SWIM ACROSS AMERICA - CAROLINA

09.28.24

How to register: Each swimmer will sign up by making a $50 registration self-donation. This donation is a 100% tax deductible and will be credited towards the team’s fundraising minimum of $1,000. Once registered, you will get a fundraising page with a donation link to share with family and friends.

Create or join a team: When you register, you will need to create or join a team. Your team can be a club team, company team, college team, Masters team, survivor team, family team, etc. While there is no limit on the number of team members, we suggest you cap your team at 12. If you have a larger team, you may want to consider registering multiple teams. There is room for 20 teams.

Relay Format: Teams will swim in a relay format for 60 minutes in the water which will consist of stroke drills and regular stroke swimming. The last 30 minutes teams will have fun with inner tube relays!

General Fundraising Suggestion: Team Goal of $1,000 Minimum

All teams pledge to raise a suggested minimum of $1,000 with team members all contributing to the goal. Every participant receives a Swim Across America t-shirt, swim cap and towel. If you raise $1,000 you are acknowledged as a WaveMaker and receive WaveMaker benefits.

Individual WaveMaker Status: $1,000 minimum:

WaveMakers go above and beyond 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 WaveMaker gift. You can learn more about WaveMaker Status here.

Registration Self-Donation:

Participants are asked to kickstart your fundraising. The registration self-donation is a 100% tax deductible donation that will be will be credited towards each swimmer's fundraising minimum.

Waiver:

All swimmers and volunteers must complete the waiver found here.

What To Expect on Event Day

Swim Across America is committed to providing a safe experience with these policies on event day. Modifications subject to change.

UNC Lineberger Cancer Center The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is an NCI-cancer research and treatment center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Funds from this Carolina charity swim will fund a research / clinical trial project at UNC Lineberger.

Read the 2024 Swim Across America - Carolina impact report here.

Event Schedule is subject to change and updates will be emailed to participants

7:00 am: volunteers arrive to set up coffee, pastries, t-shirts, tattoos, caps, Why I Swim banner, scoreboard, sound.

8:15-9:00 am: Swimmer Check-in

9:00 am: Welcome, UNC Lineberger Message, Check Presentation

9:30-11:00 am: Music, Fun & Relay Swim

11:00 am: Wrap-up/Social

Enjoy free pizza upstairs in the bleachers after the swim. Time to celebrate our success together!

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-Carolina charity swim. 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.

The 2024 swim is dedicated to the memory of Eric Montross

Eric Montross is a Carolina Basketball legend who spent his time serving the sport as a commentator after his own playing career. He used his platform to give back to his community. He dedicated a lot of time and energy to his Father’s Day basketball camp that benefited UNC Children’s Hospital and was involved behind the scenes in many organizations that support cancer research and families who were affected by cancer. Two years ago, Eric got involved in Swim Across America's Carolina Community swim on the UNC campus. We thought he might just sign autographs and be a visible force on the deck, but Eric went above and beyond. Eric literally jumped in the pool as a member of Team Tar Heel, swam laps, did the drills without hesitation (including the “ducky on the forehead” drill), and gave other team members high fives! We weren’t sure he knew what to expect of our event, but he left the pool with that big smile for which Big E was known. Eric was excited to contribute his time to our 2023 swim, but unfortunately received his own cancer diagnosis early in the year. Sadly, Eric passed away in December 2023. We are hosting the 2024 Carolina Community’s Swim Across America pool swim at UNC's Koury Natatorium in Eric’s memory. We know he would defer any attention to others, but we want to honor Eric's support of SAA, his giving personality, and his reputation for always going above and beyond. We miss you Eric...

Volunteers are the backbone of the Swim Across America Family ensuring our charity swims run smoothly from beginning to end. Not a swimmer, no problem. You can volunteer and fundraise for SAA--Carolina. Ready to volunteer with us? Click on the Register button and select the Volunteer participation type.

Questions about volunteering? Please contact Ashley Gangloff.

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. Raise $1,000 and you get cool swag & recognition. Anyone can be a WaveMaker - swimmers, volunteers or SAA My Way participants. Learn more about WaveMaker status here.

You may support the swimmer 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
8508 Park Road #389
Charlotte, NC 28210

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

Swim Location

Koury Natatorium
UNC Chapel Hill
Skipper Bowles Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Parking is available in the Williamson Lot (across the street from the big screen) and the Manning lot (down the street about a block from the pool). Parking on Saturdays is free. View a map of the parking lots here.

Interested in being an SAA-Carolina Partner?

If you'd like to learn more about partnership opportunities, please review the 2024 Sponsorship Guide or email Sue Walsh.

IN THE NEWS

Here are some recent stories that display the impact members of the Swim Across America family have had in the Carolina community.