Juhend

Welcome, friend!

For the third time in Tallinn Bay and the eighth time for Open Water Estonia. We thank everyone for their trust. However, we remind you that participating in Open Water Estonia involves significant health and life risks—it is an open water swimming event.

Tallinn Bay may welcome us with favorable conditions or present a more challenging experience than usual. Water temperature, currents, blue-green algae, dense marine traffic, wind direction, and wave height...conditions at sea can change within minutes.

In case of unfavorable weather, the event may be canceled, start times postponed, or longer distances shortened (e.g., participants planning to swim 3.8 km may be redirected to the 1.9 km start, thereby reducing the rescue service area almost by half). Each such decision is made by the organizers in consultation with maritime rescue units and medical services. The only reason for such a decision can be an unreasonably high risk to participants' lives and health. We hope to avoid such scenarios and once again offer a special experience for Open Water Estonia participants, starting from Tallinn Bay.

ATTENTION!

Due to the deep draft of the Kindral Kurvits ship, the 500 m distance start will be given from a Tallinn SAR maritime rescue boat, which will transport participants to the 500 m public race start. The start and participant boarding for this distance will take place at the mouth of the Pirita River (near the briefing area by the benches). All other distances will start from the deck of Kindral Kurvits, with boarding at the Lennusadam Marina. Before the starts, participants will jump into the water from a height of approximately 1.5 m, and the mass start will be given once all participants are in the water (signaled by a sound signal).

Sportland Tallinn Open Water starts will take place by jumping into the sea from the ship (about 1.5 m above the water surface). The ship will take 1 km, 1.9 km, and 3.8 km participants from Lennusadam Marina (8 km participants from Pirita).

A paid (€5) and organized transport service from the Pirita competition center to Lennusadam can be booked during registration (select the bus ride as an additional service). The bus departs from Pirita precisely at 12:20—please arrive at least 10 minutes earlier (without buoys). You can also travel to Lennusadam by private car, with an escort, or by taxi.

NB! The ship departs from Lennusadam Marina due to its deep draft. In 2024, participants had a unique and extraordinary opportunity to start from the Estonian Navy’s flagship Kindral Kurvits. This special opportunity will continue in 2025. Participants in the 500 m distance will remain in Pirita and will be transported to the start location by a Tallinn SAR maritime rescue boat (departure at 13:00).

COMPETITION CENTER & START

NEW! The competition center, start materials, and equipment distribution will be at Pirita Leisure Center (Merivälja 3). The center is open from 9:00-17:00 (changing rooms and free bag storage available).
NEW! All participants must arrive by 10:00 at the latest to review the rules and documents. The official briefing is at 10:30, followed by equipment checks.
Start materials will be issued upon presentation of an ID and knowledge of your start number.

Ship departure from Lennusadam Marina at 13:00:

• 1 km from the beach start (second start)
• 1.9 km from the beach start (third start)
• 3.8 km from the beach start (fourth start)

Participants will start together from the water after jumping in from the ship (about 1.5 m above the water surface). The start signal will be given once all participants are in the water. The 500 m start will be first, with participants transported from the Pirita River mouth near the Surf Club briefing area (boat departure also at 13:00).

Faster swimmers should position themselves at the front in the water, while challenge participants should stay towards the back. For larger starts, safely getting all participants into the water takes 3-5 minutes.

Be polite at the start and mindful of others when jumping into the water. Participants should be aware that collisions may occur due to carelessness. Each participant/swimmer is responsible for their behavior in the water and for the safety of themselves and others. The organizers recommend wearing a wetsuit for the 1.9 km and 3.8 km distances, though participation without one is allowed.

NEW! Any swimming technique is allowed—participants have 2 hours and 30 minutes from the last (fourth) start to reach the finish.

At the finish, timing stops when participants pass under the finish gate and cross the timing mats—timing continues until you exit the water and cross the finish gate.

Each participant confirms they possess the necessary swimming skills and physical capability to complete the course. All participants must read and sign a "Health Status Declaration / Acceptance of Rules, Risks, and Dangers" before receiving start materials.

SAFETY

• Participant safety is the top priority, so the organizers reserve the right to postpone or cancel the event in case of unsuitable weather conditions.
• If conditions such as wind, wave height, thunderstorms, etc., require adjustments, participants may be transferred to shorter distances (e.g., from 3.8 km to 1.9 km or 1 km). These decisions are made carefully in coordination with maritime rescue units and medical teams.
• If conditions change unexpectedly, starts may be canceled even while participants are on the ship.
• Start postponements may occur on the same day or be rescheduled. Any postponement or cancellation is considered Force Majeure—no refunds for postponements; for cancellations, 50% of the participation fee will be refunded within two weeks. No refunds for distance reductions.
• If blue-green algae or other pollution is present, start feasibility will be determined in consultation with the Health Board. Such conditions are also treated as Force Majeure.

SWIMMING RULES

• Goggles, masks, caps, and socks are allowed. Fins, gloves, and other movement-enhancing aids are prohibited. Headphones are not allowed.
• Personal escort boats (kayaks, rowboats, etc.) must be registered at the competition center. Participants may receive assistance (food, drinks) or rest by holding onto the boat, but must not use the boat for propulsion. Motorized boats are prohibited. Escorts must wear a life jacket.
• Private escort boats will enter the water from Pirita jetty (not from the beach).
• Escort boats must ensure swimmer safety and not interfere with the course. Stay at a safe distance beside the swimming path, not between swimmers.

NB! Participants violating the rules will not be allowed to start or will be disqualified (if violations occur during the race). No medal or result will be recorded.

AWARDS

• The top three men and women in the general ranking for 1.9 km and 3.8 km races will receive trophies and cash prizes.
• NEW! The awards ceremony will take place at 16:00 in front of Pirita Surf Club at Pirita Beach.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

• Every participant must wear a personal buoy equipped with a whistle. The buoy is not a lifesaving device but helps mitigate risks.
• If you see someone in distress, alert the maritime rescue teams by using your buoy whistle and raising your hand.
• If you feel tired or have cramps, you can rest on your buoy. If the issue is serious, blow the whistle and raise your hand until rescue teams reach you. Asking for help or quitting is NOT shameful! You are already strong and brave just for starting.

POST-FINISH

• The finish marker is a red Sportland finish gate.
• After crossing, follow instructions from race officials.
• Next steps: return buoy and timing chip, receive medal and finisher’s bag, and take photos.

Participants can use Pirita Beach area outdoor toilets and changing cabins. Changing rooms are available at Pirita Leisure Center (Merivälja 3).

IMPORTANT: Virtual swimming results must be submitted by July 9, 2025.