May 17, 2005 –– With the water all warmed up, now's the time to get ready for the second annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. Sponsored by the Friends of the V.I. National Park, it will be held May 29.
"It's for serious swimmers and recreational swimmers," Karen Brady, Friends development director, told the Source in March.
Joe Kessler, president of the Friends, said the event, which takes place in park waters, celebrates the beaches and waters of the park. He said they are two of the park's most special features.
"And it builds upon St. John's growing reputation as a center of challenging sports events," he said.
The Power Swim raises money for Friends activities.
The event begins at 8 a.m. at Big Maho Bay Beach. It finishes at Hawksnest Beach, where a beach barbecue lunch will follow at the Oppenheimer Pavilion.
Brady said that this year's event includes an intermediate course as well as the three courses included last year.
The short course runs about one mile from Big Maho Bay Beach to Cinnamon Bay Beach. This course is for solo swimmers.
The intermediate course runs about 2.25 miles from Big Maho Bay Beach to Trunk Bay Beach. Again, this course is for solo swimmers only.
Solo swimmers may opt for the long course of about 3.5 miles from Big Maho Bay Beach to Hawksnest Bay Beach.
Three-person relay teams may run the same long course. Transition points are at Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay beaches.
The event includes a separate assisted swimmers category for people who swim with equipment –– mask, snorkel, fins, or a wetsuit.
Brady said that last year, the event's first, 142 people participated. She expects around 300 for the 2005 event. She said she's approached teams from Puerto Rico and St. Croix as well as those closer to home.
"We want to get more kids involved," she said.
She said she also expects tourists to plan their vacation around the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim.
Anyone who finishes gets a medal. Prizes will be given in age groups.
Maho Bay Camps, Caneel Bay Resort, Gallows Point Resort, and Inn at Tamarind Court are offering special rates for Power Swim participants.
Advance registration through May 13 runs $25. General registration is $30. Late registration, available only at the pre-race meeting on May 28 at Maho Bay Campground's Pavilion Restaurant, is $40. There is no registration on the day of the event.
For more information about the courses and to register online, visit www.friendsvinp.org/swim. Registration may also be done by phone at 340-779-4940, or in person at the Friend's office in Mongoose Junction shopping center, Connections offices in Cruz Bay or Coral Bay, or at Endurance Sports, located at Havensight Mall on St. Thomas and Sunny Isle Shopping Center on St. Croix.