What to Buy for a Swim Route Event

A swim route needs more than swimming equipment. You will need clearly marked start and finish points, visible safety gear, waterproof participant items, communication equipment and a dry place for changing and registration. Plan quantities around the number of swimmers, safety crew and expected weather. Buy or reserve anything specialist at least two weeks ahead, then check batteries, first aid supplies and chilled drinks the day before.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 30
Clothes racksqty 4

Sports equipment

Swimming buoysqty 12
Life ringsqty 4
Paddlesqty 4
Reflective Vestsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 60
Waterproof wristbandsqty 60
Waterproof route mapsqty 10

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Flashlightsqty 8
Whistlesqty 12
Mobile phonesqty 4

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphone
Power banksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3

Lighting

Work lightsqty 4
String lightsqty 4

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 4
Food warmersqty 4
Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Cola - 4 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 3 bottles
- Apple juice - 3 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Sandwiches - 80 pieces
- Pistolets - 40 pieces
- Butter - 3 packs
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Back ham - 1.5 kilos
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Egg salad - 4 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 10 pieces
- Chicken thighs - 6 kilos
- Rice - 4 kilos
- Stir-fry vegetables - 5 kilos
- Coconut milk - 8 cans
- Soy sauce - 2 bottles
- Curry sauce - 3 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Spice mix - 3 bags
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Salted crackers - 4 packs
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Napkins - 8 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 8 pieces
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 4 packs

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 80
Reusable platesqty 70
Reusable cutleryqty 80
Serving spoonsqty 6
Soup ladlesqty 6

Kitchen

Gas burnersqty 4
Gas cylindersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Serving plattersqty 10
Frying pansqty 4
Cooking potsqty 4

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 3
Dish brushesqty 4
Cleaning bucketsqty 3
Mopsqty 3
Broomsqty 3
Trash binsqty 6

Decorations

Route arrowsqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Chalkboardsqty 4

Tips

Prepare one waterproof wristband, bib number and route map per swimmer, plus 10% extra for replacements. Keep the participant list in a waterproof folder at registration.
Position at least one life ring and one whistle at every staffed safety point. Add swimming buoys to mark the route, and give safety crew reflective vests so they remain visible.
Allow one reusable cup per guest and about 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour. Use coolers for cold drinks and thermos flasks or food warmers for hot food and soup.
Bring one charged mobile phone for each key coordinator and a walkie-talkie for each safety or course team. Pack power banks and test every device before the route is marked.
Plan one party tent for registration and one for changing or shelter when attendance allows. Add work lights or string lights if setup, swimming or pack-down may take place in low light; bring extension cords only where power is safely available.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a swim route?: Plan life rings, whistles, first aid kits, emergency blankets and flashlights for the course team. Give each safety marshal a reflective vest and a working mobile phone or walkie-talkie; check all equipment at least 24 hours before swimmers arrive.
How many waterproof route maps and wristbands should I buy?: Buy one map and one wristband per registered swimmer, plus 10% extra. For 40 swimmers, prepare at least 44 of each so late registrations, damage or lost items do not delay check-in.
How much food and drink should I bring for a swim route event?: For the first hour, allow 2–3 drinks per person, then add more according to the event length and weather. Provide one reusable cup per guest and plan food quantities for every registered swimmer, volunteer and safety marshal.
When should I buy or reserve swim route equipment?: Reserve specialist items such as swimming buoys, life rings, tents and walkie-talkies at least two weeks before the event. Do the main shopping 1–2 days before the swim, then chill drinks and inspect supplies on the previous day.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.