RACE RESULTS

Oceans 8 Charity Swim: Rules & regulations

GENERAL RULES (APPLICABLE TO ALL EVENTS)

Safety & Eligibility

  • Participants must be 10 years old on the date of the swim. Swimmers under 10 years may only take part if accompanied by a registered adult – who must enter and fundraise as per event requirements. 
  • A tow float is compulsory for swimmers 12 years and under. 
  • Every swimmer entering the water must be an official registered entrant. This includes support swimmers. This is required for safety compliance and in accordance with SASREA regulations.
  • Swimmers are required to attend the official event briefing, held 5 minutes prior to the start of each event. Important safety measures, route details and water conditions will be communicated at this briefing.
  • The organisers reserve the right to remove any swimmer from the water if deemed medically or physically unsafe to continue.

Equipment Regulations:

  • An official swim cap will be issued per category. Wearing the official cap is compulsory for safety and identification purposes.
  • Wetsuits and tri-suits and wetsuits are allowed (must not extend beyond neck, wrists or ankles). 2-minute time penalty applies.
  • Safety tow floats attached to the torso are permitted.

Not Permitted:

  • Kickboards or hand paddles
  • Swim fins (unless prior arrangement is made with the organising committee for medical or accessibility reasons).

Entry Fees & Refund Policy:

  • Entry fees are per person, per swim/event.
  • Entries are non-transferable between swimmers
  • If the event is cancelled due to severe weather or poor water quality, all entries will be held over to the following year.
  • If the event is cancelled for any reason other than organiser negligence, or if a participant cannot attend for any reason (including illness):
    • 80% of the ticket price may be refunded if claimed before 1 April 2026.
    • Bank and online transaction fees are non-refundable.
    • No refunds will be processed after 1 April 2026.

For queries: info@oceans8swim.co.za

Contingency Day

  • If ocean conditions do not meet safety requirements, the affected day’s events will be moved to Monday, 25th May 2026.
  • If Saturday is affected – all Saturday events move to Monday. If Sunday is affected – all Sunday events move to Monday.
  • 1 mile swimmers may choose to swim on either day. 4 mile swimmers may choose to complete all 4 miles on a single day, with each mile starting 75 minutes after the previous one.
  • However, swimmers competing for an age group medal must swim in their designated age group race to be eligible.

RULES APPLICABLE TO EVENT CATEGORY

1 MILE EVENT

  • Swimmers under 10 years old must swim with a registered adult. 
  • All participants under 12 years of age must swim with a tow float. Failure to finish with a tow float will result in disqualification.

4 MILE EVENT

Participants under 12 years of age must:

  • Swim with a tow float
  • Swim with a registered adult. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

8 MILE EVENT

  • No swimmers under 12 years of age permitted.
  • All swimmers must have completed an official sea swim prior to the event.

16 MILE EVENT

  • No swimmers under 12 years of age permitted.
  • All swimmers must have completed any official sea swim prior to the event and be able to complete one mile in less than 30 minutes.

  • First lap of Event 1 and Event 5 will start at 06h50 (40 minutes early then the rest of the swimmers).

  • Swimmers have 40 minutes to complete Lap 1 of each event. If this cut-off is not met – you will not be allowed to start Lap 2 and must sit out that event. You can then resume in the next scheduled event.

  • You must pass through the Finish arch after your first mile to ensure your time is recorded. You may begin your second mile when ready. Your time will only start once you pass through the Start arch.