Guidelines for Round Jersey and Jersey to France relay and solo swims
Boats and Boat Crews
Any boats used for club swims must have at least one recognised/experienced boatman in charge. There must be a minimum of at least two capable persons onboard at all times during a swim. In the case of a round Island attempt or any such swim that is expected to be further than a visual point to point, a qualified marine VHF radio operator should be on board and have access to one of the clubs marine radios. A recognised 'pilot' must be included in any crew. There is to be no more than one swimmer accompanied by each escort boat at any one time.
Safety & Associated Equipment
All boats accompanying swimmers must fly 'Flag Alpha' Recognised internationally as a warning to other maritime users 'That there is a person nearby in the water'. A full compliment of safety equipment including: life jackets, marine channel VHF radio, flares, a suitable piece of equipment by which a swimmer can be assisted and removed from the water, first aid kit and blankets must be carried. It is recommended that a suitably qualified first aider with knowledge of CPR is aboard. A suitable length of tow rope and an anchor are recommended. All swims which start or pass the Elizabeth Castle breakwater are to contact St Helier Port Control (Ch 14) for clearance to cross the harbour entrance. Escort vessels heading east across the reclamation site area and into St Clement's Bay 'gutters' to Green Island and across to La Rocque are to have maximum lookouts during this dangerous transition period. Similarly with L'Etacq and the approach to Corbiere. Experience here is a top priority and inexperienced boat crews would be ill-advised to attempt this passage alone. During the hours of darkness, dawn, or dusk, vessels must show a white transit light and swimmers are to wear light-sticks attached to their costumes. It is useful to have a mobile phone on board in addition to the VHF radio as a backup. GPS display sets & liferafts are also useful tools for navigation and safety.
Medical Kits
Remedies for bites and sore limbs should be the responsibility of the swimmer due to allergies etc.
Accompanying Personnel
It is recognised that parents and friends accompanying young swimmers on Round Island attempts are under extreme pressure during stressful periods of the swim. If parents and their friends wish to accompany youngsters, it is recommended that they enlist the services of a separate boat. It is not and never has been the intention of the club to deprive anyone the chance to accompany and observe swimmers, especially their nearest and dearest, in fact quite the opposite. However, helpful and well-meaning parents and friends have in the past jeopardised the outcome of swims.
Swim order allocation
Round Island and Jersey to France swims are normally allocated on a first come, first served basis following the receipt of the completed application form and deposit. It is entirely possible for your allocated tide to be completely missed due to poor weather conditions. Should this occur then your swim will automatically be moved to the back of the next tidal period. With the increased interest shown world-wide by swimmers, it has been deemed necessary to restrict the number of 'overseas' swimmers to TWO per tide. It is the swimmers responsibility to contact the swim co-ordinator within the seven days leading up to the first date given, to enquire on the possibility of the swim going ahead with regard to weather conditions and support crew availability. Please remember that all those who man escort vessels and assist in club events are volunteers leading parallel lives and professions. It may therefore be impractical to go on the optimum tide or the most practical day to suit the swimmer. Hence the requirement for a range of dates.
Weather
Weather conditions are the major environmental factor in allowing a swim to go ahead. We will rarely start a swim if the likelihood of Force 4 conditions, or above is forecast. Where young or inexperienced swimmers are concerned, this limit will be revised accordingly. Relay swims can be as hazardous as solo attempts and a great deal of thought goes into the sanctioning of any swim to commence on safety grounds. Similarly if unexpected weather conditions materialise during a swim's progress then the wishes of the swimmer and escort crew must be taken into consideration. Advice and requests from Jersey Radio, Port Control Officers, or the Duty Assistant Harbour Master concerning the continuation of a swim are mandatory and paramount on all occasions.
See our weather page for more information
Qualifying swims
As with other swims across major waterways or around controlled landmasses, it is necessary to prove to the club's committee that the capabilities of the swimmer attempting the course are such that he or she is a competent swimmer. No solo swim will be sanctioned or promoted by the club unless a qualifying open water swim of a minimum of six hours duration in water 16°C or less has been achieved and recorded by a competent observer during the preceding 18 months. Relay teams must swim for 1.5 hours, leave the water for a minimum of 1 hour/a maximum of 1.5 hours and then return to the water to swim for a further hour in similar conditions during the preceding 18 months. Swimmers from off the Island may submit authorised verification from previous swims within a similar period of time.
Download the swim assessment form here.
Medical Certificate
All competitors, solo and members of relay squads, are required to submit a completed club medical certificate, dated within the actual year of the swim. Major medical changes or illnesses contracted by the swimmer during the period following the submission of the original medical form and previous to the swim taking place, must be notified to the swim co-ordinator no less than seven days before the swim. A certified copy of a medical form completed within the above time scale for FINA /ASA /CS&PF / CSA / BLDSA recognised swims will be accepted. Service personnel/Security/Emergency Forces from British or Foreign agencies are still required to complete a medical application form, which may be signed by either a qualified military or civilian practitioner. N.B. Medical certificates completed for a Round Jersey swim are not necessarily acceptable for swims organised by other clubs and associations.
Download the medical form here.
Insurance
Following a letter from the Swim England (Ref: dlfw/567 dated Wednesday 10th October 2001) it is necessary to draw the attention of all intending swimmers to the fact that only those swimmers registered with the ASA Club Insurance scheme are legally covered for swims as part of JLDSC activities. (The JLDSC are part of this scheme and are legally covered by its terms) Only swimmers belonging to clubs affiliated to Swim England and normally resident in the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are covered. Swimmers from outside these categories are not covered under the scheme and are therefore required to obtain and confirm their own personal cover for any injury and loss of personal effects indemnifying the JLDSC before a swim is permitted. The JLDSC are powerless to extend their ASA cover in cases outside these parameters.
Notification to the St Helier Harbour Master
At least twenty four hours previous to any swim, the swim co-ordinator will send details of the swim, swimmer and escort vessels to the Harbour Master by e-mail for his approval. For Jersey to France swims the French Marine authorities at JOBURG are also to be informed.
Trackers
Our club vessel 'Sea Swimmer' can be tracked through AIS. The link can be found on the swim trackers page.
Please Note
Any swim made or attempted without a completed and sanctioned prior application, or without approved or recognised club officials escorting will not be recognised by the JLDSC.
Any boats used for club swims must have at least one recognised/experienced boatman in charge. There must be a minimum of at least two capable persons onboard at all times during a swim. In the case of a round Island attempt or any such swim that is expected to be further than a visual point to point, a qualified marine VHF radio operator should be on board and have access to one of the clubs marine radios. A recognised 'pilot' must be included in any crew. There is to be no more than one swimmer accompanied by each escort boat at any one time.
Safety & Associated Equipment
All boats accompanying swimmers must fly 'Flag Alpha' Recognised internationally as a warning to other maritime users 'That there is a person nearby in the water'. A full compliment of safety equipment including: life jackets, marine channel VHF radio, flares, a suitable piece of equipment by which a swimmer can be assisted and removed from the water, first aid kit and blankets must be carried. It is recommended that a suitably qualified first aider with knowledge of CPR is aboard. A suitable length of tow rope and an anchor are recommended. All swims which start or pass the Elizabeth Castle breakwater are to contact St Helier Port Control (Ch 14) for clearance to cross the harbour entrance. Escort vessels heading east across the reclamation site area and into St Clement's Bay 'gutters' to Green Island and across to La Rocque are to have maximum lookouts during this dangerous transition period. Similarly with L'Etacq and the approach to Corbiere. Experience here is a top priority and inexperienced boat crews would be ill-advised to attempt this passage alone. During the hours of darkness, dawn, or dusk, vessels must show a white transit light and swimmers are to wear light-sticks attached to their costumes. It is useful to have a mobile phone on board in addition to the VHF radio as a backup. GPS display sets & liferafts are also useful tools for navigation and safety.
Medical Kits
Remedies for bites and sore limbs should be the responsibility of the swimmer due to allergies etc.
Accompanying Personnel
It is recognised that parents and friends accompanying young swimmers on Round Island attempts are under extreme pressure during stressful periods of the swim. If parents and their friends wish to accompany youngsters, it is recommended that they enlist the services of a separate boat. It is not and never has been the intention of the club to deprive anyone the chance to accompany and observe swimmers, especially their nearest and dearest, in fact quite the opposite. However, helpful and well-meaning parents and friends have in the past jeopardised the outcome of swims.
Swim order allocation
Round Island and Jersey to France swims are normally allocated on a first come, first served basis following the receipt of the completed application form and deposit. It is entirely possible for your allocated tide to be completely missed due to poor weather conditions. Should this occur then your swim will automatically be moved to the back of the next tidal period. With the increased interest shown world-wide by swimmers, it has been deemed necessary to restrict the number of 'overseas' swimmers to TWO per tide. It is the swimmers responsibility to contact the swim co-ordinator within the seven days leading up to the first date given, to enquire on the possibility of the swim going ahead with regard to weather conditions and support crew availability. Please remember that all those who man escort vessels and assist in club events are volunteers leading parallel lives and professions. It may therefore be impractical to go on the optimum tide or the most practical day to suit the swimmer. Hence the requirement for a range of dates.
Weather
Weather conditions are the major environmental factor in allowing a swim to go ahead. We will rarely start a swim if the likelihood of Force 4 conditions, or above is forecast. Where young or inexperienced swimmers are concerned, this limit will be revised accordingly. Relay swims can be as hazardous as solo attempts and a great deal of thought goes into the sanctioning of any swim to commence on safety grounds. Similarly if unexpected weather conditions materialise during a swim's progress then the wishes of the swimmer and escort crew must be taken into consideration. Advice and requests from Jersey Radio, Port Control Officers, or the Duty Assistant Harbour Master concerning the continuation of a swim are mandatory and paramount on all occasions.
See our weather page for more information
Qualifying swims
As with other swims across major waterways or around controlled landmasses, it is necessary to prove to the club's committee that the capabilities of the swimmer attempting the course are such that he or she is a competent swimmer. No solo swim will be sanctioned or promoted by the club unless a qualifying open water swim of a minimum of six hours duration in water 16°C or less has been achieved and recorded by a competent observer during the preceding 18 months. Relay teams must swim for 1.5 hours, leave the water for a minimum of 1 hour/a maximum of 1.5 hours and then return to the water to swim for a further hour in similar conditions during the preceding 18 months. Swimmers from off the Island may submit authorised verification from previous swims within a similar period of time.
Download the swim assessment form here.
Medical Certificate
All competitors, solo and members of relay squads, are required to submit a completed club medical certificate, dated within the actual year of the swim. Major medical changes or illnesses contracted by the swimmer during the period following the submission of the original medical form and previous to the swim taking place, must be notified to the swim co-ordinator no less than seven days before the swim. A certified copy of a medical form completed within the above time scale for FINA /ASA /CS&PF / CSA / BLDSA recognised swims will be accepted. Service personnel/Security/Emergency Forces from British or Foreign agencies are still required to complete a medical application form, which may be signed by either a qualified military or civilian practitioner. N.B. Medical certificates completed for a Round Jersey swim are not necessarily acceptable for swims organised by other clubs and associations.
Download the medical form here.
Insurance
Following a letter from the Swim England (Ref: dlfw/567 dated Wednesday 10th October 2001) it is necessary to draw the attention of all intending swimmers to the fact that only those swimmers registered with the ASA Club Insurance scheme are legally covered for swims as part of JLDSC activities. (The JLDSC are part of this scheme and are legally covered by its terms) Only swimmers belonging to clubs affiliated to Swim England and normally resident in the United Kingdom, The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are covered. Swimmers from outside these categories are not covered under the scheme and are therefore required to obtain and confirm their own personal cover for any injury and loss of personal effects indemnifying the JLDSC before a swim is permitted. The JLDSC are powerless to extend their ASA cover in cases outside these parameters.
Notification to the St Helier Harbour Master
At least twenty four hours previous to any swim, the swim co-ordinator will send details of the swim, swimmer and escort vessels to the Harbour Master by e-mail for his approval. For Jersey to France swims the French Marine authorities at JOBURG are also to be informed.
Trackers
Our club vessel 'Sea Swimmer' can be tracked through AIS. The link can be found on the swim trackers page.
Please Note
Any swim made or attempted without a completed and sanctioned prior application, or without approved or recognised club officials escorting will not be recognised by the JLDSC.