2021 The Start

Event Safety

Event Description

The following information has been excerpted from the Donner Lake Swim Safety Manual. The information is focused on what a participating swimmer needs to know about the manner in which the Donner Lake Swim committee implements its safety plan. Please read carefully.

General Information

The Donner Lake swim is a point-to-point 2.7 mile swim planned for August of each year. Expected water temperature of 65-68 degrees. Maximum number of swimmers allowed is 450. The race will start at 8:30 am. The course starts at the east end of the lake, near the Donner Memorial State Park, and finishes at the West End Beach. Swimmers are instructed to swim in the middle of the lake and are guided by volunteer kayaks patrolling the north and south perimeters of the swim course. The swim has a strictly enforced 2 1⁄2 hour cut off time. The official cut off time is 11:00 am. The safety plan outlines the procedures for the swim, roles of the volunteer kayakers, and motorized boats/wave runners. 

Swimmer Warm-up area

A designated warm-up area will be provided for swimmers. The warmup area will be patrolled by 4 kayakers from 7:30 until 8:15. All swimmers wishing to warm-up prior to the race must do so in the designated warm-up area.

Safety

The event provides a 6-point plan for swimmer safety that includes: 

1. Motorboats. Three to five motorboats will patrol the swim course to watch for volunteer kayakers waving orange flags and will remove swimmers from the course as needed. One motorboat will be positioned near the first 1/3 of swimmers, another motorboat will be located near the middle of the group of swimmers, and the third motorboat will be located near the rear of the swimmers.

2. Police boat. One police boat will monitor the perimeter of the course to assess for swimmers needing assistance and to assist with boat traffic along the swim course. The police boat carries an “automated external defibrillator (AED) for cardiac emergencies.

3. Kayaks. Approximately 30 volunteer kayaks will accompany swimmers along the swim course to guide swimmers to stay in the middle of the lake and to remain on course. Kayakers will have orange, man-in-the water, flags to signal motor craft for a pick-up as needed.

4. Medics. An ambulance service with two paramedics will be present and stationed at the east end beach. 20 minutes following the start of the race, the ambulance will drive to the West End Beach and remain at the finish near the pavilion until the race is completed.

5. Wave-runners. Five wave-runners will patrol the swim.

6. First aid station. The first aid station will be at the finish and will be manned by 2 volunteers (MD, RN and/or medical student). The first aid station will have a tent, chairs, towels, blankets, hot liquids and basic first aid supplies. The staff will record the name and race number (if applicable) of each person seen and the outcome. 

SWIMMER RESPONSIBILITIES

The Donner Lake Swim’s success requires swimmers to accept specific responsibilities. In addition to recognizing the risk inherent to swimming in cold water at significant elevation (e.g., heart attack, hypothermia, and drowning), every participant is expected to abide by the following: 

Swimmers cannot require that volunteer kayaks for the group swim provide a swimmer with a personal escort. Swimmers are expected to follow the course in the middle of the lake with the help of adjacent swimmers and volunteer kayaks for the group swim. The kayaks will be positioned at the right and left perimeters of the course in the middle of the lake.

Do not swim in the area where motorboats are located. The boats are outside the racecourse.

Keep an eye out for fellow swimmers. Help them stay on course. If you see another swimmer clearly in distress, alert a kayaker and stay in contact with the swimmer.

If you decide to abandon the event, notify a kayaker. The kayak will escort you to a motorboat. Please provide your name and race number so the Safety Coordinator can account for all swimmers.

If you are tired or injured and need assistance, request help from a kayaker by waving your hand. 

1. When a kayak approaches, clearly explain the nature of your problem. Be accurate when assessing your condition or circumstance. Do not minimize or exaggerate your condition.

2. If you need a rest or simply want a break, look for a kayak and communicate your need to rest to them.

3. Listen to the directions provided by the kayaker or motorboat operator.

4. If you’re injured or need medical attention, alert a kayaker who will provide a short-term holding position while signaling a motorboat with an orange flag. The motorboat will transport you to the West End Beach. An ambulance service and medical tent are available at the West End Beach. Swimmers will be pulled from the event if:

  • They are showing signs of distress,
  • They are demonstrating difficulty navigating the course, and
  • They are unlikely to finish the swim before the 2 ½ hour limit.

5. A swimmer that falls approximately 100 to 125 yards behind the second-to-last swimmer will be pulled from the race. 

If you are pulled from the event, DO NOT argue with the kayaker or operator of the motorboat/wave runner. Your condition affects their ability to provide safety for all swimmers. You will either be picked up directly by a motorboat or guided by a kayaker who will use an orange flag to signal a motorboat/wave runner to pick you up. If picked up by a motorboat, you will remain on the boat until the boat returns to the finish area. When you return to the finish area, you must check in with the Safety Coordinator and at the timing tent at the race finish. You must provide your name and race number. If you start the race but do not check in at the finish, we will assume you are still on the racecourse. At the conclusion of the race, if your name and race number have not been recorded, we will assume a Search and Rescue needs to be instituted. If injured but able to remain at the finish area, notify the Safety Coordinator.

EVENT CANCELLATION

Prior to the event start

The Race Committee members and Safety Coordinator are responsible for determining and announcing event delay or cancellation.

During the event

  • The Race Committee members and Safety Coordinator are responsible for determining and announcing event cancellation.
  • The police boat and motorboats will be alerted by cell phone that the event has been cancelled.
  • Motorboats will notify kayakers immediately. Kayakers will inform swimmers of cancellation.
  • If able, swimmers should swim toward the north side of the lake (closest to Donner Pass Road). Swimmers needing assistance should wave their hand to alert kayakers. Kayakers will then assist swimmers with a transfer to a motorboat. The shuttle service will be alerted and begin transporting swimmers from Donner Pass Road to the finish at the West End beach. All swimmers need to check in with the timing tent near the finish so that all swimmers can be accounted for.