Kayak/SUP: Ironman 70.3 North American Championship: May 4, 2024 (Updated!)

02/23/2024 - Volunteer Sign-Up is Live. Here's the link:
https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=73923
Try clicking here.

SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR LATEST UPDATE AS OF 4/25/2024

Paddlers, this is great opportunity to serve the triathlete community and help our county SAR volunteer group raise operational funds. What do we do? We help maintain "swim lane discipline", are there for swimmers to take a breather, orient themselves, fix their goggles, stretch a cramp, and give them encouragement. If someone is presenting with medical distress symptoms (you'll get the full rundown on Friday night), we flag over a boat to make an assessment.

Let us know you'll be coming out here on Meetup, BUT you MUST sign up via the Ironman volunteer link, and sign their waiver.

Let Dig Paddlesports (that's me, Bill) know if you need a kayak or SUP to help out. I'll deliver and pick up at no cost. A small tip would be appreciated; it's time, effort, and equipment depreciation on my end. You can have it at Sand Hollow on Friday afternoon and use it all night, if you like. Bring a headlamp or ask me for one you can borrow. We'll want those in the wee morning hours.

Orientation meeting will be announced to volunteers via email in the coming days, but Friday night, May 3, there will be an orientation at the maintenance building just northeast of the main park entrance. Dinner will be served, I believe at 6pm. Breakfast of one type or another is served in the morning, and anyone that sticks around long enough after the swim is over will get lunch, too.

Camping is possible in 2 locations: Maintenance Building area, and the former south boat ramp area. I guess the new concession guy didn't want people coming to his shop, so he ripped out the ramp - doesn't make sense to me, but that larger parking lot area is also available to camp.
I'm told that campsites are full, so those are our options. I only live about 15-20 minutes away, but camping makes it easy.

If you are coming in the morning, be there EARLY. Get ahead of the athlete buses. It makes for a long day, but it's epic and a great story to be able to tell your friends and family all about as you will be participating in supporting one of the largest athletic competitions the state sees. You might even be on the live stream! Movie star, you.... :D

Bill

Bill@digpaddlesports.com
435.680.5818 c

UPDATE FROM SAR: Thank you for volunteering. This will be a fun event. We will be providing dinner on Friday night, as well as some breakfast Saturday morning before the race. You are encouraged to stay the night since it is an early start. We will be meeting at the Maintenance Building at Sand Hollow which is just North of the entrance or to your left if coming into the park. We will have a debrief around 6:30 PM. For those who have not passed off your skills [see Ironman volunteer description] we will be doing that from around 5:30 to 6:15. That is simply hop on the lake, show that you can maneuver your kayak effectively and that you can get back in/on your kayak if spilled into the water. Please remember to bring your own PFD (personal flotation device/USCG-approved vest). We look forward to seeing you and Thank you again for your help!