Catfish Crawl Open Water Swim South Bay

About the Catfish Crawl Open Water Swim

Catfish Crawl South Bay will be held at Chesbro Reservoir in 2012 and gives swimmers and triathletes a chance to swim (legally) in one of California's scenic reservoirs. This event is ideal for an open water swim, offering clean water and beautiful surroundings on a warm summer day!  Fresh fruit, burritos and other great gourmet food will be served from our local sponsors. This open water swim creates an athlete experience everyone loves to enjoy!

About Chesbro Reservoir:

The Chesbro Reservoir was formed from the damming of Llagas Creek. The area was frequented by the Mutsun Ohlone Indians for thousands of years before the arrival of the Europeans. Today's reservoir was once part of two Mexican land grants from Mexican Governor Figueroa. The 8,927 acre Rancho Ojo de Agua de la Coche ("pig spring") was granted to Hernandez in 1835 and the 22,283 acre Rancho San Francisco de las Llagas (St. Francis of the wounds) was granted to C. Castro in 1834. The ranchos were eventually acquired by Martin Murphy, an early pioneer of Santa Clara County. By 1860, the lands had been patented to his grandson. The construction of Chesbro Dam in 1955 was part of a countywide effort by water officials to ensure adequate water supplies for the valley's growing population. The new reservoir was named for Elmer J. Chesbro, a local doctor who was president of the South Santa Clara Valley Water Conservation District at the time of its construction. The reservoir which captures water from the Llagas Creek watershed, is used to recharge supplies in underground aquifers to provide water to be pumped from wells for residential, agricultural, and industrial uses.

Registration Includes:

- Branded swim cap
- Custom t-shirt
- Finishers Award 
- Post-race feast
- Race day announcer
- Race results posted on website same day
- Great music

The JAKROO Tri Club Challenge at Catfish Open Water Swim:

Catfish Crawl Open Water Swim Prize Purse: $250
www.triclubchallenge.com

See how your tri club/team and/or swim club/team can WIN at this race and the Championship for 2012!

With $8,500 at stake in the 2012 TCC we look forward to an even better turn out and competition in 2012. The challenge will include all USAP triathlon, duathlon, and swim races in 2012. The total prize purse is $8,500 for the winning tri clubs/teams throughout the race series and championship at The Folsom Triathlon Festival August 18-19, 2012.

Check if I'm Registered: 

Confirm your registration for the Catfish Crawl Open Water Swim on Racemine.

Race Photography:

Race Categories:

-Open to all individuals
-Wetsuit/Non-Wetsuit
-Youth

Schedule of Events

8:00am - 2.4 Mile Wetsuit

8:05am - 2.4 Mile Non-Wetsuit

9:25am - 500 yard Adult/Youth Wetsuit and Non-Wetsuit

9:35am - 1.2 Mile Youth (17 and under)

10:00am - 1.2 Mile Wetsuit

10:05am - 1.2 Mile Non-Wetsuit

Course Map & Details

All swims are deep water start and will go off in the following waves above.

Courses will all be counter clockwise in direction and will follow the large yellow and orange neon buoys around the 500 yard, 1.2 mile and 2.4 mile courses.

The large yellow buoys will be major turns on the 1.2 and 2.4 mile courses. The 2 mile participants will complete the course twice and all 1 and 2 mile swims will finish on the boat ramp.

The 500 yard youth swimmers will have a course marked with smaller orange buoys and each major turn will be a muscle milk orange buoy and lifeguards directing participants arond each of the two turns. This swim will finish on the boat ramp as well.

1.2 & 2.4 Mile Swim Course - Click here
500 yard Swim Course - Click here

Packet Pick-up:

Packet pickup will be on race day July 21st, please come early to get yourself ready for your swim events.

Driving Directions to :

From San Francisco and the Peninsula: Take 280 or 101 South towards San Jose. Take Highway 85 South towards Gilroy. Take the Bernal Road exit and make a Right hand turn. Proceed straight on Bernal. Left on Santa Teresa. Right on Bailey. At the top of Bailey, make a Left on McKean Road. Follow McKean Road for 10 miles. McKean Road turns into Uvas Road. Turn left onto Oak Glen Road and proceed 1/8 mile to Chesbro Reservoir on your right. Allow for 2 hours travel time.

From the East Bay: Take 680 towards San Jose, then get on 101 South towards Los Angeles. Take the Bernal Road exit. Turn Right on Bernal Road. Left on Santa Teresa. Right on Bailey. At the top of Bailey, make a Left on McKean Road. Turn Left on McKean Road. Follow McKean Road for 10 miles. McKean Road turns into Uvas Road. Turn left onto Oak Glen Road and proceed 1/8 mile to Chesbro Reservoir on your right side of the road. Allow for 1.5 hours travel time.

From the South (Hwy. 101): Take Highway 101 North to San Martin. Exit on San Martin. Proceed West to Business 101 North turn Right and proceed North about 2.5 miles to Watsonville Road. Turn Left on Watsonville Road. Proceed about 5 miles and turn Right on Sunnyside Ave and left on Sycamore Dr.  Sycamore will merge onto Oak Glen to the right. Proceed on Oak Glen for 3 miles and Chesbro Reservoir will be on your left. 

From the South (I5): Take I 5 North to 152. Exit West and proceed to Highway 101 in Gilroy. Enter 101 North and proceed North about 2.5 miles to Watsonville Road. Turn Left on Watsonville Road. Proceed about 5 miles and turn Right on Uvas Road. Proceed to Oak Glen Road (approx 3 miles) and turn right. Proceed 1/8 mile to Chesbro Reservoir on your right.

Parking: 

TBD

Chip Timing:

This race will be timed using chip transpoders. Upon checking in you will receive a chip that is traditionally worn on the ankle. It is the athlete's responsibility to wear the chip during the entire race, if you do not wear the chip you will NOT be timed and you will not get your splits! If your part of a 2-person or 3-person relay team it is each individual sole responsibility to hand the chip off to teammates inside the Transition Area.

The Athlete is also 100% totally responsible for the return of the chip, our waiver will have a disclaimer that must be signed that states you the athlete must return the chip or be billed accordingly by our timing company. It is the racers responsibility to make sure if you cannot attend the race that the chip will be returned within 7- business days to USA Productions LLC.

Event Insurance:

All participants, sponsors, vendors, and park staff will be covered under our A rated insuarance Policy.

Important Information

RACE DAY REGISTRATION IS OPEN.  DON'T MISS THIS GREAT EVENT! TELL A FELLOW SWIMMER!

Please be safe and courteous throughout the race. You will NOT be disqualified for assistance, stopping or holding onto lifeguard support!  Have Fun. We look forward to seeing you on race day!

Race Results

Get your results for past races: USA Productions Results

Travel & Hotels:

To make travel plans and book your hotel, and for other great travel opportunities, visit:
www.usaproductions.org/travel

Contact USA Productions:

www.usaproductions.org/contactus

Signed Up But Can't Race: Policies: Cancellation / Credit Policies / Chip Return