KIDZ AQUAFUN Tips & Event Guide

Question

WHAT IS AN

AQUATHON?

A fun combination of swimming & running. It can be completed on your own or

in a tag team with one swimmer and one runner. Safe, achievable and fun

ANYONE Can enter – its not for sport specific kids, it is about participation

AGE CATEGORIES? • Kidz Aquafun is open for 6 -12 yr’s (13y+ enter the Short Aqua).

• Kidz 6-9 yr’s can also do the event with a parent to support along the way.

• Age groups (individual and tag team) Divided into 6-9yr’s, and 10-12yr’s.

• Note-Team: If one child is U10 and the other over 10, you enter the 10-12’s.

SAFE? Sure is, we take safety very seriously. Over 3000 kids have safely finished the

event over the 15 years it’s been running. We ensure loads of safety practices

and have experienced lifesavers and course marshals.

SWIM: close to shore, flat, safe water in harbour watched carefully by over 25

lifesavers. Parents can also follow in the swim.

RUN: The run is flat on a cycle path, 1km out and back, cheered on by the large

crowd, with first aid and loads of support.

The swim starts are divided into boys, girls and teams starts for 10-12yr’s and

one mass start (plus parents) in 6-9yr’s with a shorter swim.

WHAT DOES MY

ENTRY GET?

Amazing value- event entry, insurance, services, swim cap, timing chip,

Finisher Medal, and BIG FAT SMILE goodie bag plus loads more

ANYONE ENTER?

Sure can. It’s all about having participation in a fun, safe & friendly environment.

DISTANCES? • 6-9yr’s complete a close to shore 140m followed by a 2km run/walk

• 10-12yr’s complete a 200m swim followed by a 3km run.

WHAT IF I CAN’T

FINISH THE SWIM?

That’s ok, just walk to your shoes and start the run, or tag your team member to

run. You will need to tell the finish line official.

EXPLAIN A TEAM? The swimmer starts first, and wears the official time chip velcro around their

ankle. The runner waits in the KIDZ ZONE for their swimmer to exit water. They

will run up the stairs and swap the velcro time chip to their runners ankle.

(TIP: swimmer stand still and let runner take it off and put it on their ankle).

HOW DO I ENTER? Enter by going to aquathon.com.au and reading up about the event, click

ENTER NOW

Plus check out advice, course maps and all about making Aquathon safe and

fun…and parents there are event for you too…longer aquathon’s and

community walk so GET INVOLVED!

KIDS AQUAFUN GUIDE

THE INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE IS PREPARED TO BETTER HELP YOU ON

EVENT DAY. PLEASE MAKE SUREYOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH ALL EVENT

RULES, SAFETY GUIDELINES AND WAIVER. FURTHER DETAILS &

INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE

WHAT IS THE PARENT'S AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM?

• The Terms and Conditions of entry are specified in the Parents Agreement, Waiver and

Acknowledgement Form. This must be read, understood and accepted by the parent or legal

guardian to be able to register the child.

• If you are registering online, you will be asked to read the form and click a button to say you

agree to the conditions. If you are registering by mail, you must sign the appropriate section

on the entry form.

COULD THE EVENT BE CANCELLED?

• It is unlikely, but not impossible and to date has never occurred. Rain, winds and most

conditions still ensure the event will go ahead. If weather deems the event unsafe, at first

instance the course may be modified and if this cannot safely occur the event will be

cancelled.

• A shore line ‘Wade’ and the normal run will be first choice if poor swim conditions.

• If the event is cancelled before event day, every effort will be made to notify all participants.

This will include email notification (to the email address provided when you register) and a

notice on the website home page and facebook page. We recommend you check both. Even

if the weather and everything seems ok, unforeseen incidents may cause a cancellation pre

event or on the day.

• Please note the decision to cancel an event is not made lightly and safety is our priority when

making this decision including the safety of the children. Unfortunately entry fee is non

refundable.

WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A MEDICAL OR PHYSICAL CONDITION?

On the entry form there is a place for you to write your child’s medical or physical condition. We

request that you contact us directly via info@aquathon.com.au well in advance so we can work

together to make sure that your child can participate safely on the day.

MEDICAL AID / EMERGENCY

Strict adherence to Event Risk Management ensures all efforts go towards providing a safe event

for every participant. If the child does not feel well during the course of the event they can get

assistance from our expert crew of lifesavers, course marshals and first aiders (on course and at

finish line). Emergencies will be directed to NSW Ambulance.

On day medical will be provided by qualified Lifesavers, St John’s First Aid and Wollongong First

Aid. These specialists will be stationed on the course and at the finish area. St John’s Medical Tent

is located next to registration area, in grass forecourt of Old Court House.

PARENTS ‘BACK OF PACK

Parents or a guardian can assist younger children in the KIDZ AQUAFUN- simply join them on the

start line and make sure to keep to the back of the pack to avoid interfering with other children

www.aquathon.com.au

WHAT TO BRING ON THE DAY?

• A BIG FAT SMILE!!!

• Appropriate gear as swimmer, or suitable attire to swim in, goggles, joggers, singlet or run with

cossies - slip, slop, slap & wrap. Ensure you bring all weather gear, towel and change of clothes.

• Check the car/transport route and parking options.

• Entry confirmation email (print) just in case your entry has been misplaced which is highly

unlikely.

• Marker- a brightly coloured towel or marker which will help with location of your gear in the kids

change zone.

• Any medication or medical needs: Asthma medication, allergy (stingers), or other.

• If cool or wet, warm clothes for after the event.

• Healthy snacks, like fresh fruit, and drinks will be provided but feel free bring you own.

• You might like to allow your child to bring some pocket money to purchase items on offer in the

Aquathon Expo site.

• Make sure everything is packed the night before so you don't have to worry about finding things

on the morning of the event!

• CAN I USE FLIPPERS? YES BUT we ask that parents contact us and this may be allowed but

children will not have a time recorded to avoid any placing issues.

KEY TIMES: KIDZ AQUAFUN

• Registration: 7.00am – 8.15am

• Big Fat Smile AQUAFUN ZONE: Opens 7.15am – 8.30am.

CHECK IN PROCEDURE

REGISTRATION KIT COLLECTION:

Even though you have registered and paid , the entry kit that contains your official ‘time chip’, swim cap, and

bag of sponsor goodies is to be collected at the official ‘Aquathon Registration’ Marquee. This is located at

Event Site located on the corner of Cliff Road and Harbour Street. (On the kerb a large signed marquee in

front of Old Court House). Refer to sign that says ‘Kidz Aquafun’ and line up. Individuals go by names and

teams go by swimmer surname or team name.

TIME CHIP:

The time chip is your personal time recorder or for teams acts a relay baton (swimmer to runner). It is

lightweight Velcro that easily fits securely around your left ankle. Do it up firm but not over tight and check

instructions to ensure it is securely placed on.

TEAMS:

The swimmer begins with the time chip, and swaps over ‘like a relay baton’ to their runner

KIDZ AQUAFUN ZONE’:

This is the area you place your change gear and meet for instructions

• Located in a special reserved area at the southern end of the Harbour - 20m south past the children’s

playground.

• Look for Big Fat Smile Banners

• Place your run/gear here. Volunteers will be in the transition area to provide guidance.

• Keep to only gear you need don’t place valuables.

• No gear may be brought in afterwards

• Parents only children 6-8 yr’s can receive help in this area otherwise it interferes with other children

TIP: Swimmers/Individuals: Keep goggles and swim cap with you as you exit transition so you have

these available for the swim portion.

• WAIT HERE UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTED ARE GIVEN.

THE START:

ALL Kids will walk together to the start area you will be called up in age, gender and event . A course

referee will provide instructions then you will line up in your age/event/gender.

Team Runner- after the instructions you will follow a marshal to the KIDZ TAG TEAM CHANGE AREA- this

is either on the shore (low tide) or in the Kids change area if high tide

AFTER THE EVENT:

GET YOUR FINISHER MEDALS, CHECK OUT THE EXPO

WITH FREE STUFF, GET YOUR PICTURE & ENJOY THE DAY.

PRESENTATION: 11.15am JOIN US FOR THE PRESENTATION

at Osborne Park across road from finish, where there are loads of

prizes to be given away. Listen for PA announcements.

ON THE DAY?

SWIM SAFETY ADVICE

• If you are a weaker swimmer start at the back of the group to avoid the start line rush.

• Make sure you wear well secured and comfortable swim goggles and the swim cap provided.

• Don’t panic! If you swallow some water, are accidently hit by another swimmer, loose your

goggles or begin to panic, just try and relax, take a moment to get your breath back. Try

backstroke or breaststroke for a little or put your hand up (raise it straight up high) and a

lifesaver will come to your assistance.

• You can rest and then re-start the swim

WATER SAFETY - a Lead Lifesaver will escort the swimmers with a team of amazing

lifesavers who will follow you to the end- IF YOU GET INTO ANY TROUBLE STOP, DON’T

PANIC RAISE YOUR HAND, & A LIFESAVER WILL COME AND ASSIST YOU. TAKE A REST

& IF YOU CAN CONTINUE THE COURSE

aquathon.com.au

Have more questions?

Feel free to contact us at

info@aquathon.com.au

Don’t forget to check out the website for Kids Aquafun

Details