Swimmers of all ages and levels are invited to take part in the Swim Across America’s third annual Charleston-Kiawah Island Open Water Swim charity event. Your participation will help to “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” and raise money locally for cancer research at Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The Open Water Swim will take place on Sunday, August 4, with registration and opening ceremonies, including Olympian meet and greet, from 7:00 to 8:30 am, followed by the swim from 8:30 to 10:00 am.
Swimmers may participate in 1.5-mile and 0.5-mile swim options. This is not a competition, but a fundraising event for everyone, both swimmers and volunteers. Choose a distance to swim or sign up as an event volunteer. Click here for registration information.
Olympian Jenny Thompson will be joining the open water swim on Sunday. Thompson is one of the most decorated Olympians in history with twelve medals, including eight gold medals across four Olympic games. Local resident Steve Gregg will also be joining us. Gregg won silver in the 200M Butterfly in the 1976 Montreal games.
Swim Across America is a national non-profit that runs swimming-related events throughout the country to support cancer research at the most highly recognized hospitals and institutions. To date, more than $80 million has been raised nationwide over the last 32 years and more than 100 Olympians have participated in SAA events. For more information, visit www.swimacrossamerica.org.
-Submitted by Ryan Baucom
(Photo Credit: Rivers Rudloff Photography)