The Skinny

Dates: Dec. 7, 2024

Location: Fort Myers Beach, FL

Distances: 1 mile OW Swim, 5K OW Swim

Fort Myers Beach will host the Speedo SALT Series Southern Cross, Dec. 7, 2024. A festival-style open water weekend designed to celebrate the entire season and the aquatic athlete in us all. Truly something for everyone! 

Weekend activities include multiple open water racing opportunities, including 5K and 1 mile, the Annual Buoy Ball, and Sunday’s Mimosa Mile.

What’s the Buoy Ball? You’ve worked hard all season; let’s celebrate that. Join us for an evening of fun and open water family. Co-hosted by Florida Open Water.

What's in a name: Southern Cross - A navigational beacon (the constellation), a symbol of those who have rendered significant service to a nation (the order of the Southern Cross), and though its constellation is one of the smallest in size of the modern 88... is easily among the most easily distinguished, with one of the strongest and brightest magnitudes measurable.

Sound like someone you know?   

This event is named after Gregg Cross, a long-time supporter of the sport of open water swimming and a long-time swim coach in the Fort Myers area. This is our salute to him and all of the “old salts” who have supported this sport for so many, many moons. Thanks for all you’ve done, and continue to do, for a sport we all love. Now, time to celebrate and have some fun!  

The Details

Registration Dates
On-line registration closes at 5 pm on Fri. Dec. 6, 2024

On-site registration Fri. Dec. 6 & Sat. Dec. 7, 2024

Registration Includes:

  • Race Entry

  • Race Swim Cap

  • Welcome Gift*

  • Overall Race Awards

  • Age Group Race Awards

  • Unlimited, Free High 5s

Schedule of Events (times are EST)

Friday, Dec. 6, 2024

Location: TBD

  • 4:30 - 6:00 pm Packet Pick Up/On-Site Registration

  • 4:30 - 6:00 pm Happy Hour and Florida Open Water Meet & Greet

    ***You must bring a photo ID (Drivers License) and sign an event waiver on-site when checking in.***


Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 * Times subject to change

Location: Lynn Hall Park, 950 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach FL

  • 7:30 am Athlete Check-In/Body Marking Opens

  • 8:45 am Athletes start lining up for spaced wave start

  • 9:00 am 5K Race Begins

  • 10 min after final 5K swimmers are in the water - 1 mile Race Begins

  • 12:15 pm - Approx. time for Southern Cross Event Awards

Location: TBD, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

  • 2:30 - 5:00 pm BUOY Ball - Post-Race Party

    Break out your party pants. Come help us wrap up the 2024 Speedo SALT Series and celebrate our Series Age Group Champions.

Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

Mimosa Mile (Recovery Swim)

Location: Lynn Hall Park

  • 8:00 am

    Meet Up Style Swim is open to everyone. This is not an official event; however an awesome opportunity to get one more swim in before you head home for the weekend.

Race Details

Course Map

1 Mile - 1 lap

5K - 3 laps

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Wetsuit Policy

  • Wetsuits WILL be legal if the water temperature is 78 or below

Swim Cap

  • You must wear the swim cap provided to you for your specific race


Bib Number/Body Marking

  • You will be assigned a bib number at Registration

  • If you are not wearing a wetsuit, mark your left and right arms with your bib number on race morning at the Body Marking tent 

  • If you are wearing a wetsuit, mark the outside of both of your hands at the Body Marking tent

  • This event will be chip timed. You must have a chip and body marking to enter the water.


Athlete Check-In Race Morning

  • For your safety, you must check in at the Event Information Tent race morning before competing.  


Changing Distances

  • You must swim the distance in which you are registered

  • Race day changes must be made when checking in

  • If you switch race distances once the race has started, you will be disqualified.


Course and Swim Direction

  • Swim Course TBD

  • Any swimmer who shortens the course will be disqualified


Water Safety

  • There will be plenty of water safety personnel on the course, including kayaks, paddle boards, and PWC

  • You are permitted to hold onto a watercraft momentarily to catch your breath.

  • You may NOT advance down the course while holding onto watercraft

  • If you experience any issues while in the water, take off your swim cap and wave it over your head while treading water, and a safety watercraft will come to your aid


Swim Time Limit

You must be able to swim your selected race course within the time limit. Swimmers who do not finish in the time allotted will be pulled from the course.

  • 1 Miles time limit is 1:05:00

  • 5K time limit is 2:45:00

Need to get started training? There are clubs, coaches and training swims across the state of Florida. Check out FLORIDA OPEN WATER for more information.

Awards

  • Overall Male 1 Mile

  • Overall Female 1 Mile

  • Overall Male 5K

  • Overall Female 5K

Top 3 Male & Female Awards in the following categories:

  • 10 & under

  • 11-13

  • 14-19

  • 20 - 29

  • 30 - 39

  • 40 - 49

  • 50 - 59

  • 60 - 69

  • 70 + up


Refund Policy

Event management reserves the right to cancel the race or move to a later time in the event of inclement weather, emergency, or natural disaster. In the event of cancellation, entry fees will not be refunded.

 

SHOUT OUT TO THE PARTNERS THAT HELP MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE

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