FAQs
By submitting my application via this website, am I guaranteed a spot in the 57th Around The Island® Swim?
No. Because of the nature of this event, potential competitors must be approved by our Selection Committee, which is made up of the Race Director, open water swimming officials, experienced open water swimming athletes, and local beach patrol members. Only those selected will be given a spot in the race and will be required to pay the full entry fee.
What's included in the entry fee for participants?
The entry fee for the 4th Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, featuring the 57th Around The Island® Swim, includes many things participants need to have for a successful, safe, and memorable race! In addition to entry into the marathon swim, all fees include a dedicated lifeguard per swimmer/relay team, a support boat for each individual swimmer staffed with rowers to escort you and your representative/coach*, multiple power-boat escorts along the route, swag bag, 3 meals (2 dinners & 1 breakfast), access to significant hotel room discounts, and much more! (*Relay teams are responsible for providing their own power-boat & captain who is not one of the swimmers.)
What is the Selection Committee looking at to make their decision?
The Selection Committee will review all athlete applications and a complete review if your swim resume. Among other things, here are the critical items the Committee will be looking at:
- The approximate distance a participant swims in one week when training for a marathon swim.
- Marathon swimming experience in the last 3 years.
- Additional open water experience in the last 3 years.
- Additional athletic activities.
- Feeding plan to be used during the 57th Around the Island® Swim
I'm registering a relay team. How does payment work for team members?
When registering a relay team consisting of 2-4 members, the first person submitting the application is considered the team captain will be charged the application fee regardless of team size. Subsequent team members are not charged a fee through the registration website. If selected, the team captain will be responsible for paying the balance of the entry fee in full. If splitting the cost of registration desired, it can be done privately outside of the official registration process.
Why are "Solitare Cup" Relay Teams not eligible for cash prizes?
For 2023, we created a new category of relay teams just for high school & college athletes. Open water swimming is a great sport that requires years of dedicated training. We want to make this sport available to the next generation of open water swimmers. To encourage this, we're providing a significantly reduced registration fee for scholastic relay teams. Since many of these teams are supported by various organizations that may prevent participants from receiving cash prizes, the "Solitare Cup," named in honor of the first person to ever complete the Around The Island® Swim back in 1953, Edward Solitare, will be up for grabs--along with bragging rights for a whole year!
Our high school or college relay team would rather compete for the money. Can we enter as a Mixed Relay instead?
Sure...just know that you'll be required to pay the full-price entry fee versus the discounted "Solitare Cup" Relay Team entry fee.
My physician isn't able to see me right away in order to complete their portion of the Swim Resume. Does this mean I can't submit my registration?
Maybe. The Selection Committee cannot consider your registration until a completed Swim Resume is received. Please alert the Race Director if your physician's approval will be delayed. In order to allow for optimal training on your end and planning on our end, physician approval must be received no later than March 15, 2023.
What will the temperature of the water be during the swim?
The water temperature is predicted to be 70°F - 79°F.
Is wearing a swim cap required?
Swim caps shall be worn at the start of the race. After that, caps may be removed at the discretion of each swimmer.
During the race, what kind of support is available to me as a swimmer?
Individual swimmers are provided a rowboat staffed with rowers & a certified lifeguard from a local Beach Patrol. While relay teams are required to BYOB (bring your own boat), we will provide you with a certified lifeguard from a local Beach Patrol. All athletes are permitted to have one representative on the boat with them for support/coaching as well as to provide food/drink/nutrition (provided at own expense). Additionally, the NJ State Marine Policy will be patrolling the waters along the course, motorized boats will be escorting the pack of swimmers, and emergency personnel from the various municipalities of Absecon Island will be on standby.
Is the 10-hour cutoff time strictly enforced?
Yes. All athletes must reach the cutoff point (see map) in Atlantic City by the 10-hour mark in order to finish the event. The cutoff point will vary based on the direction of the race, but is approximately 1mi from the finish. Any athlete not at this point by the 10-hour mark will be pulled from the water by Festival Personnel and not permitted to finish.
I do not live locally. Are you offering room discounts at local hotels?
Yes! Tropicana Atlantic City is the official hotel of the 4th Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, featuring the 57th Around The Island® Swim. You can book discounted hotel rooms during our event by clicking here [LINK TO BE SUPPLIED AT A LATER DATE], or calling 1-888-516-2215 and mentioning group code: . [GROUP CODE TO BE SUPPLIED AT A LATER DATE]
What is Green Whales, Inc.?
Green Whales, Inc., is a NJ Non Profit 501(c)(3) that encompasses all that we do for the swim community! Green Whales Inc. funds Whelan’s Whales, the Greenheads Swimming age group swim team, and the Greenheads Special Olympics swim team. All proceeds from the 4th Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival will benefit Green Whales, Inc.
My question is not listed here, and I cannot find an answer on this website. Who can I contact for help?
Email jwopenwater@gmail.com and a member of our staff will be happy to help!
