FAQs for Doc Lucky’s Golden Mile®

What happened to the gold and silver medals given out in the past?  Check out the current price of gold and silver and see why we are giving cash awards starting in 2025 for the winners.

What happened to the “swimmer of the ages division”? Clearly an idea well ahead of its time and the time clock ran out.  It was supposed to attract top masters swimmers from far away, it did not, so the division was dropped in 2025

What is the Virtual Golden Mile® Swim? Several swimmers want to support the Lake Cane Restoration Society, which is a 501c charitable organization that the proceeds of the race go to, but have other commitments on race day (in other words they want the great swag for doing the inaugural swim). So we are doing a virtual swim on Friday at 5 pm. You will be able to swim the course, but not have chip timing. You will not be eligible for awards, but you will get all the great swag for doing the swim.  All you do is register and then email Lucky LuckyJ@msn.com and let him know you will be there on Friday and he will have your goody bag ready. Floatation, fins, snorkels are allowed in the virtual swim, but not in the regular race.

Why is there a gator on the logo with Doc Lucky?  This race takes place in central Florida, in a lake, where gators like to live. We could have used a polar bear mascot, but that might be confusing.

What should I do if I get chased by a gator in the race? We honestly believe this is highly improbable but we have asked Doc Lucky what he would do, and he said, “We will have plenty of volunteers on paddle boards around the course.  I would swim up to one and knock them off their board. These folks are generally slower swimmers than I am, and all their splashing and screaming would  likely attract the gator away from me.”

There is a nine-foot stuffed gator that I see folks taking a picture with at Lucky’s Lake Swim. Was that gator taken from the lake? We asked Doc Lucky, who harvested the gator, where it came from and he only smiled and mimed like he was pushing a paddle boarder off their board and then laughed maniacally. I’m not sure this helps answer your question, but Lucky is sometimes challenging to work with.

I have a young child that I would like to leave on shore while I race, there will be someone that can watch her, right? Children are welcome with adult supervision.  Unsupervised kids will be sold on eBay for an extremely low buy it now price.  If the child does not sell, we will send him/her home with a puppy, kitten, and duckling. These animals will not have had any shots, and all will have dysentery.

Is there a Special Olympics Division? Yes.  Guidelines for these participants can be found by clicking here.

Do I qualify to sign the wall of fame if I complete the swim? Although this is a slightly different course than the daily Lucky’s Lake Swim, this does qualify you to sign the wall, get the SWAG, and to have VIP access to the outside bathrooms.

Can I get a photo with Doc Lucky? Sure, but he will not pay you to take a photo with him as he has done in the past. Additionally, he is very sensitive about the shape of his uvula. Please do not take photos of him with his mouth wide open.

What if there is inclement weather? Rain, Wind, Cold Water oh my! You’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. This is open water swimming! The race will go on unless there is lightning or weather so bad it is dangerous to volunteers. Open water swimmers already have a very warped sense of safety so we can’t base the decision to close the race based on what they consider swimmable. Lucky has swum during a hurricane so he will have no say in the cancellation decision. Sorry, no refunds if there is a race cancellation.

How many buoys will be used to mark the course? Seventeen to be exact and all are large and very visible, but unfortunately even this will not keep the directionally challenged Doc Lucky on course. A basic guideline to follow is: if you find yourself swimming in the same direction as Lucky you are off course. The turn and finish buoys are pyramid shape and the course buoys are red and orange round buoys. Special thanks to Joe Mattern for providing the buoys.

Can I swim the race with a Safer Swimmer Buoy? Yes, but you may not hang on it to float around the course. If we see you hanging, we assume you are in trouble and pull you from the race. Even if you try to escape us to continue swimming, you will fail, as we have a harpoon. We are only looking out for your safety.

Can I swim the race with mask, snorkel, and fins? No. You are confusing us with the local underwater hockey team which practices Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:00 pm at the Rosen Aquatic Center. Yes, this is a real sport with National and World Championships. You can swim in the virtual swim with aids.

I feel more comfortable when I use a pull buoy or when I am in a wet suit can I use these during the race? Well, I feel more comfortable doing the race course in a pontoon boat, so the answer is no. So check out the virtual swim.

Can I wear an full length open water swimming suit? Yes, as long as it is a FINA approved suit. Birthday suits are also allowed but require special permissions.

I am a male, but I identify as a female may I swim in the female division? You can swim any division you identify with, but to be eligible for awards here are the genetic breakdowns.  Female awards XX, XXX, XXXX, Male awards XY,  XXY,  XXXY, XYY XYYY. Your choice if you are XO.

Can I use a nose clip when swimming? Sure, but you will miss the smell of the magnificent breakfast that will be cooking and waiting for you at the end of the race.  Some people use the drifting aroma to guide them home; you will have to use the large red swim buoys.

Is there any danger of an airwar attack during the swim? Oh, you sly dog for giving a shout out to Lucky’s book. For those that don’t get the reference “airwars” are creatures in Doc Lucky’s award-winning novel “The Immune.” Good try, but you still have to pay the full registration fee, no matter how much you kiss up to Lucky.

I see all the proceeds go to the  Lake Cane Restoration Society charity what does that charity do? Contrary to the urban myth that it is a vacation fund for the executive director Jay Madigan (he is a volunteer), the organization seeks to promote best practices in restoring Lake Cane as a natural resource for current and future generations through science, education, and charity. Lake Cane is the lake the swim is being hosted in, and I know this is somewhat confusing as some swimmers call it Lucky’s Lake.

So what exactly is the name of this race? I see Doc Lucky’s Golden Mile®, The Golden Mile®, Lucky’s Lake Swim Golden Mile® all listed? The answer to this question is yes, and in German, it would be Ja.

Will there be drug testing? No, but for the top finishers, we will give them a brief calculus exam in the medical tent following their swim.

Will I be taxed if I win a cash award?. Lucky believes that this money is a gift. The IRS may not think so.

What if there is a photo finish will Lucky decide who it the winner? Absolutely not!  Lucky is well known to be susceptible to bribery and flattering compliments, so the race director will have the final decision.