ABOUT
In 1994 at the Smuggler’s Den, a dive bar situated where Cisco Brewery is now, some folks had a big idea one night. They would swim 1.2 miles across outer New Bedford Harbor to raise funds and awareness for clean water in Buzzards Bay. They gathered some friends and 17 swimmers raised $2,000 in 1994 which started an annual tradition that has since raised over $2.2 million dollars to save and protect the Bay. The following year, there were 40 swimmers. (1995 Swim photo on this page.)
BECOME PART OF THE SMUGGLER’S DEN
This summer, swimmers who raise $2,000 or more will become members of the Smuggler’s Den, creating a bridge between those first visionary swimmers and the swimmers today who have put so much commitment into both their training and their fundraising efforts.