Feb. 1, 2007 — Come swim, snorkel or wade in the water — it's all for a good cause. The fifth annual Against the Tide in the Virgin Islands Swim for Breast Cancer will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m. at Magens Bay.
The fund-raiser is a family activity in which every member can participate however they please: as a swimmer, a swimmer using fins or as a wader. One can even pull someone along on a float.
For 14 years on the national level, Against the Tide has been a competitive swimming event to raise money for research and to assist breast cancer survivors in need of financial assistance for medical care.
Event Director Gayle Deller said that since 2003, when the swim began, the St. Thomas event has raised more than $3,400. "Last year we had 56 people in the water spanning in age from 11 months to 69 years young," Deller said. "The previous year, 2005, we had a record number of 97 people in the water, with the youngest at 7 months and the oldest 76 years.
Deller hopes the event and the amount of money raised will continue to grow. Currently event coordinators are asking for contributions to help cover this year's operating expenses, for items like lifeguards, advertising, T-Shirts and awards.
Participants can register the day of the swim from 9 to 9:30 am at Shed No. 1 at Magens at a cost of $20. However, pre-registration is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 18 and can be done using forms available at the gatehouse before 4 p.m. Friday.
There will be medals for the first 100 finishers and awards to the top youth and adult (both male and female) finishers in three categories: swimmers, fins and waders.
Businesses and school teams with the most participants will also receive a special award.
For more information, call Deller at 643-6319.
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