health & Safety

Competitors must follow the directions of water safety personnel.

help available

Kayaks, paddle boards, and jet skis are positioned along the course to assist swimmers in the event of an emergency or even if you just need a breather.

Coastguard and other powered craft will be positioned in the center and around the course.

The St John ambulance will be present on site to attend to any injuries or help warm you up. They are there to help so don’t hesitate to approach them.

Asking for help on the water

If you need assistance during the rate, raise your arm and tread water to signal to the water support personnel you need help.When approached by water safety craft, you must follow the directions of these personnel.

Where the water safety craft is a kayak hold the front of the kayak, do no grab the side of the kayak.

In case of an emergency on the water

These are the signals we will use during the races:

• 3 blasts of an air horn – hold your position, tread water, pause.
• 1 blast following – race restarted.

The 500m race course follows the shoreline and volunteers will be situated along the share to assist in case of an emergency. Depending on your height and conditions you may also be able to stand.

if race is to be aborted

If the race is to be aborted you will hear three blasts of the horn, repeated and continuously. If you are able to, swim to the closest shore (island or mainland), following the outline of the course or doubling back on the same course.

Don’t cut through the middle of the course as the powercraft are in the centre.

If you’re not confident of swimming back, put your arm up to identify help required from a water support craft.

Where the race is aborted, you must return your transponder in order to check your safe return.

Clothing

Meridian Swim Ruataniwha is a cold water swim event. As the event is in March it is recommended you wear a suitable wetsuit. We do not recommend competing without a wetsuit.

Remember to bring warm clothing, hat and blanket to get warm after you finish your race.

duck itch

Our lake has ducks which means some people may get duck itch. It isn’t dangerous but it is annoying. You can prevent duck itch by using a SPF50+ sunscreen (before you enter the water) with phenoxyethanol in it as an ingredient. Read the label or ask. This has been shown in Wanaka exposure trials to prevent the disease.

Duck Itch | Touchstone Project

Comfort Station:

After your swim we will have homemade soup and hot Barkers syrup drinks to help warm you up.

There is also a comfort station is in the Meridian Marquee with chairs, blankets and hotties should you require extra assistance to recover and get warm after your swim.