Three Primary Swims Constitute the Triple Crown of San Diego Marathon Swimming
Set your sights on any one, two, or all three of these magnificent swims. Or, work with us to customize your own route!
Challenge yourself with our coastal kayak-supported swims. No need for chartering a large boat - Kayak/Observer and Kayak/Swimmer Assist are the only crew needed to achieve your marathon swim goals here!
In addition to being extraordinary standalone feats, these swims can also serve as an ideal preparation for major channel swims, such as the English Channel and the Catalina Channel.
What’s more, completing all three swim - the San Diego Triple Crown - is an accomplishment worthy of lifelong bragging rights. Our coastal setting also provides an ideal opportunity to map out your own custom route.
Swim rules
San Diego Open Water Swimming Association: Marathon Swim Rules
Welcome to the San Diego Open Water Swimming Association! Our mission is to create a supportive and inspiring community for open water swimmers of all levels. Whether you aim to complete a swim unassisted or prefer assistance, our ultimate goal is to empower you to achieve your personal best in a safe and fair environment. If you would like your swim to be officially recognized, please follow the rules below.
Rules for Official Swim Recognition:
1. Unassisted Swims – No Artificial Aids
For an unassisted swim, no artificial aids are allowed. Swimmers may use earplugs, a nose clip, goggles, and one non-buoyant, porous swimsuit. A single swim cap is permitted. Body grease and tape are allowed, provided they do not assist with buoyancy or body heat retention. Men’s suits must not extend above the waist or below the knees; women’s suits must not extend beyond the shoulders, neck, or knees. No watches. Wetsuits are strictly prohibited.
2. No Supporting Contact
Swimmers must not intentionally make supporting contact with any person, vessel, or object during the swim.
3. Start and Finish Locations
The swim begins when the swimmer enters the water from a natural shoreline and ends when they clear the water onto a natural shoreline where no navigable water exists beyond.
4. Nighttime Illumination
If any part of the swim occurs after sunset or before sunrise, swimmers must wear adequate lighting (e.g., glow sticks or LED lights) to ensure visibility to support kayakers.
5. Feeding and Equipment
Swimmers may consume nutrition during the swim, and equipment may be used to transfer feeds from the support vessel to the swimmer. However, the swimmer must not be towed or supported by the feeding equipment.
6. Drafting Restrictions
Swimmers must avoid intentionally drafting behind escort vessels or support swimmers. While swimming alongside an escort vessel is permitted, swimmers must not use the vessel’s bow or displacement waves for advantage, except during feeding.
7. Support Swimmer Guidelines
A support swimmer may join the solo swimmer for limited periods. Multiple support swimmers are allowed, but consecutive support swims are not permitted. Observers recommend a maximum of one hour per support swim and a minimum of one hour between support periods, but this is at the observer’s discretion.
8. Observer Authority
The official observer is solely responsible for timing the swim, interpreting the rules, and making safety decisions, including canceling the swim if conditions become dangerous. All participants (swimmers, support swimmers, paddlers, or crew) must follow the observer’s instructions to avoid disqualification.
9. Prohibited Substances
Swimmers must not use substances listed on the U.S. Olympic Committee’s prohibited medications list. For details, contact the Olympic Drug Reference Line at 800-233-0393 or visit GLOBADRO.com.
10. Rule Variations and Assisted Swims
Any deviation from these rules without prior approval will disqualify the swim or classify it as an assisted swim, depending on the nature of the variation.
A Commitment to Fairness and Safety
These rules are designed to maintain the integrity and spirit of open water swimming while prioritizing safety and fairness. We’re here to help you achieve your goals while ensuring an environment of mutual respect and transparency. We can’t wait to see you make waves in the San Diego waters!
Note: All swims are submitted to the LongSwims Database, however the decision to list them lies solely with the database administrators, and we do not have control over their inclusion.