The #SwimSafe LADYBUG PROJECT

Become an “official” unofficial #Ladybug or #Landshark by signing the #LadybugProject pledge and waiver below! Then meet up with us anytime for a #SkylineSwim at Ohio Street Beach in Chicago!

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DO YOU ALREADY HAVE A BUOY?
You can learn more about our #SwimSafe initiative, and record your official #Ladybug or #Landshark number if you received a buoy from Coach Chris by completing the waiver here…

SIGN THE LADYBUG PLEDGE HERE:

https://tinyurl.com/ladybug-signup

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WHAT IS THE #SWIMSAFE PLEDGE?
We simply ask that you join us by signing a pledge to practice basic open water swim safety principles of:
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1) #SwimSafe VISIBILITY – Always be visible when swimming for distance in open water (use a bright swim camp and buoy), and
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2) #BuddySystem CAMARADERIE – Always swim with others around/aware for safety & #BuddySystem accountability , and
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3) #SwimLikeALady #RaceLikeAShark SPORTSMANSHIP & MANTRA
Always look out for and be supportive of others in open water… #SwimLikeALady to be courteous, and #MakeNoSmallPlans take on new challenges headfirst so that you can build the confidence (and help others) to eventually build your fitness and speed to #RaceLikeAShark too!
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WHAT IS THE #TryATri PLEDGE?
The #TryATri pledge is simply a pledge to practice safe open water swimming, and become a good ambassador of the sport to then inspire someone else to get into the sport of triathlon and #TryATri themselves!

The #SwimSafe #LadybugProject was started by Coach Chris in 2019 as he was completing his 100th outdoor triathlon (achieved while attempting an unprecedented “quintuple” Chicago Triathlon challenge!).

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Coach Chris decided to celebrate his 100th triathlon achievement by offering 100 free swim buoys to anyone, simply to #PassItOn and encourage open water swim safety… all in hopes that it might inspire 100 new people to get into the sport of triathlon down the road!

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Whether you’re an experienced open water swimmer, or a beginner, wearing a bright buoy anytime you swim in open water helps for several reasons including:

1. AVOIDANCE – to make you more visible to other swimmers (to avoid collisions)
2. SURVEILLANCE – to make you more visible to lifeguards (in case of emergencies)
3. VISIBILITY – to make you more visible to boaters and watercraft (to avoid accidents)
4. SAFETY – to serve as a flotation aid when treading water (to build endurance)
5. FUN – to take the intimidation out of open water swimming with a little bit of extra fun!

The #LadybugProject #SwimSafe initiative provides completely FREE “ladybug” swim buoys to anyone who joins Coach Chris for an open water swim or group workout! Find Coach Chris at various communities of open water swimmers and triathletes in Chicago including TEAM TO END AIDS (T2), CHICAGO TRI CLUB (CTC), TRI312, BFF BIKES, TRIDOT, Chicago IronMonster, and the MetabolicAthlete 4 STAR CLUB… to name a few! with one caveat… you have to agree to “pass it on” by giving the buoy to someone else within a year of receiving it, to encourage open water swimming safety, camaraderie, and develop new friendships through open water swimming!

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To join in open water swim meetups, check out our #SkylineSwim and #IronMonster meetups by joining us on TeamReach.com under group code “SkylineSwim“

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Become a #Ladybug!
To receive a free buoy, you just have to exhibit the courage to show up for an open water swim! Yes, that’s right… simply meet us for a #SkylineSwim at #OhioStreetBeach! Start by joining our TeamReach.com phone app under group code “SkylineSwim” to find out about our next swim meetup – and then ask around for Coach Chris Navin as he usually always carries a spare swim buoy!

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#SkylineSwim #Landsharks
We also give out #LandShark buoys as a “rite of passage” to those who have completed a full 1-mile #SkylineSwim and have displayed true speed and endurance in order to be recognized as #ScaryFast monsters of the high seas!

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#Ladybugs vs. #Landsharks Challenge
We also host fun & silly practice swim starts where #Ladybug swimmers get a 44-second head start and #Landshark buoys chase after them! We always encourage our swimmers to act courteously, and build confidence over time to race aggressively through our shared mantra… “SWIM LIKE A LADY, and RACE LIKE A SHARK!”

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The Legendary #IronMonsterSwim
Other annual traditions include conquering the legendary 2.4+ mile #IronMonster swim… a true rite of passage for any Iron-distance triathlete, or swimmer building up towards a major swim like the annual Chicago Big Shoulders swim in September!

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Other ways to get involved:

• Follow our news & events via @Tri312triathlon and @4StarEndurance on social media

• Check the 4 STAR ENDURANCE website calendar

• Sign up for notifications on the bottom of this page below
• Follow us on facebook and check here for upcoming events.
• Join our email list, or
• Join the Strava Group to stay tuned for upcoming events where we might be giving out buoys

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…then just show up and ask COACH CHRIS NAVIN for a free buoy! Once you receive a ladybug buoy (or if you are interested in one), please SIGN THE WAIVER FORM on our website (above) to take the pledge to #SwimSafe with the #BuddySystem and #PayItForward!

JOIN OUR STRAVA GROUPS HERE:

TRI312 Chicago Triathlon Clubs and Communities (powered by 4 Star Endurance) @ https://www.strava.com/clubs/4star

and

Chicago’s Lakeshore Landsharks and Ladybugs @ https://www.strava.com/clubs/LandsharksLadybugs:

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SUPPORT & PROMOTE SWIM SAFETY

BECOME A Tri312 or 4 STAR CLUB MEMBER or LADYBUG SUPPORTER!

To support the #LadybugProject initiative, you can help us continue to provide free swim buoys to anyone willing to simply show up, “pay it forward”, and exhibit goodwill towards other swimmers!

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Consider joining the Tri312 Lakeshore Landshark Club or the 4 Star Endurance’s 4 STAR ATHLETE CLUB to enjoy team perks, exclusive discounts on training, racing, and various club partners – proceeds from every membership help us provide 1 swim buoy for an athlete + 1 more to encourage a new person to get into open water swimming too!

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Financial support is never expected, but always appreciated to help us continue to inspire others to #SwimSafe… so THANK YOU for any support!!!

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Instead of donating to us directly, you can donate to any of our fundraisers that go to support our local charity program partners like TEAM TO END AIDS (T2) and national non-profit initiatives like the USAT FOUNDATION. Donate at http://www.4StarEndurance.com/charity anytime!

OPTION 4: DIRECT SUPPORT
Consider showing support to help us provide more free swim buoys, programs, and events with a direct contribution of any amount:
PAYPAL SUPPORT 4 STAR PROGRAMS

OPEN WATER COLD SWIM TIPS

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!
Subscribe to our 4STAR YouTube Channel and the new TRI312 YouTube Channel for tips and videos on open water swimming, triathlon training, and more!

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DONATE TO THE USA TRIATHLON (USAT) FOUNDATION
For every donation of $29.80 to our USA TRIATHLON FOUNDATION fundraiser, we’ll provide a free open water swim buoy to anyone who shows up at any of our open water swims or meetups!

DONATE HERE:
www.4starendurance.com/charity

OPTION 1: JOIN THE TRI312 COMMUNITY

• A fun community of athletes from BFF BIKES, Lakeshore Landsharks, and great value with team discounts, meetups & race day perks
• Free 4 Star Endurance TrainingPeaks training plans towards a triathlon
• Chance to earn annual team swag at team meetups and events!
• We’ll provide an open water swim buoy to you and/or any athlete who joins us for a swim!

OPTION 2: JOIN THE 4 STAR CLUB

• TrainingPeaks PREMIUM upgrade + unlimited Training Plans
• Up to 4x annual coach consults and discounts on private coaching and training including OPEN WATER SWIM LESSONS!

OPEN WATER SWIM GEAR DISCOUNT

WANT A BETTER SWIM BUOY?
In addition to the basic free swim buoys, we work with sponsors and partners to provide discounts on open water swim gear, including various types of swim buoys above and beyond the basic “mini” ladybug style buoys. So if you’re looking for more robust and reliable buoys that include a “drybag” compartment, “easy inflate” valve, or even a built-in “hydration system” or “LED light” feature, be sure to join our email list and/or join our Tri312 LAKESHORE LANDSHARK TRI CLUB or 4 STAR CLUB to receive promotional discounts on swim buoys and open water swim gear, including 30% off all gear at ZONE3 using our special team discount code!

OTHER GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
Need some great open water swimming gear – check out our gear page!

OPEN WATER LINKS & RESOURCES

Check out these other great open water resources:

CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT (CPD) BEACHES
cpdbeaches.com

#CHITRI “OPEN WATER SWIM (OWS) CHICAGO”
openwaterswimchicago.com

OPEN WATER CHICAGO (OWC)
openwaterchicago.com