Spring is finally here, and summer is on the horizon – which means now is the perfect time to sign up to swim for clean water at the 27th annual Buzzards Bay Swim on Saturday, June 27. Register now at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim to secure your spot in this popular event.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is an exciting 1.2-mile open water point-to-point swim across outer New Bedford Harbor, with 400 swimmers and 100 kayakers participating each year. The event welcomes swimmers of all abilities and fitness levels ages 11 and up.
Lowry Heussler, who participated in the swim for the first time last year, is looking forward to returning to New Bedford in June. “I did nine open water swims last year, and the Buzzards Bay Swim was the best,” she said. “If you can swim at a steady pace for an hour, you’re not going to have any trouble with the Buzzards Bay Swim.”
Teams from across Buzzards Bay and beyond have already registered, including the “Chapoquoit Swimmers,” “Mischievous Mermaids,” “UR Solshine” and “New Bedford Hurricanes” youth swim teams, among others.
First-time and beginner swimmers can have a personal kayak or paddleboard safety escort, as well as choose to use swim aids such as fins or snorkels. To support new swimmers in going “from couch to Swim” by June 27, YMCA Southcoast is offering adult swim lessons and discounted three-month memberships with no joiner’s fee for registered swimmers.
All swimmers receive a swim cap, event t-shirt, water bottle and a bronze finisher’s medal featuring the iconic Butler Flats Lighthouse. The finish line beach party celebration includes a hot breakfast, gourmet coffee, free massages for swimmers and a Buzzards Bay Brewing craft beer tent.
Funds raised through the Swim support the Buzzard Bay Coalition’s work to protect clean water in communities across the Buzzards Bay region, from Little Compton to Vineyard Sound. Top fundraisers and finishers receive special prizes and recognition during an awards ceremony on the beach.
Make a difference for clean water in your community this summer. Register now for the Buzzards Bay Swim at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim
The Swim is sponsored by BETA, Fiber Optic Center and YMCA Southcoast. If your business would like to sponsor the Swim, contact events@savebuzzardsbay.org.