Great Chesapeake Bay 4.4 Mile Swim & 1 Mile Bay Challenge – Kayak Volunteer
June 8
Kayak Volunteers are needed for the bay bridge swim. The Kayak Safety Fleet is the first line of support craft the swimmers will see. Kayaks are the only safety fleet vessels allowed between the bridge spans and the swimmers that need assistance will be depending upon you to help them! Being a part of the Kayak Safety Fleet is a great honor and key to the success of the race and safety of the swimmers. It can be challenging but is also very rewarding.
To be a member of the Kayak Safety Fleet, you must have the following minimum skill
- Successfully do a wet exit
- Be able to get back into your boat by an assisted rescue or a self-rescue
- Be able to assist another kayaker in an assisted rescue
- Tow a swimmer out of the bridge spans to a motorized rescue vessel
Kayaks that are suitable for use on the Kayak Safety Fleet:
- Sea Kayaks
- Surf Skis
- Sit-On Top Kayaks
- Tandem Kayak (if there are two paddlers)
- Recreation Kayaks (only if you have floatation or bulkheads in the front and back of the kayak)
- White Water Kayaks (not preferable)
Note: You must always wear a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) during the event and have a whistle with you.