ISOWR Rules​

Triple Crown Solo and Relay attempts annually June to September.

1. Application

  • Permission for a swim of Triple Crown or other crossing  are at the sole discretion of the ISOWR Committee and must be applied for through the online process. 
  • All applications must satisfy the ISOWR of their competence to make a realistic effort to undertake a successful attempt of the swim.
  • Read the ISOWR Rules for Triple Crown swims attempts set out below to see if you meet the criteria required.
  • Book your Pilot from the ISOWR Approved pool of escort pilots, agreeing a swim window within the June to September time frame.
  • Contact ISOWR via email submitting the completed Medical Forms. Further supporting evidence and logs will be requested via email after this application has been received.
  • Swims will NOT be recognized retrospectively.

2. Triple Crown  Qualifying Criteria

2.1 Age

  • All solo applicants must be must be at least 16 years of age prior to the swim date.
  • All relay applicants must be must be at least 12 years of age prior to the swim date.

2.2 Medical criteria

  • Completion of the ISOWR Medical report to include an Echo-Cardiogram (ECG). Upon submission the ISOWR Medical assessment forms and ECG for each swimmer will to be reviewed by an independent medical professional nominated by the ISOWR Committee. The ECG and Medical assessment are valid for a period of 3 months prior to the swim date. Validity on both cases is nullified if the swimmer has COVID-19; Pneumonia; a cardiac or pulmonary event, or any other major traumatic event after the ISOWR Medical is approved. Failure to disclose any relevant medical history or illness may lead to actions on behalf of the ISOWR to protect the integrity of the Triple Crown swims.

2.3 Qualification criteria

2.3.1 Solo Swimmer One Way

  • Completed the following verified and witnessed swim within 12 months prior to their attempt.
  • A 6 hour swim in water of 19°C or above.
  • Copies of Independent Observers logs and photographic evidence of water temperature should be included in the application.

2.3.2 Relay Swimmers One Way team size 2 – 4 persons

  • Completed the following verified and witnessed swim within 12 months prior to their attempt.
  • A 2 hour swim in water of 19°C or above.

3. Triple Crown water safety criteria

3.1 ISOWR observers

  • Required to be present for all swim attempts.

3.2 Pilot escort vessel

  • Final decisions at all times during the attempt rest with the Pilot on the lead vessel.

3.3 Support Crew

  • *Number at discretion of pilot. Swimmers must provide their own support crew who are responsible for your wellbeing, but may not interfere with the decisions of the Pilots or ISOWR Observers.

3.4 One additional swimmer support [by application to ISOWR]

  • Kayak, canoe, SUP is permitted under the supervision of the pilot but must not interfere with the swimmers’ course or come in to contact with the swimmer. Additional support should have completed an equivalent distance / time on the water to support the swim.

3.5 Other

  • We strongly recommend you have a beach lifeguard or first aider on board for your safety.

4. ISOWR Swim Criteria

4.1 Pre swim preparation:

  • The swimmer is permitted to grease the body before a swim.
  • Goggles, nose clips and earplugs are permitted.
  • No GPS wearable devices are permitted this includes GPS/ Tracking watches.
  • The use of personal electrical audio/communication devices are not permitted.
  • Any kind of tape on the body is not permitted unless pre-approved by ISOWR.
  • All swim wear must be made from textile materials, and must be in one or two pieces. Swim wear must not extend past the shoulder or below the knee.
  • One single layer swimming cap is permitted, and must be made from silicone or latex. Caps may not be made from neoprene or other heat retaining materials.
  • The ISOWR Observer shall approve all swim apparel prior to the attempt beginning and prior to each swim rotation in a relay.
  • No physical contact with the swimmer is allowed, even to pass food, drink or secure items, such as light sticks.

4.2 Starting Position: The swimmer must enter the water from the shore, or from the Pilot boat and swim to beach or rocks with no running sea water behind them and start from there. Under health and safety reasons the Pilot my direct you to start from a standing position with the water level more than waist height. This must be agreed with the ISOWR observer prior to the start of your swim or it may not be ratified.

4.3 Finishing: Swimmers must finish on dry land e.g.: beach or rocks with no running sea water behind them or by touching cliffs with no sea water behind.

4.4 Relay rotations: Relay swimmers (minimum 2 maximum 4) must swim for 1 hour each, in the same order each time. At change over, swimmers shall enter the water from behind the current swimmer and swim past. The swimmer in the water shall exit as soon as possible, with change over taking no more than 5 minutes. The rota (order of swimmers, length of each swim) for the relay team members must be agreed in advance with the ISOWR Observer and must not change. If a swimmer is unable to make their rotation the swim will be discontinued.

4.5 Turning on two way swims: Finish one way as landfall or cliffs depending on location. You may stand or sit for 10 minutes. You may not be touched by any person, but can have grease, food, medical supplies or swim apparel handed to you. This stop time is added to your overall time.

4.6 Support swimmers. Solo swimmers may have support swimmers after the first period of 3 hours has elapsed and for a period of 1 hour. The support swimmer may not re-enter the water until a period of two hours has elapsed. The support swimmer may swim alongside, not in front of, the swimmer. The Pilot may request, at their discretion, the support swimmer to join the swimmer outside of these times for health and safety reasons, e.g. major cramp / water conditions / swimmer safety.

Relay swimmers are not permitted to have support swimmers or pace makers.

4.7 Any adaptations to these rules required for swimmers with additional physical needs, must be agreed in advance with the ISOWR.

5. ISOWR Observers

5.1 ISOWR Observers shall be allocated by the ISOWR.

5.2 ISOWR Observers require a full 12 hour notice of the intended start time of the swim, within the allocated seven day window.

5.3 If you decide on the day not to avail of the slot allocated and deemed suitable by your pilot and the ISOWR Channel Observer is in attendance you will forfeit all monies paid to the ISOWR and will be required to re-start the application process if you wish to make a further attempt.

5.4 One ISOWR Observer is required for EACH WAY of the attempt

  • 1 no. ISOWR Observer for a 1-way swim
  • 2 no. ISOWR Observers for a 2-way swim

5.5 The ISOWR Observers will complete an Official ISOWR

Observers Log, which details conditions, incidents, times, food breaks including feed contents, medication taken, water temperature, air temperature, stroke rate and more. A copy of the Official ISOWR Observers Log will be available to swimmers within one calendar month of the swim being ratified.

6. ISOWR approved Pilot escort

6.1 Swimmers must satisfy themselves that they have appointed the best escort pilot to suit their needs. The ISOWR cannot be responsible for your route, or any decisions your Pilot makes with or for you. The ISOWR does not offer any training to, or endorsement of Pilots or Agents.

6.2 The pilot is fully responsible for your safety and the ISOWR, its officers, its members and observers are not liable for any injury sustained or property lost or damaged whilst participating in your swim attempt.

6.3 The pilot will be required to provide the observer with GPS co-ordinates so we can ratify your swim.

6.4 Only one solo swimmer or relay team is permitted to make an attempt with any one Pilot at a time.

7. Code of Conduct

7.1 All swimmers must declare that they have prepared to the best of their ability, having the relevant experience and training regime, abide by international anti-doping policies and have adequate clothing, nutritional requirements and support in place.

7.2 The ISOWR reserve the right to publicise any swim Attempts though all forms of media, however as an association we understand and respect your right to privacy. If you would prefer you name not mentioned in any  communication, only that we have a relay team in the water, please confirm in writing to the ISOWR  Secretary a minimum of 2 weeks before your agreed swim window opens.

7.3 Swimmers must declare that they are entering this event of their own choosing and will place no liability on the ISOWR, its officers, Swim Officials, its members or Observers for any injury sustained or property lost or damaged whilst participating in a swim Attempt.

7.4 All swimmers must notify the ISOWR if there are any changes to their fitness or ability to participate in a swim Attempt.