The all-important Olympic 10K Marathon Swim qualification race will be held at the 2011 FINA World Swimming Championships in Shanghai.

The competition course for the 5K, 5K Team Time Trial, 10K and 25K races is located within an embankment in Jinshan City Beach, outside of Shanghai.

The water in the embankment originates from sea water pumped from outside the dam through the floodgate. After going through natural sedimentation, the turbid sea water can turn clear. Sea water is drawn into the embankment on a regular base.

The open water races will be held from July 19th to 23rd. The average air temperature in this area during these dates in July from 2008 to 2010 are as follows (all temperatures in °C):

Date 2008 2009 2010
July 19 28.5 31.3 31.3
July 20 27.4 33.4 33.4
July 21 29.1 33.0 33.0
July 22 29.4 25.8 25.8
July 23 30.6 28.9 28.9

The average sea water temperatures in the venue during these dates in July 2008 to 2010 are below (all temperatures in °C). The water temperature was measured at the depth of 20 to 50 cm below the surface.

Date 2008 (at 8 am and 2 pm)
July 19 28.8 29.0
July 20 28.3 28.9
July 21 28.8 29.6
July 22 28.8 29.3
July 23 29.1 29.5

Date 2009 (at 8 am and 2 pm)
July 19 28.9 30.3
July 20 29.3 30.0
July 21 29.5 29.8
July 22 29.5 29.1
July 23 29.2 29.5

Date 2010 (at 8 am and 2 pm)
July 19 27.2 27.9
July 20 27.3 28.0
July 21 27.5 28.5
July 22 27.7 28.5
July 23 27.9 28.3

The government-managed Monitoring Station in the venue indicates the salinity of the sea water in Jinshan City Beach averages around 9.44‰ in July and is in conformance with the Type-II National Sea Water Quality Standard (suitable for aquatic sports and recreational purpose).

Copyright © 2011 by World Open Water Swimming Association