Kayaker FAQs

  • Kayaks must be ocean kayaks. All kayaks must be equipped with two PFDs (one for the kayaker and one in case it is needed by the swimmer) and a whistle or air horn to alert safety personnel. Kayakers are expected to have appropriate open ocean kayaking experience, must be able to maneuver kayak in windy conditions with an ocean swell and to launch and land kayak from a beach with breaking waves. The kayaker most be capable of “self rescue” in the event of a roll over.   Kayakers myst be age 18 or older.

  • Please pull up to the traffic cones and drop off your kayak at the bathhouse (54 Long Beach Avenue, York, Maine)by 7:30 AM at the latest, please.  We will have volunteers to help unload the kayak and bring it to the staging area. Vehicles must then be moved immediately to a designated parking space or parking area.

  • The VENUE MAP shows the parking locations, shuttle stops, swim start and swim finish areas.    

    Parking Fees: Parking at Short Sands Beach (swim finish), please download the ParkMobile App before swim day. Parking charges begin at 8 AM.  Alternatively, you may park behind the Center for Active Living at no charge. Be aware that if you park in the metered parking along Long Sands (swim start) there is no shuttle service available after the swim.

    Shuttle Service: There is a shuttle service available between the parking locations, the start and Sohier Park. The shuttle is free for kayakers.

  • Shuttle Service: The NLS will provide one trolley generously donated by Williams Realty Partners for shuttle service. This free shuttle is available for swimmers and their guests, between several parking locations, the start, Sohier Park and the finish. 

    The VENUE MAP shows the parking locations, shuttle stops, swim start and swim finish areas.   

    Shuttle Logistics: Look for “NUBBLE LIGHTHOUSE SWIM SHUTTLE STOP” signs at each pick-up point.

    Please note that the shuttle will run on a loop and transit times are dependent on local traffic.  Please plan accordingly. The schedule is subject to change.

    NOTE: THERE WILL BE NO SHUTTLE SERVICE AFTER THE EVENT

    SHUTTLE STOPS (Pre-Swim)

    Hours of operation: 6:15 AM to 8:00 AM

    • Short Sands Parking Lot, 15 Ocean Ave across from the "Sands by the Sea Motel” (parking/finish)

    • Center for Active Living, 36 Main Street (parking)

    • Long Sands Bath House, 54 Long Beach Ave (start)

    SHUTTLE  STOPS (Post-Start)

    Hours of operation:  8:00 AM to 8:30 AM

    • Long Sands Bathhouse, 54 Long Beach Ave (start)

    • Sohier Park in front of Fox’s Restaurant (“the gut”)

    SHUTTLE STOPS (During Swim)

    Hours of operation: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM

    • Long Sands Bathhouse, 54 Long Beach Ave (start)

    • Sohier Park, 11 Sohier Park Road in front of Fox’s Restaurant (“the gut”)

    • Short Sands Beach, 15 Ocean Ave across from the "Sands by the Sea Motel” (finish)

    Shuttle Service Ends at 10:30 AM

    Distances and Walking Times:

    • Swim Finish to Start 1.1 miles (20-25 minutes)

    • Start to Sohier Park 1.5 miles (25-30 minutes)

    • Sohier Park to Finish 1.3 miles (25-30 minutes)

    • Center for Active Living to Finish 0.4 miles (10 minutes)

  • Yes. All kayakers are required to check in to the right side of the swimmer registration area. There will be a kayaker safety meeting at 7:50 AM.  Kayak launch time is 8:00 AM.

  • Once in the water, kayakers will paddle to a waiting area approximately 250 yards from shore where they will wait for their swimmers. There will be two center console power boats anchored approximately 75 feet apart on either side of the course to coordinate and position the kayakers at the pickup area. The kayakers will create a “chute” on the left and right of the swim course beyond the boats. See the COURSE MAP for details.

    The kayaker will line up on the side agreed upon with the swimmer.  The kayakers will be staged according to their swimmers start wave.

    Once the kayaker and swimmer have joined up, the kayaker should stay within 20 feet of the swimmer.  Stay to the left or right of the swimmer; do not follow behind or lead the swimmer.

    Kayakers will leave the swimmers at the tetrahedron buoys just before the finish and paddle over to the ramp located to the left of the finish line.

  • The kayaker is responsible for monitoring the swimmer and signaling safety personnel in the event of an emergency. If a swimmer needs help, the swimmer swims to kayak, the kayaker hands them a PFD and signals a safety boat by holding up paddle and blowing a whistle/air horn three long times. If the swimmer cannot swim to the kayak, the kayaker should paddle to the swimmer.

  • Once their swimmer is picked up by a safety boat, the kayaker may become a course monitor for the remaining swimmers or continue paddling to the finish area.  The safety boats will not transport kayakers or their kayaks.

  • At the conclusion of the race, each kayaker will be responsible for transporting their kayak off the beach and up to the park. All kayak escorts must exit the beach on the ramp to the left of the finish (~150 yards). Kayakers are responsible for getting their kayaks to their vehicle. There will not be any transport provided for kayaks so participants should plan ahead regarding kayak transport logistics.

    See the COURSE MAP for details.