Local Charity Open Water Events - Summer 2018

As you plan your summer calendar, please consider supporting these local cause-related, community-based events and organizations:

Saturday, June 23: 13th Annual Narrow River Turnaround Swim, URI Campanella Rowing Center, North Kingstown, RI. One-mile open water race and fundraiser for the Narrow River Preservation Association. $35 registration. Low key race that traditionally kicks off our local summer open water season. The 2017 event sold out with 150 swimmers. Water temp is usually in the mid to high seventies. Wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.
RESULTS  PHOTOS  Narragansett Times

Saturday, June 30: 25th Annual Buzzards Bay Swim, New Bedford to Fairhaven, NA. 1.2 mile open water race and fundraiser for the membership-supported nonprofit Buzzards Bay Coalition. This event includes individual age group, youth team, and adult team awards. Use the code MASTERS18 to save $25 on the registration fee. $150 fundraising minimum. The 2017 event had over 350 swimmers registered but was canceled due to lightening. Water temp is usually 68-70 degrees. Wetsuits allowed.
RESULTS  PHOTOS

Sunday, July 8: Clean Ocean Access Newport Harbor Swim to Skim (formerly the Newport Sharkfest Swim), Newport, RI. Two distances to choose from: 0.9 mile or 1.5 mile open-water swim through Newport Harbor from Perrotti Park to King Park. $55 registration fee. Wetsuits allowed. Proceeds benefit the Middletown RI-based nonprofit Clean Ocean Access, which does great work on a shoestring budget. VIP swimmers will include Olympian Elizabeth Beisel and local marathon swimmer Trent Theroux who is preparing for his ”Back to Britain” English Channel charity swim later this summer.
RESULTS  PHOTOS  Newport Daily News ARTICLE & VIDEO

Saturday, July 14: 8th Annual Waterman Eco-Challenge, Narragansett Town Beach, RI. One-mile swim (wetsuits allowed) and three-mile paddle board races with awards, sponsor tents and environmental awareness displays at one of the nicest beaches anywhere. $40 registration for one race or $60 for both. Proceeds from this event help support the Janice “Mama C” Causey Memorial Art Scholarship for young students. The 2017 event had over 150 swimmers.
RESULTS  PHOTOS  MORE PHOTOS

NEW! Friday, August 3: Beisel Youth Freestyle Clinic, Roger Williams University Aquatic Center, Bristol, RI. Olympian and Saunderstown native Elizabeth Beisel will provide freestyle swim technique instruction to 8-to-12-year olds at 10 AM and 13-to-18-year-olds at 11:30 AM. There will be time for photos. Spaces are limited. Part of the $50 registration will benefit Save The Bay.

Saturday,  August 4: 42nd Annual Save The Bay – Narragansett Bay Swim, from Newport Navy Base, Newport, to Potter Cove, Jamestown, RI. Iconic 1.7 nautical mile (~2 statute mile) open water swim across the channel along the span of the Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge. $400 fundraising minimum. With up to 500 swimmers, this event is Save The Bay’s largest annual fundraiser to help protect and restore the Narragansett Bay region. Join our SwimRI Save The Bay Team, swim with Olympian and Save The Bay Ambassador Elizabeth Beisel and get in on our team shirts, photo, mimosa brunch at “The Ganny,” and potential team party later that day (TBD).
RESULTS  PHOTOS  ProJo  Newport Daily News  Jamestown Press

Wednesday, August 8: Salty Brine Swim Charity Dinner to benefit the Alzheimer's Association @ George's of Galilee Restaurant, Narragansett, RI. Casual $10 dinner buffet at 7:15pm after the 6pm NOSE open-water training swim at scenic Salty Brine State Beach. Please click the "Chip In" button to pay $10 for the buffet and be added to the RSVP list. Donations to the charity will be accepted onsite via cash or check (made out to Alzheimer's Association) or online via the Tribute Fund page at http://act.alz.org/goto/pauline-capobianco.

Saturday, September 8: Swim Across America Rhode Island Open Water Swim, Roger Wheeler Beach, Narragansett, RI. One-mile and half-mile fundraising open water swims to support cancer research and clinical trials at Women and Infants Hospital Rhode Island. $250 fundraising minimum. The 2017 event sold out with ~600 swimmers and multiple Olympians on hand. Last year SwimRI continued the post-Swim festivities on the beachfront deck at George’s of GalileeJoin SwimRI's SAA-RI fundraising team.

See the SwimRI UPCOMING RACES & EVENTS webpage for more open water and pool events of potential interest to local competitive and recreational swimmers.

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