A.　　Categories & Events:

• * Recommended for experienced and Elite swimmers
•    Non-Hong Kong ID Card holders are eligible to apply under the International Category ONLY.
• # All applicants of Open Category must apply under the appropriate age group.
     Age is calculated as at 31^st December 2017 in ALL EVENTS.
• Each person can only apply for one event only.

B.　　Competition Eligibility:

i.　Racing Groups:

Qualification:

• Non-Hong Kong ID card holder; and
• Aged 14 or above, age is calculated as at 31^st December 2017; and
• Physically Fit and Healthy; and
• Duly-signed Declaration of Responsibility (Signed by parents for swimmers under 18 years of age); and
• Medical Certificate required for applicants aged 60 years or above; and
• Attend Time Trial 2017 or fulfill one of the “Racing Groups Time Trial Exemptions” from below (Selection may not duplicate):
  • Submit result of New World Harbour Race 2016 – Racing Groups; or
  • Submit the Time Trial record from New World Harbour Race 2016; or
  • Proven ability to complete swimming distance of Long Course Swimming Pool – 1,500m from between 1^st April 2016 and 9^th August 2017. Only proven time records endorsed by its National Swimming Association will be taken for considered;
• All the records above will be taken into account. The fastest swimmers amongst all submitted time and time trial records will be accepted (subject to HKASA’s final decision).

Qualification:

• Hong Kong ID card holder; and
• Aged 12 or above, age is calculated as at 31^st December 2017; and
• Physically Fit and Healthy; and
• Duly-signed Declaration of Responsibility (Signed by parents for swimmers under 18 years of age); and
• Medical Certificate required for applicants aged 60 years or above; and
• Attend Time Trial 2017 or fulfill one of the “Racing Groups Time Trial Exemptions” from below (Selection may not duplicate):
  • Submit result of New World Harbour Race 2016 – Racing Groups; or
  • Submit the Time Trial record from New World Harbour Race 2016; or
  • Provide qualified records obtained from any Long Course Swimming Pool – 1,500m swimming competitions organized or sanctioned by HKASA at swimming pool setting from 1^st April 2016 to 9^th August 2017.
• All the records above will be taken into account. The fastest swimmers amongst all submitted time and time trial records will be accepted (subject to HKASA’s final decision).
• For Open Category and Youth Category, Winners and Runner-ups from New World Harbour Race 2016 are directly accepted. Quota of each gender group for the remaining applicants is then assigned on a pro rata basis* among the qualified applicants. Applicants with the fastest record will be accepted.

• * Pro Rata Calculation:
• For example, for Open Category – Group A (Age 17-34),
• Qualified swimmers from Time Trial: 100 Men and 80 Women. 6 Winners and Runner-ups from 2016 have been accepted as Priority Application. Available Quota is 94.
• Gender Quota Calculation with rounding:
• Men: (100/180) x 94 = 52.22
• Women: (80/180) x 94 = 41.77
• Quota for Men is 52, quota for Women is 42.

** School Category

Each team is formed by TWO students (Two Boys or Two Girls) from each school (Maximum 1 team from each gender) and the total quota set as 25 teams. The group will be cancelled if less than 3 teams participate.

• Applicants who choose to apply with any records from the “Racing Groups Time Trial Exemptions” need to pay a HK$20 administration fee by crossed-cheque along with the application form.
• Final Entrant List will be announced on 20^th September 2017 (Wednesday) at 5:00p.m. Applicants who fail to enter the Racing Groups will NOT be allocated to the Leisure Groups.

ii. Leisure Groups：

• Hong Kong ID card holder; and
• Aged 12 or above, age is calculated as at 31^st December 2017; and
• Physically Fit and Healthy; and
• Duly-signed Declaration of Responsibility (Signed by parents for swimmers under 18 years of age); and
• Medical Certificate required for applicants aged 60 years or above; and
• Complete swimming distance of 1,500m within 45 minutes in Time Trial 2017 or fulfill one of the “Leisure Group Time Trial Exemptions” from below:
  • Submit result of New World Harbour Race 2016
  • Submit the Time Trial record from New World Harbour Race 2016
  • Successfully completed 2016/17 Hong Kong Open Water Swimming Competition Series Part 2 – 5km Event on 8^th January 2017
  • Successfully completed 2017/18 HK Marathon Swimming cum Open Water Swimming Competition Series Part 1 – 1.7km Event or 10km Event on 21^st May 2017; or
  • Provide qualified records obtained from any Long Course Swimming Pool – 1,500m swimming competitions organized or sanctioned by HKASA at swimming pool setting from 1st April 2016 to 9^th August 2017.
• Quota of each gender group for the remaining applicants is then assigned on a pro rata basis among the qualified applicants.
• Entrant list will be allotted by drawing if number of qualified applicants exceeds number of quota. Details of drawing will be posted on HKASA website (www.hkasa.org.hk) and New World Harbour Race website (www.hkharbourrace.com. The drawing procedure is open for public viewing.

• Applicants who choose to apply with any records from the “Leisure Groups Time Trial Exemptions” need to pay a HK$20 administration fee by crossed-cheque along with the application form.
• The drawing result of Final Entrant List will be announced on 20^th September 2017 (Wednesday) at 5:00p.m. on the HKASA website (www.hkasa.org.hk) and the New World Harbour Race website (www.hkharbourrace.com) without prior notification.

C.　　Time Trial:

• Applicants without proven records or did not participate in New World Harbour Race 2016 must attend the Time Trial organized by HKASA and pay a Time-Trial fee of HK$100.

Information of Time Trial:

D.　　Collection of Race Kits:

Final entrants should collect the race kits at the scheduled time and location below and submit entry fee. Participation qualification will be forfeited if race kit is not collected on time. All fees, including entry fee, time trial fee and administration fee, will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Racing Group:

A race kit including a baggage bag, a race card, a swimmer’s guide, 3 electronic transponders (2 for wrist, 1 for ankle), a swim cap and a marker pen will be distributed to each participant.

Leisure Group:

A race kit including a baggage bag, a race card, a swimmer’s guide, 1 electronic transponder (for ankle), a swim cap, a marker pen and a tow float will be distributed to each participant.

On race day, participants must mark their race numbers on the left hand side of their back, both arms and back of their hands with the marker pen provided by HKASA (For details please refer to the swimmers’ guide).

Date & Time:

Racing Group:

Leisure Group

E.　　Entry Fee:

HK$230.00 / entry

(Entry fee and Time Trial fee is non-refundable in any circumstances.)

F.　　Awards:

G.　　Swim Caps:

H.　　Electronic Transponders:

1. Racing Group

   Every swimmer will be given 3 electronic transponders (2 for wrist, 1 for ankle), they should be secured on wrist and ankle during the race for result recording. Wrist Electronic Transponders should be returned at the Finishing Center after the race. Participants will be charged for HKD$500 each of the device in case of losing or do not return the transponders.
   If participants did not pay the charge, HKASA reserves the right to forbid the swimmer to participate in the future Harbour Race.
   Ankle Electronic Transponder need not return to Finishing Center.

2. Leisure Group

   Every swimmer will be given 1 electronic transponder, which should be secured on ankle during the race for head counting. Ankle Electronic Transponder need not return to Finishing Center.

I.　　Tow Float:

Every leisure group swimmer will be given a tow float with a designated number, which must be worn throughout the whole race.

J.　　Storage of Belongings:

Participants can store their personal belongings in the baggage bags (provided by HKASA during race kit collection) at the Personal Belongings Deposit Area in Starting Area and collect them at Baggage Claim Area in Finishing Area after the race. Participants shall write down their race numbers on the baggage bags BEFOREHAND. HKASA has no responsibility for any loss or damage to the personal belongings.

Any unclaimed personal belongings will be sent to HKASA office 30 minutes after the end of the race and will be stored temporarily for 7 days. All unclaimed personal belongings will be disposed thereafter.

K.　　Venue Arrangement – Starting and Finishing Area:

1. Participants should follow instructions from the race officials for a smooth operation.
2. No changing facilities will be provided.
3. Shower area is located at the Finishing Area for quick rinsing. Usage of shampoo or toiletries is prohibited.
4. Towels, Slippers, Bottled Water, T-shirt and Souvenir will be provided to swimmers after landing.
5. Drink refills is available at Finishing Area. Please keep the bottles and cups for refill and deposit used containers into recycling bins.
6. Only swimmers, officials and guests are allowed to enter the Starting Area.

L.　　Result Announcement:

M.　　Reminders:

1. Swimmers must wear apparels or put on labels provided by HKASA when attending media events or interviews.
2. Winners and runner-ups must ONLY wear apparels provided by HKASA during the Award Ceremony.

N.　　Rules and Regulations:

1. Swimmer MUST present a valid Race Card issued by the HKASA at the Registration Counter.
2. 1. Racing Group swimmers who are unable to show their THREE electronic transponders, race cards, and their designated swim caps will not be allowed to race.
   2. Leisure Group swimmers who are unable to show their Ankle Electronic Transponder, race cards, their designated swim caps and tow floats will not be allowed to race.
3. All electronic transponders, tow floats, race cards, and swim caps are non-transferable. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
4. 1. During the race, racing group swimmers must wear swim caps, Wrist Electronic Transponder chips and Ankle Electronic Transponder provided by HKASA throughout the whole swimming period. Those who fail to comply will be disqualified.
   2. During the race, leisure group swimmers must wear swim caps, Ankle Electronic Transponder and tow floats provided by HKASA throughout the whole swimming period. Those who fail to comply will be asked to leave the water and be disqualified. Those swimmers should report to the finishing center immediately. Should the swimmer dispose the tow float intentionally, HKASA reserves the right to forbid the swimmer to participate in the future Harbour Race.
5. All leisure group swimmers MUST swim inside the race course. Those outside the Race Course will be guided back to the course by canoes. Those who fail to comply will be requested to leave the water and may be disqualified.
6. If swimmers require assistance from a lifeguard whilst in the water, please float on the back , hold tight the tow float with one hand , raise the other hand and call for help immediately.
7. Swimmers MUST report to the Finishing Centre immediately after the race.
8. To avoid overcrowding, swimmers should leave the pier as quickly as possible after landing.
9. Any swimming activity in the harbour is prohibited after the Race.
10. Swimmers must forfeit their right to participate in the Race and will be requested to leave water by officials if they were unable to reach Buoy 1 within 30 minutes or Finish the race within 50 minutes after the start of each event. They should report to the Finishing Centre immediately after landing and their results will be recorded as “DNF” (Did Not Finish).
11. No swimmer is permitted to use any device that may be an aid to their speed or endurance such as fins and paddles. Nails should be trimmed and not sharp.
12. Swimmers are not allowed to wear any jewelleries.
13. The swimmers must wear only one swimsuit in one or two pieces. Swimwear for both men and women shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor shall extend below the ankle.
14. HKASA has its sole discretion to reject any entry.
15. HKASA has the final decision over all matters not stipulated here in the rules.

O.　　Declaration of Responsibility:

Swimmers should be aware of the fact that open water swimming is a high risk aquatic sport. Swimmers must be aware of the wave and water condition, and consider their participation based on their swimming ability. HKASA will try its best to ensure the safety of all swimmers during the race. However, HKASA and its officials have no responsibility for any injuries and accidents incurred during the race.

Practice in open water prior to the race is highly recommended.

P.　　Race Course:

Q.　　Inclement Weather Arrangement:

• Typhoon Signal No. 1 or above, hoisted before 6:00 a.m. on the race day; Or
• Red/Black Rainstorm Signal; Or
• Occurrence of red tide at the venue; Or
• Any conditions unsuitable for staging the competition.