L-R: Melissa Dyer, 58, and David Stricker, 72, share a moment as they come out of the water together at Fort Phoenix in 34:13 after swimming in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Swim for the Bay on 6/24/23. Photo by Beth David
Press Release
Overcast skies and the occasional shower did not deter the 225 swimmers who participated in this year’s Buzzards Bay Swim, held in New Bedford’s Outer Harbor on Saturday, June 24th.
Athletes completed the scenic 1.2-mile point-to-point open water course, beginning in New Bedford’s South End, swimming past the iconic Butler Flats Lighthouse and New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, and finishing at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven. At Fort Phoenix, swimmers were greeted by cheering crowds, live music, a hot breakfast, and cold beer.
The swimmers, supported by more than 100 volunteers, raised more than $172,000 to advance the mission of the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Now in its 30th year, the Buzzards Bay Swim provides vital resources for the Coalition’s work to ensure clean water in all Bay communities, restore and protect watershed lands, and get people of all ages outside and engaged with their local environment.
Participants ranged from first-time swimmers to those who competed in the first-ever event 30 years ago.
The top fundraisers were Steve Johnson of Westport, who raised a new record of $13,200, followed by Nancy Smith of Dartmouth who raised $5,450, and Jessica Whittaker of Rochester, who raised $4,400. Whittaker is also a member of the top fundraising team, For Emma, which counted 34 members and raised more than $20,000.
The fastest swimmers were Jack Bauer of Cambridge, with a time of 24 minutes and 36 seconds, and Carlyn Soares of Beverly, with a time of 24 minutes and 48 seconds. The fastest adult team, winning the Wheeler Watershed Challenge Cup, were the Salty Sea Dogs. The fastest youth team, winning the Quicks Award, was For Emma.
Jenna Andrade, 30, has a big smile as she comes out of the water at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven in 59:47 after swimming in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Swim for the Bay on 6/24/23, and receives her medal from BBC volunteer Hilary Vineyard. Photo by Beth David
The Buzzards Bay Swim is sponsored by Cisco Brewers & Kitchen, Vineyard Wind, Anderson Insulation, BETA Group, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Bristol County Savings Bank, and Fiber Optic Center.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is one of two signature outdoor fundraising events hosted by the Coalition. The other is the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride, a 100, 75, or 35 mile bike ride that traverses the Buzzards Bay watershed from Little Compton to Woods Hole.
Matt Poyant and Alec Orr finished up the race and displayed 17 years of medals on their arms.
“The first time, it was like 50 people,” said Mr. Orr.
Chris Parks said it was her 19th time swimming across the harbor. She said this year was better than last year, which was very choppy.
The water was, however, a little colder, but, “It was fine,” she said.
Ms. Parks said she swims because she is a big fan of the coalition.
“Getting donations is the easy part,” she said. “Just tell them what they are doing to protect our water.”
“It was really nice,” said David Stricker of Wareham and Newton, who swam for the first time. “Just a beautiful swim.”
Buzzards Bay Coalition President, Mark Rasmussen (center) poses with Matt Poyant (LEFT) and Alec Orr while they display their medals from the last 17 years after completing another BBC Swim for the Bay on 6/24/23. Photo by Beth David
has been swimming in the ocean for 30 years.
“It’s a nice thing to do for the Bay,” he said.
Melissa Dyer swam for the 10th time.
“Actually, it was probably one of my best swims,” said Ms. Dyer, adding it was unexpected and she surprised herself. “It’s a good, supportive group.”
She joins the annual swim, she said, because she believes in what the BBC stands for. She swims in the ocean all the time, something she really appreciates because she lived in “landlocked Colorado” for 27 years.
“It’s nice to be back,” she said. “It’s nice to be back where the water is clean and where people really care about their community.”
Complete results are available at https://www.allsportsevents.com/results/buzzards-bay-swim-2023/
Corinne Hibbert, 17, strikes a pose for the local free sheet as she comes out of the water at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven in 31:17 after swimming in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Swim for the Bay on 6/24/23. Photo by Beth David.
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