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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesFinal Power Swim Practice Set for Sunday

Final Power Swim Practice Set for Sunday

Sunday is the last day of official practices for the upcoming May 29 Friends of V.I. National Park Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.

The practice swim begins at 8:30 a.m. at Maho Bay Beach with swimmers heading to their choice of Cinnamon, Trunk or Maho bays. Participants can swim assisted with fins, mask, and snorkel or swim unassisted. Swimmers taking the 8 a.m. ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay will have enough time to make the start.

The actual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim gets under way at 8 a.m. May 29 at Maho Bay Beach.

“It’s fun and it’s a great way to test yourself,” Friends President Joe Kessler said.

According to Kessler, many participants view the event as a personal challenge, striving to best their last year’s times.

A total of 192 people participated in the 2010 swim. Kessler said the event raised about $20,000 for Friends activities.

Last year’s winner in the men’s division was Bryson Mays of St. Croix. Kessler said Mays, who is now 16, plans to compete in this year’s event. Sally Dykstra of Austin, Texas was the top woman finisher last year.

The swim features three courses. The short course runs about one mile from Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay. The intermediate course is from Maho Bay to Trunk Bay, a distance of about 2.5 miles. The long course runs 3.5 miles from Maho Bay to Hawksnest Bay.

Swimmers compete in the long course as an individual or as part of a three-person team. Swimmers also compete assisted by snorkel and/or fins in an assisted swimmer category.

Transportation is provided from the Cruz Bay ferry dock to the start beginning at 6:20 a.m. Additional transportation is provided between the beaches where the various courses begin and the end of the long course at Hawsknest.

Additionally, the Friends will provide transportation from Hawksnest to the Oppenheimer Pavilion at the far eastern end of Hawksnest Bay, where participants gather for a post-race party and awards ceremony. The party begins at 11 a.m.

Registration runs $15 for youths ages 17 and under and $40 for adults. Registration at the May 28 pre-race meeting is $25 for youths and $50 for adults. There is no registration the day of the swim.

Register online at www.friendsvinp.org/swim through 9:30 p.m. May 27. Participants may also register by calling the Friends office or register in person at the Friends of the Park store in Mongoose Junction shopping center, Connections in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay; at Caribbean Surf Co. in Havensight, Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and at SCUBA in Christiansted, St. Croix.

The pre-race meeting is May 28 at Maho Bay Camps. All swimmers are strongly urged to attend this full briefing. Registration and pre-check-in, along with completion of paperwork and distribution of event T-shirts and goodie bags, begins at 5 p.m. A 45-minute detailed briefing on the course and the event starts at 6 p.m.

The event provides an opportunity for friends and family of participants to make a contribution by sponsoring swimmers in its Race for a Reason Fundraising Challenge. Donations made to the Friends will be used to support the Learn to Swim program in V.I. National Park along with other projects and programs.

All participants raising $250 or more for Friends receive a Limited Edition 2011 Beach-to-Beach Power Swim hat. The top 3 fundraisers receive special gifts following the race at the Oppenheimer Beach awards ceremony. Make pledges at www.friendsvinp.org/swim/race_reason_2011.pdf.

For more information, call the Friends at 779-4940.

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