Event Regulation

Article 1 — Purpose and Scope

This regulation defines the rules for participation, registration, conduct, and classification of the Equator Crossing 2027 and its associated races (Middle Distance, Sprint), held in Porto Alegre, São Tomé and Príncipe, on 13 February 2027.

It applies to all registered participants, whether or not they are affiliated with national or international swimming federations.

Article 2 — Organisation

The event is organised by Equator Crossing, with the institutional support of the Olympic Committee of São Tomé and Príncipe. Equator Crossing is responsible for the operational organisation of the event — logistics, safety, registration, communication, and race-day management.

Article 3 — Nature of the Edition

The 2027 edition is the 3rd edition of the Equator Crossing, held as a pilot / pre-launch event.

All races are timed and record personal times, but this edition does not include official refereeing or federative homologation. Times and rankings are informational and for personal reference only, and do not constitute an officially homologated record.

Article 4 — Races, Distances and Places

Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, up to the stated limit. Once the limit is reached, the organisation may open a waiting list.

For classification purposes, participants are grouped by gender (Male / Female) and by age group, calculated by complete age on the race date: Junior (16–19), Senior (20–39), Master A (40–49) and Master B (50 or over). Age groups may be adjusted by the organisation, before the race, to avoid groups with a single participant.

Article 5 — Conditions of Participation

• The race is open to all swimmers, federated or not, national or foreign, without the need for a federative sporting licence.
• Minimum age: 16 complete years on the race date.
• Participants aged 16 to 18: written consent from a parent or legal guardian is mandatory.
• All participants must have the physical capacity and swimming level appropriate to the distance of the race they register for.
• A health and fitness declaration is mandatory, provided in the Liability Waiver and Informed Consent form at registration.
• A prior medical check-up is recommended, especially for participants with pre-existing health conditions.

Article 6 — Registration

Registrations are made under the terms and deadlines set by the organisation. Registration is only confirmed after payment of the registration fee and submission of the duly completed and signed Liability Waiver and Informed Consent form. Registration fees are non-refundable, except if the event is cancelled by the organisation.

Article 7 — Check-in and Call Room

In-person check-in is mandatory, opening 60 minutes before the start of each race, with identity confirmation and issue of the participant number. The call room opens 30 minutes and closes 5 minutes before the start, including a roll call and final safety-equipment check. Participants who do not appear before closing are not allowed to compete.

Article 8 — Mandatory Equipment

An individual signalling buoy is mandatory in all races, provided by the organisation on prior request if the participant does not bring their own. The organisation may refuse the start to any participant who does not meet this requirement.

Article 9 — Conduct of the Race

Each Equator Crossing participant is accompanied by an individual support canoe, and the course is monitored by motorised support boats. A safety cut-off time applies at an intermediate point of the course, announced before the race; swimmers who do not meet it are withdrawn from the water for safety reasons, with no classification in that race. The number of participants entering the water is reconciled against the number of finishers, including withdrawals. The organisation may suspend or postpone any race for safety reasons, notably adverse weather or sea conditions. To ensure participant safety and the proper operation of the event, a mandatory cut‑off time at the 800‑metre mark is established. All athletes must complete the first 800 metres within a maximum of 30 minutes. Participants who do not reach this point within the time limit will be removed from the race by the water safety team, and may be directed to support boats or to shore, according to the operational assessment of the organisation. This measure exists to ensure that no athlete remains in higher‑exposure zones beyond the period considered safe, taking into account the specific sea conditions and the safety logistics of the Travessia do Equador.

Article 10 — Classification and Timing

All races are timed and record personal times. Classification is by order of arrival, within each race and age group. Under Article 3, times and rankings hold no officially homologated record value in this edition.

Article 11 — Prizes

Prizes are awarded in each race (Equator Crossing, Middle Distance, Sprint): trophy/medal for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Overall Classification in each gender; a medal for 1st in each age group and gender; a participation diploma for all participants; and a trophy/medal for the winning Team Relay squad.

A participant awarded in the Overall Classification does not also receive the Age-Group Winner prize in the same race; in that case, the age-group prize passes to the next-ranked swimmer. The prize ceremony takes place at the end of the competition day, according to the event programme.

Article 12 — Complaints and Disputes

Any complaint regarding classification or the conduct of the race must be submitted in writing to the organisation, up to 30 minutes after the provisional classification is announced. As there is no official refereeing in this edition, the decision rests solely with the organisation and is final. The complaints book (physical and electronic) remains available.

Article 13 — Safety and Assumption of Risk

Participation in open-water swimming carries risks inherent to sport in a natural environment. By registering, the participant declares awareness of those risks and participation of their own free will, under the terms of the Liability Waiver and Informed Consent form. The organisation is not liable for damage resulting from unforeseeable events, force majeure, or the participant's failure to follow the safety instructions given.

Article 14 — Unforeseen Cases

Any case not covered by this regulation is resolved by the organisation, taking into account the general principles of sport, safety, and sporting good faith.

Article 15 — Acceptance

Registration in any race implies knowledge and full acceptance of this regulation, as well as the Terms & Conditions and the event's Terms of Responsibility.