How does the solo swim actually work (escort boat, crew etc.)?
Generally you will select a boat/captain based on size and cost long before you arrive in Santa Barbara. The SBCSA will provide an observer. You are responsible for providing a support crew consisting of feeders, kayakers, and support swimmers. You must provide your own crew who have primary responsible for your motivation and feeding. They can access years of experience from the Association in the area of “in the water motivation” but all swimmers should have decided and perfected their feeding routines long before arrival. Unless conditions are terrible you start on the pre-agreed day. The boat motors out and drops you near your selected start spot on one of the Islands. You enter the water in the agreed suit/cap arrangement (we have categories for wetsuit and non-wetsuit swims and rules on cap material, thickness etc. See Rules). To start, you swim over from the boat and either stand on the beach above the water line or touch a cliff face – the observer starts their watch and you ar
