EVENT UPDATE:
2020, 2021, 2022 Cap 2k Swims have been cancelled. We are crossing fingers that 2023 will be virus-clear and we can proceed. Tentative date: April 20, 2023
Dear Swim Friends,
It is with frustration, sadness, and regret that we have had to cancel the 2020, 2021, and now the 2022 Cap 2k. Even as we become more hopeful of the virus load decreasing by April, it just couldn't be assured in time for our Cap 2k staff & volunteer planning & event preparation deadlines. The unpredictability of this virus, and the random and sometimes devastating effects the variants have had on so many people, cause us to continue to proceed with caution.
We very much appreciate the support you’ve shown and the words of encouragement as we’ve worked to figure this out. Wishing safety & health to you and your families. Hope to see you at one of our OTHER W.I.N. EVENTS!
Respectfully,
Sandy Neilson-Bell, Event Coordinator
Dr. Keith Bell, Event Director
Dear Swim Friends,
It is with frustration, sadness, and regret that we have had to cancel the 2020, 2021, and now the 2022 Cap 2k. Even as we become more hopeful of the virus load decreasing by April, it just couldn't be assured in time for our Cap 2k staff & volunteer planning & event preparation deadlines. The unpredictability of this virus, and the random and sometimes devastating effects the variants have had on so many people, cause us to continue to proceed with caution.
We very much appreciate the support you’ve shown and the words of encouragement as we’ve worked to figure this out. Wishing safety & health to you and your families. Hope to see you at one of our OTHER W.I.N. EVENTS!
Respectfully,
Sandy Neilson-Bell, Event Coordinator
Dr. Keith Bell, Event Director
Race details
What: A 2000 meter open water swim right down the center of Austin. The only downhill swimming race in Texas. One of the only times swimming is allowed in Lady Bird Lake. Enjoy the flora and fauna as you wait for the start.
Where: Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. Start: Red Bud Isle / Finish: Texas Rowing Center dock.
When: This year's race has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings. Date of 2021 Cap 2k is April 25.
Why: For fun, health & fitness, to promote clean water & water conservation, to promote open water swimming, and to raise money for Colin's Hope for their "pre-k swim lesson program" and to help Us TOO International to fight Prostate Cancer through their programs of support, education, awareness & advocacy.
The usual information . . .
Packet Pickup: will be held at SwimFreak swim shop on Friday, April 24th or Saturday, April 25th. SwimFreak swim shop is located in the Brodie Oaks Center at 4032 S. Lamar Blvd. Ste. 500. Austin, TX 78704. Please note: all swimmers are required to check-in at Packet Pickup.
Timeline:
Spectator Info: View the entire swim, start to finish, from the MoPac Pedestrian Bridge or other spots along the lake —OR— enjoy the race cruise on the Capital Cruises double-decker electric boat.
Divisions: Men / Women / Youth / Wetsuit / High School / First Responder
Awards: Cap 2k distinctive award given to top 3 in each division, overall h.s. team award, 1st finisher name engraved on perpetual trophy, no awards in wetsuit category.
Age determination: For youth and masters divisions a swimmer’s age as of April 30, 2023 will determine age group.
Eligibility: Open to adult swimmers 18 and older, Youth 12-14, High School.
2023 American Swimming Association Membership: Register with ASA and enjoy "discounted event fees" on 8 event days in 2023: Cap 2k, Deep Eddy Mile, Lake Travis Relay, Highland Lakes Challenge (5 days) in 2023. Registration is $25 for the calendar year. You may register with your online entry. ASA is separate from other bodies such as: USA Swimming, USMS, USTA, etc.
Safety: Safety is our prime consideration. While there is not a qualifying standard for this event, you should have previously completed a mile swim in 40 minutes or faster. You should be healthy and in reasonably fit swimming shape. The Cap 2k is not the time to test your open water swimming skills. If you have any doubts about your ability to complete the swim in under an hour, you should not participate. There will be a 1-hour hard deadline for the swim after which swimmers will be pulled in order to clear the course.
Rules:
ASA Open Water rules and regulations will govern this event. No drafting. No fins, snorkels, heart monitors, wrist watches, or artificial aids permitted. (1) regulation suit, cap (event cap), and goggles only. No cameras or any other items (other than suit, cap, and goggles) permitted with or on your person.
The Cap 2k entry provides participants: Opportunity to swim in Lady Bird Lake, a "Winning Isn't Normal®" Cap 2k t-shirt, mug & swim cap, lunch from local vendors, lifeguards, emergency support, insurance, participant packet, priority purchase on additional race shirts, and extraordinary swimming fun, & more.
Post-race Picnic & Awards: Celebrate with post-race finishers at the after-race picnic held across from Texas Rowing Center near the clothes pickup. Participants will be served lunch (included in entry fee) from local favorites: Maudie's Tex-Mex, ThunderCloud Subs, and Jim-Jim's Water-Ice.
T-Shirts: A "Winning Isn't Normal®" Cap 2k T-shirt is included with on-time entries. Please designate your t-shirt size. Additional t-shirts may be pre-ordered on the entry form. Late entrants are not guaranteed a t-shirt.
Cap 2k Cruise for friends, family, coaches and fans: Available through online registration page. The 2023 Cap 2k Cruise provides a unique glimpse of the race. Your friends, family, and fans can view the race and see an incredible variety of flora and fauna from Lady Bird Lake from the Capital Cruises' Double-decker Boat. The cruise is: $15 for adults & $10 for ages 4-11. (3&u free with Adult) Space is limited. Tickets are available via registration link, must be prepaid and are available on a first-come basis.
Guest Lunch Tickets: guest lunch tickets available via online registration link.
ENTRY DEADLINES & FEES: Reduced fees on all 2023 ASA Events for ASA Members. Last-minute registrants not guaranteed a shirt.
Water temperature: While 69-72 degrees has been a historical average in this lake, and is a nice temperature range for most open-water swimmers, depending on fluctuating weather patterns and the possible resulting release of water from the upper lakes, we have experienced temperatures as low as 63 degrees. In contrast, there has also been a surprisingly hot year where the temperatures was between 78-80 degrees.
If you are not used to water on the cold range, it is highly recommended that you prepare for the temperature conditions ahead of time with regular swims in similar or colder water.
All fees are non-refundable. Race funding expenses unfortunately cannot be unspent. If you are unable to participate in the race for any reason or there are dangerous conditions which cause cancellation of the race, there are no refunds, transfers, or deferrals. Participant fees are invested into the cost of staging the event which includes an inordinate amount of energy and pre-event expense such as: planning & arranging course logistics, vendors, Lake Authority communications, permitting, insurance costs, marketing, equipment, crew & volunteer organization, boat expenses, re-stocking or other cancellation losses, shirts, awards, other goodies — not to mention organizers & sponsors time & stress making these arrangements & jumping through various hoops re: same.
Your organizers do highly respect the "swim under any condition" attitude of most open water swimmers and as many of you already know we do our best to provide the opportunity for our race participants to swim. Should extreme weather be a factor, our first step is always to postpone the start time of the race that morning within the limit permitted by conditions and venue permissions.
For Questions contact: info@Cap2k.com
Dr. Keith Bell, Race Director • 512-327-2260
Sandy Neilson, Coordinator • 512-327-0955
Where: Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. Start: Red Bud Isle / Finish: Texas Rowing Center dock.
When: This year's race has been cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings. Date of 2021 Cap 2k is April 25.
Why: For fun, health & fitness, to promote clean water & water conservation, to promote open water swimming, and to raise money for Colin's Hope for their "pre-k swim lesson program" and to help Us TOO International to fight Prostate Cancer through their programs of support, education, awareness & advocacy.
The usual information . . .
Packet Pickup: will be held at SwimFreak swim shop on Friday, April 24th or Saturday, April 25th. SwimFreak swim shop is located in the Brodie Oaks Center at 4032 S. Lamar Blvd. Ste. 500. Austin, TX 78704. Please note: all swimmers are required to check-in at Packet Pickup.
- Friday, TBA @ 10:00a to 6:00p
- Saturday, TBA @ 10:00a to 3:00p.
Timeline:
- 7:45-8:45 a.m. — Check-in at Red Bud Isle
- 8:50 a.m. — Mandatory Swimmer Briefing
- 9:30 a.m. — Swimmers allowed in water
- 10:00 a.m. — Race Start
- 11:00 a.m. — Race Ends
- 10:40-12:00 — Post Race Picnic & Awards (See new location)
Spectator Info: View the entire swim, start to finish, from the MoPac Pedestrian Bridge or other spots along the lake —OR— enjoy the race cruise on the Capital Cruises double-decker electric boat.
Divisions: Men / Women / Youth / Wetsuit / High School / First Responder
Awards: Cap 2k distinctive award given to top 3 in each division, overall h.s. team award, 1st finisher name engraved on perpetual trophy, no awards in wetsuit category.
Age determination: For youth and masters divisions a swimmer’s age as of April 30, 2023 will determine age group.
Eligibility: Open to adult swimmers 18 and older, Youth 12-14, High School.
2023 American Swimming Association Membership: Register with ASA and enjoy "discounted event fees" on 8 event days in 2023: Cap 2k, Deep Eddy Mile, Lake Travis Relay, Highland Lakes Challenge (5 days) in 2023. Registration is $25 for the calendar year. You may register with your online entry. ASA is separate from other bodies such as: USA Swimming, USMS, USTA, etc.
Safety: Safety is our prime consideration. While there is not a qualifying standard for this event, you should have previously completed a mile swim in 40 minutes or faster. You should be healthy and in reasonably fit swimming shape. The Cap 2k is not the time to test your open water swimming skills. If you have any doubts about your ability to complete the swim in under an hour, you should not participate. There will be a 1-hour hard deadline for the swim after which swimmers will be pulled in order to clear the course.
Rules:
ASA Open Water rules and regulations will govern this event. No drafting. No fins, snorkels, heart monitors, wrist watches, or artificial aids permitted. (1) regulation suit, cap (event cap), and goggles only. No cameras or any other items (other than suit, cap, and goggles) permitted with or on your person.
- Suit Rule: A swimmer may wear only one suit. Swim suits shall not cover a man's body higher than the top of the pelvic bone or the belly button and shall not cover any part of the body below the top of the knee. Swim suits shall not cover a woman's body outside the shoulder-joints or above the shoulder-line and shall not cover the any part of the body below mid-thigh. The material of suits may consist only of cotton, lycra, nylon, polyester, and spandex. Any swimmer wishing to compete in a suit constructed of other materials must apply to ASA for permission in writing ~ ~ If you have any questions about the suit rule please contact: Dr. Keith Bell, Race Director at 512-327-2260.
The Cap 2k entry provides participants: Opportunity to swim in Lady Bird Lake, a "Winning Isn't Normal®" Cap 2k t-shirt, mug & swim cap, lunch from local vendors, lifeguards, emergency support, insurance, participant packet, priority purchase on additional race shirts, and extraordinary swimming fun, & more.
Post-race Picnic & Awards: Celebrate with post-race finishers at the after-race picnic held across from Texas Rowing Center near the clothes pickup. Participants will be served lunch (included in entry fee) from local favorites: Maudie's Tex-Mex, ThunderCloud Subs, and Jim-Jim's Water-Ice.
T-Shirts: A "Winning Isn't Normal®" Cap 2k T-shirt is included with on-time entries. Please designate your t-shirt size. Additional t-shirts may be pre-ordered on the entry form. Late entrants are not guaranteed a t-shirt.
Cap 2k Cruise for friends, family, coaches and fans: Available through online registration page. The 2023 Cap 2k Cruise provides a unique glimpse of the race. Your friends, family, and fans can view the race and see an incredible variety of flora and fauna from Lady Bird Lake from the Capital Cruises' Double-decker Boat. The cruise is: $15 for adults & $10 for ages 4-11. (3&u free with Adult) Space is limited. Tickets are available via registration link, must be prepaid and are available on a first-come basis.
Guest Lunch Tickets: guest lunch tickets available via online registration link.
ENTRY DEADLINES & FEES: Reduced fees on all 2023 ASA Events for ASA Members. Last-minute registrants not guaranteed a shirt.
- "Early-Bird" rec'd by 11:59p Sat. 3/14 — Fee $109 / ASA Member Discounted Fee $94
- "On-Time" rec'd Sun. 3/15 through Sunday. 4/12 — Fee $125 / ASA Member Discounted Fee $109
- Last-minute" rec'd Mon. 4/13 through Race Day (if avail) — Fee $140
Water temperature: While 69-72 degrees has been a historical average in this lake, and is a nice temperature range for most open-water swimmers, depending on fluctuating weather patterns and the possible resulting release of water from the upper lakes, we have experienced temperatures as low as 63 degrees. In contrast, there has also been a surprisingly hot year where the temperatures was between 78-80 degrees.
If you are not used to water on the cold range, it is highly recommended that you prepare for the temperature conditions ahead of time with regular swims in similar or colder water.
All fees are non-refundable. Race funding expenses unfortunately cannot be unspent. If you are unable to participate in the race for any reason or there are dangerous conditions which cause cancellation of the race, there are no refunds, transfers, or deferrals. Participant fees are invested into the cost of staging the event which includes an inordinate amount of energy and pre-event expense such as: planning & arranging course logistics, vendors, Lake Authority communications, permitting, insurance costs, marketing, equipment, crew & volunteer organization, boat expenses, re-stocking or other cancellation losses, shirts, awards, other goodies — not to mention organizers & sponsors time & stress making these arrangements & jumping through various hoops re: same.
Your organizers do highly respect the "swim under any condition" attitude of most open water swimmers and as many of you already know we do our best to provide the opportunity for our race participants to swim. Should extreme weather be a factor, our first step is always to postpone the start time of the race that morning within the limit permitted by conditions and venue permissions.
For Questions contact: info@Cap2k.com
Dr. Keith Bell, Race Director • 512-327-2260
Sandy Neilson, Coordinator • 512-327-0955
All information subject to change.
All fees are non-refundable.
All fees are non-refundable.
