Two hundred forty swimmers dove into outer New Bedford Harbor early Saturday morning to celebrate clean water in Buzzards Bay during the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s 23rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim.
As of the start of the event on Saturday, swimmers had raised $120,000 to support the nonprofit Coalition’s work to protect clean water, conserve land and educate youth and adults across the Buzzards Bay region, from Westport to Woods Hole. Members of the public who wish to support the Swim can still donate at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.
“The Buzzards Bay Swim is a fantastic celebration of clean water in our community,” said Coalition President Mark Rasmussen. “The fact that nearly 250 swimmers came out this morning to swim across New Bedford Harbor – one of the biggest Swims in 23 years – shows how important clean water is to people here on Buzzards Bay.”
Calm, clear waters and bright sunshine greeted swimmers as they gathered at The Edge Seafood & Lounge beach in New Bedford’s South End. The first swimmers started at 7:15 am, and around 9:00 am the final swimmers had covered the 1.2-mile course and arrived at the finish line at Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation in Fairhaven.
“This is such a great event because it’s all about community,” said Laurie Hellstrom of Fairhaven, a masters swim team member at the New Bedford YMCA who completed her fifth Swim today. “It was a beautiful day. The water temperature was perfect, and you could see both the sun and the moon while you were swimming.”
The Swim drew participants from 120 communities in 15 states, including as far as away as Alaska, Washington and Florida. Swimmers ranged in age from 12 to 76.
First-time Buzzards Bay Swim participant and New Hampshire resident Peggy Chisholm grew up in Padanaram, and she swims in Buzzards Bay when she visits southeastern Massachusetts on weekends. “I love these waters,” she said after crossing the finish line.
Larry Fish of Falmouth was the top fundraiser this year, raising $5,000. Bill Muldoon of Mattapoisett raised $3,506, while Dan Vasconcellos of Pembroke raised $2,900 in memory of his father, Arthur. Rebecca Williams of Rochester was the top fundraiser for a new swimmer, raising $2,420. In addition to the top individual fundraisers, the Red Dory Restaurant of Tiverton, R.I. was the top fundraising team with a total of $4,026.
Vasconcellos remembers when water conditions weren’t so clear when he participated in his first Buzzards Bay Swim over 20 years ago. “You might have been able to see your hand in front of you. Now, the conditions are unbelievable. I like to think it’s due to the efforts of the Coalition.”
After the Swim, participants, volunteers and supporters enjoyed a finish line beach party with a pancake breakfast, complimentary massages, live music from El Caribe and a live radio broadcast with Michael Rock of FUN 107. The event concluded with an awards ceremony.
Fifteen-year-old Henry Keegan of Needham was the top finisher, completing the course in 22 minutes and 40 seconds. Eric Pauls of Westport came in second with a time of 22 minutes and 58 seconds. In third place was Frank Wuest of Boston with a time of 24 minutes and 10 seconds, a tie with the top overall female finisher, Morgan McCarthy of East Orleans.
The Wheeler Watershed Challenge Cup for the fastest team went to the “Salty Sea Dogs” (Alex Gallant of Lakeville, Nick Graca of East Freetown and Trevor Ragas of Lakeville) with an average team time of 25 minutes and 51 seconds.
The Quicks Awards for the fastest youth teams both went to MetroWest Aquatic Club. The boys’ team (Henry Keegan, 15, of Needham; Samuel Dawley, 15, of Dover; and Benjamin Zeng, 14, of Weston) finished with an average time of 25 minutes and 12 seconds. The girls’ team (Molly Jordan, 14, of Mendon; Charlotte Moynihan, 14, of Needham; and Riley Correll, 15, of Dover) finished with an average time of 29 minutes and 51 seconds. The two teams will each bring a $500 prize back to their swim club.
For a full list of results from the 2016 Buzzards Bay Swim, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim. Photos are available for download and use via Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/savebuzzardsbay/albums/72157669675463601. Photos of swimmers from specific communities are available upon request.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is one of two signature outdoor events hosted by the Coalition. The other is the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, a one-day bicycle ride with 100-mile, 75-mile, 35-mile, and 10-mile routes from Little Compton, R.I. to Woods Hole, Mass. The 10th anniversary Watershed Ride will take place on Sunday, October 2. Details and registration are available at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ride.