September 8th, 2013
The event begins in:
September 8th, 2013
The event begins in:
The Jet Express Triathlon offers the only known Ferryboat swim launch outside of San Francisco. To get to the start of the Jet Express Triathlon triathletes will be transported, 5 miles, via bus from East Harbor State Park to Port Clinton, the home of the Jet Express. Athletes will be loaded onto the Jet Express at 7:15am and be carried to the starting position. Along the way you will pass Put-in-Bay, Catawba Island, Mouse Island and Kelly's Island. Enjoy the views as you prepare for your unique and special start that is to come.
From the deck of the Jet Express, 1500 meters off the shores of East Harbor State Park, is where the JET swim starts as athletes jump into Lake Erie and begin their adventure to shore. The average temperature for this September weekend is around 73 degrees, with water temperature being slightly less. Wetsuits will be required for the Jet Express Triathlon (please see note below). At 8:00am the men will enter the water followed by the women at 8:03am. There will be several small boats in the water to support your swim and keep you on course, or if needed, to pull you out if you are struggling and are unable to complete the swim. Unfortunately, if you do not finish the swim your day is done, as you will technically be disqualified, and not allowed to complete the event. You will have 1 hour to complete your swim as the swim course closes at 9:03am.
The swim course map is on the PDF linked below.
Two important items to note:
1. Wet Suits are required for this event! Why? Safety! Wetsuits not only add warmth to the athlete… but also buoyancy. The JET swim is about safety first. Many a strong swimmer panics when in truly open water… let alone athletes who simply want to get through the swim to their stronger disciplines. People rarely, if at all, sink in a wetsuit. This requirement was presented to the Coast Guard as a requirement for safety and will be strictly enforced without exception. NO WETSUIT - NO TRIATHLON!
2. Cancellation of the Jet Express Ferryboat start. If weather conditions are deemed to be unsafe for athletes to enter the water off the ferryboat then the swim will be altered or canceled. The condition for this is a Noreaster storm, or strong wind, which would push the ferryboat toward the shore of East Harbor State Park. In this scenario the ferryboat, whose engines would be cut for the start, would be pushed toward shore and potentially over the top of athletes as they entered the water. A beach line swim would be the first option to alter the swim… and a duathlon would be the final option. Another case for the swim to be cancelled would be any storm where a small craft warning would be given and support boats would not be available to assist in the swim. If this occurs all athletes will do a duathlon.
