Kayakers

The safety of each participant (Swimmers, Kayakers, and Volunteers) is paramount in every decision made. Everything we do and every decision we make will be guided by safety. Nothing is worth the risk of injury or worse. Our #1 goal is: All swimmers in and all swimmers out safely.

This requires a team effort and understanding that all decisions made are based on safety and may override participants preferences. GIVETOLIVE has been running endurance events for eight years and we have an excellent safety record. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation to continue our record that includes no major incidents.

There is a MANDATORY safety meeting for all participants on the Saturday before the swim. Details of the safety plan, route and many other event day questions will be discussed in detail at this meeting. You must attend the meeting in order to do the swim.

We take safety very seriously. It is our #1, #2, and #3 goal for the event. On the day of the event, there is a chain of command that all participants and volunteers must obey. That chain of command is as follows:

1. Captain(s) in Charge/Safety Officer
2. Event Director/Core Kayaker Team
3. Boat Operators
4. Lifeguards
5. Kayakers
6. Swimmers

Swimmers MUST OBEY everyone else in the chain of command. All other people in the chain of command are in a more senior position than a swimmer and all people can remove you from the water for safety reasons. This is imperative to the success of a safely run event. If anything goes wrong (weather worsens, waves pick up, someone gets sick), then all swimmers agree that it is not their call on whether they continue swimming or not.

Each participant is responsible for getting themselves to and from The BIG SWIM. The NB to PEI swim starts at Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, Cape Jourimain, NB and finishes on Beach Road in Borden – Carleton, PEI. Our start for the NS to NB swim will begin in the Tidnish area ending in Port Elgin. Exact details of the start and finish line will be finalized and communicated soon.

All meals that weekend are your responsibility. There is a limited selection of food at the Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area as well as a variety of restaurants in Gateway Village on PEI. We are looking into having a food truck on the finish line beaches but details are unconfirmed at this time.

All participants are responsible for their own food and drink on the day of the swim. Please pack everything you would need to keep you hydrated and nourished through the SWIM itself.

All participants are responsible for their own food and drink on the day of the swim. Please pack everything you would need to keep you hydrated and nourished through the SWIM itself.

There are a limited number of accommodations in the close proximity to the Confederation Bridge. You need to book your accommodations yourself and we recommend you do that right away. Here is a list of some recommended options where our participants have stayed in the past.

Tourism New Brunswick and Tourism PEI can be a great place to start as well.

The start times will be calculated based on tides and currents. A decision will be made closer to the event. The exact start times will be announced at the safety meeting.

Everyone will need to be at the start points at least 30 minutes before the first wave enters the water.

Swimmers will be starting in waves (no pun intended) based on their anticipated pace. There will be 3 waves and they will be launched at intervals of approximately 15 minutes. Please note that we monitor the weather, tides and currents carefully and that the launch times cannot be confirmed prior to the safety meeting on Saturday. Plan to be flexible with your schedule on your swim day.

Yes! Although you may be on the beach for some time before you start, the beginning of the BIG SWIM is exciting and everyone should experience it together. It is also possible that the heat start times may be adjusted in response to conditions so it’s important for everyone to be on the beach and ready to go.

Both swims are happening in open boating areas and there may be other boats on the water during the swim. However, we notify the Coast Guard and other boating agencies of the event well in advance and our logistics team will be in regular communication with the Coast Guard and the Marine Traffic Centre to ensure that all boats are aware of our presence and diverted away from participants.

Yes. There will be lifeguards on the safety boats and on the beach at the finish lines. There will be medical professionals waiting at the finish lines to check each swimmer and kayaker at the end of their swim. There is an emergency plan with local EMS personnel in the event of an on-water emergency.

Practically, no. Port-a-potties will be onsite at the start of the NS to NB swim and bathrooms are available before the start of the NB to PEI swim at the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre and port-a-potties are available at the finish area in PEI. During the swim, there are very limited facilities on the larger safety boats.

It can take an extended period of time for a safety boat to reach you for a bathroom break as we cannot sacrifice swimmer safety for the luxury of a toilet. We urge you to arrive early to the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre on the morning of the swim so you can make use of the facilities there before the swim.

The weather plays a key role in the safety of The BIG SWIM. We will discuss the weather forecast and the weather contingency plans in detail at the mandatory Safety Meeting on Saturday. There is a detailed evacuation plan in place in the event that weather degrades during the swim to the point that the event must be stopped. If required, the safety boats will remove all of the participants from the water and get them to shore.

Maybe. The Northumberland Strait is home to jellyfish, numerous types of fish and marine mammals. The timing of this year’s event means that it’s unlikely that jelly fish will be present in any significant numbers. In past events swimmers have encountered almost no wildlife. The occasional seal or dolphin has been seen in the distance by kayakers.

That is up to you. Most swimmers prefer the warmth of a wetsuit and the additional buoyancy that it provides. The large majority of our participants have chosen to wear a wetsuit (made of neoprene, NOT a surf suit). Xterra Wetsuits have been a great supporter of The BIG SWIM and offer a very competitive price on their website here.

Yes. For safety reasons we will give you a colour-coded latex cap that MUST be worn. If you prefer the warmer silicone caps, then you should wear that one below this cap we give you. It will be a very bright colour and will have meaning to the people watching over your safety that day from the boats. This is mandatory. If you have a latex allergy, please plan to wear a silicone one under your issued latex heat one.

The NS to NB swim will be approximately 8km. Our start will begin in the Tidnish area ending in Port Elgin. Due to the sheltered area, it is likely that this will be a “fairly straight” swim. Start times will be set closer to the event weekend and will be based on weather conditions.

The NB to PEI leg of the BIG SWIM will follow a path similar to the direction of the Confederation Bridge. Straight line distance is approximately 13km. Depending on your speed and direction you may be swimming 15-17+ km or more depending on conditions and your pace.

Your kayaker is responsible for keeping you on course and the safety and operations vessels will keep the kayakers on course. The route will depend on the tides, currents and weather forecast for event day. The planned route will be presented and discussed at the mandatory Safety Meeting on Saturday.

The BIG SWIM planning committee has chosen the ideal day for this year’s event. This date has been chosen in order to utilize the tide and currents to the best advantage of the swimmers.

For the NS to NB swim you’ll be in a sheltered bay so tides will be minimal and it is likely it’ll be a “fairly straight” swim.

From NB to PEI you will be swimming out with the tide and most swimmers will finish with the current at their back. Although The BIG SWIM will use the tides to the swimmer’s advantage, the currents near the finish can be difficult. Be sure to leave some gas in the tank for your final push!!

Yes, there will be waves and you may also experience swells and chop depending on the conditions. You may experience turbulent waters when you are swimming near the Confederation Bridge as the waves bounce off the bridge pillars.

Some swimmers experience sea sickness that may be caused by the motion of the water and/or swallowing salt water while swimming. We strongly recommend that you train in open water and salt water prior to The BIG SWIM to experience these conditions before event day.

** Past swimmers have used Ginger Gravol to combat any upset stomachs and sea sickness.

Rest assured that if the wind or waves are high enough to be unsafe to swimmers or paddlers, the swim will be suspended, postponed or cancelled.

For those doing the NB to PEI swim most participants cross under the bridge at least once during The BIG SWIM. The currents can cause some swirling around the pillars of the bridge. Listen to your kayaker and stay away from the pillars. Work with your kayaker to plan your crossing to be in the middle of the pillars. Your kayaker should position themselves between you and the closest pillar during the crossing. It is a very cool experience to see the bridge from below!

Yes. In addition to the kayaker that accompany each swimmer, there are spare kayakers and safety boats on the water to track swimmers, assist participants as necessary, and to ensure the safety of all participants during the swim. These safety boats are responsible for emergency retrieval of swimmers or kayakers, if it becomes necessary.

You will develop your own list of required items as you complete your swim training. These are suggestions to give you an idea of what your kit might look like. You will need to work with your kayaker to store the following in the kayak for your swim:

• All food and drink you will want/need for your swim. You will have experimented with nutrition during your training and should know what foods work best for you during long swims. We recommend both water and electrolyte fluids, enough for you to drink about a 500ml bottle/hour. Several past swimmers used a Platypus Hydration System instead of bringing several bottles.
• Any swimming equipment you might need like extra goggles. You may wish to pack fins and/or paddles in the event that you need a boost to get through an eddy or to the finish.
• Personal care items like sunscreen, mouthwash (some like to use this to reduce the taste of salt water and limit the swelling of your tongue which may occur in salt water), something to help with seasickness (i.e. ginger tablets/gravol), Vaseline or another lubricant (to help reduce the chaffing that your wetsuit may cause).
• Water shoes or flip-flops: The shoreline, although mostly sandy, does have some rocky sections, the rocks are covered in barnacles and there are numerous small hermit crabs.
• Phone or camera with a waterproof/tethered case. It’s wonderful to see some pictures of your epic feat afterward.
• Dry bags or other dry storage for your stuff.Keep in mind that your kayaker also needs to store their equipment and nutrition in the small storage compartments available. Make sure you have everything you need for a comfortable, supported swim but leave the kitchen sink at home. We suggest that you speak to your kayaker in advance about how to package your gear for their boat.
• A good attitude and a belief that we are all capable of so much more than we can even begin to comprehend!

Take a look at this video that suggests what you and your kayaker will want to bring with you during the swim:

Any items you want at the finish line should be given to a friend or family member who will be meeting you at the finish line. You will likely want dry clothes, shoes and some recovery food/drinks.

Safety is the #1 factor in the decision to go ahead with The BIG SWIM. The decision to start the event will lie solely in the hands of the event organizers and Sea Captain(s)/Safety Officer.

The weather will be monitored in the days and hours leading up to the swim.

Again, safety is our #1 concern and that means getting everyone safely to PEI, whether you swim there or arrive on a boat. There is a detailed removal plan for participants who need it and there are boats on the water available to come and get you. If you feel you can’t continue:

• Notify your kayaker immediately and they will signal and/or call for a rescue boat to come pick you up.
• Your kayaker will have a spare flotation device and will provide this to you to wear while waiting for the rescue boat.
• Remain calm and floating in the water beside the kayak until the boat arrives. The boat will transport you to a larger boat or to shore. Do not hang onto the kayak as you risk tipping it.

If you are struggling but not ready to stop your swim:

• Communicate with your kayaker. You may need to rest for a few minutes or to hydrate and consume more nutrition.
• Your kayaker can help talk you through a bad mental stretch and give you your fins/paddles if you packed them. Many swimmers experience moments when they are not sure they can finish.

Please note that the swimmer is at the bottom of the Safety Chain of Command and if your kayaker or other supervisor determines that it is unsafe for you to continue, you will be pulled from the water for your own safety and taken to shore.

If you want to know your total swim time, please plan to monitor this yourself or ask your kayaker to assist you (in advance of the swim). The organizers of the event will not be recording the times.

When you reach the beach, you will be greeted by BIG SWIM volunteers who will present you with a BIG SWIM Medal. Volunteers will then help you to the finish area. You are REQUIRED to proceed directly to the finish area and be checked by the paramedic for a quick evaluation before doing anything else.

Absolutely not! You will be tired from completing The BIG SWIM and we strongly urge you not to drive that afternoon. Please arrange to get a ride home or to your local accommodations with a family member or friend.

We strongly recommend that you have a friend/family member meet you in PEI – not only is it lovely to have a cheerleader, they can also have a change of clothes for you to change after the swim along with a drive back across the bridge.

Please arrange to get a ride home or to your local accommodations with a family member or friend.

During BIG SWIM 2014, a swimmer completed the NB to PEI swim in less than 3 hours and 24 minutes setting a world record for the fastest Northumberland Strait crossing without the assistance of a wetsuit. The average time can range from 4.5 hours to 6.5 hours. Some swimmers have taken up to 8+ hours.

This is the first time we’re hosting the NS to NB swim so we have no records to go by. It’s in a fairly sheltered bay so your time should be pretty close to your training time for a similar length swim.

Yes. There is nothing wrong with wearing fins if required. It’s a good idea to have them in your kayak just in case you need them. Then you at least have another option instead of outright stopping.

ABSOLUTELY!! You are inspiring people by showing them that everyone can achieve something extraordinary.

This is no small feat and you should be incredibly proud of the money you are raising for Brigadoon Village.

Your fundraising commitment depends on the event you signed up for (see chart below). Each swimmer must raise their minimum BEFORE the event weekend.

If you haven’t fundraised or submitted your minimum, we cannot allow you to participate in the event.

GIVETOLIVE and Brigadoon can help you get your fundraising going if you need direction.

The overall goal of this year’s BIG SWIM is to raise a minimum of $175,000 in support of Brigadoon Village.

GIVETOLIVE has an agreement in place with Brigadoon Village and we have committed that the funds raised will go to Brigadoon. Although there are lots of other worthy organizations, we cannot accommodate the requests to fundraise for any other organization at this time.

GIVETOLIVE and The BIG SWIM strive to keep expenses to a minimum. Your registration fee will cover most of the expenses for your participation in this event.

GIVETOLIVE is seeking Corporate Sponsorships to support The BIG SWIM, along with donations of food, water and equipment rentals to ensure that we maximize the amount raised for Brigadoon Village. If you are interested in sponsoring the swim or donating supplies, please let us know by emailing bigswimdirector@givetolive.ca.

The water temperature is likely to be about 18-20°C (66-70°F). The water tends to be warmer in the shallow areas near the shore and cooler in the middle where it is deep and there are currents.

The air temperature and wind will have a big impact on how warm or cool you feel in the water, independent of the water temperature.

Having enough water to prevent dehydration is very important. Periodically opening your wetsuit to allow some new water to come in contact with your skin can help cool you down. Carry sunscreen with you for frequent reapplication if it is very sunny.

No. This is a safety violation and will cause us to end your swim. You need to stay near your kayak at all times. If your kayaker requires assistance you should help them stay calm and call for additional assistance, as required. If you leave your kayaker and an event organizer sees you, you will be pulled from the water and not allowed to finish.

The safety of each participant (Swimmers, Kayakers, and Volunteers) is paramount in every decision made. Everything we do and every decision we make will be guided by safety. Nothing is worth the risk of injury or worse. Our #1 goal is: All swimmers in and all swimmers out safely.

This requires a team effort and understanding that all decisions made are based on safety and may override participants preferences. GIVETOLIVE has been running endurance events for eight years and we have an excellent safety record. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation to continue our record that includes no major incidents.

There is a MANDATORY safety meeting for all participants on the Saturday before the swim. Details of the safety plan, route and many other event day questions will be discussed in detail at this meeting. You must attend the meeting in order to do the swim.

We take safety very seriously. It is our #1, #2, and #3 goal for the event. On the day of the event, there is a chain of command that all participants and volunteers must obey. That chain of command is as follows:

1. Captain(s) in Charge/Safety Officer
2. Event Director/Core Kayaker Team
3. Boat Operators
4. Lifeguards
5. Kayakers
6. Swimmers

Swimmers MUST OBEY everyone else in the chain of command. All other people in the chain of command are in a more senior position than a swimmer and all people can remove you from the water for safety reasons. This is imperative to the success of a safely run event. If anything goes wrong (weather worsens, waves pick up, someone gets sick), then all swimmers agree that it is not their call on whether they continue swimming or not.

Each participant is responsible for getting themselves to and from The BIG SWIM. The NB to PEI swim starts at Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, Cape Jourimain, NB and finishes on Beach Road in Borden – Carleton, PEI. Our start for the NS to NB swim will begin in the Tidnish area ending in Port Elgin. Exact details of the start and finish line will be finalized and communicated soon.

All meals that weekend are your responsibility. There is a limited selection of food at the Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area as well as a variety of restaurants in Gateway Village on PEI. We are looking into having a food truck on the finish line beaches but details are unconfirmed at this time.

All participants are responsible for their own food and drink on the day of the swim. Please pack everything you would need to keep you hydrated and nourished through the SWIM itself.

All participants are responsible for their own food and drink on the day of the swim. Please pack everything you would need to keep you hydrated and nourished through the SWIM itself.

There are a limited number of accommodations in the close proximity to the Confederation Bridge. You need to book your accommodations yourself and we recommend you do that right away. Here is a list of some recommended options where our participants have stayed in the past.

Tourism New Brunswick and Tourism PEI can be a great place to start as well.

The start times will be calculated based on tides and currents. A decision will be made closer to the event. The exact start times will be announced at the safety meeting.

Everyone will need to be at the start points at least 30 minutes before the first wave enters the water.

Swimmers will be starting in waves (no pun intended) based on their anticipated pace. There will be 3 waves and they will be launched at intervals of approximately 15 minutes. Please note that we monitor the weather, tides and currents carefully and that the launch times cannot be confirmed prior to the safety meeting on Saturday. Plan to be flexible with your schedule on your swim day.

Yes! Although you may be on the beach for some time before you start, the beginning of the BIG SWIM is exciting and everyone should experience it together. It is also possible that the heat start times may be adjusted in response to conditions so it’s important for everyone to be on the beach and ready to go.

Both swims are happening in open boating areas and there may be other boats on the water during the swim. However, we notify the Coast Guard and other boating agencies of the event well in advance and our logistics team will be in regular communication with the Coast Guard and the Marine Traffic Centre to ensure that all boats are aware of our presence and diverted away from participants.

Yes. There will be lifeguards on the safety boats and on the beach at the finish lines. There will be medical professionals waiting at the finish lines to check each swimmer and kayaker at the end of their swim. There is an emergency plan with local EMS personnel in the event of an on-water emergency.

Practically, no. Port-a-potties will be onsite at the start of the NS to NB swim and bathrooms are available before the start of the NB to PEI swim at the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre and port-a-potties are available at the finish area in PEI. During the swim, there are very limited facilities on the larger safety boats.

It can take an extended period of time for a safety boat to reach you for a bathroom break as we cannot sacrifice swimmer safety for the luxury of a toilet. We urge you to arrive early to the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre on the morning of the swim so you can make use of the facilities there before the swim.

The weather plays a key role in the safety of The BIG SWIM. We will discuss the weather forecast and the weather contingency plans in detail at the mandatory Safety Meeting on Saturday. There is a detailed evacuation plan in place in the event that weather degrades during the swim to the point that the event must be stopped. If required, the safety boats will remove all of the participants from the water and get them to shore.

Maybe. The Northumberland Strait is home to jellyfish, numerous types of fish and marine mammals. The timing of this year’s event means that it’s unlikely that jelly fish will be present in any significant numbers. In past events swimmers have encountered almost no wildlife. The occasional seal or dolphin has been seen in the distance by kayakers.