GoMOWSA Swim Ratification

GoMOWSA strives for transparency in their swim ratification rules, considerations, and committee participants. The ratification Committee members are selected from the Gulf of Maine swimming community with marathon swimming experience, crewing experience and/or ratification experience. For all completed ratifications, GoMOWSA will publish the committee participants. Members of the committee will abstain from ratification of swims that present a conflict of interest.

GoMOWSA pledges to consider all swims presented to the committee in a timely manner. Notification of ratification, declination of ratification, or requests for additional information can be expected within 3 months of the submission of all documentation required by GoMOWSA. If any unanticipated circumstances arise, candidates for ratification can expect communication from GoMOWSA as to the timeline of any delays in the ratification process.

GoMOWSA further prioritizes safety in all aspects of open water swimming. The rules that this association has adopted aim to promote safe choices on the part of swimmers, observers and swim crew. This includes safety equipment such as use of personal swim buoys and selection of route based on safety considerations including considerations unique to the geographical area of the swim, weather and water conditions, and presence of wildlife. GoMOWSA recognizes that swim routes may require modification mid-swim based on safety considerations and encourages all swim crew to be vigilant and proactive in their observations and decision making.

The official marathon swimming rules adopted by GoMOWSA are linked below. These rules are adapted from the marathon swimming regulations published by multiple open water swimming authorities, organizations, and channel associations throughout the world, with input from the personal experiences of our committee members. The rules are intended to be comprehensive while allowing for swim-specific safety considerations.

The role of the Observer is to independently witness a swim and document it in sufficient detail to allow GoMOWSA to review and ratify it. The observer must complete the Observer Log clearly and accurately, as any omissions may prevent ratification. Observers should maintain focus on swimmer safety throughout the event.  

The active observer’s role is dedicated solely to observing and should not overlap with duties of the swimmer’s crew.

Longer swims may necessitate multiple observers who take turns actively observing.

GoMOWSA relies on thorough documentation of all aspects of a swim, in addition to adherence to the marathon swimming rules established on this site. GoMOWSA expects the swim crew, especially the official observer, to actively document both the data points required by the official swim observation log and any decisions or events relevant to how the swim was carried out. This includes changes in route required due to safety considerations, positioning of the swimmer relative to escort vessels and support swimmers, and documentation of weather, water, wildlife, and swimmer conditions. Consideration of the swim documentation is a critical part of the committee’s ratification process and will be published on the GoMOWSA website as evidence of the successful swim.

GoMOWSA has provided an official Observer Log and guidance document. While use of this log is not required, all of the data points contained in this log are required to be documented in an organized way and presented clearly.

Additionally, the swimmer’s own narrative of the swim and preparation and the planning process will be reviewed as part of the ratification process as well as published on the GoMOWSA website to assist other swimmers (and the swim community) in making informed decisions about their own swim and swim events.