Hello Swimmers & Support Crew—
WE’RE HAPPY YOU WILL BE JOINING US for some, or all, of the 15th Tex Robertson Highland Lakes Challenge! Our hope is for you to enjoy safe and fun races as the event moves through a few of Central Texas’s unique and beautiful Highland Lakes.
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CONTACT INFO
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GENERAL RACE INFO: Please note the following general RACE GUIDELINES. Feel free to reply to this email (or, shoot me a text) if you have questions. Another email will follow with specific RACE DAY info.
FOR RACE UPDATES: Please follow us on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK and check the website “UPDATES” page for last-minute info. FB & Insta will be used if necessary when remote.
EMAILS HAVE COME FROM: both sneilz@me.com & sandy@winningisntnormal.com. From now on they will come from sneilz@me.com. Please note and add to your contacts.
RACE CONTACT:
Sandy Neilson, Organizer
512-327-0955 (text is best out at the lakes due to reception)
Please add to your contacts:
sneilz@me.com
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SPONSORS
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Valentine Lakeside and Willow Point Resort have been integral over the years to the success of the Highland Lakes Challenge. Both offer beautiful waterfront accommodations kitchen units, are proximal to all race sites, and have a “SWIMMER DISCOUNT” for 2 night minimum. Please support them when you are able, by either using their services or spreading the good word about them.
Check ‘em out:
- VALENTINE LAKESIDE / Book online & use Promo Code: “SWIMMERS” or call Pat & Susan @ (325) 388-4418
- WILLOW POINT RESORT / Book online or call Gwen @ 512-793-5000. Discount applied at check-in.
BLUE BONNET CAFE — All swimmers and volunteers receive a coupon for a free piece of pie. Each day’s long distance stage winner receives a coupon for a whole PIE. Hope you’ll join us after the race for a meal & some delicious pie! BLUEBONNET CAFE. 211 US Hwy. 281, Marble Falls, TX 78654
CAMP LONGHORN – We have so much love and appreciation for our race’s namesake, Tex Robertson, and his family. Can’t express enough what it means to be able to start our race at CAMP LONGHORN. Attawaytogo!
SUPPORT CREW — We’re very fortunate to have a truly dedicated and enthusiastic support crew for this event. Please take the time to appreciate them for their help.
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GENERAL RACE INFO
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START TIMES — 9:00 a.m. Note: while there are times where weather or course setup conditions are such that we may get a bit delayed, historically, we’ve been pretty close to 9 a.m. so be there on time. :) We will not start the swim earlier than 9:00 but if you’re not checked in (see check-in & briefing times below), we must consider you a no-show.
CHECK-IN — You must arrive early to check-in. Please note earlier timeline for Day 1 @ Inks.
- FRI 10/25 (Inks) — 7:45 to 8:10 / @ 8:15 swimmers load to be boated to start. (see special instructions for INKS (Day 1) below.
- SAT 10/26 (Kingland) — 7:50 to 8:30
- SUN 10/27 (Marble Falls) — 7:50 to 8:30
NOTE: Allow for time to get parked, unloaded, acclimated to the situation and hopefully to meet some new swim friends.
SAFETY BRIEFING — We will have a MANDATORY safety briefing for swimmers and for paddlers every morning prior to race start.
SAFETY — All entrants participate at their own risk. A limited number of safety paddlers and boaters will provide visibility for the course and “eyes on” but ultimately it is a swimmers’ responsibility to navigate the course safely within their own physical abilities. Every swimmer will be required to wear a swim-bouy for safety and to help provide greater visibility of swimmers on the course. Neither the safety kayaks or swim buoys are intended as resting spots so using either to do so is a disqualification.
SWIM-BUOYS — We have a limited # of buoys for rent for $10 per day. Reply to this email or text me (contact above) if you need a swim buoy and I’ll put one aside for you.
SAFETY PADDLERS — We welcome our “on-water” paddlers and boating friends and trust they will have fun also. Safety vessels are on the course to provide “visibility” to other lake users, provide extra “eyes on” the overall course, and to assist you, in the event you should need them. They are not, however, to provide a race lead, course guidance, drafting assistance — or, a resting spot. This is your swim. Go for it . . .have fun!
COVID & OTHER VIRUS PRECAUTIONS — While we’re lucky that we “play” outdoors we are still cognizant that there is no “zero risk” at any type of gathering when it comes to current contagious viruses. Please consider the safety of your swim mates. Self-monitor prior to the event, and if you have symptoms, or have been exposed, please stay home. On site, we ask that you practice distancing and other common health courtesies (Don’t crowd Carolyn at check-in and leave some room for others around the bananas & water table). Just let us know if we need to speak louder as you distance :)
WELCOME FAMILY & FRIENDS — On any given day we may have an extra kayak or two. So, if you have a friend, family member, or fan who would like to join us “on water” please let me know..
RACE INFO & RULES — Swimmers are responsible for understanding the rules. PLEASE READ the RULES. It’s not a long read :)