Boston Open Water Swim

08.12.23

General Fundraising Requirement: $500 for ages 18 & over, $250 for under 18

All swimmers are required to raise at least $500 by event day. Swimmers under 18 are required to raise $250 by event day.

WaveMaker Status: $1,000 minimum:

WaveMakers go above and beyond the call of duty by raising at least $1,000 regardless of your age. Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WM gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

Swim as an Individual, or on a Team:

A person may elect to swim alone, or be part of a team. Many colleagues and college alumni will form teams, or teams may be formed in honor or memory of a loved one. You can inspire each other to reach higher fundraising goals together to support Swim Across America.

Kids Splash:

The Kids Splash is for kids under 8 who would like to participate by swimming a short distance along the beach under supervision. Registration is $25. There is no fundraising minimum for Kids Splash swimmers. However, they are encouraged to fundraise if they would like!

Distance Options:

• 1/2 Mile
• 1 Mile
• 2 Mile
• Kids Splash

2023 SAA-Boston Course Overview and Safety Briefing Video

Please watch this video for a course overview and safety briefing for the 2023 Swim Across America Boston Open Water Swim. All swimmers are required to attend the Mandatory Safety Briefing at 9:00 am on the beach the morning of the swim.

Registration Self-Donation:

Swimmers will be asked to kickstart your fundraising and let your supporters know you are personally committed to the mission of SAA. The registration self-donation is a 100% tax deductible donation that will be will be credited towards each swimmer's fundraising minimum. The minimum self-donation amount will change as follows:

• Register before May 15 with a registration fee of $50
• Register between May 15 and July 16 with a registration fee of $75
• Register between July 17 and event day with a registration fee of $100

Online registration will close on Thursday, August 10. Event day registration may still be available if space permits.

Wetsuit Policy, Rentals and Purchases:

We strongly recommend that all participants wear a wetsuit for this event. Please read our full wetsuit policy and tips on our Policies Page.

Online Wetsuit Purchase: Orca is an SAA wetsuit partner offering a 20% discount on all Orca purchases with code SAA20.

Online Wetsuit Rental: Kit Lender is offering a 10% discount off any Wetsuit or Kit rental. Wetsuit rentals start at just $42/event. Orders placed at least 7 days in advance include free roundtrip shipping. Orders can typically be placed up to 2 days before the event. Get started HERE.

Waivers:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

2023 Swimmer Packet:

Please review the 2023 SWIMMER AND VOLUNTEER INFO PACKET before the event. It contains important information about the schedule, what to expect and what to bring.

Proceeds from the swim will support quality-of-life clinical research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and pediatric oncology research at Mass General for Children Cancer Center.

Read about the specific cancer research projects and doctors your funds are supporting at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute here. Read the latest Swim Across America - Boston impact report here.

Hear directly from doctors at our beneficiaries about why your funding is critical to their research below.

What is SAA MY WAY?

SAA My Way is our virtual offering where you decide your activity and timeline. Register with a $50 self-donation and we’ll send you an SAA Swag Bag to show off your spirit. All donations raised for your My Way will support our SAA-Boston event. Click here to learn about all the ways you can have fun your way!

To sign up as an SAA My Way participant for our event, click the register button above and select 'SAA My Way' as your participation type.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Swim Across America Family ensuring our event run smoothly from beginning to end. Even if you aren’t a swimmer, you can still help us in the fight against cancer. Don’t forget, volunteers can fundraise too if they want! Ready to volunteer with us? Click on the Register button and select the Volunteer participation type.

Land Volunteers

Land Volunteers staff all aspects of our event on land. You can anticipate helping with set up, swimmer check-in, finish line support, hospitality and post-swim events/clean up.

Water Volunteers

Water volunteers consist of kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders that provide crucial logistical and safety support to our event officials and for our swimmers. They will monitor the swim lane, keep an active eye on all our swimmers and communicate any swimmer issues to our event officials.

Questions about volunteering? Check out our SAA Volunteer Page or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Jen Downing.

If this is your first time participating or if you just need some tips to be a better fundraiser, click here. It will walk you through the participant center and teach you how to email donors, share on social media sites and download the fundraising app. You can find more helpful resources on our fundraising resources page.

NEW! Watch these instructional videos to learn how to register, update your participant center, connect to Facebook and more!

Be a WaveMaker by taking your fundraising to the next level and raising $1000! Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WM gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

You may support the swimmer of your choice by making an online donation. Or you may send a check, payable to Swim Across America, to the address below:

Swim Across America - Boston
c/o Jamie Mannion
PO Box 206
300 Broadway Lbby
Revere, MA 02151

Make sure to include a note with the name of the swimmer you are donating to.

SAA Safety & Policies:

Participant safety is the most important component of all our events. All swimmers will be asked to follow specific safety procedures and policies to participate, as well as comply with SAA safety personnel, including local and government entities, Lifeguards, and water safety volunteers. Participants are responsible for adequately preparing for their registered event. We ask that all participants review the information packet provided in advance of event day, as well as attend the day-of safety briefing for important safety information.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

If you have questions about our policies regarding inclement weather, swim equipment or wetsuits, please consult our Policies page.

Schedule

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

6:30 a.m. All Volunteers Arrive

7:30 a.m. Registration Opens

8:30 a.m. Ceremony Begins

9:00 a.m. Safety Talk

9:15 a.m. 2 Mile Swim Starts

9:25 a.m. Kids Splash

9:40 a.m. 1 Mile Swim Starts

10:00 a.m. 1/2 Mile Swim Starts

10:30 a.m. Course Closes

Noon - Join us for a celebration at Harpoon!

Swim Location

Castle Island at Pleasure Bay
South Boston, MA 02127.

Parking

2080 William J Day Blvd
Boston, MA 02127

2023 Boston Course Map

Team Relay Challenge returning 2024!

Our Team Relay Challenge pool swim will return in 2024! Please consider joining us for the open water swim on August 12th! We will be offering 0.5 mile, 1 mile and 2 mile swim distances! Pleasure Bay is a sheltered bay and the course will allow for easy access back to the shore at many points.

You can also choose to participate virtually with our SAA My Way program where you decide your activity and timeline. Click here for more information!

IN THE NEWS

Here are some recent stories that display the impact members of the Swim Across America family have had in the Boston community.

RECENT VIDEOS

Swimmers flood Castle Island to raise money for cancer research (WHDH)

Swim Across America holding event at Castle Island to raise money for cancer research (Boston 25)