Friends of Virgin Islands National Park will host the 5th annual Friends Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, which will begin at 8 a.m., on Sunday, May 25. Registration is now open.
Before the event participants can practice their strokes, kicks and breathing techniques at the first training swim at 8 a.m., on Sunday, April 20, at the north end of Maho Bay Beach. This first practice swim will start at Maho and finish at Cinnamon Bay Beach. There will be kayaks monitoring the course as swimmers go around America Point to Cinnamon Bay Beach, which is approximately a one-mile distance. There is no fee for the event, and all are encouraged all to participate in the group swim.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim is four simultaneous events:
1) A short course (approx. 1 mile) solo swim from Maho Beach to Cinnamon Beach
2) An intermediate course (approx. 2¼ miles) solo swim from Maho Beach to Trunk Beach
3) A long course (approx. 3½ miles) solo swim from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach; and,
4) A long course (approx. 3½ miles) three-person relay team swim from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach, with transition points at Cinnamon and Trunk beaches.
Awards will be given in age groups; and afterwards the awards ceremony will be held along with a Beach BBQ at Oppenheimer Beach.
Advance registration through May 9 is only $30; general registration is from May 10-23, is $40; and late registration, available only at the pre-race meeting on May 24, is $50. Youth 17-and-under can register for $15 through May 23, and $25 on May 24.
Swimmers can register either on-line at www.friendsvinp.org/swim, by phone at 779-4940, or in person at: Friends of the Park Store in Mongoose Junction, Connections in either Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, Caribbean Surf Co. at Red Hook and Havensight locations on St. Thomas, or at SCUBA on St. Croix.
For complete information about the swim, including the course description, course maps, competition rules and registration, visit www.friendsvinp.org/swim or call 779-4940.
