1) Purpose

This document sets out:

• the rules for taking part in the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge;

• the safety measures and obligations of participants and support kayakers;

• the conditions for registration, payment and cancellation.

Any registration implies unconditional acceptance of these rules.

2) Organisation – Contact details – Dates – Authorisations

Organiser: Association Serre Ponçon Swim Challenge
26 Rue de La Carrière
Association no.: W052008640
SIREN: 994146496

Email: swimserreponcon@gmail.com
Telephone: +33 6 77 36 29 42 / +33 6 66 59 77 43

Events: Saturday 3 July 2027

• Solo 12 km & 20 km

• Team Challenge 12 km & 20 km

Prefectural authorisation: the event, its route and its organisation are subject to administrative authorisations. The final route and organisation remain subject to final prefectural approval.

3) Event formats

Solo 12 km

Individual 12 km crossing. Each swimmer must be accompanied throughout the event by a support kayaker.

Solo 20 km

Individual 20 km crossing. Each swimmer must be accompanied throughout the event by a support kayaker.

A second support kayaker is permitted and is strongly recommended where the principal kayaker is not experienced in supporting a swimmer over a long-distance open-water event, but is not compulsory.

Team Challenge – 12 km or 20 km

Teams consist of two participants who alternate between swimming and kayaking along the course.

Both participants must swim and kayak during the event, but it is entirely up to the team how they divide the swimming and kayaking between them.

Authorised changeover points are:

• 12 km Team Challenge: approximately 7 km;

• 20 km Team Challenge: approximately 7 km, 12 km and 17 km.

Teams are not required to change at every designated point. They may decide which authorised changeover points to use and therefore how the distance is divided between the two participants, provided that both team members complete at least one section as swimmer and one section as kayaker.

Role changes may take place only at the designated Team Challenge changeover points.

4) Conditions of participation – Medical fitness

Taking part in a long-distance open-water event requires a good level of physical fitness and appropriate swimming ability.

Each swimmer must provide, as part of the registration process, a medical certificate stating no contraindication to long-distance open-water swimming.

Participants should be capable of maintaining an average swimming speed of approximately 2 km/h in open water in order to complete the course within the event cut-off times.

Estimated swimming speeds will be requested at registration and will be used to assist with the organisation of the start waves.

For the Team Challenge, these requirements apply to both team members, as both participants will swim during the event.

Each participant is responsible for ensuring that their level of fitness, swimming ability and preparation are appropriate for the event and the sections they intend to complete.

5) Safety – General principles

Safety is at the heart of the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge. All events are organised in accordance with the official open-water safety plan, in coordination with the relevant authorities and under the conditions set by the prefectural authorisation.

Safety measures for all events include:

• continuous supervision by motorised rescue boats, including at least one boat equipped with a defibrillator, oxygen and first-aid equipment;

• real-time coordination between safety boats, support kayakers and race HQ via the dedicated event radio network;

• dedicated land-based logistics teams at key points along the route.

Participants and support kayakers must follow all instructions given by the organiser and safety teams throughout the event.

6) Swimmer obligations & equipment

6.1 Mandatory lighting

For the start and first part of the event, which takes place at night or in low-light conditions, each swimmer must wear a green waterproof safety light securely attached to their swim cap in order to remain visible and assist with navigation and safety.

Have a look at this as an example

It is strongly recommended that swimmers bring a spare green light and/or spare attachment, in case their main light stops working or becomes detached during the event.

All lighting equipment must be securely attached so that it cannot fall into the lake.

6.2 Wetsuit

The choice to swim with or without a wetsuit, and the type of wetsuit used, is normally left to the participant.

However, if the water temperature is below 16°C, wearing an appropriate thermal wetsuit becomes mandatory, based on the temperature measurement taken and communicated by the organiser.

The expected water temperature at this time of year is approximately 18–21°C.

6.3 Permitted swim equipment

Fins, mask, snorkel and other swimming aids or devices are permitted at this event.

The organiser nevertheless reserves the right to prohibit any equipment considered dangerous to the participant or to others, particularly where conditions make its use inappropriate.

6.4 Nutrition

Participants are responsible for bringing sufficient drinks and nutrition for the duration of their event.

For solo swimmers, drinks and nutrition will be carried and managed by the support kayaker.

Team Challenge participants are responsible for organising their nutrition between the two team members.

7) Kayak support, Team Challenge & kayaker obligations

7.1 Solo 12 km & 20 km – Support kayaker required

Each solo swimmer must be accompanied throughout the crossing by a support kayaker.

Swimmers may bring their own competent support kayaker.

If a swimmer does not have their own support kayaker, it is possible to hire one locally:

• for the Swim Only and Hassle-Free packages, this option can be added at checkout;

• for the Full Experience package, a support kayaker is included.

The support kayaker plays an important role in the swimmer’s safety and must remain close enough to monitor and communicate with the swimmer throughout the crossing.

7.2 Equipment provided

For each solo swimmer, the organiser provides:

• a kayak and paddle;

• a buoyancy aid for the kayaker;

• a radio handset (télé-radio) set to the dedicated Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge channel;

• a whistle;

• a Restube buoy for the swimmer.

For each Team Challenge team, the organiser provides:

• one kayak and paddle;

• a buoyancy aid;

• a radio handset (télé-radio) set to the dedicated Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge channel;

• a whistle;

• a Restube buoy for the participant who is swimming.

Equipment must remain with the participant performing the relevant role.

During a Team Challenge changeover, the required safety equipment must therefore be transferred between the two participants before they continue.

7.3 Responsibilities of the support kayaker

The support kayaker is responsible for:

• remaining close to the swimmer and maintaining a suitable line;

• assisting the swimmer with navigation;

• providing drinks and nutrition as required;

• monitoring the swimmer’s physical condition and behaviour;

• reporting any concern or difficulty to the safety team using the radio handset;

• following all instructions given by the organiser and safety teams.

The recommended frequency for feeding and hydration is approximately every 30 to 45 minutes, although swimmers and kayakers should agree their own feeding strategy before the event.

7.4 Additional support kayaker – Solo 20 km

For the 20 km solo event, a second support kayaker is permitted and is strongly recommended where the principal kayaker is not experienced in supporting a swimmer over a long-distance open-water event.

A second support kayaker is not compulsory.

Where two support kayakers are used, the changeover takes place at approximately 12 km, at the location designated by the organiser.

The support-kayaker changeover must take place on shore and in accordance with the organiser’s instructions.

The incoming kayaker must have all mandatory kayak safety and communication equipment before continuing, including the buoyancy aid, radio handset and whistle.

7.5 Team Challenge – Kayaking and changeovers

In the Team Challenge, the two participants alternate between swimming and kayaking in accordance with the format described in Section 3.

At each changeover:

• both participants must come ashore at the designated changeover area;

• the change of roles must take place on land;

• the participant becoming the swimmer must take the Restube and all mandatory swimmer equipment, including lighting where required;

• the participant becoming the kayaker must have the buoyancy aid, radio handset, whistle and all mandatory kayak equipment;

• all required equipment must be correctly transferred before either participant leaves the changeover area.

Role changes on the water or anywhere other than an authorised Team Challenge changeover point are not permitted.

Participants must follow the instructions of event staff at the changeover points.

7.6 Mandatory equipment and visibility for kayakers

Each active kayaker must wear the buoyancy aid provided and carry the radio handset and whistle throughout their section.

For the low-light period at the start of the event, the starting kayaker must use a red light rather than a white light, as white lights can dazzle swimmers and interfere with their vision.

Additional lighting on the kayak is strongly recommended to improve visibility.

Suitable options may include:

• a light placed inside a swim buoy and securely attached to the kayak, creating an orange or red glow;

• fluorescent or glow tubes securely fixed to the kayak;

• other low-intensity lighting that improves visibility without dazzling swimmers.

All lighting equipment must be securely attached to the kayak so that it cannot fall into the lake.

Participants must take particular care to avoid losing lights, batteries, plastic tubes or any other equipment in the water.

All safety, communication and visibility equipment must be kept accessible and used in accordance with the instructions given at the mandatory briefing.

7.7 Kayaker competency and attestation

Anyone acting as a kayaker must be competent, confident and self-sufficient in a kayak and capable of safely supporting the swimmer for the section they are undertaking.

Solo support kayakers must be capable of paddling for the expected duration of their assigned section or, where only one kayaker is used, for the full duration of the event.

Team Challenge participants must both be competent and confident paddlers, as each participant will act as the support kayaker for part of the event.

Kayakers must:

• be comfortable paddling on open water and in variable weather and water conditions;

• be able to maintain an appropriate pace alongside the swimmer;

• be capable of controlling and manoeuvring the kayak safely;

• be able to communicate clearly and calmly with the swimmer and safety teams using the radio handset on the dedicated event channel;

• follow all instructions given by the organiser and safety teams.

Basic first-aid knowledge is recommended but is not mandatory.

A signed attestation confirming kayak competence will be required from anyone acting as a kayaker, including both participants in a Team Challenge.

7.8 Equipment rental – Responsibility and security deposit

Equipment supplied by the organiser remains the property of the organiser and must be returned in good condition at the end of the event.

Anyone responsible for equipment must sign the relevant equipment rental agreement before the equipment is issued.

For a solo entry where the swimmer provides their own support kayaker, the swimmer and support kayaker are jointly responsible for the kayak and kayak equipment allocated to the entry.

For the Team Challenge, both team members are jointly responsible for the kayak and kayak equipment allocated to their team.

Where a support kayaker is hired locally or included in a package, the hired kayaker is responsible for the kayak and kayak equipment entrusted to them.

In all cases, the swimmer is responsible for the Restube and any swimmer-specific equipment allocated to them. In a Team Challenge, both team members are jointly responsible for the swimmer equipment allocated to the team.

A security deposit will be required for hired equipment. The person or persons signing the rental agreement must provide the required deposit.

The security deposit will consist of a cheque, together with an identity card or passport retained by the organiser for the duration of the equipment hire.

Any loss or damage must be reported immediately to the organiser.

The security deposit may be retained in whole or in part in the event of loss, non-return or damage beyond normal wear and tear.

8) Mandatory briefing

A mandatory briefing will take place on Friday 2 July 2027 at 17:00 for all swimmers, Team Challenge participants and support kayakers.

The briefing will cover in particular:

• safety and communication procedures;

• signs of fatigue, hypothermia or other difficulties to monitor;

• use of the event radio handsets;

• feeding and hydration procedures;

• Solo 20 km support-kayaker changeover procedures;

• Team Challenge changeover procedures;

• the detailed route, checkpoints, marking and safety zones;

• the start-wave procedure and individual start times;

• any final instructions resulting from weather, water conditions or administrative requirements.

Failure to attend the mandatory briefing may result in refusal to start.

9) Start waves – Cut-off times – Exiting the water

There will be no mass start.

Participants will start in waves of approximately 10 to 15 swimmers, with Solo and Team Challenge participants from both the 12 km and 20 km events distributed between the waves.

The first wave is expected to start at approximately 03:30, with the objective that all swimmers have started by 04:00.

Each participant or team will be allocated a wave number and start time, which will be communicated at registration.

The following cut-off times apply to all participants still on the course, regardless of their individual start time:

• 07:00 – Pont de Savines (approximately 6 km)

• 10:00 – Baie Saint-Michel (approximately 12 km)

• 12:00 – Les Hyvans (approximately 16 km)

Cut-off times apply equally to Solo swimmers and Team Challenge teams.

A Team Challenge changeover does not reset or alter the applicable cut-off time.

Any swimmer or team that has not reached a checkpoint by the applicable cut-off time may be:

• stopped by decision of the organiser or safety team;

• required to leave the water;

• taken on board by a safety or sweeper boat and returned to shore.

The organiser may also stop any participant at any point where continuing is considered unsafe, regardless of whether a formal cut-off time has been reached.

10) Lake rules – Navigation – Authorised route

The event takes place in accordance with the navigation rules in force on Lake Serre-Ponçon and any exemptions or specific conditions contained in the prefectural authorisation.

Participants and support kayakers must remain on the authorised event route and follow all navigation and safety instructions given by the organiser and safety teams.

A link to the applicable lake regulations and any specific navigation instructions will be communicated to participants and support kayakers.

11) Compliance with instructions – Exclusion

Any dangerous behaviour, failure to follow safety instructions, refusal to comply with decisions made by the organiser or safety teams, unauthorised Team Challenge changeover, or failure to comply with lake navigation rules may result in:

• refusal to start;

• immediate disqualification;

• termination of participation.

No refund will be due where participation is refused or terminated because the participant or support kayaker has failed to comply with these rules or with safety instructions.

12) Insurance – Liability

Participants are responsible for checking that they have appropriate insurance for a long-distance open-water event, including where appropriate:

• third-party liability;

• assistance and repatriation;

• cancellation cover.

The organiser puts in place the planned safety measures, but each participant and support kayaker acknowledges that long-distance open-water swimming and kayaking involve inherent risks, including weather, cold, fatigue, waves, changing water conditions, physical exertion and other hazards associated with open-water activity.

Participants and support kayakers undertake to follow these rules and all instructions given by the organiser and safety teams.

13) Registration – Payment

Registration is confirmed upon receipt of payment and all required documents.

Depending on the event format, required documents may include:

• the participant’s medical certificate;

• the signed kayak competence attestation;

• equipment rental documentation;

• any other declarations or documents requested by the organiser.

For a Team Challenge, both participants must provide the documents applicable to swimmers and kayakers.

Payment terms, including amounts, instalments and payment methods, are shown on the relevant registration or booking page.

14) Cancellation – Postponement – Force majeure

14.1 Event subject to authorisation

The event is subject to prefectural authorisation.

If the required authorisation is not granted and the event therefore cannot take place, registrations will be fully refunded.

14.2 Cancellation by the participant

No refund will be given in the event of cancellation by the participant, whatever the reason, including injury, illness or change of plans.

Participants are strongly advised to take out appropriate cancellation insurance.

14.3 Cancellation, interruption or modification of the event

The organiser may be required to cancel, interrupt, delay or modify the event, route, distances, start arrangements or other aspects of the event for safety reasons or because of circumstances beyond its control, including adverse weather, water conditions, decisions by the authorities or other exceptional circumstances.

Where the event cannot take place, is interrupted or is modified due to circumstances beyond the organiser’s control, the organiser cannot guarantee a refund of the registration fee.

Participants are therefore strongly advised to take out insurance covering this type of contingency.

15) Personal data – Image rights

Personal data collected by the organiser is used for registration management, safety, organisation of the event and event-related communication, in accordance with applicable data-protection regulations.

Unless the participant provides written refusal, photographs and video footage taken during the event may be used by the organiser for communication and promotion relating to the Serre-Ponçon Swim Challenge.

16) Acceptance

By registering, each participant and, where applicable, each support kayaker acknowledges having read, understood and accepted these rules and undertakes to comply with them.

Participation in the event also implies compliance with the instructions provided at the mandatory briefing and with any additional safety requirements communicated by the organiser before or during the event.