Shark Attack at Lake Longhorn - USMS

This is a USAT/USMS sanctioned open water race at Lake Longhorn for youth and adult triathletes, US Masters Swimmers, and open water swimmers, from newbies to experienced athletes. Available distances are 0.6 mi, 1.2 mi, and 2.4 mi., and swimmers can swim any combination of the events for one entry fee. Come get some training in for your next Ironman or try out open water swimming for the first time. It’s a clean, calm, and safe swim. This is an event, not just a race - come join us!  You can sign up as a team, a club, or as individuals...join the fun!

Please note - We reserve the right to make changes prior to race day.

USMS Event Sanction:  254-W002
Event Directors:  Chris Sustala (csustala@gmail.com) and Amanda Hoover (ahoover@alumni.utexas.net)
Referee:  Amanda Hoover (ahoover@alumni.utexas.net)
Safety Director:  Jason Campbell (nextgentriclub@gmail.com)

The Event:

Come out to Lake Longhorn for a great open water swim.  It's not just a race – it’s an event! Available distances are 0.6 mi, 1.2 mi, and 2.4 mi., and swimmers can swim any combination of the events for one entry fee. It’s a clean, calm, and safe swim – perfect for experienced open water swimmers looking for the next challenge and newbies too! You can sign up as a team, a club, or as individuals...join the fun!
 
Shark Attack is planned by an experienced USA Swimming and Masters coach, open water swimmer, and Ironman triathlete that knows Lake Longhorn well. The entire course is clearly visible from areas around the lake, and the spectators will be able to see the athletes throughout the race with an unobstructed view. There will be multiple safety kayaks placed along the course. It’s a great time to come out and race!

Registration/Entry Fee:

Registration for this race is exclusively online. Athletes must enter their current USMS ID number during registration and will be required to show their USMS membership card prior to participating on the day of the event. Non-members (USAT and single event) will register using this link. 

Available distances are 0.6 mi, 1.2 mi, and 2.4 mi., and swimmers can swim any combination of the events for one entry fee.  The standard entry fee is available upon entry of a current USMS membership ID at registration (a $20 discount will automatically apply at check-out).  No additional fee is required for additional events.  

Note - One Day USMS Event (OEVT) registration memberships will NOT be available.  Non USMS members can swim under a USA Triathlon single event membership using this link.  

Open Water Grand Prix:

This is for the Masters swimmers racing under our USMS sanction:  We are excited to be 3rd stop (June) and the series final event (October) of the USMS South Central Zone Open Water Grand Prix! The South Central Zone is made up of the Arkansas, Gulf, Oklahoma, North Texas and South Texas LMSCs, and is a great partner for open water Masters swimmers. The Grand Prix Series was created to encourage and support open water swimming throughout the zone, and it's a fun way to get out there and swim. USMS swimmers participating in the Grand Prix Series - head to the Grand Prix tab for more information.  

Race Timeline:

Swimmers will be instructed to start entering the water 5 minutes before each race start (after you have checked in with race staff on the starting dock), one at a time by race distance and gender.  (Times are estimated.)

 
7:00 am:  Warm-up opens
a.  0.6 mi - Men start 7:30 am, women start 7:35 am (1 Loop)
b.  1.2 mi - Men start 8:10 am, women start 8:15 am (2 Loops)
c.  2.4 mi - Men start 9:20 am, women start 9:25 am (4 Loops)
 

Race Type:

This is an Open Water lake race.  Each event will start in the water from a dock entry/timed start. It will be swum in a counterclockwise direction with buoys staying on your left shoulder.  The finish will be a beach exit and participants will cross the finish line on land.

Athletes should wear brightly colored caps for this event - all participants must wear a cap.

Each participant will be given a race number at the check-in phase of race.  That number should be written on their upper arms and on the back left of the shoulder in Sharpie or waterproof marker in 3–4-inch height.  Participants will check-in and race numbers verified prior to entry.  

If you are planning on swimming more than one event, you need to be able to swim an 800 in less than 30 minutes.

Warm-up:

There will be an open warm-up and warm-down in a restricted area.  The separate warm-up area will be open for the duration of the event – NOT RESTRICTED TO A CERTAIN TIME.

All participants will enter the starting dock at the designated warm up area and be directed by a lifeguard into the water off the starting dock, swim the course, and exit the water one at a time onto the finish dock.  Any participant who would like to warm up more can line back up at the starting dock for another loop.

Participants will be asked to walk from the warmup area to the competition area and are expected to arrive at the competition entrance at least 10 minutes prior to their assigned race start time.

Concessions:

There will be burgers made to order!  Water, sodas, and other goodies will be available as well.

Event Updates:

Please refer to our website for event updates.  Updates will also be available on our social media channels.

Facebook:  Click Here

Instagram:  Click Here

Location and Facilities:

Lake Longhorn is located at 2391 Gun Range Road, League City, TX 77573.  Changing areas, portable restrooms, and free parking is available.

Lake Longhorn Premise Waiver and Special Instructions:

Everyone on the property must have a current Lake Longhorn waiver on file.  This includes swimmers, coaches, officials, volunteers, and spectators.  Please complete the online waiver.  Swimmers, spectators, and volunteers that do not complete the waiver will need to check in with the lake staff the morning of the race, resulting in longer lines.  The Lake Longhorn waiver is available on their website at:  https://lakelonghorn.com/waiver/cart.php?wid=133.  If you are bringing a minor, please add the minor first, and then add yourself.

Safety:

Rescue personnel will be in kayaks positioned at each turn buoy and at the start and finish of the race.  There will be one motorized water-craft monitoring the course throughout the race.  All rescue personnel will have lifesaving buoys throughout the race.  There will be lifeguards positioned at the warmup area and at the actual race start/finish site.  Water will also be available for emergency situations on the platforms.

Medical Evacuation Plan:

If a participant is struggling or needs assistance, they should swim to the nearest shoreline and wait for the safety staff to arrive.  If unable to make it to the shore, the participant should wave their hand and stay in the same location.  Rescue personnel will come to their assistance.  Participants will then be transported to the nearest shoreline or finish line by kayak.  An EMT and ambulance will be on site to treat any participants if necessary.

Weather:

The race will be swum under all conditions except thunder and lightning.  If there is hazardous weather in the area, we will delay the race 30 minutes per occurrence.  We will make every attempt to swim the events.  There will be no entry fee refunds.

If there is hazardous weather during a race, foghorns will be used to alert participants to exit the lake at the nearest point.  Participants are to meet back at the registration area and proceed to their vehicles.