The Enduroman Arc to Arc Triathlon

The Enduroman Arch to Arc is the most gruelling and the most challenging endurance event known to man.

This is a solo challenge that will test the body and mind of the most experienced ultra endurance athletes on the planet.  The event starts with an 84 mile run from London's Marble Arch to the Dover coast, then the athlete must swim across the English Channel to the French coast, and finally the athlete finishes with a 184 mile bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
For this challenge, the clock starts at Marble Arch and stops at Arc de Triomphe.

The Triathlon that tests your physical and mental endurance to the very limits............

Registration Process

1. Contact Enduroman and inform the team of your interest by emailing Steve Haywood at enduroman4@hotmail.co.uk.  
Do not attempt to book a boat pilot yourself!! Athletes will need to inform Enduroman of the date that they wish to make the attempt.  The available dates are displayed on the future challengers webpage.

2. Athletes will then need to make a non-refundable deposit payment of £600 GBP and return the Enduroman contract before confirmation can be made.  Athletes will have 2 weeks to return the contract and the pay the deposit before their chosen date can be offered to somebody else. The deposit is non-returnable and non-refundable.

3. There are 2 neap tides per month.  Enduroman will only offer No.1 or No.2 swimmers position on these tides.  Only one athlete can book an attempt at the Enduroman A2A on each neap tide.  It is possible to swim on a spring tide if you are an experienced open water swimmer.  Please email us so that special arrangements can be made if possible.

4. If you intend to wear a wetsuit or if you are in a relay, the ideal months are June, July, August and September.  If you are swimming non-wetsuit, the ideal months are July, August and September only.

5. The Enduroman Arch to Arc entry fee for the 2009/10/11 seasons will be £1800 (deposit £600).  The boat pilot fees are separate from Enduroman.  After your contract and deposit has been received you will be put in contact with you boat pilot. You will be required to sign a further contract with him / her.  Expect to pay in the region £2100 for your boat pilot.  The challenger will also fund the expenses of the Enduroman representative throughout the challenge (food / accommodation). The Enduroman Arch to Arc is a major financial commitment.  Expect to pay in the region of £5000 for all your expenses. 

6. Enduroman has a boat based in Weymouth.  This facility enables challengers to use the safety boat piloted by one of the Enduroman team for all of their key swims whilst training for the challenge.  Athletes who chose to use these unique and valuable services are required to pay an additional £200 for year. You will gain expert knowledge and coaching from somebody who has completed the Arch to Arc.

Enduroman Arch 2 Arc Rules, Terms & Conditions

The contract is made between the Applicant and Enduroman Ltd. for the supply of expert knowledge, route guidance, official observation and ratification of the Enduroman Arch to Arc in accordance with the conditions of the event.
 

Although Enduroman may initially arrange for your allocated swim slot, it is your responsibility to make the necessary application to your boat pilot to authenticate your Channel swim/crossing and to ensure that you and all members of your team (if in a relay) are medically fit for the challenge.  Medical declaration forms must be returned to Enduroman before 31st March in the year of their attempt.

All deposits are non-returnable (and non transferable unless agreed by Enduroman). If the event is cancelled due to Enduroman Ltd or bad weather our maximum liability will only be the refund of any deposits/fees already paid to us directly for our services including expenses.  
 

All balances must be paid in full before 2nd January in the year of their attempt.

Enduroman Ltd will start the clock at the Marble Arch London and stop the clock at the Arc de Triomphe Paris on your arrival. The clock will not be stopped for any reason unless the challenge is aborted.

If in the event of a road closure, or any other incident of unforeseen circumstance that adds distance onto the routes, the finishing time will remain the same with no time being subtracted.

The athlete, support crew or any other relevant persons must follow all instructions given by the Enduroman official.

The cut off time for the event is exactly 7 days.  If the swim is delayed by considerable time in Dover, athletes may chose to miss the swim and attempt the bike stage.  Athletes may return after the bike stage and attempt the swim as long as it can be completed within 7 days from the start of the event, however this would not be classed as a successful A2A attempt.  In the event of severe bad weather after the run, with no good weather forecasted for several days, athletes may chose to start the event again on another date.  All monies would be returned to the athlete minus the £600 deposit and any new challenge would require a fresh application. 

Athletes will start the run stage no longer than 48 hours before their predicted swim start time.

Athletes may have a maximum of 12 hours recovery from the end of the swim until the start of the bike stage.

Their will only be one support vehicle with the athlete at any one time on courses which will consist of a maximum of driver, co-driver, feeder and the Enduroman official .  Other vehicles including supporters or film crews may use their own vehicles but must not obstruct the event and must follow any instructions given by Enduroman concerning the event.

Only 2 support crew members will be allowed on the boat. 

Enduroman Ltd official observer will be with you throughout the challenge to ensure the routes and mode of travel along those routes are adhered to. The observer and team will also act as witnesses to your achievement.

If for any reason the attempt fails Enduroman Ltd can in no way be held responsible.

Enduroman Ltd has the final say in all matters of safety.

Enduroman Ltd has the final say in calling a stop to the attempt.

If you do not succeed with the first Arch to  Arc attempt and decide to make any other attempt you will make it through Enduroman Ltd.

You, your business or any one associated with you or your business will not attempt to take athletes on a London to Paris Challenge or a Challenge very similar to the one you are attempting with Enduroman Ltd.

All reports to the media relevant to the Enduroman Arch to Arc before during and after the challenge will mention Enduroman Ltd and its support.

Publicity and promotion of photo’s Films etc relevant to the Enduroman Arch to Arc Challenge will shared equally between us to promote our companies.

The use of the Enduroman logos may be used only with the permission of Enduroman Ltd.

Enduroman will be informed of all press released before publication.

The event will be referred to on all publications including websites at the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon.  Under no circumstances shall the event be referred to as just the Arch to Arc.

All decisions regarding the event, including timings and welfare of the athlete will only be made between Enduroman, the athlete and the boat pilot.

The Channel Swimming & Pilot Federation Terms and Conditions

The CS&PF is a Governing body for English Channel swimming and is
officially recognised by both the British and French authorities as such.
We are a member of the ASA, CCPR (Central Council Physical Recreation)
and UK Sport. Our registration is as a Governing Body of English
Channel Swimming. We have the same recognition other sporting
organisations worldwide.

The CS&PF is now by far the biggest organisation reference English
Channel Swimming. Our office database holds a comprehensive list of all
English Channel swims the have been ratified by a recognised organisation.
It includes the latest list of the swimming records for all the ratified swim attempts since Captain Webb in August 1875.
The Federation is run by volunteers - not paid staff - to help swimmers realise their dreams of attempting to swim the English Channel.

While we do our best to manage things efficiently, please remember that we all have other work to do and full time businesses to run or jobs to go to.
If the CS&PF were run on paid staff and with its own office premises and
equipment the fees it would have to charge to survive would have to be
much higher and Channel swimming would become "out of reach" for the
majority of its participants.

Please also understand that Channel Swimming is an “extreme” sport and
as such safety has to come first, second and third. There is a reason for the rules we work under and the paperwork we request to make your swim
attempt as safe as possible. You have a "Duty of Care" to yourself and your team to be as 'best prepared' as possible and understand the task you are taking on.

Make sure you understand how the pilots work and what their terms of business are as laid out in their contracts. The pilot will advise you of their fees, payment methods and when the deposits need to be paid by.
Your pilots swim contract is an agreement between you and the pilot - they are all running their own businesses.
Keep a copy of the contract in your swim file.

You should keep a copy of everything in a personal file for future reference. The CS&PF registration and swim fees are a separate item to your pilots fees. The office will send out the CS&PF paperwork to swimmers that are registered with us at the end of December in the year before your swim booking. This is usually by e-mail to the e-mail address you supply us with. All the paperwork must be completed in the year of your swim. The Channel Swimming season is usually from late June to the end of September/ beginning of October

SWIM PERIODS
We often get asked, "When is the best time to swim"?
This is a complicated question to answer.
In June and early July the water is still warming up and can be anything
around the 15°C to 16°C (59 to 61°F) mark - but the days are longer and
the air temperature usually a lot warmer.
At the end of July beginning of August the water is warming up - around
the 17°C (62°F) and the air temperature is still good but the weather can
be unsettled.
End of August and beginning of September the water should be about
18°C to 19°C - but the days are getting shorter and the air temperature is
often dropping to the 15°C 58°F mark.
At the end of September the water is usually at its warmest but the days
are short and the air temperature during daylight is often around the same
as the water temperature or lower. The nights are cold.
A quick summery is that no time is a good time and you cannot predict what is going to happen with the weather much more than a couple of days in advance at any time. Just "Hope for best and prepare/ expect the worst."
That’s Channel swimming.

As a guide, most of the pilot/escort boat fees for the 2009 season are
being set at around £2100 to £2150 for a 1-way crossing -
The non-returnable deposit of £1000.
If you are booking for more than a season in advance there is often a £250 non-returnable reservation fee. This is credited as part of your deposit. Each pilot sets his/her own fees. These are not controlled by the CS&PF in any way.

From June 2007 onwards the pilots decided that bookings that are more than 12 months away will require at lest a non-returnable £250 booking fee.
This will be counted as part of the swim fee deposit for the swim you book
but paid when you confirm you want to have a position reserved.
Sorry but they have had to do this as so many swimmers are booking
places years in advance then dropping out and not saying anything until
the last moment. (42 swims cancelled in 2006 - 43 in 2007 - 45 in 2008 ).
Places are at a premium and prime positions sought after years in advance.
It is unfair to both the pilots and serious swimmers to book in advance
and then decide not to swim - and not tell the pilot of any change in
circumstance. Please remember that the pilot will be loosing the balance
of any swim fee if you cancel at a late date. Please keep them informed of
any problems that may arise.
Once you have sorted out your pilot's deposit and contract you should
contact the office so that they can add you to your pilots swim list.
These lists are used to send out the CS&PF application and medical forms.
They are sent out at the end of December in the year before your swim
as the paperwork has to be completed in the year of the swim.
The forms are updated yearly to keep in pace with new requirements and
only the current forms for the year can be used. Old forms from prior years will not be accepted.

Reference the pilot contracts:
All the pilots have slightly different systems for payment.
Some ask for a booking fee of £250 then the balance of the
deposit by a set date depending on when you confirm you want to reserve
the swim place. Check with your pilot as to their terms before you commit
as the booking fees and deposits are all non- returnable if you cancel
after payment. Some pilots send out the pilot contracts at the end of
November when they know the expenses and have set the fees.
Some send out the contracts as they receive the bookings and confirm the fees later.
You - the swimmer - have until the 31st December to sign the pilots
contracts and return it with your deposit if you have booked prior to this date.
The deposit confirms your booking.

The pilot has the right to re-book the place if deposits and contracts
are not completed and returned by 31st December.
Bookings after the 1st January are completed as they are made.
We like the CS&PF forms back as soon as possible with the CS&PF fees.
The CS&PF application form needs to be returned to us by the 1st May -
this is at the latest date.
The medical forms need to be with us at the latest by the 1st June.
For your own peace of mind do it early so that you know where you stand.
If it is not possible to meet these dates then you need to discuses alternatives we us in the office.
In 2008 6 swims were cancelled because the forms were not completed -
Even after extensive chasing - within the set time frames and the then
extended periods.
The office decision is final in all these registration matters once the set dates have past.
The 6 hour swim for solo swimmers without ratified swim status can be
done any time up to 14 days before your swim tide. Try to do it well in
advance - the prior season might be a good idea - then you will have all
the winter to concentrate on improving and training.
The 2 hour qualifying swim for relay team members is the same -
at the latest 14 days before your swim tide starts .
These qualifying swims are to make sure swimmers are aware of the
challenge they are taking up and to give them a taste of what to expect.
They are short swims compared to the actual crossing and should become a distance that is often exceeded while training. For your own benefit do not treat them as a target for training for a successful swim.
These qualifying swims and the other swims we accept are part of the CS&PF

"Duty of Care"
English Channel Swimming is an Extreme Sport that
can result in injury or even death. By telling us you have undergone the
experience of completing a qualifying swim you are confirming you
understand the risks involved and you accept the responsibility of assessing your abilities to make your attempt.
Team leaders are undertaking this assessment for the relay swims they are organising. Please make sure everything is completed correctly and your assessments are rationalised and valid for the attempt you and/or your group are undertaking.
All swims have to be ratified in writing and sent to the CS&PF by the swimmer and the person who has observed while the qualifying swim took place.

PILOT BOOKING PRIORITY SYSTEM;
The usual system for booking priority is that pilots book 4 places per set
of neap tides. These are in order of number 1 first then down to number
4 and it is the order in which the swimmers are "offered a chance to swim".
The Swimmers ability and wishes are all different and Channel swimming
is very dependant on the weather so if the first swimmer in line is offered
the chance to swim and says “No” the place will be offer to the next in
line - and so on until someone accepts the offer or everyone has turned
it down.
On the next good swim day we start with the 1st in line again offering the
swim to the remaining swimmers in their priority. This system means that
the number 1 person can choose the day they want to swim on but if they decline to swim other swimmers get the option offered to them.
Check with your pilot for conformation as to the method he will be using
when booking and arranging swims as they can vary.

PILOTS CONTACTS
The pilots swim contract is made directly with the pilot you choose and
is between you and the pilot. The pilots are financially independent and
operate as businesses in their own rights. All the CS&PF pilots are qualified
as required by the MCA to captain their vessels and they hold commercial
endorsements on their qualifications. All the pilot vessels are commercially
certificated as required by law. They are registered with the British and
French Coastguard's annually by the CS&PF.
The full list of the CS&PF registration fees and swim fees are in the rules
on this site – PLEASE READ THE RULES CAREFULLY --- and make sure
you understand them. If in any doubt ask for clarification.
As an example of the CS&PF registration fees -
The 2009 CS&PF application and registration fees for a 1- way swim
( solo or relay) are
£100 administration - plus -
£100 swim fee - plus -
membership of your choice –
(The minimum full membership is £15 for 2 years).
For relays you need at least 1 full member in the team - £15.
Other team members can then be associate or full members.
Associate membership is £10 per person.
This makes the total CS&PF fees for a ---
Solo 1-way crossing in 2008 £215 -
Including a standard 2 year full membership .
The total CS&PF fees for a ---
1-way 6 person relay in 2008 are about £265
(The example is for 1 full member at £15 and 5 associate members at £10 each).
The exact total depends on the memberships you and the team choose.
A Guide to the successful booking procedure
1. Select the year and tidal period you want to book.
Check with the pilots to see which pilots have places free.
Confirm the pilot and tidal period you want.
2. The pilot will then hold the position (if it is available) for a short period
and e-mail you the booking request.
3. Confirm your acceptance of the position offered and agreed terms.
4. The pilot will confirm the place and send you instructions and a
contract for the reservation.
5. Sign and return your pilots contract with your deposit or booking
fee to Finalise your booking.
5. Let us at the office know you have everything sorted with the pilot
and your swim position is booked.
6. The pilot will also tell the office when the booking is finalised and
the contract and deposit has been received.
Note the deadline for paying the pilots deposits or any deposit balance
is usually 31st December in the year before you swim.
This is the deadline - earlier payment will give you peace of mind and
conformation of your booking.
After the 1st January the pilots can re-book any places not confirmed with a signed contract and a full deposit. Should you cancel your place after you have confirmed and paid any fees these fees paid are non returnable.
Make sure you are definitely prepared to commit yourself to booking the
place before finalising it. Please note the pilots deposits are non
returnable and required to confirm the place bookings.
NOTE - When the office has conformation of your pilots booking we will
then send you the CS&PF application and medical forms.
These are sent out from the end of December in the year before you swim.
Both these forms must be completed in the year of your swim.
(That's after 1st January) and before the deadlines below.
1st May for application -
1st June for Medical -
14 days before your swim tide period starts for the qualifying swims).
If you have a problem with the deadlines talk to us -
We can not guarantee to be able to solve your concerns but we will try.
If we do not know of a problem we can not help.
Applications and bookings made after the deadline can be processed
by the office but only by arrangement and we can not guarantee they
will be completed in time for the swim.
Talk to the office before committing to a booking with the pilot if you
are making a late reservation.
Please read the web sites - CS&PF rules - pilots escort contracts and the
CS&PF forms fully and understand them before completing and signing
them, they are binding and explain what you are committing to.
Please keep a copy of all your paperwork.
This is a "standard" letter giving all swimmers the basic information.
The main points are often repeated more than once above to try and make sure you know exactly what you are contemplating and how the system works.

Anything else we can help with , let us know.
Anything you need clarifying ask us as soon as possible.
We fit our CS&PF workload and replies around full time occupations.
We are volunteers not paid staff.