lowcountry Aquatic Project Swimming presents the annual Lowcountry Splash Open Water Swim.

Most of the following information is valid for the Lowcountry Splash. Please check back for the updated content as the swim date approaches because these times and dates may change.

2024 Race Timeline and Schedule of Events

DAY BEFORE RACE - May 17, 2024

Noon - 7:00 PM Registration and Packet Pick-up Location is 1341 Old Georgetown Road Unit C
Mt. Pleasant SC

RACE DAY – May 18, 2024

5:45 AM Patriots Point and First Shuttle Bus Depart Patriots Point for 6 Mile
6:00 AM Check-in and Race Packet pick up opens – at 6 Mile start
6:20 AM Check-in and Race Packet pick up opens – at 2.4 Mile start. First Shuttle Bus Departs Patriots for the 2.4 Mile
6:30 AM Last Shuttle Bus for 6 Mile Departs
7:00 AM Deadline to arrive at Daniel Island for 6 Mile start
7:00 AM Check-in and Race Packet pick up closes - at 6 Mile start
7:00 - 7:30 AM 6 Mile - Place all personal articles in bag and place your bag in area for transportation back to finish
7:15 AM Last Shuttle Bus Depart Patriots Point to Hobcaw for 2.4 mile start
7:35 AM Check-in and Race Packet pick up closes - at Hobcaw Yacht Club
7:15 - 7:45 AM 2.4 Mile - Place all personal articles in bag and place your bag in area for transportation back to finish
6 Mile Timeline
7:15 AM Pre-Race Instructions
7:30 AM Swimmers Begin Moving down to the water to line up
7:40 AM First Wave of 6 Milers enter the water one at a time
8:00 AM All 6 Milers on the Course
8:50 AM Check-in deadline for crossing the channel
2.4 Mile Timeline
7:40 AM Pre-Race Instructions
7:55 AM Swimmers Begin Moving down to the dock
8:00 AM First of 2.4 milers enter the water one at a time. The race will begin as soon as the first person goes through the head count. Swimmers will start approximately 5 seconds apart. Start time will be registered per individual swimmer.
10:45 AM Last swimmers out of the water
9:30 AM AFTER PARTY AT 1341 OLD GEORGETOWN RD, MT PLEASANT
End of Splash 2024

Fees

Entry Fee is non-refundable including the event of inclement weather, water conditions or issues beyond our control.

Fees include t-shirt, drawstring bag, swim cap, after party and awards.

Details

Start Location

6 Mile = Directly Under Wando River Bridge on Daniel Island
2.4 Mile = Hobcaw Yacht Club
Finish Location: 6 Mile and 2.4 Mile = Charleston Harbor Marina Dock in front of the USS Yorktown

Race Day Info

Bring cash for parking at Patriots Point.
No Race Day Registration - Registration closes on May 14, 2024.
There will be body marking at the starts at Hobcaw and Daniel Island.
If you are going directly to the start, please have someone drop you off as there is NO parking at either start location.
Make sure to take your drawstring bag, race chip, cap, towel, suit, goggles with you. It is not recommended that you bring any valuables, money, etc. as these can be left in your vehicle (where you will be finishing). However, you may want to take the keys to your car if you’re not being dropped off.
You must have a shirt to exit the dock at Patriots.
Once you arrive at Hobcaw Yacht Club (2.4 Mile Start) or under the Wando River Bridge (6 Mile Start) you will need to report to the check-in table to pick up your race packet (if you have not done so on Friday) and get your body marked with your race number.
Swimmers will be marked on their left arm and left upper back around shoulder blade.
There will be music, announcements about sponsors, and information at the Start.
After body marking with race numbers, make sure to “lube up” with Vaseline provided. Trust us...lube up everything to prevent chaffing…or else!
Place all of your belongings in your bag and have your timing chip on your wrist. Don’t forget your goggles!
The 2.4 start will be from the dock at Hobcaw. The 6 milers will walk into the water.
The chip will register each swimmer individually when they enter the water.

Race Course

Both the 6 mile and the 2.4 mile open water swim (same as the IronMan Triathlon) will take place in the Wando River and Charleston Harbor. Swimmers for the 6 mile Splash will start at the directly underneath the 526 Wando River bridge on Daniel Island and swimmers for the 2.4 mile Splash will start at Hobcaw Yacht Club, swimming along the Mount Pleasant shoreline, under the Ravenel Bridge, passing the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier and finish at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Center.

Packet Pick Up

Friday race packet pick up will be at 1341 Old Georgetown Rd Suite C Mount Pleasant, SC 29464. We encourage you try to come to race packet pick up on Friday so we don’t have too many people race morning that still need to pick up their packet. We understand not everybody can make it by then.

Race day packet pick up will be at Hobcaw Yacht Club for the 2.4 Mile and Under the 526 Wando Bridge for the 6 Mile swim.

Body marking at the check-in table at the start of the 2.4 Mile swim and the 6 Mile swim.

Swim Caps: Swimmers must wear the swim cap provided in race packet. You must wear the cap for the entire swim. If you cross the finish line without a cap you will be disqualified. If your cap comes off, put it back on. If your cap breaks, put it inside of your suit until after you have finished.

Transportation

Parking Fee: ATTENTION ALL SWIMMERS AND SPECTATORS. Per policy at the Patriots Point Naval Museum, anyone who parks in the Patriots Point parking lot or road directly adjacent behind is expected to pay a parking fee per car. We appreciate your understanding that this is mandated by the venue, Patriots Point and not the decision of The Lowcountry Splash.

We strongly suggest that the locals try to find someone to drop them off at the start. It is not possible to park at either location. Shuttle service from Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Center to Daniel Island for the 6 mile start will depart Patriots Point. The first shuttle for DI will leave early Saturday morning. One bus will stay on site at Daniel Island until race starts in the event that participants have to be taken back. Shuttle service from Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Center to Hobcaw Yacht Club for the 2.4 mile start is provided.

You will be given a drawstring bag to take your stuff to the start and that bag will be taken from the start to the finish by volunteers. You must include your cap and timing chip(s) in the items you take with you to the start of the race; both items are mandatory. Make sure to pack a shirt in the bag; Patriots Point requires that everyone wear a shirt before you leave the docks.

There will be a bag collection location at 6 mile start and at the 2.4 mile start.

If you are not planning on riding the shuttle and will be dropped off at Daniel Island, you must let us know ahead of time. This can be indicated at registration. If you have not yet done so and have already registered, please send an email here.

It is not possible for participants to park at Hobcaw Yacht Club or Daniel Island. There is NO Parking Available and vehicles will be turned away.

There will be no shuttle service or other form of transportation to return anyone to their car at Hobcaw Yacht Club or Daniel Island.

Check-in

Swimmers must check in at the start locations on race day prior to the race. There will be a check in sheet and you are required to check in and pick up your packet before starting the race on race day.

Warm up

There will be no warm-up possibilities for both the 2.4 mile swim and the 6 mile swim.

Swimmer Briefing, and Head Count

Prior to the start times, swimmers will gather near the docks for pre-race instructions and rules. As soon as the race director has completed the instructions swimmers will go through a head count, at the docks for the 2.4 mile and under the bridge for the 6 mile, to enter the water. Officials will count each swimmer entering the water through a check-point. The race will begin as soon as the first person goes through the head count. Start time will be registered per individual swimmer.

Dropping out of the Race

For safety and scoring purposes, it is imperative that you report to an official if you are unable to complete the race. Whether you drop out before the race starts or during the race, and for whatever reason, please report to Check-in officials, a race safety vessel, or the timing officials at the Finish, to give them your name and race number. This ensures that we account for all swimmers.

Race Details

Water Temp: The average water temperature in May is upper 70's to lower 80’s.

6 mile hydration option

6 mile swimmers may bring a bottle of their preferred hydration beverage to the start and give it to a race official where it will be taken to a boat roughly 2.5 miles into the swim. The bottle must be clearly marked with the swimmer's race number for easy distribution. Water will be provided at many locations along the 6 and 2.4 mile swims.

The Start

The chip will register each individual swimmer as they enter the water.

The Finish Line: 2.4 Mile and 6 Mile

The Finish Line is a floating dock near the end of the pier at the Charleston Harbor Marina. Swimmers must swim under the boom with one arm up to tap a board hanging from the chute for the time to be captured. If you miss the chute due to the current your time will not be captured. For this reason you are required to wear your numbered cap as back up. There are a series of large buoys and swim ropes at the finish line.

First Aid

First aid will be available at the Start, Finish, and along the course. Please notify the nearest race official should you require attention.

Race Safety

The US Coast Guard, Sullivan’s Island Fire and Rescue, Town of Mount Pleasant, and a fleet of kayakers and other safety vessels will monitor the course to ensure the swimmers' safety. There will be 6 foot tall buoys every ¼ mile and anchored boats across from the buoys to mark the course. Boats will be anchored closest to the shore and buoys will be closest to the channel. To navigate the course, you must swim in between the anchored boats and the buoys.

The course will be patrolled by event staff and volunteers on boats, kayaks, and jet skis. If a swimmer feels unable to proceed or wants to get out of the water, they should attract the attention of safety personnel. We have a safety plan in place and we can assist you to an anchored boat.

If you are approached by a kayaker blowing a whistle, stop swimming and give them your attention. You may be in danger or off course. They will direct you accordingly.

Swimmers enter this event at their own personal risk. They are responsible for their own physical condition, and are urged to train and have a medical check prior to entry. A swimmer deemed incapable of completing the course may be taken out of the water by safety officials at any time. You must comply with the directions of the race officials. Any swimmer who pulls out of the race must notify race officials immediately.

Please be aware that there are other buoys, docks and markers in the water along the course not related to the race. The fixtures may have barnacles or other marine growth that may cause abrasions or other injuries, and swimmers should avoid contact with them. In recent years Daniel Island Yacht Club has added a Moorings Field. 6 mile swimmers will have to keep their head up to navigate this field.

In case of emergency, air horns will be sounded repeatedly. Get out of the water immediately.

The Lowcountry Splash reserves the right to stop your swim if we have determined the conditions to be dangerous or if we are concerned for your welfare. If you are asked to stop swimming you must comply. You will be assisted to the nearest anchored boat.

Rules

All swimmers are required to wear the swim cap provided at all times during the race. Any swimmer crossing the Finish line without a swim cap will be disqualified.
The Lowcountry Splash utilizes USA swimming's rules on swimsuits. If you are swimming the Splash for fun and are not interested in getting a time that counts towards the awards categories, then you can wear anything you want.
Flotation devices and/or equipment such as snorkels or fins are permitted, but disqualify participants from awards. Permissible gear is limited to: goggles/mask, nose clip, ear plugs, swimsuit and cap.
Wet suits and technical suits are allowed but disqualify participants from winning awards. You can race but not win.
Personal Escorts will not be permitted in the race course. The race officials' primary concern will be for the health and safety of the swimmers and reserve the right to disqualify individuals and cancel the event if conditions warrant.
All swimmers must attend the pre-race briefing at either Daniel Island (6 Mile Splash) or Hobcaw Yacht Club (2.4 Mile Splash). All swimmers must go through the head count in order to start the race.
All swimmers must stay behind the Start Line and wait for the Starter’s signals.
Participants must complete the race under their own power. Swimmers may rest at a safety vessel and then continue the race.
Standing on the bottom during a race shall not disqualify a swimmer but they may not walk or jump. Safer not to stand on the bottom.
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated.
Swimmers are required to finish the race between the buoys and the finish boom on the floating docks.

Wando Terminal Channel Crossing

The 6 mile course will have a transition from the Daniel Island, starting side of the course to the Mount Pleasant, finishing side of the course. The above photo is of the start of the channel crossing. At the green buoy where the turn boat (a boat indicating where you should start your turn) will be stationed. You can see the crane at the SPA terminal that's furthest to the right. If you blow up the pic below you can see the red buoy marker in the background and our green buoy to the right of that; that's where the check in boat will be stationed. You must cross the channel at the marked locations and check in with the check in boat. This is MANDATORY. Failure to check in with the check in boats will result in a disqualification.

Channel Crossing

Finish Boom

For the 6 mile swim, the cut-off time to cross the channel is 1 hour and 5 minutes from the start time of the first wave. The cut-off time for the overall finish is 2 hours and 40 minutes from the start time for the 6 mile and 2 hours and 20 minutes for the 2.4 mile swim. If you are slower than this, you will be pulled from the water.
The Race Director’s decision is final.
Any swimmer dropping out before or during the race should check in immediately with a Race official AND the Timing Officials at the Finish or Start, reporting their race number and name. This is to help the us account for all swimmers.
Swimmers must adhere to the instructions of race officials.
Any action that may bring the event into disrepute may result in disqualification.
Violating any of these rules may result in disqualification.

Awards

Held at After Party, 1341 OLD GEORGETOWN RD, MT PLEASANT

Top 3 Male & Female Overall

Age Groups

Under 15, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+ (no duplicate awards).

Team Competition

Make sure all swimmers on your team sign up with your team name during registration.

2.4 Mile

Consists of 10 or more swimmers from your club or masters team or you can select a group any ten swimmers to make a team. The fastest combined times of the swimmers from your team wins. If the team has more than 10 people, the fastest 10 times from your group will be counted toward the competition.

6 Mile

Consists of 5 or more swimmers from your club or masters team or you can select a group any five swimmers to make a team. The fastest combined times of the swimmers from your team wins. If the team has more than 5 people, the fastest 5 times from your group will be counted toward the competition.