Hundreds of swimmers, volunteers, Olympic athletes, cancer survivors, and supporters will gather at Castle Island at Pleasure Bay on Saturday, August 15, for the 31st annual Swim Across America – Boston Open Water Swim. The event raises funds for cancer research, clinical trials, and patient programs benefiting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute.
Participants of all ages and experience levels will take part in half-mile, 1-mile, and 2-mile open water swims, while younger participants can join a Kids’ Splash. The day begins with swimmer check-in followed by a welcome ceremony featuring “Why I Swim” speakers, a safety briefing, and staggered swim starts before concluding with a celebration at Harpoon.
Since its founding in 1996, Swim Across America – Boston has raised more than $9 million to support cancer research in the region. Funds from this year’s event will continue to advance survivorship research at Dana-Farber’s Perini Family Survivors’ Center, as well as early-stage research and clinical trials at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute.
The Boston swim is one of 27 Swim Across America events held nationwide each year. Since 1987, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $150 million to support cancer research, prevention, and treatment while funding more than 60 cancer research projects annually. Open water and pool swims take place across the country, from Nantucket to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, bringing together thousands of swimmers and volunteers united by a common goal of making waves to fight cancer.
The event will take place at Castle Island at Pleasure Bay, 2080 William J. Day Blvd. in South Boston. Swimmer check-in opens at 8:00 a.m., followed by the welcome ceremony at 9:10 a.m. Open water swims begin at 10:00 a.m., the Kids’ Splash starts at 10:15 a.m., and the course closes at 11:30 a.m.
For more information or to support the event, visit swimacrossamerica.org/boston.
