Fairfield County Open Water Swim

06.29.24

General Fundraising Requirement:

All adult swimmers are required to raise at least $500 by event day. Swimmers under 18 are required to raise $300 by event day.

WaveMaker Status: $1,000 minimum:

WaveMakers go above and beyond the call of duty by raising at least $1,000 regardless of your age. Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WM gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

Swim as an Individual, or on a Team:

A person may elect to swim alone, or be part of a team. Many colleagues and college alumni will form teams, or teams may be formed in honor or memory of a loved one. All teams are inspirational and rewarding for all of us involved with Swim Across America. All team members are still required to meet the individual fundraising minimum of $500.

New for 2024! Kids Splash:

Now even the youngest kids can make a big splash. Children up to age 11 can participate by splashing a short distance along the beach. Parents are welcome to join in and must accompany non-swimmers or those under age 6. It’s a fun way for the whole family to make waves to fight against cancer!

This year’s Kids’ Splash is being called the “Queen Willa Kids' Splash” to honor courageous five-year old Willa Kosh, who is royally and fearlessly battling pediatric leukemia, specifically B cell ALL. "Queen Willa" is the nickname that was given to Willa a year ago after she was diagnosed with leukemia.

Registration is $25 and each registered participant receives a shirt, towel and swim cap. There is no fundraising minimum for Kids’ Splash swimmers. However, they are encouraged to fundraise if they would like! Please follow the steps at the top of the page and click 'in-person swimmer' to get kids registered. Join the “Queen Willa Kids' Splash” and help make waves to fight against cancer!

Angel Swimmers

For those who are hesitant about swimming in open water, we are happy to provide an “angel swimmer” to swim the course alongside you. Angel swimmers are experienced open water swimmers who encourage you, keep an eye on you and support you during your swim. If you think you may benefit from having an angel swimmer, please respond yes to the question presented in online registration. You may also reach out to answer any questions.

Distance Options:

• 0.5 Mile
• 1.5 Mile
• 3.0 Mile

Registration Self-Donation:

Swimmers will be asked to kickstart your fundraising and let your supporters know you are personally committed to the mission of SAA. The registration self-donation is a 100% tax deductible donation that will be will be credited towards each swimmer's fundraising minimum. The minimum self-donation amount will change as follows:

• Register before March 25 with a registration fee of $50
• Register between March 25 and June 2 with a registration fee of $75
• Register between June 3 and event day with a registration fee of $100

NOTE: Online registration will close Wednesday, June 26 at 9 p.m. EST. Event day registration will be available.

Wetsuit Policy:

FOR 2024: Expected water temperature is around 71 degrees. Wetsuits are optional this year. Swim skins are permitted.

Below 67° F ------ Required*
67.1° F - 79.9° F ------ Permitted
80° F and above ------ By approval only*

Swim skins are permitted.

*Exceptions may be reviewed and approved by the Risk Management Coordinator, Event Director, and Swim Course or Safety Coordinator. Local safety teams must be advised of the special exceptions.

Wetsuit Rentals and Purchases:

Local Rental: Cycleology in Westport, CT is offering 50% off a weekend or weekly rental of adult wetsuits.

Online Rental: Tri Wetsuit Rentals is offering a 15% discount off the $50 price of a wetsuit rental for our open water swim. Roundtrip shipping cost is an additional $20. Enter coupon code FINISH1 at checkout. Orders must be placed by 6/20 to ensure delivery in time for the event.

Online Rental: Kit Lender is offering a 10% discount off any Wetsuit or Kit rental. Roundtrip shipping costs are included. Wetsuits start at just $42.60 for the event. Enter coupon code SAAFCOWS0623 at checkout. Orders must be placed by 6/21 to ensure delivery on time for the event.

Wetsuit Purchase: Orca is an SAA wetsuit partner offering a 20% discount on all Orca purchases with code SAA20.

Waivers:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

What to Bring:

In addition to bringing any donations you have collected, please remember to bring the following items: directions to ACGT, a towel, sunscreen, a baseball hat or equivalent to shade your face, sweatshirt, sweatpants, wetsuit (when mandatory), board shirt (this goes underneath the wetsuit to prevent chafing around the neck), Vaseline or BodyGlide (for under the arms, neck area), 2 pairs of goggles, your cell phone to take pictures to post on social media, a reusable water bottle and don't forget a labeled bag that zips to put everything in!

2024 Swimmer Packet:

The 2024 Swimmer Packet is now avaiable. Please review before the swim. It contains important information about the schedule, what to expect and what to bring.

Since 2007, SAA - Fairfield County has granted more than $5 million to our beneficiary, Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy. Based in Stamford, CT, ACGT is the only nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to funding innovative scientists working to harness the power of cell and gene therapy to transform how cancer is treated.

Read more about the research of the 2024 fellows in the SAA-Fairfield County Impact Report.

2023 Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy Research Fellows Funded by Swim Across America Fairfield County

Sidi Chen, PhD, Assistant Professor, Yale University School of Medicine Department of Genetics, Systems Biology Institute and Cancer Center, West Haven, CT (Profile)
Project: Initial Development of a Novel CRISPRa-Based Immune Gene Therapy for PDAC (pancreatic cancer)
“I believe in the power and potential of cell and gene therapies and I am confident they are the key to transforming the future of cancer care. ACGT, with the help of Swim Across America, has had profound impact in raising awareness and advancing knowledge in this arena. I am grateful for ACGT’s years of leadership and for its interest in my research. I am proud to be a member of the ACGT and Swim Across America community.”

Brian Brown, PhD, Director, Icahn Genomics Institute, Associate Director, Precision Immunology (PrIISM), Professor, Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY (Profile)
Project: Equipping a patient's own T cells to kill immunesuppressing macrophages in tumors (lung cancer)
“These successes demonstrate the power of innovative thinking and the tenacity of scientists to translate ideas into solutions. Early failures provided valuable insights that are making it possible to find successful ways forward. We are grateful for risk-taking organizations like Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Swim Across America that are willing to fund new ideas even when clinical success is not necessarily assured.”

Juan Fueyo MD, Professor and Director, Department of Neuro-Oncology - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas (Profile)
Project: Glioblastoma Goal: The development of novel gene therapy strategies for the treatment of malignant gliomas (brain cancer)

Dr. Robyn Gartrell: Swim Across America - Fairfield County also supports childhood cancer research thanks to the annual Golf Outing with Petretti & Associates. The event allows us to grant funding to Dr. Robyn Gartrell to help support a clinical trial she is leading through Children's Oncology Group. Dr. Gartrell is moving her laboratory from Columbia University to Johns Hopkins University in 2024 and this support will help her continue her work studying pediatric cancers.

Innis Arden Pool Weekend

Innis Arden Pool Weekend
Date: August 23 and 24, 2024
Included as part of the FCSL Pool Swims

Fairfield County Swimming League (FCSL) Pool Swims

SUMMER 2024
Includes Burning Tree, Greenwich, Middlesex, Roxbury and Stamford Clubs

Rocky Point Inner Tube Water Polo

Rocky Point Club Pool
Date: July 14, 2024
Included as part of the FCSL Pool Swims

NDAC Swim Against Cancer

Bard College Pool
Date: November 3, 2024

Interested in starting a pool swim to raise funds for SAA-Fairfield County? Check out our "Start A Pool Swim" page or email us to learn more!

What is the Kids' Splash?

Now even the youngest kids can make a big splash. Children up to age 11 can participate by splashing a short distance along the beach. Parents are welcome to join in and must accompany non-swimmers or those under age 6.

This year’s Kids’ Splash is being called the “Queen Willa Kids' Splash” to honor courageous five-year old Willa Kosh, who is royally and fearlessly battling pediatric leukemia, specifically B cell ALL. "Queen Willa" is the nickname that was given to Willa a year ago after she was diagnosed with leukemia.

Registration is $25 and each registered participant receives a shirt, towel and swim cap. There is no fundraising minimum for Kids’ Splash swimmers. However, they are encouraged to fundraise if they would like! Please follow the steps at the top of the page and click 'in-person swimmer' to get kids registered. Join the “Queen Willa Kids' Splash” and help make waves to fight against cancer!

What is SAA MY WAY?

SAA My Way is our virtual offering where you decide your activity and timeline. Register with a $50 self-donation and we’ll send you an SAA Swag Bag to show off your spirit. All donations raised for your My Way will support our SAA-Fairfield County event. Click here to learn about all the ways you can have fun your way!

To sign up as an SAA My Way participant for our event, click the register button above and select 'SAA My Way' as your participation type.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Swim Across America Family ensuring our event run smoothly from beginning to end. Even if you aren’t a swimmer, you can still help us in the fight against cancer. Don’t forget, volunteers can fundraise too if they want! Ready to volunteer with us? Click on the Register button and select the Volunteer participation type.

Land Volunteers

Land Volunteers staff all aspects of our event on land. You can anticipate helping with set up, swimmer check-in, finish line support, hospitality and post-swim events/clean up.

Water Volunteers

Water volunteers consist of kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and power boaters that provide crucial logistical and safety support to our event officials and for our swimmers. They will monitor the swim lane, keep an active eye on all our swimmers and communicate any swimmer issues to our event officials.

Angel Swimmers

Angel Swimmers are experienced open water swimmers who are willing to accompany a nervous swimmer throughout the course. Angel swimmers must be able to swim all distances and help out if the swimmer needs. To register as an angel swimmer, choose “volunteer” and then select Angel Swimmer. The local planning team will have final approval of angel swimmers.

Questions about volunteering? Check out our SAA Volunteer Page or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Julie Colligan.

If this is your first time participating or if you just need some tips to be a better fundraiser, click here. It will walk you through the participant center and teach you how to email donors, share on social media sites and download the fundraising app. You can find more helpful resources on our fundraising resources page.

NEW! Watch these instructional videos to learn how to register, update your participant center, connect to Facebook and more!

Be a WaveMaker by taking your fundraising to the next level and raising $1000! Anyone can achieve WaveMaker status - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. WaveMakers get special recognition and an exclusive WM gift on event day. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

You may support the participant of your choice by making an online donation. Or you may send a check, payable to Swim Across America, to the address below:

Swim Across America
PO Box 681,
Riverside, CT 06878

Make sure to include a note with the name of the participant you are donating to.

Swim Across America, Inc. (“SAA”) is a nonprofit corporation recognized by the IRS with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax ID #22-3248256)

SAA Safety & Policies:

Participant safety is the most important component of all our events. All swimmers will be asked to follow specific safety procedures and policies to participate, as well as comply with SAA safety personnel, including local and government entities, lifeguards, and water safety volunteers. Participants are responsible for adequately preparing for their registered event. We ask that all participants review the information packet provided in advance of event day, as well as attend the day-of safety briefing for important safety information.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

If you have questions about our policies regarding inclement weather, swim equipment or wetsuits, please consult our Policies page.

Schedule is tentative and subject to change.

6:00 am: Volunteers Arrive

6:30 am - 7:30 am: Registration

7:30 am: Group Photograph

7:45 am: Welcome & National Anthem

7:55 am: Honored Speakers

8:15 am: Rolling Swim Start beginning with Kids’ Splash

3-mile, 1.5 mile and 1/2 mile swims to follow

10:00 am: Awards Ceremony

10:30 am: 2024 Open Water Swim Ends!

Wetsuit Policy:

FOR 2024: Expected water temperature is around 71 degrees. Wetsuits are optional this year. Swim skins are permitted.

Below 67° F ------ Required*
67.1° F - 79.9° F ------ Permitted
80° F and above ------ By approval only*

Swim skins are permitted.

*Exceptions may be reviewed and approved by the Risk Management Coordinator, Event Director, and Swim Course or Safety Coordinator. Local safety teams must be advised of the special exceptions.

Wetsuit Rentals and Purchases:

Local Rental: Cycleology in Westport, CT is offering 50% off a weekend or weekly rental of adult wetsuits.

Online Rental: Tri Wetsuit Rentals is offering a 15% discount off the $50 price of a wetsuit rental for our open water swim. Roundtrip shipping cost is an additional $20. Enter coupon code FINISH1 at checkout. Orders must be placed by 6/20 to ensure delivery in time for the event.

Online Rental: Kit Lender is offering a 10% discount off any Wetsuit or Kit rental. Roundtrip shipping costs are included. Wetsuits start at just $42.60 for the event. Enter coupon code SAAFCOWS0623 at checkout. Orders must be placed by 6/21 to ensure delivery on time for the event.

Online Purchase: Orca is an SAA wetsuit partner offering a 20% discount on all Orca purchases with code SAA20

Course Map

Directions:

Swim Location: 96 Cummings Point Road in Stamford, CT
Take Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) to Exit 5. At the traffic light at the end of the ramp, take a right onto East Putnam Avenue (U.S. route 1). At the first light, take a right onto Sound Beach Avenue. Bear right at the rotary and continue on Sound Beach Avenue to end (approximately 1.9 miles). Turn left onto Shore Road. Proceed to third stop sign (approximately .8 miles), turn right onto Cummings Point Road. Follow Cummings Point Road and look for event parking signs and volunteers.

Places to Stay:

The following hotels are centrally-located for swimmers attending this event:

Sheraton Stamford Hotel
700 East Main Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 358-8400

Hyatt Regency Greenwich
1800 East Putnam Avenue
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
(203) 409-4350

This year, Swim Across America - Fairfield County (SAA-FC) is introducing a new program just for our local high school aquatics teams: the Swim Across America - Fairfield County High School Cup! With the High School Cup, we can use our love of swimming and competition to help others while building team spirit and community. Plus, the team that raises the most money not only makes a huge impact in the fight against cancer, but also wins bragging rights and the SAA-FC High School Cup trophy to display all year!

Important details:

• The High School Cup is open to all swim and dive teams and water polo teams.
• Participants may choose to swim .5 miles, 1.5 miles or 3 miles.
• The self-donation registration fee for swimmers is $75 through June 2 (registration fee increases to $100 on June 3).
• Minimum fundraising requirement per team is $3,000.
• The team with the highest fundraising total at the June 29 open water swim wins the High School Cup and will be recognized at the event.
• BONUS! The first three teams to raise $5,000 will receive a $2,500 bonus added to their total, thanks to a generous benefactor.

Questions? Contact Nancy Carr at nancycarr@swimacrossamerica.org.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!! The Junior Advisory Board (JAB) is a group of dedicated students who help lead the fundraising efforts and build awareness for Swim Across America Fairfield County. If you or anyone you know seems like a good fit, click here to complete the 2024-2025 Junior Advisory Board (JAB) application. TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Questions? Contact Kara Mendelsohn & Linda Whitridge at swimacrossamericafcjab@gmail.com

2024 GOLF OUTING

Quaker Ridge Golf Club

146 Griffen Ave, Scarsdale, NY 10583
Date: May 13, 2024

Annual Golf Outing with Petretti & Associates in support of Swim Across America and TeamJF. Proceeds from the event will help "Make Waves to Fight Cancer" and raise money for cancer research, prevention and treatment. TeamJF was established in 2017 by Julian Fraser’s friends and family after he fought and lost a year-long battle with osteosarcoma. Julian was an All-American Swimmer and Collegiate Water Polo player when he was diagnosed at age 19. Unfortunately, Julian’s story is not uncommon. That’s our reason for being to raise money to fund promising research that will save the lives of other children and young adults.

IN THE NEWS

Here are some recent stories that display the impact members of the Swim Across America family have had in the Fairfield County Community.

Relive the Moments: 2023 SAA-Fairfield County video