Spirits were high as more than 270 eager swimmers dashed out in five waves from Shell Point Beach, swam around Wickets Island, and emerged onto the shores of Onset Beach to a crowd of more than 300 cheering them on.

The Buzzards Bay Swim, one of the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s signature events, was held in Onset this past Saturday due to threats of rain that may have caused sewer overflows in New Bedford’s Outer Harbor, its usual location.

“With the uncertain forecast, we implemented the backup plan to ensure this annual event would take place, rain or shine” says Buzzards Bay Coalition President Mark Rasmussen.  However, Rasmussen announced to the crowd in Onset that the Swim’s commitment to New Bedford Harbor will never cease. “We are not abandoning New Bedford,” he said. “That’s where the Swim belongs and where we want it to continue.”

Rasmussen said that the Swim continued the legacy of the group of only 17 who first swam across New Bedford’s Outer Harbor to promote clean water in 1994. They raised $2,000 that year.

After this year’s Swim, participants reveled in their accomplishment and enjoyed a pancake breakfast, beverages, live music from El Caribe, and dancing with the Coalition mascot C.W. Participants received an event t-shirt and a custom-made bronze finisher’s medal.

Swimmers were encouraged to form teams, and this year boasted a record 19 teams. With 37 members, the largest this year was Team For Emma, which also won the Youth Team Quick’s Hole title and had the highest fundraising team total. (Read about their inspiring story here.) The Wheeler Watershed Challenge Cup, which goes to the team with the fastest average time (determined by averaging the team’s three fastest individual times), went to the Salty Sea Dogs.

The individual men’s winner Will Van Fossen clocked in with 29:16. Carlyn Soares was the first woman into the finish chute with a time of 30:49. All other winners in their respective age-group categories were recognized during the awards ceremony. To look up a time of a swimmer, go here.

Swimmers who have participated in numerous Buzzards Bay Swims are honored with metal charms: 5 Swims (Six Mile Award); 10 Swims (Cuttyhunk Award); 20 Swims (Pukwudgie Award; Pukwudgies are figures from native Wampanoag folklore known for making mischief along the shores of Buzzards Bay.)

The swimmer with the highest fundraising total at the time of the race was Steve Johnson with nearly $15,600 raised. Chris Parks and Steve Kanovsky were the second and third-highest fundraisers. Nancy Smith, who is the longest running participant with her 24th swim this year, was the fourth-highest fundraiser. The highest first-time fundraiser was Ella Necheles.

Fundraising efforts still continue for two more weeks. If you would like to support a swimmer or one of the many teams, go to savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.

The Buzzards Bay Swim was made possible by sponsors SouthCoast Wind, Cisco Brewers Kitchen & Bar, Buzzards Bay Brewing, Jim’s Organic Coffee, Fiber Optic Center, Servedwell Hospitality, The Valle Group, Tremblay’s Bus Co., Lanagan & Co., Southcoast Health, TowBoat US, Open Soul Swimming, Taunton Federal Credit Union, and the Crook Family.

The date for next year’s swim is June 20. Registration will begin in January 2026.

Photo by James Correia