Rules and Regulations

ATTENTION – CHANGES IN DISTANCES AND EVENT ORGANIZATION!

Due to the cold start to summer and low water temperatures, the organizers, in cooperation with the medical team and rescue services responsible for maritime safety, have decided to shorten the main distance of the 2025 Open Water Estonia – Käsmu to ensure the health and safety of participants.
In 2025, the bay crossing from Käsmu to Võsu will not take place. Instead of the originally planned 3.5 km route, a 2 km distance will be held, starting and finishing at the Käsmu Lighthouse Harbor. All registered participants will automatically be transferred to the 2 km start list.

Additionally, participants who were registered for the longest distance can switch to the shorter 1 km distance free of charge. This free re-registration is available until June 25, 2025, at 12:00 via the Sportos self-service portal: reg.ööjooks.ee. Requests for changes after that will not be accepted.

The Lääne-Viru County Championships and the overall event results will be contested over the 2 km distance.

All distances will start from the harbor, swimming to the designated marker (buoy or anchored boat) and back. Markers will be set at the following distances from the harbor: 50 m, 100 m, 250 m, 500 m, and 1 km.

Distances offered: 100 m, 200 m, 500 m, 1 km, and 2 km. Starts and finishes take place on land, under the start gate, by crossing the timing mat. Shorter distances will have mass starts. The 1 km and 2 km distances will have interval (wave) starts, with groups of 5 swimmers starting every 8 seconds to ensure better traffic flow in the water. Faster swimmers are asked to start in the first groups. Timing begins for each swimmer when they cross the start timing mat and ends when crossing the finish timing mat.

The water temperature is currently forecasted to be around 15.5–16°C on Saturday. Wetsuits are strongly recommended by the organizers. If the temperature falls below 15°C, wetsuits will be mandatory for the 2 km distance.

COMPETITION CENTER AND 2 KM START

• The competition center, equipment collection, and start material pickup will take place at Käsmu Lighthouse Harbor (near the local shop). Opening hours: 10:00–14:00.
• All participants must arrive before 12:30 to review rules and documents. Official briefing at 13:10, followed by equipment checks.
• Start materials will be issued upon presentation of a valid ID.
• 2 km start at 14:02 from Käsmu Harbor: Participants start on land, from behind the Sportland red gate and timing mat. Interval starts: groups of 5 every 8 seconds.
• No restrictions on forming start groups. Faster swimmers should start earlier.
• Please behave courteously at the start, be mindful of other participants – let’s avoid injuries and pushing.
• Wetsuits are strongly recommended. Mandatory below 15°C.
• Swimming style is freestyle – you have 1 hour 30 minutes to finish. The finish closes at 15:30.
• Timing stops when you cross the finish timing mat under the finish gate.
• All participants must use a safety buoy provided by the organizer, which is included in the participation fee.
• Participants confirm their swimming skills and physical fitness by signing the Health Declaration / Confirmation of Acceptance of Risks form on-site before collecting start materials.

100 M, 200 M, 500 M AND 1 KM STARTS

• 11:40 – mandatory briefing (by start gate) for 100 m and 200 m participants.
• 12:00 – 200 m mass start
• 12:01 – 100 m mass start
• 12:20 – mandatory briefing (by start gate) for 500 m participants.
• 12:30 – 500 m mass start
• 13:10 – mandatory briefing (at competition center) for 1 km participants.
• 14:00 – 1 km interval start (also for those re-registered from 3.5 km). Interval: 5 swimmers every 8 seconds.
• No restrictions on forming start groups. Faster swimmers should start earlier.
• Children must attend the briefing with a parent or adult guardian. For the 100 m and 200 m distances, children can be accompanied in the water by an adult. These are not competitive races!
• 100 m and 200 m swimmers will not use safety buoys. Safety buoy usage is mandatory for 500 m and 1 km distances and is provided by the organizer.

SAFETY

• The safety of participants is the organizer’s first priority. The organizer reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event in case of unsuitable weather conditions. Decisions will be made in consultation with maritime rescue and medical units. In 2025, due to low water temperatures, the main distance has already been shortened to 2 km.
• Postponements can happen on the same day or to a later date. All such changes will follow Force Majeure conditions. In case of postponement, no refunds will be issued. If canceled, 50% of the participation fee will be refunded within 2 weeks of the planned event date.
• In case of blue-green algae or other pollution, decisions will be made in cooperation with the Health Board. These cases will also be handled under Force Majeure.
• Any decisions on postponements or cancellations will be communicated as early as possible, no later than 30 minutes before the planned start time.
• Participant limit: 250 participants total across all distances.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

• 2 km distance: open to participants 18+ years old (except for licensed swimmers of the Estonian Swimming Federation and minors with parental consent).
• 100 m, 200 m, 500 m, and 1 km distances require written parental consent for minors – forms are completed on-site.
• Goggles, masks, swim caps, and socks are permitted. Fins, gloves, or other aids that improve propulsion are prohibited. Earphones are prohibited.
• Personal escort boats (kayaks, SUPs, rowboats, etc.) are allowed if registered at the competition center and after briefing. For 2 km, participants may rest or receive refreshments from their escort boats but cannot use them to gain a competitive advantage. Motorized boats are prohibited.
• Escorts must wear life jackets and have a working whistle for emergency use (checked during briefing).
• Escort boats for the 2 km distance will launch from Käsmu Pier, located a few hundred meters from the start.
• Organizers reserve the right to remove participants from the water for safety or rule violations.
• Violations of the rules will result in disqualification, no medal, and no official result.

REGISTRATION

• Register at eestimaraton.ee until the event date or until spots are filled. Convenient payment with Stebby via the organizer’s website.
• The earlier you register, the cheaper the price (early bird pricing). Fixed number of tickets per distance and price tier.

PARTICIPATION FEES

• 100 m: FREE
• 200 m: €5–9
• 500 m: €16–19
• 1 km: €25–29
• 2 km: €34–45
• Virtual 2 km swim: €25

An additional payment processing fee of €1 per participant applies. All prices include VAT. Virtual event fee includes shipping and result management.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PARTICIPATION FEE

• Full technical organization of the event, including briefings, electronic timing (500 m, 1 km, 2 km), safety boats, maritime rescue, medical first aid, ambulance, free bag storage, toilets, etc.
• Safety buoy usage and post-finish services.
• Finisher medal, framed certificate, and e-diploma for 1 km and 2 km finishers. Also included: Viking Line bonus trip to Sweden (fees apply).
• 100 m, 200 m, 500 m finishers receive bottled water at the finish, an e-diploma, and a Viking Line bonus trip to Finland (fees apply).
• Professional event photography – an unforgettable achievement and memorable experience!

LÄÄNE-VIRUMAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

• The 2 km distance will also serve as the Lääne-Viru County Open Water Swimming Championships in the following categories:
  • Juniors (boys/girls)
  • Seniors (men/women)
  • Overall (men/women)

AWARD CEREMONY

• The top 3 men and women in the 2 km overall will be awarded with trophies.
• Awards ceremony at 15:10 at the finish area.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

• 500 m, 1 km, and 2 km participants must wear a personal safety buoy provided by the organizer (included in the fee).
• Each buoy is equipped with a whistle but is not a lifesaving device. It helps reduce risks.
• If you see someone in distress, signal the rescue teams by blowing the whistle and raising your hand.
• If you become tired or get cramps, you can rest on your buoy. Movement while resting is prohibited. If you require rescue, blow the whistle, raise your hand, and await assistance. Asking for help is not shameful – your safety is our priority.
• Stay calm and avoid panic in unforeseen situations. Use your buoy, whistle, and raised hand to call for help. There are multiple rescue-capable boats along the course.
• Medical first aid and ambulance will be available at the finish.

AFTER THE FINISH

• After crossing the finish, follow the judges’ instructions calmly.
• Next steps: returning the buoy, returning the timing chip, receiving your medal (1 km and 2 km), finisher’s bag, and official event photos.
• A sauna will be available for participants at the competition center.

BUS TICKET REFUNDS AND PARKING IN KÄSMU

• Parking is mandatory in the designated parking area (~600 m from the start) – follow the signs and instructions of the event team. Parking near the local shop is prohibited.
• Parking in the designated field is free of charge. Other areas now require paid parking for the first time.
• Pre-purchased bus ticket refunds (due to the cancellation of the Võsu-Käsmu bus service following the route change) will be processed within 7 days after the event.