REGISTERATION IS CURRENTLY FULL FOR THIS EVENT, CONTACT US IF YOU'D LIKE TO BE ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST IF SOMEONE DROPS OUT. Thank You!
x16th Annual Tallchief Open Water Challenge 
DISTANCES:
¼ mile, ½ mile, 1 mile, 2 mile, and 3 mile* swim
(*3-mile entrants must complete the 2-mile course in 1 hr. 10 mins or faster)
Note: Awards for the ¼-mile swim will only be given to those swimmers ages 10 and under.
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 9 am CDT
LOCATION: Tallchief Lake, Zink Ranch, northwest of Sand Springs, Oklahoma
SPONSORED BY: Jenks Community Education and Tulsa Masters Swim Club
EVENT HOST: Tulsa Masters Swim Club (TMSC)
EVENT DIRECTOR: Leslie Moon, swimtallchief@gmail.com
SAFETY OFFICER: TBD
SCHEDULE:
7:15 - 8:15 am: Check in. ALL swimmers are required to check in at the registration table.
8:15 - 8:45 am: Warm up 8:15 to 8:45 am. Lifeguards must be present in boats before swimmers can enter the water.
8:50 am: Mandatory pre-race safety briefing on the beach, just prior to the start of the first wave of swimmers.
9:00 am: Start of the 1/4 mile swim
~ 9:10 am: Start of 1-mile, 2-mile, and 3-mile swims (will start as soon as the 1/4 mile swim is complete).
~ 9:15 am: Start of ½-mile swim.
~10 am-11:00 am: Awards will be given at the Finish Line area as each race is completed.
9:30 - 12:30 pm: post-race breakfast.
VENUE: Tallchief Lake is a private lake on the Zink Ranch property. There will be no outside boat traffic. Expected water temperature greater than 80 degrees.
ELIGIBILITY: Open to swimmers age 9 and above.
PARTICIPANTS OF ALL AGES SHOULD BE PROFICIENT SWIMMERS and CAPABLE OF SWIMMING IN A DEEP, OPEN WATER LAKE.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ONLINE ENTRIES ONLY. NO RACE DAY ENTRIES ACCEPTED. Entries will close at 11:59 pm CDT Sunday, September 8, 2024. Enter by August 1 to guarantee an event shirt.
The event is limited to 165 swimmers.
ENTRY FEE: $43 plus a $5 admin fee.
Entry fee includes a swim cap, t-shirt, finisher medal, and post-event breakfast.
About REFUNDS: Due to the associated cost and effort required to stage this event, no refunds will be issued. This includes, but is not limited to, life situations precluding a pre-paid entrant from starting the event, unforeseeable acts of nature such as thunderstorms, or an unsafe environment resulting in the event's cancellation. There is no rain date.
PARKING: There is plenty of parking available at the Tallchief Lodge. Please note you will walk approximately 1/4 mile downhill to the waterfront. Wear sturdy shoes and allow yourself plenty of time!
COURSE: The swim course is an out-and-back, clock-wise course (buoys on your right) marked by large regatta buoys.
- The ¼-mile swimmers will swim out 1/8 mile and return to the finish.
- The ½-mile swimmers will swim out 1/4 mile and return to the finish.
- The 1-mile swimmers will swim one lap of the entire course.
- The 2-mile swimmers will swim two laps of the entire course.
- The 3-mile swimmers will swim three laps of the entire course.
This is a "chip-timed" event provided by Nexus Timing.
SAFETY: Swimmers must attend the pre-race safety briefing at 8:50 am at the waterfront.
- Swimmers must wear the swim cap provided in the color that designates the event entered. Please notify the event director before race day if you have a latex allergy that prevents you from wearing the provided cap.
- The swim course will be monitored by persons in kayaks and canoes. A rescuer will be stationed in a power boat monitoring the course if an evacuation is necessary.
- A head count by race number of all swimmers entering the water will occur at the start of each wave of swimmers.
SWIMMERS WHO DROP OUT OF THE RACE AFTER A POSITIVE CHECK IN ARE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY AN OFFICIAL AT THE FINISH LINE!! You will also need to turn in your timing chip and ankle strap to that official.
- A First Aid tent will be located at the waterfront.
- Water will be available to participants near the finish line. This also serves as an aid station for swimmers doing multiple laps.
WETSUITS: Wetsuits are not allowed due to the anticipated water temperature exceeding 80 degrees. Please do not enter this event if you cannot complete the swim without a wetsuit.
OTHER EQUIPMENT: While this event is not sanctioned by U.S. Masters Swimming, USA Swimming, or USA Triathlon, it is a swim competition. Swim aids, including, but not limited to, fins, paddles, pull buoys, snorkels, and kick boards, are not allowed. A swimmer may tow a personal safety float, such as the ISHOF, Kiefer SaferSwimmer, or New Wave swim buoy.
AWARDS: All participants will receive a finisher medal after their swim. Awards will be given to top swimmers in each event. Note: Awards for the ¼-mile swim will only be given to those swimmers ages 10 and under. AWARDS WILL NOT BE MAILED!
RESULTS: A link to the final results will be posted on www.okswim.org and www.onlineraceresults.com as soon as possible.
SOCIAL: Post-race breakfast for all participants and volunteers. Spectators can purchase breakfast during online registration.
REMINDERS and OTHER NOTES:
- Participants/spectators/volunteers are only authorized to use the facilities and property within the Tallchief Lake/Facility boundaries.
PLEASE . . . NO RUNNING, JOGGING, RIDING BIKES, WALKING, or HIKING on the roads or trails on the ZINK RANCH PROPERTY.
- PLEASE OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS WHILE ON THE ZINK RANCH ROADS. STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE RANCH FOREMAN!!! Allow plenty of time to arrive, check in, and get to the swim start. It takes longer than you think it will to drive the 4.5 miles to the swim site.
- There is limited spectator space on the peninsula near the start/finish line. Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Participants will have an area near the start/finish line to leave their belongings while swimming.
- Showers will be available following the event in the Tallchief Lodge.
- Please make arrangements to have your children supervised while you are swimming.
- NO SMOKING, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR PETS.
DIRECTIONS to Zink Ranch and Tallchief Lake
- Zink Ranch is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Sand Springs at the termination of Hwy. 97 and the intersection of Rock School Road.
- You will cross a cattle guard at the entrance and see the Rock Fire Dept on your left.
- Continue on to the electronic gate entrance to Zink Ranch. Volunteers will direct you through the gate toward the swim site. Follow the "SWIM" signs.
- Tallchief Lake is located another 4.5 miles from the entrance of Zink Ranch.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
From Tulsa or points east of Tulsa using I-244 West:
Exit 5c LL Tisdale,
North ~ 2.6 mi to Gilcrease Expressway (1st stop light), turn left (west)
West ~ 2.3 mi to stop sign at 41st W. Ave, turn right (north)
North ~ 5.4 mi to ROCK SCHOOL Rd, turn left (west),
(you will see a blue 'Zink Ranch' sign just before this intersection)
West ~ 4.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy 97 and Rock School Road.
Turn right into Zink Ranch.
From south Tulsa using Hwy 75 North:
Exit 5c LL Tisdale, (exit will be on the left as you merge with I-244 East)
North ~ 2.6 mi to Gilcrease Expressway (1st stop light), turn left (west)
West ~ 2.3 mi to stop sign at 41st W. Ave, turn right (north)
North ~ 5.4 mi to ROCK SCHOOL Rd, turn left (west),
(you will see a blue 'Zink Ranch' sign just before this intersection)
West ~ 4.1 miles to the intersection of Hwy 97 and entrance to Zink Ranch
Turn right into Zink Ranch
From Enid/Stillwater (points west of Tulsa via Hwy 64/ 412):
Hwy. 64/ 412 (Cimmaron Turnpike) EAST to 129th West Ave. exit.
Turn Left at the top of the exit to cross over HWY 64/412.
Continue North on Hwy 97, approximately 9.7 miles to the entrance of Zink Ranch.
(The road dead ends at the intersection of Hwy. 97 and Rock School Road)
Continue driving straight ahead
You will cross a cattle guard at the entrance and see the Rock Fire Dept on your left.
From OKC via Turner Turnpike, I-44:
Exit 215, Hwy 97N Sand Springs, go north on HWY 97, approximately 8 miles
Go WEST on HWY 64/412 (Keystone Expressway) toward Stillwater/Enid.
Exit on 129th West Ave.
(You will see a green ZINK RANCH sign just before the exit.)
At the top of the exit, turn left, then right (North) onto Hwy. 97
(The arrow on the sign at the intersection points north to Skiatook, no mention of Zink Ranch)
Drive approximately 9.7 miles north on Hwy. 97 to the entrance of Zink Ranch.
(The road dead ends at the intersection of Hwy. 97 & Rock School Road)
Continue driving straight ahead
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRY!!
