Press Release
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Almost two hundred swimmers participated in the 29th annual Buzzards Bay Swim on Saturday, June 18 in New Bedford and Fairhaven.
Swimmers completed a scenic 1.2-mile point-to-point open water course from New Bedford’s South End, past the iconic Butler Flats Lighthouse and New Bedford Hurricane Barrier with a crowd of hundreds watching and cheering.
At the finish line at Fort Phoenix State Reservation in Fairhaven, swimmers and their guests were welcomed with a beach party featuring a live steel drum band, pancakes cooked to order, local craft beer, and awards and prizes. The nearly 200 swimmers, supported by 100 volunteers, raised
$185,000 and counting to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
This annual event supports 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. Supporters can still donate to the Buzzards Bay Swim by going to savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.
Bryan Robertson of Dartmouth, who has been participating in the Buzzards Bay Swim since 2007, said of the event: “This was my 16th swim. It was a little bit rough out there, it was a little bit of a challenge, but I’ve got to say it was just as fun as all the others. You can’t beat it. I’ve had my exercise for the day, I’m all warmed up, I’ve had some wonderful pancakes. The best way to start a day.”
The Buzzards Bay Swim drew swimmers of all ages and abilities from 96 communities in 14 states. The oldest swimmer was Nancy Smith from Dartmouth, and the youngest was 13 year old Lazaro Rosa from Rochester. Around 40% of swimmers participated as a member of one of 14 teams, made up of groups of friends and family who train and fundraise together.
The top fundraisers were Steve Johnson of Westport, who raised a new record of $12,115, Pamela Gauvin-Fernandes of Assonet, who raised $6,210, and Nancy Smith of Dartmouth, who raised $4,200. The top fundraising team was NBY Masters, raising $14,765.
The fastest swimmers were Cristian Twyman of Mattapoisett, with a time of 24 minutes and 30 seconds, and Carlyn Soares of Boston, with a time of 24 minutes and 32 seconds. The fastest adult team, winning the Wheeler Watershed Challenge Cup, was URSoleshine. Finally, the fastest youth team, winning the Quicks Award, was For Emma.
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 across all of Buzzards Bay. The 2022 event is on Sunday, October 2. For more information, email events@savebuzzardsbay.org or call (508) 999-6363.
The Buzzards Bay Swim is sponsored by Cisco Brewers, Demakis Family Real Estate, BayCoast Bank, BETA Group, Inc., and Buzzards Bay Brewing. If your business would like to sponsor a future event, contact events@savebuzzardsbay.org.
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