Danford’s Hotel and Marina and Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound have announced that the 15.5 mile journey across Long Island Sound is set for Saturday, July 30th. The annual open water swim from West Beach in Port Jefferson to Captains Cove Marina in Bridgeport Connecticut, has raised funds provided to cancer patients and their families with financial support and care for needs that health insurance does not cover for the last 29 years.

The swim begins between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. at Danfords Marina on West Beach and ends at Captain’s Cove Marina. The swim will take approximately 9 hours and 30 minutes. Once at Captain’s Cove Marina, swimmers will celebrate their accomplishment at the post-SWIM party at the restaurant with live music and entertainment, vendor booths, boardwalk shops. Awards will be given to the top male and female solo swimmers and relays. All swimmers will be recognized for their participation.

This challenge is limited to a maximum of 15 solo swimmers, five two-person relay team members and up to 45 relay teams. Enrollments are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Solo swimmers must raise a minimum of $1,500 to participate; two-person relays must raise $3,500; swimmers participating in Team Relays, The University Challenge, Corporate Challenge or Never Alone must raise a minimum of $7,500 to participate. Each member is encouraged to raise more than the minimum goal for this cause. The minimum age for solo swimmers is 19 years old and 13 years old for relay team members. Each swimmer/team will be provided with a motorized escort boat.

Approximately 200 swimmers participate each year in the solo, two-person, University and Corporate Challenge and team relay categories. By obtaining pledges, swimmers help St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound raise funds to provide to cancer patients and their families with financial support and care for needs that health insurance does not cover. The SWIM raises over $2 million and helps more than 30,000 people annually.