Rules

The Batalla de Rande open water swim – 27 km Cíes Islands – San Simón is organised by Club Natación Batalla de Rande and will be held in accordance with these Rules.

Should any clause be open to interpretation, the Organisers’ reading shall prevail.

Accepting these Rules also means accepting the disclaimer set out in section 5, Conditions of participation.

The Organisers reserve the right to amend these Rules or any information about the event, and to cancel the event for reasons of force majeure. Any change will be published through the event’s official channels.

The event will take place in the Ría de Vigo on Saturday, 26 June 2027.

The official start time is 09:00, that of the first group, and the event finishes at 19:00 in all cases (mainland Spanish time, CEST). Those ten hours are the whole window.

The closing time is fixed and does not change even if the start is delayed for any reason: weather, sea state, logistics, transfers or any other cause. It is worth being clear about this in advance, because any delay counts against the swimmer: it cuts into the time available to complete the course and moves neither the Rande Bridge cut-off nor the closing of the finish.

The course is approximately 27 kilometres long and runs entirely within the Ría de Vigo, between the Cíes Islands and the island of San Simón.

The start is from Rodas beach, on the Cíes Islands (Vigo), and the finish is on the island of San Simón (Redondela).

If weather, sea state or visibility make the original course impossible, or exceed the safety limits set by the competent authorities, the Organisers may set an alternative course of similar distance, circumstances permitting. The decision may be taken up to the day of the event and will be communicated to participants as soon as possible.

Any alternative course will keep the same technical conditions and safety criteria, preserving the sporting purpose of the event.

The estimated number of participants is approximately 120 swimmers.

Entry is open to anyone who is 16 years old on the day of the event, meets the conditions of participation in section 5 and completes their entry as set out here.

Participants under 18 must provide an authorisation signed by their parent or legal guardian, which shall include authorisation to use their image (section 16).

The Organisers reserve a limited number of places for commitments to partners and sponsors.

The Organisers may also increase or reduce the number of available places for safety reasons or other factors affecting the proper running of the event. Any change will be announced well in advance on the official website and social media.

Permits and safety

The event will hold all the permits required from the competent bodies, including the Maritime Authority, the Port of Vigo and the Xunta de Galicia.

Maritime watch and safety will be ensured through coordination with the public services responsible for emergencies, rescue and safety at sea.

Technical control of the event will be carried out by specialist staff of the Organisers.

Insurance cover

All participants will be covered by a public liability policy, in accordance with article 14 of Annex II to Royal Decree 62/2008, approving the regulations on maritime safety, navigation and safety of life at sea applicable to commemorative nautical gatherings and nautical sporting events.

As this is a federated event, swimmers holding a federation licence are covered by their licence insurance. For swimmers without a licence, the Organisers take out accident insurance.

Medical assistance

During the event there will be boats carrying qualified medical staff, as well as a first aid team on land, stationed in the finish area and at the nearest evacuation point.

Physical condition of participants

It is each swimmer’s sole responsibility to make sure they are physically and mentally fit to take part. This means being in good health and having the physical, technical and psychological preparation needed for 27 kilometres in open water.

Anyone who does not meet these conditions, or doubts that they do, is strongly advised not to take part. A prior medical check-up is recommended, especially for people with a history of cardiovascular, respiratory or metabolic conditions.

Once selected and with participation confirmed by payment, every swimmer must complete a health questionnaire. Depending on the answers, the Organisers may also require a medical certificate attesting fitness for a long distance open water event.

Any swimmer who does not complete the questionnaire or does not provide the required certificate within the stated deadline will be excluded from the event. In that case the amount paid will not be refunded.

Disclaimer

Participants declare that they are aware of the nature and risks of a long distance open water swim and take part at their own risk. The Organisers and their partners accept no liability for injuries or conditions arising from recklessness, negligence, breach of these Rules or the participant’s lack of fitness.

Compulsory equipment

• Swimming goggles.
• Safety buoy with a watertight compartment, which will hold the GPS and timing devices. Opening the buoy during the event is strictly forbidden and means immediate disqualification.
• Whistle.
• Identifying swim cap supplied by the Organisers.
• Race number visible on both arms or hands.

For swimsuits and wetsuits, see section 15.

Time limits

Time limits are set as fixed times of day, regardless of the actual start time:

• Cut-off at the Rande Bridge: 18:00. Any swimmer who has not passed it by then will be taken out of the water.
• Finish closes: 19:00. At that time every swimmer who has not finished will be taken out of the water.

These times have been set by the Maritime Authority and will not be extended because of a delayed start or for any other reason.

If the start is significantly delayed, the Organisers may reorganise the groups or bring forward the withdrawal of swimmers who cannot reach the cut-off points.

Personal belongings

The Organisers accept no liability for theft, loss or damage to personal belongings during the event.

The Organisers reserve the right to change, postpone or cancel the event in circumstances of force majeure, understood as unforeseeable or unavoidable situations beyond their control that prevent the event from being held safely. Among others:

• Adverse weather compromising participants’ safety (storms, extreme swell, dense fog, and so on).
• Warnings issued by the competent authorities (Civil Protection, the Maritime Authority, and so on).
• Public health, environmental or public safety situations.
• Administrative disputes or restrictions affecting the use of the sea or the coastline.
• The presence of marine wildlife or plant life that could endanger swimmers’ health or is incompatible with holding the event.

If the event is cancelled or called off for any of these reasons, the entry fee is not refunded. By the time that happens, the organisers have already committed what makes the crossing possible — insurance, permits, boats, transport and equipment — and that outlay cannot be recovered.

What the organisers do is look for the best way forward for those who came to swim. Any compensation agreed — an alternative course, priority in the following edition, or whatever the circumstances allow — will be announced at the briefing or, if the decision has to be taken as things unfold, on the day of the event itself.

Communication protocol

If the event has to be changed or cancelled, the Organisers will announce it as far in advance as possible through the official channels:

• The event website.
• Official social media.
• Email to registered participants.
• SMS and WhatsApp.

In an emergency or for last-minute changes, direct notification (email and SMS) will be used so that every swimmer receives the information immediately. Such messages may be sent even on the day of the event.

The Organisers reserve the right of admission of participants, in accordance with article 59.1.e) of Royal Decree 2816/1982 of 27 August, approving the General Regulations on the Policing of Public Entertainment and Recreational Activities.

Under those regulations, they may refuse or cancel any participant’s entry where there are justified technical, disciplinary or organisational grounds, or grounds relating to compliance with these Rules.

The total entry fee is €350.00.

Pre-entry will be open from 1 October 2026 to Thursday, 15 October 2026. The list of selected swimmers will be published by Sunday, 1 November 2026 at the latest.

Selected swimmers will be notified by email, SMS and WhatsApp and will have 7 days, from publication of the list and until Saturday, 7 November 2026, to pay €25.00 to reserve their place.

The remaining €325.00 must be paid by Monday, 30 November 2026 at the latest, unless the participant chooses the instalment option set out in this section.

If the deposit is not paid within the period set out above, the place may be given to another swimmer from the waiting list and the deposit is not refundable.

Paying in instalments

The total entry fee is €350.00 and does not change according to the method of payment.

Once the €25.00 deposit has been paid, the remaining €325.00 may be paid in a single payment or, at the participant’s choice, in up to three monthly payments, with no interest, fees or surcharges of any kind.

Paying in instalments is solely a facility for paying the entry fee and does not involve entering into any separate financing agreement.

The participant may choose to pay in instalments when paying the deposit or at any time afterwards, while an amount remains outstanding. If chosen when the deposit is paid, the first instalment falls due together with it, on Saturday, 7 November 2026. If chosen later, the first instalment falls due on the day it is chosen. In both cases, the following ones fall due month by month. The instalment option must be chosen by Monday, 7 December 2026 at the latest, the date on which the first payment after the deposit falls due. After that date, any outstanding amount must be paid in a single payment. The exact amounts and due dates are shown in the swimmer’s personal area. The participant may pay off any outstanding amount, in whole or in part, at any time and at no cost.

The Organisers make no automatic charges and do not store the card details used for payment. Each payment must be started by the participant from their personal area.

The participant receives an email reminder at least five days before each due date, stating the amount outstanding and the deadline for payment.

Paying in instalments does not change the total entry fee or any other condition of participation, including the cancellation and refund conditions set out in section 17.

Missing a payment

Failure to make any payment by its due date places the participant in arrears.

The Organisers will allow a further period of 5 calendar days to settle the outstanding amount. During that period, access to certain features and services reserved for participants who are up to date with payment may be suspended, including access to the event paperwork, the medical questionnaire and the management of companions.

Paying the outstanding amount within that period allows the entry to continue on the terms originally agreed.

If, once the further period of 5 calendar days has passed, the outstanding amount has not been paid, the Organisers may cancel the entry and release the place, notifying the participant and recording the reason for the cancellation.

Where an entry is cancelled for non-payment, the amounts already paid are governed by the cancellation and refund conditions set out in section 17.

The Organisers may consider exceptional individual circumstances relating to the non-payment before cancelling the entry definitively.

Kit and event items

Kit, clothing and other items specific to the 2027 edition, as well as registering companions, may only be bought or arranged by swimmers who have paid the entry fee in full. Each companion takes up a place on the boats and at the edition’s events, so booking one requires the swimmer’s entry fee to be fully paid.

Certain items are ordered or made specifically for each participant and/or edition, so their availability and the conditions for buying them are subject to the deadlines set by the Organisers.

Swimmers who do not obtain a place in the pre-entry go on to a waiting list. Vacancies are allocated in the order of registration on that list and selected swimmers are notified by email, and have 7 days from the notice to confirm their participation.

Entries are personal and non-transferable.

Entry includes:

• Taking part in the event.
• Identifying swim cap.
• Certificate, only on finishing the event.
• Polo shirt or sweatshirt.
• Transfer to the Cíes Islands.
• Transfer from San Simón to Vigo.
• Hire of the GPS tracker and the timing chip.
• A place at the dinner.

Anyone swimming without a valid entry does so at their own risk and is not covered by the Organisers. If noticed, they will be asked to leave the area.

The briefing and the handover of documents and accreditations will take place on Friday, 25 June 2027, from 16:00 (CEST).

There will be 7 feed stations: the first at 5,000 metres and the rest roughly every 3,000 metres, except the last two, which will be about 2,500 metres apart.

For the first 5,000 metres, up to the first feed station, stopping is not allowed, except to receive medical assistance. Any swimmer who stops without justified cause will be disqualified and taken back to the Cíes Islands.

Every feed station is a compulsory checkpoint. At the first four it is also compulsory to stop, for no more than 3 minutes, as the event is still being swum in groups. At the later ones feeding is not compulsory, as by then the event is open.

Feed stations will offer water, isotonic drink, fruit, bars, energy gels and a hot drink.

Any swimmer who does not pass through the checkpoints will be disqualified, unless there is a justified reason notified to the Organisers.

At feed stations swimmers may hold on to the boat with one or both hands. Climbing onto the boat, wholly or partly, is strictly forbidden and means immediate disqualification.

In addition to the grounds for disqualification set out here, Race Management may apply time penalties for repeated delays at the compulsory feed stations.

Swimmers will be organised into groups of roughly 15 to 20. Allocation is made at entry, based on the estimated time each swimmer declares at pre-entry.

For the first 14 kilometres, participants must stay within their group, with no changing groups and no straying more than 5 metres from it. This is for safety and logistical control.

From that point on, each swimmer may swim at their own pace, always bearing in mind the time limits in these Rules.

The requirement to stay together may be changed or reinforced by the Organisers, including on the day of the event, depending on sea, weather or safety conditions.

Important warning: any behaviour that disrupts the group’s pace, whether by going ahead or falling behind, including at feed stations, may be grounds for disqualification.

Approximate swimming paces

• Group 1: under 1:18 per 100 m, around 2 h 10 min per 10,000 m.
• Group 2: 1:28 per 100 m, around 2 h 27 min per 10,000 m.
• Group 3: 1:35 per 100 m, around 2 h 38 min per 10,000 m.
• Group 4: 1:45 per 100 m, around 2 h 55 min per 10,000 m.
• Group 5: 1:53 per 100 m, around 3 h 08 min per 10,000 m.
• Group 6: 2:00 per 100 m, around 3 h 20 min per 10,000 m.

• Paces do not include time spent at feed stations.
• The pace is set by the slowest swimmer in the group, provided they swim within the pace set for that group.
• The group leader may vary the pace depending on sea conditions.

The Organisers may create a seventh group for safety reasons or to even out the groups.

Individual escorting by boats, kayaks or other external means is not allowed, except with the express authorisation of the Organisers on medical or safety grounds. Breaching this rule means immediate disqualification.

Race Management may withdraw from the swim any participant who:

• Is in a physical condition that, in the Organisers’ judgement, compromises their safety or that of other swimmers.
• Does not complete the whole of the set course.
• Repeatedly disrupts the group’s pace, going ahead or falling behind without justification.
• Does not wear the official identification visibly, tampers with it or replaces it, or displays unauthorised advertising.
• Behaves unsportingly or keeps up a constant attitude of protest towards the Organisers.
• Breaches any of these Rules.

Prizes will be presented during the celebration dinner, after the swim has finished.

Every swimmer who finishes the event will receive a certificate.

Women’s overall

• 1st: trophy and an invitation to Batalla de Rande 2028.
• 2nd: medal.
• 3rd: medal.

Men’s overall

• 1st: trophy and an invitation to Batalla de Rande 2028.
• 2nd: medal.
• 3rd: medal.

Women’s special, traditional swim

• 1st: medal.
• 2nd: medal.
• 3rd: medal.

Men’s special, traditional swim

• 1st: medal.
• 2nd: medal.
• 3rd: medal.

Trophies, mementos or lost property not collected on the day of the event will be sent by courier, carriage forward.

Swimming in a wetsuit is allowed, but there will be two classifications:

• Traditional swim: in a swimsuit, without a wetsuit.
• Assisted swim: with a wetsuit or other aids.

If water temperature makes it advisable on safety grounds, the Organisers may make wetsuits compulsory for all participants.

Traditional swim

Only the following may be used:

• A porous, non-waterproof swimsuit.
• Goggles.
• A cap that is not made of neoprene.
• Earplugs.

The compulsory equipment in section 5 (buoy, whistle and the Organisers’ cap) does not change the category.

Swimsuit allowed

• It must be porous, made of a fabric that lets water through: lycra, nylon, cotton or similar textile blends.
• It may not cover more than a classic swimsuit:
  • Men: from the waist to above the knee.
  • Women: up to the shoulders and above the knee, of the kind of a standard competition swimsuit, with no sleeves or long legs.
• It must fit the body without special compression or bonded seams that improve hydrodynamics.
• A single layer: wearing one swimsuit over another is not allowed.

Swimsuit not allowed (moves to the assisted swim category)

• Neoprene or any material providing buoyancy or thermal insulation.
• High performance technical swimsuits with bonded seams, polyurethane, carbon or non-porous fabrics.
• Full body swimsuits covering the arms or legs beyond what is set out above.
• Swimsuits with waterproof linings or additional layers.
• Swimsuits with sleeves, legs down to the ankle, or that cover the neck.

The processing of participants’ personal data is governed by the event’s Privacy policy, which forms part of these Rules. In summary:

• Data controller: Club Natación Batalla de Rande, tax ID G05350533, Calle Barcelona 86, 4.º C, 36211 Vigo (Pontevedra), España. Contact: info@batalladerande.com.
• Purpose: handling the application and the selection, organising the event, keeping participants safe and meeting the Organisers’ legal obligations.
• Data required in order to take part: full name, ID document and date of birth are passed to the insurer, the shipping company and the Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime-Terrestrial National Park, because without being added to the policy, the boarding list and the park permit the event cannot be held. Results are passed to the timing company to produce the classifications.
• Health data: the health questionnaire and, where applicable, the medical certificate required by section 5 are processed solely to assess the swimmer’s fitness, to decide whether a certificate needs to be requested, and to be able to help them if something happens during the event, with their explicit consent. They are deleted once the edition has finished.
• Event notices: messages about timings, sea state, instructions or last-minute changes, by email, SMS and the event WhatsApp group, form part of the entry and are not advertising.
• Rights: participants may exercise their rights of access, rectification, erasure, objection, restriction and portability by writing to info@batalladerande.com, and may complain to the Spanish Data Protection Agency (www.aepd.es).

Photographs and video

The event will be photographed and filmed, and the images may be published on the website, on social media and in the press as coverage of the event, on the legitimate interest of reporting a sporting competition. Results are also published on the same grounds.

Participants may object by writing to info@batalladerande.com. In that case the Organisers will stop featuring them prominently, on posters or in individual social media posts, and will take it into account in future editions. Group shots in which they appear as part of the field will not be removed.

Publishing the image of participants under 18 requires the express authorisation of their parent or legal guardian, collected along with the rest of the documents.

Formalising an entry allows the Organisers to begin preparing the event well in advance and to take on financial commitments relating to the participation of swimmers, including, among others, insurance, authorisations, contracted services, logistics, materials, kit and other resources needed to hold the event.

Part of these costs is incurred before the event takes place and may not be recoverable by the Organisers if a participant cancels or withdraws.

For that reason, amounts paid as an entry fee are subject to the following conditions:

Cancellation due to injury or illness

In the case of injury or illness preventing the participant from taking part, a refund may be requested provided that the circumstance is evidenced by a medical certificate and the documentation is submitted to the Organisers by Friday, 30 April 2027 at the latest.

In that case, 50 % of the amount actually paid by the participant is refunded, less €6.00 in administration costs.

Accordingly, where the participant has paid the full €350.00, the maximum refund is €169.00.

A request submitted after Friday, 30 April 2027 gives no right to a refund on this ground.

All other cancellations

Outside the case of injury or illness duly evidenced and submitted within the period set out above, no refund of the amounts paid as an entry fee will be made, without prejudice to any rights the participant may have by law.

This condition takes into account the costs and financial commitments the Organisers take on before the event and which may not be recoverable in the event of cancellation.

Paying in instalments

The instalment option set out in section 8 is solely a payment facility and does not change the cancellation and refund conditions.

Where a cancellation gives a right to a refund, the applicable percentage is calculated on the amount actually paid by the participant at the time the request is submitted.

Having chosen to pay in instalments neither extends the deadlines for requesting a refund nor changes the percentages set out in this section.

Non-payment and cancellation of the entry

Where an entry is cancelled for non-payment of an instalment under section 8, the amounts the participant has paid up to that point are subject to the same cancellation and refund conditions set out in this section.

Non-payment of an instalment does not, in itself, give rise to an automatic refund of the amounts previously paid.

Companions and additional services

Amounts paid for companions are refunded in full, with no percentage deducted: it is a service that will no longer be provided.

Those amounts are not considered part of the swimmer’s entry fee.

Medical documentation and participation requirements

Excluding a participant for not completing the medical questionnaire, for not providing the required documentation or for not meeting the medical requirements set out in these rules, under section 5, gives no right to a refund of the entry fee, without prejudice to any rights the participant may have by law.

Submitting false, incomplete or insufficient medical documentation gives no right to a refund.

The Organisers may refuse any entry that does not accept the terms and conditions of these Rules. In case of doubt, or in situations not expressly covered here, the Organisers’ decision applies.

For any further questions, please write to info@batalladerande.com.

Tide forecasts for the Ría de Vigo are available at MeteoGalicia, Mareas e lúas. What matters is the tide between 09:00 and 19:00, which is the window of the crossing.