Time-Trial Swim Start
The race will be a time trial swim start.  What does that mean? This means that swimmers line up on the beach and, at the race starter’s signal, enter the water individually 3 seconds apart. See the race schedule to know when to line up for your race.

Swim Buoys

Participants in all swim events (ie, all triathlon distances, aquabike, relay, open water swim) are allowed to use a personal flotation device aka swim buoy. In the past swim buoys were required for the open water swim event; however, this is no longer the case. They are now optional. Use of a swim buoy will not disqualify participants from age group awards.

Epic Lifeguards
Members of the Epic Lifeguard Team have American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification in addition to basic American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. This means that they have all taken and passed an additional course in which they received training in the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas. Our superbly trained lifeguards are yet another reason our races are so Epic! 

If you or somebody you know is interested in joining our lifeguard team, CLICK HERE for an application.

USAT Rule 4.4 Wetsuits
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.

This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT) therefore all participants must have an annual membership or purchase a one-day membership. These options will be available during the registration process. You can see the current membership options and pricing here: https://www.usatriathlon.org/membership

CLICK HERE  for the USA Triathlon Rule Book.

The race director, Eva Solomon, is a USAT Level 2 Certified Race Director.  This is the highest level available, she is the only Level 2 USAT Certified race director in Michigan and 1 of only 11 in the country.