Tampa Bay Open Water Swim

05.08.21

SAA - Tampa Bay funds benefit Moffitt Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital.

Hear directly from the incredible doctors your funds are supporting below.

Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt is the No. 11 cancer hospital and has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report since 1999. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. With more than 7,000 team members, Moffitt has an economic impact in the state of $2.4 billion. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital provides expert pediatric care for infants, children and teens with some of the most challenging medical problems in our community and around the world. The hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in eight pediatric specialties, more than any other Florida hospital, and provides access to the most innovative treatments and therapies. Taking part in pediatric medical education and clinical research helps us to provide expert care in more than 43 pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties.

General Fundraising Requirement: $500 for ages 18 & over, $200 for under 18

All swimmers pledge to raise a minimum based on your age. Participants 18 & over are asked to raise a minimum of $500 and participants under 18 are asked to raise a minimum of $200. If you do not achieve the minimum by event day, you will be asked to close the money gap at the event with a credit card or check.

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. All teams are inspirational and rewarding for all of us involved with Swim Across America. All team members are still required to meet their individual fundraising minimums based on their age, distance or WaveMaker status as noted in the prior sections.

Club Team Fundraising Requirements

For club teams (18 or under age group led by a coach), the fundraising rule is that the average raised per swimmer is $200. For example, if the club has 20 swimmers, the club as a whole must raise at least $4,000. Some swimmers can be under or over $200, but the team minimum must be reached and all swimmers can swim any distance.

Dolphin Dash

The Dolphin Dash 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 Dolphin Dash swimmers. However, they are encouraged to fundraise if they would like!

Distance Options:

• 1/2 Mile
• 1 Mile
• 2.0 Mile
• Dolphin Dash (for kids)

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 March 5th with a registration fee of $50
• Register between March 6th and April 10th with a registration fee of $75
• Register between April 11th and event day with a registration fee of $100

Online registration will close 48 hours prior to the swim! There will be no day of registration.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

What To Expect on Event Day

Swim Across America is committed to providing a safe experience with these policies on event day. Modifications subject to change.

Swim Time Limit:

We have a 2h15m cut off for the swim. What does this mean for you? It will be at the discretion of the Safety Director as to whether to "advance" you via a boat to a point closer to the finish or to have the lifeguards remove you from the water after that time limit passes. Please keep in mind that all of these procedures are designed in the interest of safety.

Wetsuits

The average water temperature is 78 degrees in May. Wetsuits are permitted under 78 degrees.

Online: WetsuitRental.com is offering $15 off with code SAA15 on adult and youth wetsuit rentals. You can find more info here.

2021 Swimmer Packet:

Download the 2021 SWIMMER PACKET HERE. You can download the 2019 TAMPA SWIMMER PACKET here.

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-Tampa Bay event. If you meet the fundraising minimum and later choose to join us at the swim, we can change your registration status. 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, stand-up paddleboarders and power boaters 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 Nicole Porter.

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.

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
PO Box 65
Lutz, FL 33548

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

2021 Return to Events Updates:

For three decades, Swim Across America has been committed to providing a safe environment for our charity activities. COVID-19 brings a new dimension as we create our safety protocols. Each of our charity swims will abide by local, state and national guidelines. COVID-19 will likely have some impact on our ability to offer the day of experience you’ve come to expect.

All participants and volunteers will be asked to follow safety procedures and policies. Participants are responsible for adequately preparing for their registered charity event. We ask that all participants review the information packet provided in advance and attend the day-of safety briefing if you are participating in our live experience.

We appreciate your understanding as we commit to creating the best possible environment for our participants, volunteers and community. Our Return to Events Updates can be found here. Please check this page for any changes.

What To Expect on Event Day

Swim Across America is committed to providing a safe experience with these policies on event day. Modifications subject to change.

SAA Safety & Policies:

Swim Across America makes participant safety 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.

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

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

Event Schedule is subject to change and updates will be emailed to participants

6:45 - 7:45 am: Registration/Check in

7:30 am: Welcome Program & Guest Speakers

8:05 am: National Anthem

8:08 am: Mandatory Safety Speech

8:20 am: 2.0 mile start

8:30 am: 1 mile start

8:35 am: 1/2 mile start

8:40 am: Dolphin Dash

9:30 am: Post Event Celebration Begins

**Course cutoff is 10:15 am.

Venue:

The new Swim Across America swim site will be located at the North Shore Park in St. Petersburg, in the grassy area directly across from the Vinoy Park Beach volleyball courts.

Address:
901 North Shore Dr. NE.
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701

Directions:

From Tampa:

• Follow I-275 S to 4th Ave N in Saint Petersburg
• Merge onto I-275 S
• Use the left 2 lanes to take exit 23A for I-375 E toward Baywalk/The Pier
• Continue onto I-375 E
• Continue on 4th Ave N. Take Beach Dr NE to 10th Ave NE
• Merge onto 4th Ave N
• Turn left onto Beach Dr NE
• Turn right onto 10th Ave NE

From Downtown St. Petersburg:

• Head south on 4th St N toward 2nd Ave N
• Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 2nd Ave N
• Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 3rd St N
• Turn right onto 4th Ave N
• Turn left onto Beach Dr NE
• Turn right onto 10th Ave NE

Parking:

Closest parking is located within the North Shore Park in two lots.
- Near 10th Ave NE and North Shore Dr NE
- Near 12th Ave NE and North Shore Dr NE

Accessibility:

This event was designed to provide equal opportunity for enjoyment by all participants. If you would like to request any particular aids or services pursuant to disability laws, please contact Amy Maguire at 727-656-8413 or City of St Petersburg Community Affairs Division at (727) 893-7345 or (727) 892-5259 TDD/TTY

Places to Stay:

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St. Petersburg
80 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 892-9900
Note: Details coming soon

Vinoy Renaissance
501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 337015
(727) 894-1000

Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Downtown
940 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 821-0777
Note: Details coming soon

SAA - Tampa is fortunate to have this wonderful team of Olympians who are expected to attend our open water swim this year.

Brooke Bennett

Craig Beardsley

Eric Wunderlich

Tripp Schwenk

Other special guests attending SAA - Tampa Bay:

Bucky Dent, 1978 World Series MVP

John Driscoll Hopkins, Zac Brown Band, Grammy Award Winner

Sarasota Pool Swim

Selby Aquatic Center
Date: April 10, 2021

Please watch our '2020 SAA-Tampa Celebration Video' here!

2018 Moffitt Video: