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Welcome!

Race week is finally here! We want to welcome you to the 6th annual event and thank you for joining us! If you’re visiting Devil’s Lake for the first time, we hope that you enjoy the park and surrounding area.  This Racer Information Guide has every detail that you need to know about race weekend.

Locations & Addresses

Early Packet Pick-up 12-3pm Saturday, July 6th

Dream Bank Madison 

821 E. Washington Ave │ Madison, WI 53703

608.286.3150

(you can also pick-up race morning at Devil’s Lake)

Race Location:

Devil’s Lake State Park – South Shore, Red Oak Shelter 

5975 S Park Rd

Baraboo, WI 53913

​Schedule of events: 

EARLY PACKET PICKUP –  ​Saturday JULY 6, 12-3pm at Dream Bank Madison

Sunday, July 7th:  note: there is no race morning registration!

6:45-8 AM packet/timing chip pick-up.   SOUTH SHORE – Red Oak Shelter

7:45-8 AM warm up in swim area

8AM Pre-Race Briefing on shore – Everyone must exit water

8:05 AM Group 1: 2.4 mile non-wetsuit (2 hour 20 min to complete the event)

8:10 AM Group 2: 2.4 mile wetsuit (2 hour 20 min to complete the event)

8:20 AM Group 3: 1.2 mile, wetsuit AND non-wetsuit  (1 hour 10 min to complete the event)

10:00 Kids race, 500m ages 10-16 

9:00- 10:30 AM Post race food and drinks

10:15 Awards table open for pick-up and Awards presentation

Packet Pick-up:

Packet pick-up is on Saturday, July 6th, 12-3pm at Dream Bank Madison OR race morning at Devil’s Lake. You will receive your shirt or towel, timing chip, state park day pass (if you need one)  and swim cap (color to match your wave).  Someone else can pick up your packet for you. 

Wetsuit Rental: Wetsuit rental is available through Big Swell Swim – sizing limited! Please email support@bigswellswim.com for more information. 

Race Changes: If you need to switch distances or categories email support@bigswellswim.com before 7/4 OR stop by the registration/information table at packet pick-up or race morning and fill out a change form.

Race Day parking:  Proceed through Devil’s Lake South Shore entrance.  The closest lot to the start/finish will be straight ahead after entry.  There are plenty of parking lots, none more than .25 mile walk to the start.  Make sure to display state park sticker or parking pass.

Bike Corral/gear check:  Bike racks will be set up in a barricaded area in the grass near the shelter to keep your bike/gear while you swim.  

Course Safety:  Please listen to course instruction before the race and listen to lifeguards and volunteers during the event.  If you need assistance raise your hand and the nearest water patrol will come to assist you.  You can rest on a kayak, paddleboard, or noodle and continue in the race as long as you are not making forward progress with the flotation device.  We have EMS on-site. Photos: We have FocalFlame onsite this year taking pictures.  We will provide you FREE images from the event and finish photos at our Big Swell Swim backdrop following your race.  Stop there for a picture with your medal! Please share with #bigswellswim and tag us on the socials!

Course Map:

Swimmers will have an in-water start for all events and proceed clock-wise around the triangle course, keeping bouys on their right.  The 1.2 mile swimmers will complete 1 loop and exit to the finish line on shore.  The 2.4 mile swimmers will complete 2 loops.  After the first loop they will continue swimming around the first buoy (not exiting the water) and do the same loop again. 

Weather Policy

The race will happen rain or shine. If there is inclement or dangerous weather, the Big Swell Swim will implement a delayed schedule.

Water is currently 67 degrees F and very clean!

Dogs 

Responsible pet owners and their pets are welcome in Wisconsin State Parks, however, per WI state laws, Pets are not allowed in the following places (this rule applies to all pets except service animals helping people with disabilities).  

• Buildings and picnic shelters
• Picnic areas, except designated pet picnic areas
• Beaches, except designated pet swim areas
• Playgrounds

Please leave your dog at home as they are not allowed on a public beach or picnic area.  If someone will be hiking with the dog as you swim, that is ok, they just cannot be sitting/staying at the beach. 

For reference: (https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/rules/pets.html)

Refund/Deferral Policy

The Big Swell Swim does not offer refunds or deferrals for any reason. This includes injury, illness, weather, or event cancellation.  We do allow bib transfer.

Bathrooms:  There are restrooms at the Red Oak shelter and additional restrooms in the park shelters near-by. 

Medical / First Aid:  City of Baraboo EMS will be at the start/finish area 7:30-10:30am. If you need medical assistance notify a volunteer. 

Timing / Results / Course cut-off:  Timing is done by Race Day Events. Preliminary results will be posted on the RDE van near the start/finish area. Results will be live online by the end of the day Sunday, posted on Facebook and emailed. 

The 1.2 mile has an hour ten minute cut off and the 2.4 mile has a two hour twenty minute cut off. Post-Race food thanks to Bagels Forever:  Refuel with water, coffee, lemonade, fruit, bagels (cream cheese and peanut butter), and more!  Please respect the park and don’t leave any garbage.

Awards:  Finisher medals for all swimmers.  Overall awards will be awarded to the top 3 males and females in each category (2.4 mile and 1.2 mile wetsuit and non-wetsuit, respectively).  Age-group awards are given to top finisher in each age group for each category.  Age groups are as follows: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.  Prize Money- 2.4 mile NO WETSUIT race. Top 3 overall, male and female.  1 st $250 (+Blue Seventy backpack) 2nd $150 3rd $50

Lost and Found: Please turn in or find any lost and found items to the registration area. 

Thank you to our Supporting Sponsors:

Presenting sponsor:   Lifestyle Staffing.  We are thankful for the backing of a company that believes so strongly in the importance of promoting health and wellness. Thank you for making our races possible!