WHEN: 9:30am, Monday, October 13, 2014.
WHERE: Start in Newport by First Beach's Pavilion off of Memorial Drive. Finish in Middletown by Second Beach's Pavilion off of Sachuest Point Rd. See route, instructions and safety warnings below and on Facebook.
BLUE 3.1 MILE ROUTE: Start at the First Beach pavilion, swim toward the Cliff Walk's 40 Steps, turn left and swim east across Easton Bay toward Tuckerman's Point, round the Point keeping the land on your left and the off-shore reef on your right, then swim to the Second Beach pavilion.
SAFETY: Wear a wetsuit and bright cap. Swim with one or more "swimming buddies" who keep track of each other from start to finish. Swimmers of similar ability should stay together and, if necessary, stop to get your bearings and regroup, for instance at 40 Steps and Tuckerman's Point.
KAYAKERS & PADDLE-BOARDERS are welcome and needed to help safeguard swimmers. This is not a formal event, so swimmers who want/need kayaker escorts are responsible for bringing their own. Highly recommended for slower swimmers.
PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK: This event is an annual, informal group training swim among friends who are strong swimmers with ocean swimming experience and who have previously swam this route. Other strong swimmers are welcome, but please note that it is not a race, it is not sponsored or sanctioned by any organization, and there are no paid lifeguards or officials (unless some show up as volunteers). Do not participate unless you are confident in your swimming ability in the ocean. Escort kayakers are recommended (bring your own). There may be high surf, strong currents, cold water temps, low visibility, rocks/reef or other adverse conditions. For much of the swim there is no easy or nearby exit from the water. See forecast weather/water conditions at MagicSeaWeed.
PARKING: Meet/park no later than 9:00 a.m. by the pavilion at Second Beach's main parking lot (not the surfers end lot) and carpool to the start at First Beach or park at First Beach and get a ride back afterwards.
GROUP PHOTO at 9:25 a.m. before entering the water.
POST-SWIM BRUNCH/LUNCH: Tickets Bar & Grille, 15 Aquidneck Ave Middletown, RI 02842.