On The Water: LI Sound Swim For A Cause Sets A New High Water Mark

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Start getting limbered up because registration is now open for the Swim Across America Long Island Sound Swim for cancer research.

For 30 years, Swim Across America’s Long Island Sound Chapter has been making waves to fight cancer through its Westchester swimming events. After three decades and hundreds of swims involving thousands of participants, the group said it is looking to create a veritable "fundraising tsunami" to support local cancer research, prevention and treatment.

"Thirty years ago, 17 swimmers at the Larchmont Yacht Club completed a four-mile swim, raising $15K for cancer research, and the Swim Across America-Long Island Chapter was born," SAA-LIS Executive Director Tony Sibio said in a statement announcing this year's lineup. "Since that time, our family of swimmers, volunteers and donors has grown exponentially, and we have made incredible inroads in our fight to beat cancer. Yet, we still have a way to go, and we won’t stop until cancer is eradicated forever."

This summer's participants will have eight opportunities to swim and volunteer in swimming events in Westchester. The famed open-water Long Island Sound signature swim, which hosts swimmers from throughout Westchester County, the Hudson Valley and beyond, is scheduled for July 30 in Larchmont.

Only slightly less adventurous pool swims are scheduled this summer between July 9 and August 6.

The summer program will encompass seven pool swims (with the option of half-mile and one-mile efforts) plus an open-water swim course on the Long Island Sound that will offer participants the option of swimming 2K, 5K or 10K. The open-water swim, which starts at Larchmont Yacht Club and ends at Larchmont Shore Club, has been recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Association as one of America's Top 100 Open Water Swims.

The full roster of participating locations, dates and times is as follows:

• Westchester Country Club on July 9, from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

• NYAC Travers Island in Pelham on July 14, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• Chappaqua Swim & Tennis Club on July 17, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Coveleigh Club in Rye on July 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (members only)

• Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck on July 23, from 6:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

• Scarsdale Golf Club on July 26, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Long Island Sound Open Water in Larchmont on July 30, from 6 a.m. to noon

• Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester on August 6, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Proceeds from the swims will support the Swim Across America research lab, Dr. Luis Diaz and the MSK Kids Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; pediatric oncology research at Morgan Stanley Columbia University Medical Center; and patient services with Cancer Support Team.

Those interested in participating in 2022 Swim Across America-Long Island Sound events can register to swim, kayak, sponsor a swimmer or volunteer to help at www.swimacrossamerica.com/Long_Island.

Donations can be sent to SAA-Long Island Sound, P.O. Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538.

Those who prefer not to swim also have an opportunity to contribute to the chapter’s fundraiser. SAA My Way is a virtual offering where participants decide their activity and timeline. It can be anything from jogging to golfing, playing tennis to basketball. All SAA My Way participants are encouraged to set a minimum fundraising goal of $250. All donations raised for My Way will support the SAA-LIS event.

"The first year of our swim we never imagined that we would become the largest Swim Across America chapter or that we would be able to accomplish so much as a result of the commitment and generosity of everyone involved in the SAA community," Sibio said. "Of course, we long for the day when our fundraising swims are no longer necessary. Until that time, we will continue to makes waves — maybe even a tsunami — in our fight against cancer."

SEE ALSO:

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• Hudson Valley On The Water: Walkway Over The Hudson
• Hudson Valley On The Water: Playland Memories For Sale
• Hudson Valley On The Water: Execution Rocks Light
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About Swim Across America

Swim Across America, Inc. was founded in 1987 and has raised over $100 million for cancer research and prevention programs at the country’s finest hospitals and managed-care facilities. Since Swim Across America’s inception, it has grown from having a single event in Nantucket, MA, to 22 open water benefit swims across the country.

The Long Island Sound chapter was started in 1992 and has grown to be the largest in the organization, having raised over $21 million since its inception.

For more information about Swim Across America Long Island Chapter, please call 914-769-8411 or visit www.swimacrossamerica.org/long_island.