness or diseases that may pose a risk during the crossing. It would be very unpleasant to know (when the swimmer has been in the water for several hours and it is difficult communicate) that suffers from heart problems or is diabetic.

Additional rules for relay crossing:

    1. The maximum number of swimmers will be 4.
    2. The relays will be of 30 minutes, so that all the swimmers can make at least a leg in the crossing. Only in the case of round trip relays will the relays be hourly.
    3. The swimmer can´t feeding in the water. Logically you can feed on the boat.

 

  • If a swimmer is indisposed and needs to be removed, he will be immediately replaced by the next relay swimmer, leaving the swimmer relieved from the crossing list.
  • The arrival to the coast can be made by the entire group in recognition of the success obtained.

 

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