BaySwim
2008 Swim Across Erie’s Presque Isle Bay!
On Saturday, June 28, 2008 a historic event will take place in Erie to mark the achievement of a goal that was set in 1988…A Swimmable Bay in Twenty Years. Thanks to the efforts of many, the water quality in Presque Isle Bay has greatly improved since 1988 and the goal has been achieved. To celebrate, a coalition of organizations is sponsoring BaySwim---a one-mile swim across the bay.
Swimmers are required to register for this one-time event. But don’t wait. BaySwim will be limited to 300 registered swimmers. Unregistered swimmers will not be permitted to participate in this event. Entrants must be at least 14 years old on the date of BaySwim to participate.
BaySwim will begin on Presque Isle State Park on the north shore of Presque Isle Bay at the Vista 3 Boat Launch near Stull Interpretive Center. A well-marked, guarded course will mark the route to the finish on the south shore of the bay at the Erie Yacht Club.
All BaySwim entrants will be required to check-in at Vista 3 on June 28 between 7:15—8:15 AM. Entrants will receive an official BaySwim swim cap and final instructions at that time.
BaySwim will begin at 9:00 AM and all swimmers will be out of the water by 11:00 AM.
Swimmer safety is of primary importance. Organizers have arranged to have safety-staffed anchored boats, kayaks and runabouts to line the entire one-mile BaySwim course. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have issued permits for the event.
Come help celebrate the results of twenty years worth of environmental awareness, major infrastructure improvements, public education, and research…all of the factors that have brought improved water quality to Presque Isle Bay. Be a part of Erie’s history. Put BaySwim on your calendar!
REGISTER RULES VOLUNTEERS EVENT DAY PARKING CONTACT US BACKGROUND
How To Enter:
1. Pre-Registration in advance of June 28.
Download a BaySwim entry application form (Application.pdf) and a separate waiver form (Waiver.pdf), complete the application, sign the waiver, enclose a check for the correct amount and mail both forms and the check to:
BaySwim
c/o Presque Isle Partnership
301 Peninsula Drive Suite 2
Erie, PA 16505
2. June 28 Late Registration. As BaySwim will be limited to only the first 300 swimmers who complete entry applications, pre-registration is strongly recommended. Late registrations will be taken on June 28, only as space permits.
Entry Fees—
By June 15: $25
After June 15: $30
On June 28: $35
Rules
1. All swimmers must have completed and submitted a signed application with the required entry fee.
2. Swimmers must wear the provided swim cap throughout the swim.
3. No individual support boats will be permitted to accompany individual swimmers.
4. Wetsuits are permitted.
5. No other floatation devices are permitted.
6. No dogs are allowed.
Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of positions for BaySwim. To volunteer in advance of June 28, contact Pat Davis, 814-732-1448, pdavis@edinboro.edu. Or Sr. Annette Marshall, 814-835-8069 x100, amarshall@lea.earthforce.org.
Event Day Agenda:
BaySwim participants are encouraged to park their vehicles at the Presque Isle State Park Beach 1 parking lot on June 28. BaySwim entrants may choose to either walk or be transported by the BaySwim shuttle bus from Beach 1 to the swim start at Vista 3 Boat Launch near the Stull Interpretive Center. The distance is approximately one-half mile. Spectators who want to support swimmers with their presence at the start are advised to park in the Beach 1 parking lot also.
- 7:15 – 8:15 AM. Pre-registered entrants must check-in at the Vista 3 parking lot. Check-in tables will be located at a centralized location. Late registrations also will be accepted at this time as time as space permits. BaySwim will be limited to 300 registered swimmers.
- Entrants will receive an official BaySwim swim cap and final instructions.
- Entrants will need to bring a duffel bag/gym bag in which to place their street clothes. Entrants will need to identify their individual bag with a nametag. Bags will be transported and can be picked up at the Erie Yacht Club at the end of the swim.
- 8:30 AM. A mandatory pre-swim meeting for all swimmers will be held at Vista 3 parking lot to provide last minute instructions. All BaySwim entrants must attend. No exceptions.
- 8:45 AM. A BaySwim news conference will be held prior to the swim start at the Vista 3 Boat Launch.
- 9:00 AM. BaySwim entrants will enter the water to begin the one-mile swim across Presque Isle Bay. Swimmers will be guided along a well-guarded, straight course to finish at the Erie Yacht Club. As swimmers emerge from the water, they will receive an official BaySwim towel.
- 11:00 AM. All BaySwim entrants will be out of the water.
- 11:15 AM. Community leaders will provide BaySwim closing comments.
- 10 am - 11:30 am. BaySwim shuttle bus service will transport finishing swimmers back to Beach 1 parking lots.
Swimmers will be transported by bus from the Erie Yacht Club back to the Beach 1 parking lot to return to their vehicles.
Parking. Swimers are to park at the Presque Isle State Park Beach 1 parking lot. Entrants will leave their vehicles at the Beach 1 parking lot and either take a bus or walk the half mile to the Vista 3 parking lot where they will check in.
Space will be limited at the Vista 3 parking lot. Spectators are to stay clear of the Vista 3 parking lot to reduce crowding and confusion prior to the race.
Presque Isle State Park roads will be kept open as swimmers check in and congregate at the Vista 3 parking lot. Entrant and spectator cooperation is necessary to maintain safety.
At the finish, Erie Yacht Club parking space is restricted.
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The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority is providing a shuttle bus.
Stops:
The shuttle will first travel from Beach 1 Parking Lot to Vista Parking Lot 3 via Peninsula Drive to shuttle swimmers and families to water entry point. At approx. 9:15AM our bus will leave Beach 1 Lot and proceed via Peninsula Drive to West 6th Street East to Virginia Ave. North to Ravine Drive (Yacht Club Road) North to Yacht Club. As swimmers exit water and need returned to Beach 1 Parking Lot we will have two buses shuttling South on Ravine Drive to Virginia Ave. South to West 6th Street and West on 6th Street to Peninsula Drive to Beach 1 Lot. |
If you have questions about BaySwim, contact Pat Davis, 814-732-1448, pdavis@edinboro.edu or Sr. Annette Marshall, 814-835-8069 x100, amarshall@lea.earthforce.org.
BaySwim…a 2008 Swim Across Erie’s Presque isle Bay…is a statement about the improvement of water quality in Presque Isle Bay. This one-time event is intended to celebrate how far Presque Isle Bay has come in terms of achieving a goal that was set in 1988...a Swimmable Bay in Twenty Years.
BaySwim is one component of a collaborative project being developed locally by representatives of the Presque Isle Partnership, the Regional Science Consortium at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Lake Erie Allegheny Earth Force, PA Sea Grant, and the PA Department of Environmental Protection.
To mark the twentieth anniversary of Erie Mayor Louis Tullio’s charge to make Presque Isle Bay swimmable, a report is being prepared that summarizes the status of water quality in the Bay. Data from water quality network stations, fishery assessments, invasive species investigations, and trophic state studies are among the topics covered in this report. Members of the Presque Isle Bay Public Advisory Committee are preparing the report with support from PADEP.
In conjunction with the report, BaySwim will provide a public aspect to this milestone. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have given approvals for BaySwim and organizers are working with multiple community groups to create a safe, exciting event.
BaySwim marks a triumph of environmental awareness, education and the efforts of many throughout the past twenty years to bring improved water quality to the Bay and quality of life to those who visit and live in Erie.
Proceeds to benefit Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, an environmental education program, and Presque Isle Partnership, a non-profit organization that supports and enhances Presque Isle State Park.