Event Details
Swim Marathon
1. Swim Day Logistics:
We’re ready for this year’s Swim Across the Sound. As previously shared, we are moving the entire Swim to Connecticut for this year due to damage at Danfords Marina in Port Jefferson, NY. (See map above).
While the course will look a little different, we are excited to maintain the full schedule of events you look forward to each year.
Please Review The Timeline Of Events For Specific Dates/Times
2. Swim Course Time Limits:
Long Island Sound is a major destination for recreational boaters on the weekend, and your safety is the most important consideration. In order to keep the “Armada” of escort boats and perimeter safety boats within a reasonable distance of each other to provide the safest environment, cut-off times, at designated distances from the entrance to Black Rock Harbor are provided below. The Swim Committee may grant additional time under certain circumstances. If you do not meet these designated cut-off times, you will be disqualified from the Swim. The Swim Committee may permit a solo swimmer or team to continue to swim (unofficially) only upon advancing up to a distance with the time limits. Such permission can only be granted by the Swim Committee on that day and will be on a case-by-case basis.
Time Cutoff
- 2 hours | 11 miles | 9.56
- 4 hours | 8 miles | 6.95
- 6 hours | 5 miles | 4.34
- 8 hours | 2 miles | 1.74
- 9 hours | Reach Buoy 2A (1.3 miles to finish) | 1.13
- 9 hours 30 minutes | Finish at Bridgeport Harbor
All measurements are based upon distance from Buoy 4, which is located at the entrance to Black Rock Harbor. (ALL MEASUREMENTS ARE IN LAND MILES)
- Each hour, the Swim official assigned to each boat will record in a log book the following information: GPS coordinates, distance (Land miles) from buoy 2A, condition of the swimmer, stroke rate per minute, and any other information deemed necessary.
- Every 2 hours a Swim official/observer will report on the condition of the swimmer/relay and the distance from Buoy 2A. If it is determined that the swimmer or relay is not within the distance from Buoy 2A guidelines, the swimmer or relay may be asked to abort the swim for safety reasons.
3. Swim Course Management
- The Swim course is determined by the course committee based on tides and other conditions and may be adjusted during the Swim Marathon.
- All Escort Boats MUST FOLLOW the instructions of the Committee Boats. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
4. Water Conditions
- The water temperature in Long Island Sound during this time ranges from approx 70°F to 74°F.
- The Sound can be choppy with a strong wind, and there is a fair amount of recreational boat traffic during this time of year.
- Jelly fish are not uncommon during this time of year, and the swimmer should prepare accordingly with appropriate treatments to treat such stings if they occur.
5. Other Important Information:
- The Swim Committee reserves the right to change the start time and/or distance of the event in order to provide the safest conditions as possible due to inclement weather.
- Each swimmer will be assigned an escort boat provided by the Swim. However, we also encourage swimmers to secure your own escort boat. Please make sure your boat captain requests your name or team upon registration.
- Boat crews must stay in the escort boat and may not swim along side the swimmer to provide pacing.
- Each boat will be equipped with GPS, radio and cell phone.
- EMT’s and Lifesaving professionals are positioned on the escort boats throughout the field.
- Fully-staffed medical boats and Underwater Search and Rescue Teams will be strategically positioned throughout the field.
- A Swim official/observer may be assigned to an escort boat to observe the swimmer and monitor his/her progress.
Mandatory Meeting
All solo and relay swimmers must attend a mandatory meeting/dinner on the Thursday before the Swim Day at a time and place to be determined.
Timeline Of Events
39th Annual Swim Across the Sound Marathon – Saturday, August 1, 2026
Important Dates & Schedule Details
Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Swim Marathon registration opens
Thursday, June 18, 2026: Registration Closes or earlier at the discretion of the Swim Committee based on resources.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026: Meeting for ALL Captains + one Crew member at Vazzano’s Four Seasons – 337 Kenyon St., Stratford, CT
Thursday, July 30, 2026: Meeting for ALL Swimmers at Foolproof Brewing Company, 800 Union Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06607
Friday, July 31, 2026: (beginning @ 3pm): Registered Captains may reserve a slip at no charge, upon request, at Steelpointe Harbor or nearby marina. Registered Captains are also invited to attend a complimentary reception, 5:30-7:30 pm at Steelpointe Harbor.
Saturday, August 1, 2026:
- 6 AM: Continental breakfast is available for captains and crew at Steelpointe Harbor.
- Awards Ceremony will be held in the evening at Captains Cove.
Monday, August 3, 2026: Reserve date for Solo Swimmers
Sunday, August 2, 2026:
- Swim Memorial Service (8:00 am registration, 8:30 am Service at Captain’s Cove.) Cast a sunflower into the Sound in memory of a loved one.
- Join St. Vincent’s Swim Across the Sound at the 29th Annual Memorial Service. The event is open to all and will celebrate the lives of family members and friends we have lost to cancer.
Swim Day Schedule (tentative)
- 5:30 AM – Meet at Captain’s Cove Seaport and board buses to Steelpointe Harbor.
- 6:00 AM – Swimmer’s meet Escort Boat Captains at Steelpointe Harbor.
- 6:30 AM – Buses leave location at Steelpointe Harbor with solo and lead relay swimmers to be dropped off at Seaside Beach for the start of the Swim.
- 7:00 AM – Start time for Wave 1
- 7:45 AM – Start time for Wave 2
- 8:30 AM – Start time for Wave 3
- 1:30 PM – Estimated arrival time for lead swimmers
- 6:00+ PM – Awards Ceremony and Post-Swim Marathon Party begins immediately after last swimmer comes in
Fundraising Deadlines
- Monday, July 13, 2026 – Balance of fundraising pledges due. Outstanding balances will be reviewed for Swim Marathon participation.
- Wednesday, September 30, 2026 – Final 2026 fundraising completed.
Hotel Information
A special discounted rate is available at most locations.
In Fairfield, Connecticut:
Circle Hotel
417 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
203-255-0491
There is a block of rooms available from July 30-August 2 at the special rate of $119 plus tax on Thursday and $209 plus tax on Friday and Saturday. You can book by calling the hotel directly and mentioning the group “Swim Across the Sound” or by using the link provided below. Deadline to receive the discounted rate expires June 29, 2026 or until the block fills up, so book early!
In Shelton, CT:
Courtyard Marriott
780 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, CT 06484
203-929-1500
There are a limited number of rooms available from July 30-August 2 for $129-$189. Discounted rate expires June 30, 2026 or until the block rills up, so book early!