By Caden Lisa, Neighb News Correspondent
The Buzzards Bay Coalition hosted its 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim in their mission to support the fight for clean and healthy water on Saturday, June 20.
The Bay hosted approximately 200 swimmers of all ages stretched across the picturesque 1.2-mile stretch of water from New Bedford’s South End to Fairhaven’s Fort Phoenix. The swimming enthusiasts were met with roaring applause accompanied by the rhythmic excellence of El Caribe providing the steel drum jams.
Chef Mike Melo and company provided pancakes while Chris “Gazelle” Arsenault spearheaded the MC duties for the Coalition, lifting up the swimmers and supporters alike on the mic.
Nancy Smith of Dartmouth, 86, was the oldest swimmer to participate, finishing with a time of 44:11. Steve Johnson of Westport was once again the top individual fundraiser of the event, raising a total of $13,234.
Will Van Fossen of Boston won his second-consecutive Buzzards Bay Swim with a time of 23:59. The former Yale student-athlete shaved off more than five minutes from his performance last year. Timothy Ryan of Buzzards Bay recorded second place, finishing with a time of 24:07. Barrington resident Albert Garcia rounded out the top three on the men’s side, recording a time of 24:21.
Falmouth resident Meredith Gilson finished first out of the 105 women swimming across the Bay, recording a time of 27:19. Jillian Schneider of Newton and Nicole O’Keeffe from Arlington rounded out the top three with 27:55 and 28:45, respectively.
“This is a great event [that] raises a lot of money for a great organization,” Jocelyn Chin said. Chin, a Mattapoisett resident who grew up in Fairhaven, emphasized the importance of the Coalition’s mission, “I realized how lucky we are to have the Bay and the beautiful trails and beautiful land that the Coalition protects and allows for public access.”
Backed by countless volunteers like Patsy from Dartmouth, Saturday’s event exemplifies the positive impact that camaraderie can have on our community and environment. As a united force, the people raised $193,816 by press time to advance the mission of the BBC.
For more information, visit https://www.savebuzzardsbay.org
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- Philip Weinstein, 83, traverses the final stretch to Fort Phoenix in the 33rd Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Phoebe Teare, 60, sets her sights toward the direction of the finish line in the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Nancy Smith, 86, of Dartmouth, receives her flowers after completing in her 25th Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Mascot, Clean Water (C.W.), celebrates the hard work from everyone involved in the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Justin Nyweide, 46, earns a high five as he reaches the finish at Fort Phoenix in the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Bryan Robertson, 73 (CENTER), gets a helping had from fellow swimmer, Laura Robertson, 39 (LEFT), and BBC volunteer, Len, at the Fort Phoenix end of the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Jillian Schneider, 18, reaches for a towel while headed towards the finish line in the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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- Meredith Gilson, 55, makes it to Fort Phoenix as the first woman to complete the 33rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on 6/20/26. Photo by Caden Lisa for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News.
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