Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim

In the morning we head to the race village to complete local registration in the event village. Please note that the race registration is compulsory. Failure to attend this will mean you will be unable to enter the swim. During race registration, all competitors will be given their swim hats, badges and timing chips in preparation for the swim

In the afternoon, we have an option to join the official boat tour of the race course, learning the importance of which route to follow during the swim. The boat tours are organised by the Turkish Olympic Committee and are for accredited swimmers only (i.e. not supporters).

After this you will have the option of taking some time to relax in preparation for the following day's race or take this opportunity to book an optional sightseeing tour of Istanbul.

The Main event! At 08:00, all swimmers meet at Kuruçeşme Cemil Topuzlu Park ready to board the ferries that take us north to the race start point. The race starts at around 10:00 and we swim down the 6½km course, taking in the sights of the city of Istanbul while having the swim of a lifetime!

The race and awards ceremony is expected to be over by 13:00, giving us time to catch an evening flight or enjoy the hospitality of Istanbul.

Profile Details

The race organisers require certain information in order to accept an application; without this we cannot guarantee your place in the event. You MUST complete your SwimTrek profile details within 48 HOURS of making your booking in order to secure your place on this trip. In order to complete the required profile fields, please login to your SwimTrek account and fill out the ‘My Social Profile’, ‘My Travel Details’, ‘My Health Details’ and ‘My Contact Details’ sections. Insurance details can be provided closer to the event.

IMPORTANT: Please note that the name on your SwimTrek account must match the name in your passport in order to successfully register for the event.

Pre-Event Medical And Other Paperwork

The Turkish Olympic Committee produces a set of race forms for each registered athlete which will be sent to you after you have made your booking and completed the required profile information on your SwimTrek account. These forms will be forwarded to you directly by the SwimTrek office in early 2018 when we have received them from the Turkish Olympic Committee.

Forms which will be sent out and which will need to be returned to the SwimTrek office include:

• 1 x original completed registration form. Please note that the Turkish Olympic Committee require that the ORIGINAL FORM and not a scanned or photocopied form be sent in.
• 1 x original passport photo taken within the last six months.
• 1 x photocopy of the photo page of your passport. (This passport must have a least six months validity.)
• 1 x photocopy of your swimming coach’s qualification certificate.

IMPORTANT: A qualified swim coach will be required to sign off your registration form in order to confirm that you are ‘Fit for participation’ in the Bosphorus swim. A copy of this coach’s qualification (e.g. certificate from national governing body) will also need to be submitted with your official paperwork in order to register for the event. If you do not have a swim coach, it is your responsibility to enquire with local pools or swimming clubs in order to find a suitable person to assist with this process.

NOTE: All of the above information is required by the Turkish Olympic Committee and no exceptions can be made. The only photocopy which is accepted is the copy of your passport and coach’s qualification. All other paperwork must be original.

Please note that this paperwork MUST be completed and sent back to SwimTrek within two months of it being sent to you, otherwise we cannot guarantee your entry into the event.

Turkish Passport Holders

Please note that Turkish passport holders are unable to register for this event through SwimTrek and must apply through the official Turkish Olympic Committee ballot.

Equipment to bring along with you

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the event and the mild water temperature, wetsuits are not allowed. Jewellery and watches, of any kind, are also strictly prohibited during the race. Compulsory swim hats and ankle bands will be given out by the event organisers. You should bring a swim costume, goggles and towel.

Bosphorus Cross Continental Swim

The world’s most concentrated shipping lane is closed to all traffic as we participate in this annual race. You can either race to win it or just go along at your own pace. You should note, however, that conditions during the race may be challenging. Therefore, we advise that you should have relevant open water experience and be confident if such conditions do arise.

Swimming Distances

There is a time limit of two hours to complete the 6½km course. The Turkish Coastguard will remove swimmers from the water if they do not finish the crossing within this time.

Race Organisers

Please be aware that whilst SwimTrek organise the tour part of the package, the Turkish Olympic Committee are the event organisers and are fully responsible for race safety decisions and logistics.

SwimTrek Transfers

We provide transfers between your accommodation and the race village for registration and the boat tour on Saturday 21 July, as well as to the race meeting point on Sunday 22 July.

Swimming Conditions

Swimming in the sea is a fantastic experience, however you should be aware that certain marine life such as sea lice, jellyfish, sea urchins and coral could be present during the swims. In all cases we will work on reducing your contact with these creatures, however if you suffer from anaphylaxis, please consult the office prior to booking.

Temperatures

*Please note that temperatures are based on 2016 and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. In the event of bad weather and the swim being cancelled, there are no reserve/alternative times or days available.

Istanbul is a popular travel destination and there are a wide range of scheduled flights operating to the city’s two main airports, Istanbul Atatürk Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, from all around the world. From either airport you can then take a private transfer to your accommodation.

While we have outlined various travel options below, they are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. We always recommend checking www.skyscanner.net prior to making a booking. Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend confirming your flights and other travel arrangements as early as possible in order to avoid price rises and availability issues.

A small selection of the airlines which fly into Atatürk from various cities are included below:

Private Transfer

If you would like to arrange a private transfer from Istanbul direct to the hotel, this can be arranged through the Wilusa website, www.wilusa.net. If you are happy to share the transfer, it would be best to speak to other swimmers on your trip discussion page prior to booking to save costs.

When arriving the meeting point is on the left hand side of the arrivals gate, when walking out you will see on the ceiling a big sign with ‘Meeting Point One’, this will be where your driver will meet you holding a SWIMTREK / WILUSA sign.

A small selection of the airlines which fly into Atatürk from various cities are included below:

Private Transfer

If you would like to arrange a private transfer from Istanbul direct to the hotel, this can be arranged through the Wilusa website, www.wilusa.net. If you are happy to share the transfer, it would be best to speak to other swimmers on your trip discussion page prior to booking to save costs.

When arriving the meeting point is on the left hand side of the arrivals gate, when walking out you will see on the ceiling a big sign with ‘Meeting Point One’, this will be where your driver will meet you holding a SWIMTREK / WILUSA sign.

Accommodation

We have booked two nights’ accommodation on Friday 21 July and Saturday 22 July at 4-star and 5-star hotels in the Sisli area of Istanbul. Accommodation is based on twin share rooms with en suite facilities, on a bed and breakfast basis. There are a limited number of single supplement rooms which can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

The choice of hotels for 2018 are the following:

Supporters Package

There are a limited number of supporters tickets available which include shared accommodation with a race participant and all SwimTrek transfers. Please note that, on the day of the event, supporters will be at the finish line and will not be able to see the start of the race.

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as dinners, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. The local currency in Turkey is Turkish Lira (TL). Cash machines, bars and restaurants are plentiful in Istanbul city centre.

In addition to the race and accommodation, those that would like to take advantage of an organised city tour can book through our partners (at an additional cost). Please take a look at www.wilusa.net for more information on prices and availability.

Passports and Visas

Turkey is not part of the European Union. Non-residents of Turkey require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Turkey, however, some there are some exceptions.

For a full list of visa requirements by country, please visit: www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa

If you do require a visa to enter Turkey, you can apply for this via: www.evisa.gov.tr.

Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

For comprehensive health information for people travelling to Turkey, including all recommended and required vaccinations, please visit www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/countries. Please note that this information is subject to change and you should re-check this site regularly prior to your trip.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit ElectricalOutlet.org.