Information for marshals and safety crew
Please read through the information below, even the sections that don’t apply to you.
Your attendance on the day is at your own risk. Please let us know if you have any questions before the event.
Ensure all equipment is safe to use, well maintained and checked before the event.
Remember: Your own safety always comes first.
Remain calm.
If in doubt call for help.
Above all - keep yourself safe.
In a medical emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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Timings
You must attend the pre-race briefing. You will receive information about your start point and safety briefing location closer to the event via email.
All safety briefings will take place at 11.45am, after your briefing make your way to your start point.
12.40am SAFETY BOATS IN POSITION FOR RADIO CHECKS
12.45am KAYAKERS ENTER WATER AND BEACH MARSHALS INTO POSITION
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12.55pm - FINAL SAFETY CHECKS
1pm - RACE BEGINS
3pm-3.30pm - Approximate finish time
Once SAFETY 1 confirms all swimmers are accounted for you may stand down.
Please return any PPE/equipment at the finish line or your closest drop off point.
CHECK OUT - You must let us know when you have left the water either at the event finish line or via phone.
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If you fail to let us know you have left the water this may result in a search and rescue operation.
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About the swims
1000m 'Beach Hut’ Swim
Expected completion time 30-60 minutes.
Start: Past the last beach hut near the red shipping container.
Finish: Battery Parade, Whitby. (Near West Pier)
2 mile Sandsend to Whitby swim
Expected completion time 1-2 hours.
Start: On the beach opposite the Sandsend doctors surgery.
Finish: Battery Parade, Whitby (Near West Pier)​
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Universal Distress Signals​
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​ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: If a swimmer needs help they are asked to float on their back and raise an arm. Kayakers can also use this signal to request assistance.
​​URGENT ASSISTANCE REQUIRED: If a swimmer needs immediate assistance they are asked to raise an arm and wave it continuously. Kayakers or boat users can also use this signal to request urgent assistance.
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​Radios
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VHF Radio Channel - 06
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To keep the channel clear, please only use the radio in an emergency.
Some kayakers will be allocated radios. If you have your own VHF radio please bring it with you.
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In an emergency radio SAFETY 1 and request immediate assistance.
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Safety 1 will be responsible for deploying RIBs via radio.
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If there are two incidents at the same time you may be instructed to move to another channel.
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If you cannot get through on channel 06 in an emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard or move to channel16 and broadcast a mayday.
Swimmers
All swimmers will be clearly numbered on their wristband and skin. The number will correspond to medical information held by the event organisers, first aiders and lifeguards.
Sandsend to Whitby Swimmers will be wearing a YELLOW swim cap and using a tow float.
Beach Hut Swimmers will be wearing a RED swim cap and using a tow float.
Beach Marshal Responsibilities
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A high vis vest is compulsory. If you have your own please bring it along but there will be plenty available.
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Please bring a bag as you may be asked to carry water and a blanket.
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Please wear suitable footwear, bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Assist any swimmers exiting the race, if this is before the finish line, notify the event organisers.
Observe the swimmers in the water and raise the alarm if you see anyone in distress. Shout for help, use arm signals or in an emergency call 999.
In a non-emergency escort the swimmer to the finish line or a lifeguard station if this is closer.
Be aware of any unauthorised vessels launching from the beach e.g jetskis please advise them to wait until after the race.
The route will be marked on the beach by feather flags every 500m, please do not leave your allocated station until the last swimmer has reached you, after this point follow behind the last swimmer to the finish line.
PPE/equipment should be handed in at the finish line or Whitby Surf School or Tides cafe, Sandsend.
Leave no trace - please collect any litter or equipment left behind.
Kayaker Responsibilities
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A buoyancy aid of PFD is compulsory.
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Please wear suitable clothing, bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Monitor the swimmers for signs of distress/fatigue and offer support.
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Kayakers will travel the route alongside the swimmers leaving plenty of space. Please keep to the seaward side of the swimmers and avoid crossing through the race unless responding to an emergency.
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Allow swimmers to hold onto your kayak to rest if required. If they are not quick to recover, assist them in exiting the water and hand over to a beach marshal.
Make sure swimmers are not deviating from the course, keeping them inline with the race markers.
Respond to hand signals from swimmers or other kayakers - raise the alarm to the safety boat if required.
Kayaks may be left at the finish line while you collect vehicles. They can also be left at Whitby Surf School.
Power boat/RIB responsibilities
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All boat users must wear a lifejacket.
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Please wear suitable clothing, bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Respond to radio and emergency hand signals from swimmers and kayaks.​
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Safety Boats will be on the seaward side of the kayakers, maintaining a safe distance from the race. Safety boats are only to move in closer in an emergency. Please keep all swimmers clear of the rowing races.
RIBs can beach land in an emergency, if it is non-urgent please transfer casualties to a powerboat and return to the race.
Swimmers who are on board power boats but do not require medical attention may stay on the boat until the end of the race if they are happy to do so, we will provide you with blankets.
Radio SAFETY 1 for more instructions on a casualty transfer.
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In a medical emergency dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Be aware of any unauthorised vessels (e.g jetskis) entering the race area and advise them to leave the area safely until the swim has finished. Please radio SAFETY 1 to report any unauthorised vessels in the race area.
Once the last swimmer has finished please await instruction from SAFETY 1 to stand down after we have ensured all swimmers are accounted for.
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Finish Line Marshal Responsibilities
Finish line duties will be allocated on arrival, these will include:
Crowd control
Making teas/coffees for volunteers and swimmers
Assisting swimmers from the shore to the finish station
Handing out blankets/water to swimmers
Handing out goody bags
Full race cancellation
SAFETY 1 will make the decision to cancel the race in the event of a change in conditions or an emergency.
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This will be communicated via radio and continuous blasts of an air horn.
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Please ask all swimmers to exit the water immediately.
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Help escort swimmers to shore.
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Do not put yourself at risk, if conditions are becoming difficult, keep yourself safe and stand down. ​​​
Parking
The Whitby Regatta weekend is Whitby’s biggest and busiest event of the year so parking will be severely limited. We recommend car sharing where possible or arranging a lift/public transport.
There are a number of public car parks at Sandsend and Whitby.
Toilets
Sandsend - Public toilets near the start of the two mile swim opposite the Doctors surgery and at the car park at the end of the village near Wit’s End cafe.
Whitby - Beach management centre on the sea wall near the beach huts. There are toilets at the Bandstand area just up the slipway from the finish line.
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Yacht Club Presentation
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After the event we invite you to join us at the yacht club for the trophy presentation. Light snacks will be provided and the bar will be open for hot and cold drinks. The club is open from 2pm till late.
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