*** Effective December 2021: Since you are requesting to sanction an open water event, the following documents are required:

1.     Event announcement (event details accompanied by the entry form)

2.     COVID-19 addendum

3.     Safety plan

COMPLETE THIS FORM to submit your required documents and any supplemental documents for your sanction request. Entries shall not be accepted before the sanction has been issued. If you have questions, please contact events@usmastersswimming.org.***

Please be aware that your LMSC will be billed a $100 sanction fee, plus $5 per participant, after the event takes place. Events are expected to have a minimum of 20 participants and will be billed for that minimum. Your LMSC may choose to fully absorb this cost, or may contact you about sharing the cost.

An event sanctioned by USMS, Inc., through one of its Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSC), must meet all of the following criteria:

1.     The event shall be conducted according to applicable USMS swimming rules and administrative regulations including:

a)     Article 201: Membership and Representation, USMS Rule Book Part 2

b)     Article 203: Open Water Sanction, USMS Rule Book Part 2

c)     Open Water Event Management

d)     Open Water and Long Distance Swimming Rules, USMS Rule Book Part 3

2.     Entry forms, programs, and results must bear the statement "Sanctioned by (LMSC name) for USMS Inc." (Article 203.3.3.B)

3.     LMSCs have the option to offer one-event registrations (OEVT) at events sanctioned by their own LMSC. See the One Event Memberships page for more information.

4.     The sanctioning LMSC has the option to include offline processing as part of the sanction application, including due dates for additional information and attachments. Additionally, an LMSC may use performance bonds and requirements attached to the bonding process as a means to encourage well-run events.

5.     A link to the event's results, the total number of adult participants in the event, and any one-event registrations (OEVT) shall be emailed within 14 days of the event to:  volunteer@usmastersswimming.org.

All competitors must hold current USMS registrations or valid travel permits or their equivalents, or have other acceptable proof of current Masters swimming registration, and must be 18 years of age or over (Article 202.1).

Entry forms shall contain the language of the liability release as stated in USMS policy:  PDF. All swimmers shall have signed the liability release before participating. (203.3.3.A)

             PARTICIPANT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

For and in consideration of United States Masters Swimming, Inc. (“USMS”) allowing me, the undersigned, to participate in any USMS sanctioned or approved activity, including swimming camps, clinics, and exhibitions; learn-to-swim programs; swimming tryouts; fitness and training programs (including dryland training); swim practices and workouts (for both pool and open water); pool meets; open water competitions; local, regional, and national competitions and championships (both pool and open water); and/or related activities (“Event” or “Events”); I, for myself, and on behalf of my spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, hereby agree to and make the following contractual representations pursuant to this Waiver and Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk and Indemnity Agreement (the “Agreement”);

1. I hereby certify and represent that (i) I am in good health and in proper physical condition to participate in the Events; and (ii) I have not been advised of any medical conditions that would impair my ability to safely participate in the Events. I agree that it is my sole responsibility to determine whether I am sufficiently fit and healthy enough to participate in the Events.
2. I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with the sport of swimming. I understand that my participation involves risks and dangers, which include, without limitation, the potential for serious bodily injury, sickness and disease, permanent disability, paralysis and death (from drowning or other causes); loss of or damage to personal property and equipment; exposure to extreme conditions and circumstances; accidents involving other participants, event staff, volunteers or spectators; contact or collision with natural or manmade objects; dangers arising from adverse weather conditions; imperfect water conditions; water and surface hazards; facility issues; equipment failure; inadequate safety measures; participants of varying skill levels; situations beyond the immediate control of the Event organizers; and other undefined, not readily foreseeable and presently unknown risks and dangers (“Risks”). I understand that these Risks may be caused in whole or in part by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating in the Events, or the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties defined below, and I hereby expressly assume all such Risks and responsibility for any damages, liabilities, losses or expenses that I incur as a result of my participation in any Events.
3. I agree to be familiar with and to abide by the Rules and Regulations, including the Code of Conduct and any safety regulations established by USMS. I accept sole responsibility for my own conduct and actions while participating in the Events.
4. I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19, or other viral or bacterial infection, while participating in any of the Events, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I agree that if I have a fever, cough, feel short of breath, have any other symptoms, have knowingly been exposed to a communicable disease such as COVID-19 I agree not to participate in USMS activities for a minimum of 10 days from the date the symptoms started, until the symptoms have subsided or I have been cleared by a doctor. If I test positive for COVID-19 within 10 days following participation in a USMS activity, I will notify the USMS event director, coach or club administrator immediately.
5. I hereby Release, Waive and Covenant Not to Sue, and further agree to Indemnify, Defend and Hold Harmless the following parties: USMS, its members, clubs, workout groups, event hosts, employees, and volunteers (including, but not limited to, event directors, coaches, officials, judges, timers, safety marshals, lifeguards, and support boat owners and operators); the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation; USMS Local Masters Swimming Committees (LMSCs); the Event organizers and promoters, sponsors and advertisers; pool facility, lake and property owners or operators hosting the Events; law enforcement agencies and other public entities providing support for the Events; and each of their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies, officers, directors, partners, shareholders, members, agents, employees, and volunteers (individually and collectively, the “Released Parties”), with respect to any liability, claim(s), demand(s), cause(s) of action, damage(s), loss or expense (including court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any kind or nature (“Liability”) which may arise out of, result from, or relate in any way to my participation in the Events, including claims for Liability caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions of the Released Parties.
6. I further agree that if, despite this Agreement, I, or anyone on my behalf, makes a claim for Liability against any of the Released Parties, I will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each of the Released Parties from any such Liabilities which any may be incurred as the result of such claim.

I hereby warrant that I am of legal age and competent to enter into this Agreement, that I have read this Agreement carefully, understand its terms and conditions, acknowledge that I will be giving up substantial legal rights by signing it (including the rights of my spouse, children, heirs and next of kin, and any legal and personal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns), acknowledge that I have signed this Agreement without any inducement, assurance, or guarantee, and intend for my signature to serve as confirmation of my complete and unconditional acceptance of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement. This Agreement represents the complete understanding between the parties regarding these issues and no oral representations, statements, or inducements have been made apart from this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this Agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

    Revised 09/21/2023

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Providing as much information as possible allows USMS and your local LMSC to provide you, your event, and your workers the best possible service and benefits.

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Safety Director

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Organization:	John Post
Name:	John Post
Email Address:	john@johnpostmd.com
Phone Number:	(434) 979-5925
Address 1:	424 ednam drive
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City:	CHARLOTTESVILLE
State:	VA
Zip Code:	22903
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Name:	Jim Miller
Email Address:	jwmswimmd@aol.com
Phone Number:	(804) 338-3030
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Name:	John Post
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