In an email sent to organizers of CrossFit Licensed events, CrossFit has prohibited those competitions from programming swim events. “Effective immediately, no open water or pool swimming events are allowed until further notice,” reads the email.
The communication comes after Lazar Djukic’s drowning during the Lake Day event at the 2024 CrossFit Games.
Read the full email from CrossFit:
SUBJECT: Important Update on Water Events | CrossFit licensed Events
Dear team,
In light of the tragic event last week, there is an important update on the licensed event programming: Effective immediately, no open water or pool swimming events are allowed until further notice.
We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Our collective efforts are vital in improving water safety guidelines and ensuring the safety of all participants.
Thank you for your understanding and support. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out.
On Tuesday of this week, organizers of the Northern California Classic, a CrossFit Licensed competition, sent an email to athletes outlining additional safety precautions in light of what happened in Ft. Worth.
Those safety precautions included:
- Mandatory open water safety buoys for all athletes
- 1 Spotter/paddler per athlete in the water to assist as needed
- Life jackets permitted for those who choose to wear them
- Opting out of the swim event will not disqualify you from participating in the rest of the competition
Now, several days later the Northern California Classic will be unable to continue with its swim event. It is unclear if the competition could discontinue its license with CrossFit should the organizers want to continue as planned.
[UPDATE: The NorCal Classic is no longer a CrossFit Licensed event as of 4:00pm Eastern this afternoon “due to CrossFit’s inability to meet marketing obligations.” As a result, the NCC will be able to continue with its plans for a swimming event.]
What is a CrossFit Licensed Event?
A CrossFit Licensed Event is an official designation issued by CrossFit which approves CrossFit competitions outside the regular CrossFit Games season. Organizers must have their CrossFit Level 1 certificate and own an affiliate (or be sponsored by an affiliate) to apply for their competition to be licensed.
If approved, there is a $1,000 licensing fee. Additionally, organizers must provide proof of insurance, participants must sign a waiver and all judges must take the online CrossFit Judges Course.
CrossFit Licensed competitions are then listed on the ‘Competitions’ page of the CrossFit Games website.
There are a lot of CrossFit Licensed competitions on the website. In fact, there are 20 licensed competitions remaining in August.
As mentioned above, The NorCal Classic is a licensed event. Additionally, the Adaptive CrossFit Games, Masters CrossFit Games and Teenage CrossFit Games are all listed on this page, which means athletes will not be taking part in an event in water.
