The Buzzards Bay Coalition will hold its 28th annual Buzzards Bay Swim, a 1.2 mile open-water swim across outer New Bedford Harbor. The swim is dedicated to protecting clean water in communities across the Buzzards Bay region. In the past 28 years, the Buzzards Bay Swim has raised more than a million dollars for clean water.

This year’s swim will follow the traditional route from the South End of New Bedford to Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation in Fairhaven, but the field of participants has been kept intentionally small, reflecting public health precautions in place when the event was planned. In 2019, the swim drew 278 swimmers who raised more than $170,000 for Bay protection efforts; this year, it will be limited to 50 swimmers who have participated in the past and have agreed to raise at least $1,000.

During the event, swimmers pass Butler Flats Lighthouse and the New Bedford Hurricane Barrier, assisted by the U.S. Coast Guard and a local safety patrol. The participants are welcomed to the finish line by supporters and a beach party breakfast complete with steel drum music and beverages by Buzzards Bay Brewing of Westport. 

The 2021 Buzzards Bay Swim is sponsored by BayCoast Bank, BETA Group, Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, Amica Insurance, Bristol County Savings Bank, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Cisco Brewers and the Fiber Optic Center. 

Interested in knowing more about the event or supporting this year’s swimmers? Visit savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.