Jet Blue Swim and Paddle

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to participate in Jet Blue's Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor! 

     

This was definitely my favorite Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay event this summer- not only was it an incredible day spent in the sun, but I accomplished two exciting and unexpected things that day! First, I completed the one mile swim (without a noodle!) Me and a few other Senior Harbor Educators decided to compete in the swim just for a fun activity and to support the event. We were prepared with goggles, rash guards, and of course, noodle boards- a kick board made of foam! Once we stepped in the water, realized how cold it was, AND realized how long the course actually was, we decided we would only swim to the first marker then turn back. However, once we reached that first marker we all decided that we should push through it and complete the whole race! We kept ourselves going by singing and thinking about the Tasty Burger and Harpoon that was waiting for us at the finish line- that certainly kept us motivated! Crossing the finish line together was a great feeling, and I am so proud of us for completing the entire mile!

The second accomplishment was that I raised the most amount of money for the entire event, and won a round trip ticket on Jet Blue Airlines! With the help of my family and friends I raised a total of $510. I am so grateful for their support, and was excited to have raised so much money for such an incredible cause. The money raised for this event went to Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay to support the fantastic youth summer programs, beach events, and advocacy we do for the Boston Harbor, and the Surfrider Foundation to support the preservation of the New England coastline!

-Kelly Randall-

JetBlue Swim & Paddle for Boston Harbor!

-->

 

On Saturday August 9th, at the BCYF Curley Community Center in South Boston, 70 swimmers and paddlers took part in the Jet Blue Swim & Paddle for Boston Harbor, a one-mile, chip-timed, professionally staffed, competitive swim followed by a two-mile chip-timed Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) competition to benefit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Adam Homoki from East Boston came in first in the men’s swim, while Craig Hersh of Canton placed second. Caitlin Healey of Needham won this year’s women’s swim, while Katie O’Dair of Watertown placed second. 

 

Carly Tillotson of Duxbury was the SUP woman’s division winner in the 2-mile stand-up paddleboard race and Mark Jacobson of Lexington won the men’s 2-mile SUP race, while Jody Bue of East Boston and Seth Nichols of Duxbury won the SUP race for beginners. Each of the first place winners received a round-trip ticket from event sponsor JetBlue Airways to any domestic destination they fly from Logan airport.

“Boston Harbor’s beaches are a destination attraction,” said Donnie Todd, Corporate Social Responsibility Liaison for jetBlue Airways, who lead a team of JetBlue volunteers on the beach. “I am also happy to say that we crushed the team from Save the Harbor in beach volleyball.”

The swimmers and paddlers raised more than $5,000 to benefit Save the Harbor / Save the Bay and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. Following the races, event sponsors Harpoon Brewery and Tasty Burger provided refreshing beer and burgers for the beach celebration, while the team from JetBlue served their signature Terra Blues chips to all participants and spectators on the beach.

 

Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy, Communications, and Programs at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay said, “Ten years ago we were forced to cancel our swim because of water quality concerns on the South Boston beaches.  In fact after several cancellations because of poor water quality, our sponsors pulled out and withdrew their support.  Today we are proud to say that the beaches of South Boston are among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation.”

 The event was sponsored by JetBlue Airways, the Surfrider Foundation, Harpoon Brewery, Tasty Burger, Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, SUP Sonas, Gather Food and Drink, and M.J. O’Connor’s Irish Pub. Special Thanks to the water safety team from the YMCA’s of Greater Boston, for making this a safe event.

If you want to learn more about water quality on the Boston Harbor Region’s public beaches, you can download a copy of Save the Harbor’s 2013 Beaches Report Card at http://www.savetheharbor.org/beachesreportcard/2013reportcard.pdf

About Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a non-profit, public interest, environmental advocacy organization, whose mission is to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment and share them with the public for everyone to enjoy.

About the Massachusetts Chapter of Surfrider

The Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation was founded in 1996. They are an all-volunteer chapter composed of local New England surfer/environmentalists dedicated to the preservation of the New England coastal environmental, elimination of pollution, and open access to our beaches.

 

JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor to benefit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

On Saturday August 9th, 100 swimmers and paddlers will take part in the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddl for Boston Harbor, a one-mile, chip-timed, professionally staffed, competitive swim followed by a two-mile, chip-timed Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) competition, at the BCYF Curley Community Center at M Street Beach in South Boston to benefit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy, Communications, and Programs at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay said, “Ten years ago we were forced to cancel our swim because of water quality concerns on the South Boston beaches.  In fact after several cancellations because of poor water quality, our sponsors pulled out and withdrew their support."

 "Today we are proud to say that the beaches of South Boston are among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation.” said Berman. “We are particularly pleased to announce a new name sponsor for this event, Jet Blue Airways, whose 2500 crew members in Boston share our commitment to promoting  Boston Harbor as a destination for everyone to enjoy.”

Proceeds from the swim will benefit Save The Harbor / Save the Bay, while funds raised from the SUP competition will benefit both the Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and Save the Harbor / Save the Bay.

Online registration at www.swim4bostonharbor.org is open until 5 PM on August 7th.  Participants can also register on-site the morning of the competition on August 9th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Swim registration is $50, and the race will be capped at 100 participants. Registration for the SUP competition is $25 - and paddleboard rentals are available for an additional $25. The SUP competition will be separated into beginner and experienced heats.

This year's prizes include round-trip tickets on Jet Blue Airways and great gifts from Harpoon:

•     Top fundraisers (over $500) entered into raffle for one round trip JetBlue Airways ticket
•     First place swimmers (male and female) each win 1 round trip JetBlue Airways ticket
•     Top two SUP finishers (male and female in the experienced race) each win 1 round trip  JetBlue airways ticket
•     EVERY person who makes a pledge is entered into a raffle to win 1 round trip ticket on JetBlue Airways.
•     Beginner SUP winners will receive gift cards

Every person who makes a pledge or a contribution to support this event will be entered into a raffle to win a round trip ticket on JetBlue Airways as well.  Swimmers, paddlers, supporters, and sponsors are all welcome to join us on the beach for an icy cold Harpoon beer and treats from Tasty Burger after the swim!

Those wishing to join the party without competing are asked to make a contribution of $25 to support Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's work to restore and protect Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay for residents and visitors to enjoy.

To register for the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor - or to make a pledge to support a participant - visit: www.swim4bostonharbor.org

JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor Schedule:
8:30 - 10:00am Registration
10:00 - 11:00am Swim Competition
11:00 - 11:30am SUP Competition for Beginner participants
11:30 - 12:00pm  SUP Competition for Experienced participants
12:00pm and later Beach Party and Awards Ceremony

About Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a non-profit, public interest, environmental advocacy organization, whose mission is to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment and share them with the public for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, please visit: www.savetheharbor.org

About the Massachusetts Chapter of Surfrider
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation was founded in 1996.  They are an all-volunteer chapter composed of local New England surfer/environmentalists dedicated to the preservation of the New England coastal environmental, elimination of pollution, and open access to our beaches.

For more information about The Surfrider Foundation, please visit: www.surfrider.org

To register for the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor - or to make a pledge to support a participant - visit: www.swim4bostonharbor.org

See you on the beach!