Take a dip in the water and test your endurance at the upcoming Beaufort River Swim. Originally scheduled for the springtime and postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular local event is rescheduled for Saturday, September 19th.
In its 14th year, competitive swimmers and recreational fitness swimmers from around the region have the opportunity to challenge themselves beyond the standard swimming pool in the a 3.2 mile open water swim that begins at the Port Royal Landing Marina and finishes at the boat ramp at the the Downtown Beaufort Marina adjacent to Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. It runs along the shoreline of Beaufort, highlighting the natural beauty of the area.
It’s a unique opportunity to experience what swimming in open water is like and to just kick back and enjoy the scenic view of Beaufort from the water.
This year, organizers at the Beaufort Jasper YMCA of the Lowcountry have also added a 5K race to the event, in a relay-style. The 5K portion of the event takes place in downtown Beaufort starting at the Waterfront Park after the swim portion of the race. It crosses the Woods Memorial Bridge, taking a right on Meridian Road, turning around at approximately 1/2 mile and repeating the same course back to the finish.
The Beaufort River Swim is quickly becoming a Beaufort and Lowcountry tradition. The River Swim began in 2006 as a way to promote the sport of swimming during the Beaufort Water Festival and the Beaufort YMCA took over the event and hosted it starting in 2008. The YMCA operates it with its proceeds benefiting the YMCA Learn To Swim Program, helping to provide swimming lessons to local children.
According to the YMCA, last year the event raised over $14,000 for the local program.
You can find more information and register for the swim or the 5K here.
2020 has been brutal when it comes to community events in the Beaufort area and across the nation but we’re happy to see the Beaufort River Swim add some excitement to the community. Here’s hoping that we can still enjoy some fun at our other fall events across the area as we wind through the fall and winter of 2020.
