April 10, 2007 — The fourth annual Friends' Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, sponsored by the Friends of V.I. National Park, will take place at 8 a.m. May 27. Registration is now open.
A training and practice swim will precede the event, according to a news release from the Friends. The first training swim will take place at 8 a.m. April 22 at the north end of Maho Bay Beach. This first practice swim will start at Maho and finish at Cinnamon Bay Beach. People in kayaks will monitor the course as swimmers make their way around America Point to Cinnamon Bay Beach, approximately one mile. "There is no fee for this event, and we encourage all to participate in this group swim," the news release said.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim consists of four simultaneous events:
— A short course (approximately 1 mile) solo swim from Maho Beach to Cinnamon Beach;
— An intermediate course (approximately 2 1/4 miles) solo swim from Maho Beach to Trunk Beach;
— A long course (approximately 3 1/2 miles) solo swim from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach; and
— A long course (approximately 3 1/2 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. To cap off the event, the awards ceremony will be held along with a barbecue at Oppenheimer Beach, the news release said.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim is for both competitive swimmers and relatively serious recreational swimmers. To make it as accessible and fun for as many participants as possible, swimmers may compete using snorkels, fins, exposure suits, etc., in a separate "assisted-swimmer" category.
The Power Swim will be held in National Park waters. "This event has become part of the list of challenging sporting events in the Virgin Islands, and features the incredible waters and beaches of Virgin Islands National Park, two very special attributes of the park," said Joe Kessler, Power Swim race director, according to the news release.
Advance registration through May 15 is $25. General registration May 16-25 will cost $30, and late registration, available only at the pre-race meeting on May 26, will be $40. New this year is a reduced registration fee for youth 17 and under, which is $15 through May 25 and $25 on May 26.
Swimmers can register online, by phone at (340) 779-4940, or in person at the Friends' office in Mongoose Junction, Connections in either Cruz Bay or Coral Bay or at Caribbean Surf Co. at all three locations on St. Thomas, or at SCUBA on St. Croix.
For complete information about the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim, including the course description, course maps, competition rules and to register click here or call 779-4940.
Event sponsors are Hawaiian Tropic, Alfredo's Landscaping, St. John Insurance Agency, Maho Bay Camps, Topa Properties and Mongoose Junction.
