Celebrate the return of summer by swimming for clean water at the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s 26th annual Buzzards Bay Swim on Saturday, June 22. Swimmers ages 11 and up can register now at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.
With just over a month to go before the event, 250 swimmers and 30 teams from all over New England and the U.S. have already signed up for this 1.2-mile point-to-point open-water swim. The Swim’s course runs across outer New Bedford Harbor, from the South End of New Bedford to Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven.
Although the event is chip timed, both competitive and casual swimmers are welcome to participate. Swimmers have up to 90 minutes to complete the course. For novice swimmers, fins are permitted and volunteer kayak escorts are available if needed.
As an extra incentive, West Falmouth resident and 11-year Buzzards Bay Swim veteran Larry Fish has offered a $50,000 matching grant if 380 swimmers sign up and raise a total of $187,000 through the event. You can help achieve this goal by signing up to swim today.
Want to learn more about the Swim before you sign up? Join the Coalition and coaches from YMCA Southcoast in June for two free open-water orientations and practice swims. The programs will take place at Fort Phoenix State Reservation on Saturday, June 8 and Saturday, June 15, both at 10:30 am. Attendees will get to see the course firsthand, ask questions about the event, learn open-water swimming tips and techniques, and get in a group swim with other participants.
For more information about the Buzzards Bay Swim or to RSVP for the free practice swims, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events or contact the Coalition at 508-999-6363 x207 or events@savebuzzardsbay.org.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is sponsored by Amica Insurance, Anderson Insulation, BayCoast Bank, BETA Group, Blue Harvest Fisheries, Bristol County Savings Bank, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Fiber Optic Center, South Coast Almanac and YMCA Southcoast, and the Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Event Series, presented nationally by Toyota.