Registrations open until July 5
Official document
The official rules of the 72 Back and Forth competition, 2nd edition, 2026. Please read carefully the conditions for participation, safety, equipment and race conduct.
Official document
2026
Races
4
Main race
15 km
Race date
July 25
In brief
✓Participation is at each participant’s own responsibility
✓Medical fitness for physical effort is mandatory
✓Following the organizers’ instructions is mandatory
✓Equipment must comply with open-water rules
✓Fair play and safety come first
✓The 15 km race requires manual approval
“72 – BACK AND FORTH” is an open-water swimming competition held on a controlled and marked back-and-forth course on the waters of the Siderurgic Canal, fed by the Borcea branch of the Danube.
The course characteristics involve specific flowing-water conditions, with variations in current and direction, requiring adaptability, control and endurance from participants.
The competition is open to amateur and experienced swimmers.
500 metres
1,500 metres
3 kilometres
15 kilometres – main race
The official sports competitions take place on July 25, 2026.
Check-in and kit pickup
Mandatory technical briefing
START 15 km race
START 500 m race
START 1,500 m race
START 3 km race
Awards ceremony
Starts may be organized in waves.
The club ranked first in the overall club ranking will receive the special “Education through Sport” prize.
The prize consists of a smart board for training sessions, offered by ESD România.
The prize is awarded for performance, consistency and contribution to the development of sport.
The prize cannot be transferred and cannot be exchanged for money.
Participation in the competition is at the participant’s own responsibility.
By registering, each participant declares that they are medically fit for physical effort, have the necessary preparation level for the chosen race, have open-water swimming experience and accept the specific risks of swimming in flowing water.
For the 15 km race, the organizers may request proof of previous experience.
Minor participants may participate only with written consent from parents or legal guardians.
15 km
maximum 15 participants
3 km
maximum 40 participants
1,500 m
maximum 50 participants
500 m
maximum 60 participants
At no time will there be more than 75 participants simultaneously in the water.
The course is back-and-forth and is marked with floating buoys.
Participants must follow the established course, correctly go around turning points and maintain the swimming direction according to the markings.
Failure to follow the course leads to disqualification.
Important section for participation and race conduct.
During the competition, lifeguard teams, kayaks and intervention boats will be present, as well as an ambulance.
Participants will be permanently monitored on the course, and control points may exist for the 15 km race.
The signal for requesting help is raising one arm.
The organizers have the right to stop the competition, modify the course or withdraw participants from the race. Decisions are final and are made exclusively for safety reasons.
Mandatory: swim cap provided by the organizer, inflatable safety buoy, race number visibly marked on the body.
Allowed: swimsuit or triathlon suit, swim goggles, wetsuit depending on water temperature.
Forbidden: fins, paddles, snorkel and any propulsion device, audio headphones or any audio playback device.
Equipment may be checked before the start.
The kit includes: technical T-shirt, swim cap, timing chip and finisher medal.
For the 500 m / 1,500 m / 3 km races: swim bag.
For the 15 km race: official event backpack.
Timing is electronic, based on a chip.
The chip is nominal and cannot be transferred.
Losing the chip leads to disqualification.
500 m
30 minutes
1,500 m
1 hour and 15 minutes
3 km
2 hours
15 km
6 hours
For the 15 km race, intermediate cut-off points may exist. Exceeding them may lead to withdrawal from the race.
There is an official feeding point on the course.
Feeding is done exclusively in the designated area.
Team assistance is allowed.
Contact with the boat is allowed only for receiving nutrition.
Physical support or resting is forbidden.
Recommended duration: maximum 60–90 seconds.
Participants must follow the course, obey organizers’ instructions and show fair-play behaviour.
Drafting is allowed.
Pushing, blocking other participants or any dangerous behaviour is forbidden.
The organizers may apply a warning, time penalty or disqualification.
A participant may be withdrawn if they request it, can no longer continue safely or show signs of exhaustion.
The decision belongs to the organizers and safety teams.
500 m: children, open
1,500 m / 3 km / 15 km: 14–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60+, open
15 km – Men’s and women’s open: 1st place – 2000 lei, 2nd place – 1200 lei, 3rd place – 800 lei
3 km – Men’s and women’s open: 1st place – 1000 lei, 2nd place – 700 lei, 3rd place – 500 lei
500 m / 1,500 m: prizes in products and vouchers.
Prizes may be taxed according to applicable legislation.
Important section for participation and race conduct.
Within the “72 – BACK AND FORTH” competition, an overall club ranking is established, based on the cumulative performance of officially registered athletes.
The ranking reflects sporting level, consistency and the ability to adapt to the specific conditions of open-water swimming.
Only athletes ranked in the top 5 of the open ranking for each race receive points.
Operational note
The rules page must remain aligned with the official document validated by the organizers and updated whenever operational changes occur.