Observer and Ratification Fees
About the Association
The Lake Tahoe Open Water Swimming Association (LTOWSA), operated by the Northern California Open Water Swimming Association (NCOWSA), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All LTOWSA and NCOWSA directors and officers serve on a volunteer basis and receive no pay or remuneration.
LTOWSA exists solely to observe, document, and ratify marathon open water swims in accordance with published rules and accepted marathon swimming standards. We do not pilot swims or provide operational support.
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What These Fees Support
Observer and ratification fees support the core work of the Association, including:
• Stipends for trained, independent observers
• Liability insurance for all LTOWSA and NCOWSA sanctioned swims
• Legal and accounting costs required for nonprofit compliance
• Administrative expenses related to applications, documentation, and ratification
These fees are designed to recover real costs and maintain independence, not to generate profit.
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What the Fees Cover
Observer and ratification fees include:
• Review of the swim application
• Assignment and coordination of an independent observer
• On-site observation and documentation of the swim attempt
• Post-swim review by the ratification committee
• Issuance of official results and certificates for ratified swims
Payment of a fee does not guarantee a successful swim, a completed attempt, or ratification.
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What the Fees Do Not Cover
Observer and ratification fees do not include:
• Pilot services or escort vessels
• Safety, rescue, medical, or lifeguard services
• Personal crew, pacing, or nutrition support
• Weather guarantees or specific start windows
• Any assurance of completion or ratification
LTOWSA is not an operator. The swimmer is solely responsible for selecting, coordinating, and compensating pilots, vessels, and personal crew.
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Independence and Integrity
Observers are trained, neutral, and independent. Ratification decisions are based solely on published rules and documented facts. Payment of a fee does not influence observer conduct or ratification outcomes. Fees are payable at the time of submission of the Swim Application.
Swim applications must be received by May 1, 2026 for the season.
2026 Observer and Ratification Fees
Lake Tahoe Length 21.3-Miles
- Solo: $525.00
- Tandem/Relay: $625.00
- Trio: $725.00 (requires prior approval)
Lake Tahoe True Width 12-Miles
- Solo: $395.00
- Tandem/Relay: $495.00
- Trio: $595.00 (requires prior approval)
Lake Tahoe Vikingsholm 10.6-Miles
- Solo: $395.00
- Tandem/Relay: $495.00
- Trio: $595.00 (requires prior approval)
Refunds, Cancellations, and Outcomes
Observer and ratification fees are administrative in nature. Once an application has been submitted and processing has begun, fees are generally non refundable, regardless of weather, swimmer withdrawal, pilot availability, or swim outcome, except as required by law or at the discretion of the Association.
IMPORTANT: A swim that does not start, does not finish, or does not ratify does not entitle the swimmer to a refund.
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Ratification Timing
Ratification review begins after both the Northern California and Lake Tahoe marathon swimming season concludes, typically in late November.
Because LTOWSA is volunteer run, ratification and certificate processing may take 4-6 weeks at the end of the marathon swimming season. For ratified swim attempts, certificates are generally issued before the end of the calendar year.
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Access and Equity
We recognize that marathon swimming is expensive. The Association works to keep observer and ratification fees as low as possible while maintaining professional standards, insurance coverage, and operational integrity. LTOWSA consistently maintains the lowest observer and ratification fees for comparable California marathon swims. Limited needs based and charity swim scholarships may be available at the discretion of the board. Please contact us for more information.
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Fee Context and Comparison
Observer and ratification fees for Lake Tahoe swims are intentionally set well below those charged by other marathon swimming sanctioning bodies for comparable distances and levels of documentation.
For context, other established U.S. marathon swim organizations currently publish observer or sanction fees in the following ranges:
- California offshore island and channel swims of approximately 10–13 miles commonly range from $550 to $1,000 for solo attempts, with higher fees for relays.
- Longer California channel and offshore swims in the 20–22 mile range commonly range from $950 to $1,500 for solo attempts, with relay and circumnavigation attempts priced higher.
- Many organizations also require separate annual memberships ($50+), Lifetime memberships ($250+), non refundable processing fees, or additional charges for rescheduling, multiple legs, late submissions, or administrative handling.
LTOWSA has chosen a different approach.
For equivalent distances, LTOWSA observer and ratification fees are typically several hundred dollars lower, while still providing trained, independent observers, published rules, formal ratification review, and official documentation. In our experience, high administrative or sanction fees are not required to uphold integrity, safety standards, or professional observation.
Since beginning Lake Tahoe marathon swim ratification in 2018, the Association has increased observer and ratification fees only once. This reflects a deliberate effort to balance rising insurance, legal, and operational costs without shifting an undue financial burden onto swimmers.
Over that same period, LTOWSA has ratified a total of 318 marathon swims on Lake Tahoe between 2018 and 2025. This volume demonstrates that stable, restrained pricing is fully compatible with rigorous observation, consistent rule enforcement, and a credible ratification process at scale.
Our pricing reflects a clear position: ratification should support the sport, not become a barrier to participation. As a volunteer run nonprofit, LTOWSA prioritizes access, fairness, and integrity over revenue generation.