ST. JOHN — Imagine the Caribbean sun, azure water, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs that await competitors as they swim through the pristine Virgin Islands National Park Service (NPS) waters. Described by Swimming World Magazine as “the most beautiful open water swim in the world”, the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim — set for May 28 on St. John, according to a release NPS issued Monday — was recently ranked in the top 20 on two reputable open water swimming websites.
According to the release, this year’s event will be the largest ever, with 350 competitors. Hosted by Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, the event raises money for preservation, conservation and education programs in Virgin Islands National Park.
The Beach-to-Beach Power Swim contains four simultaneous events:
- Short course(solo) from Maho Beach to Cinnamon Beach (1 mile)
- Intermediate course (solo) from Maho Beach to Trunk Beach (2 ¼ miles)
- Long course(solo) from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach (3 ½ miles)
- Long course(three-person relay teams) from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach. The relay team transition points will be at Cinnamon Beach and Trunk Beach.
In each of the events, swimmers may compete using snorkels, fins, and/or exposure suits in a separate category of “assisted” swimmers. However, swim paddles, webbed (training) gloves and other swim aides are not permitted. To help swimmers train for the event, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park has scheduled three practice swims:
Sunday, April 16th: Maho to Cinnamon
Sunday, April 30th: Maho to Cinnamon and Trunk
Sunday, May 14th: Maho to Hawksnest
The practice swims will all start at 8:30 am (on race day the swim will start at 8:00 a.m.) from the north end of Maho Beach. As safety is of utmost importance to NPS, it will have kayaks, SUPs, and safety boats accompanying the swimmers. Swimmers coming from St. Thomas should take the ferry that leaves Red Hook at 7:30 am. NPS will have a vehicle (van) meet the ferry and transport swimmers to Maho, according to the release.
There are reduced registration fees for swimmers 17 years and younger, as well as reduced registration fees for early registration (early registration ends May 5th). For more information, go here.
Swimmers can also register:
- By phone by calling 340-779-4940
- Or in person by visiting:
- The Friends of the Park Stores: Mongoose Junction & National Park Service Visitor Center, Cruz Bay
- Connections – Cruz Bay, St. John
- Caribbean Surf Co. – Havensight and Red Hook, St. Thomas
- SCUBA – Christiansted, St. Croix
NPS is asking potential participants to join Race for a Reason to support the “Learn to Swim” Program and other projects and activities that preserve, protect and educate in territory’s national parks. Participants can swim free of charge after raising at least $250. And there’s an individual fundraiser signup, as well as a group signup with a team of up to 10 fundraisers — swimming any length of the race.
All Race for a Reason participants receive a limited edition Beach-to-Beach Power Swim cap, and NPS’s top fundraiser in each category (Individual, Team and Power Swim 12 Yr. Veteran) will attend its Power Swim After-party catamaran trip to Jost van Dyke for free of charge.
Joe Kessler, president of the Friends and the race director, reminds interested swimmers that registration will be limited to 350 swimmers, the largest Power Swim to date, and typically sells out. Registration has been very strong so far, so potential participants are encouraged to register soon.
Image Credit: Thomas Layer.
Tags: beach to beach power swim, national park service, st john
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