Kick off your summer with a splash by swimming for clean water at the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s 24th annual Buzzards Bay Swim on Saturday, June 24. Swimmers can register now at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.
With just over a month to go before the event, more than 260 swimmers from all over New England and the U.S. have already signed up for this 1.2-mile point-to-point open water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor, from the South End of New Bedford to Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven. Swimmers of all levels ages 11 and up are welcome – if you can swim for 40-50 minutes continuously, you can complete the Buzzards Bay Swim!
At the celebratory finish line party, swimmers are greeted by a cheering crowd, finisher’s medal, live steel drum band, beer tent, free massages and pancakes cooked to order. Prizes will be awarded to individuals and teams for speed, fundraising and length of participation, including the new “Pukwudgie Award” for swimmers who have participated in 20 Buzzards Bay Swims.
All funds raised from the Buzzards Bay Swim support the Coalition’s work to protect clean water in communities across the region, from Little Compton to Woods Hole. Over the past 24 years, swimmers have collectively raised more than a million dollars to help improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all. Registration is $25 with a $150 fundraising minimum (pay-or-raise).
As an added challenge this year, West Falmouth resident and 10-year Buzzards Bay Swim veteran Larry Fish has offered a $25,000 matching grant if 340 swimmers sign up and raise a total of $135,000.
Looking to learn more about the Swim before you sign up? Join the Coalition and open-water swimming experts from YMCA Southcoast for a free open water swim clinic at Fort Phoenix State Reservation on Saturday, June 10 at 9:00 am or Saturday, June 17 at noon. Attendees will get to see the course firsthand, ask questions about the event, and learn great tips from swim coaches and Buzzards Bay Swim participants.
For more information about the Buzzards Bay Swim or the free swim clinics, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim or contact the Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 207 or events@savebuzzardsbay.org.
The Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Buzzards Bay Swim to benefit Buzzards Baykeeper is also sponsored by Amica Insurance, Citizens Commercial Banking, YMCA Southcoast and Fiber Optic Center. For more information on the SPLASH Event Series, presented nationally by Toyota, please visit www.splashseries.org.