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Open Water Safety Waiver & Risk Acknowledgment Form

Get open water swimmers to acknowledge the risks and confirm their ability, health, and emergency contact before entering.

Description

The Open Water Safety Waiver Form gives organizers and venues a clear way to make sure swimmers understand the risks before getting in. Swimmers confirm whether they’re a confident swimmer able to cover the distance unaided and flag any medical conditions that could affect them in cold water, so you can look after them properly.

Space to give details on any condition, along with age and an emergency contact, means you hold the information that matters if something goes wrong. A signature and a clear acknowledgment of risk complete the waiver, so every swimmer has read and accepted the conditions before they enter open water at your venue or event.

Clear waivers keep open water swimming safe for all. Sign up for a free Fun Forms account to customize the fields and embed this waiver form on your website.

Form fields

Everything the Open Water Safety Waiver & Risk Acknowledgment Form above collects — 8 fields, so you can see exactly what it captures before you make it your own.

Swim Open Water Safely

  • Are you a confident swimmer, able to swim the distance unaided?

    Yes/No Icon
    Yes/No

  • Any medical conditions that could affect you in cold water?

    Yes/No Icon
    Yes/No

  • If yes, please give details

    Long Answer Icon
    Long Answer

  • Your name

    Name Icon
    Name

  • Age

    Number Icon
    Number

  • Emergency contact (name & number)

    Short Answer Icon
    Short Answer

  • Your signature

    Signature Icon
    Signature

  • Acknowledgment of risk

    Consent Icon
    Consent
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Template FAQs

Common questions about the Open Water Safety Waiver & Risk Acknowledgment Form — what it captures, when to use it, and how to make it your own.

What is an open water safety waiver?

It’s a form in which a swimmer confirms they understand the risks of open water and accept the conditions before entering. It captures their swimming ability, relevant health details, and an emergency contact, so venues and organizers can keep them safe.

Who should sign this waiver?

Every swimmer using an open water venue or entering an event should sign it, confirming they understand the risks. It suits lakes, reservoirs, sea swims, and organized events wherever swimmers enter open water and organizers need clear, recorded consent.

Why ask about cold-water health risks?

Cold water can affect the heart and breathing and worsen some conditions, so the form asks about anything relevant. Knowing this lets organizers advise swimmers, plan safety cover, and make informed decisions about who should enter the water.

Does a waiver remove all liability?

A waiver records that a swimmer understands and accepts the risks, but it doesn’t replace proper safety measures or a venue’s duty of care. It works alongside good supervision, briefings, and cover to keep open water swimming as safe as possible.

Why include an emergency contact?

If something goes wrong in open water, being able to reach someone quickly matters. Capturing an emergency contact on the waiver means organizers hold that detail for every swimmer, adding an important layer of safety and reassurance.

Is this waiver form free to use?

Yes — it’s completely free with a Fun Forms account. You can customize every field, restyle it to match your brand, embed it on your website in seconds, and it needs no coding at all.

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