Everything you need to prepare for the Buzzards Bay Swim—training tips, fundraising tools, and ways to connect with fellow swimmers.
Fundraising Support
Participant Center Tutorials
Video Tutorial: Fundraising Page Goal Adjustment
Learn how to edit your fundraising goal in less than a minute! This quick tutorial was created for our Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride in October, but the same system and steps apply to the Swim too.
Video Tutorial: Participant Center Customization Guide
In this YouTube video, we walk you through how to customize your personal fundraising page.
Email Templates
Thank you for your dedication to supporting the Coalition through your fundraising efforts. To assist you in reaching out to potential donors, we’ve prepared a set of email templates that you are welcome to use.
Fundraising Email
The most effective way to reach potential donors and supporters is through one-on-one emails.
Personal emails are more likely to be seen, opened, and read, and they give you the chance to share why you are doing the Buzzards Bay Swim this year. Sending a direct message helps ensure your friends, family, and colleagues actually receive your request and understand the impact of their support. Using the email templates below makes it easy to invite others to be part of your swim and your fundraising goal.
Fundraising Support Email Template
Donor Thank You Email
Sending a thank-you email within 24–48 hours of receiving a donation makes the biggest impact. A prompt, personal message helps donors feel appreciated and reinforces how important their support is to you and to the Buzzards Bay Swim.
Donor Thank You Email Template
Gifts & Recognition
Timing Awards
We always like to emphasize that the Swim is open to swimmers of all abilities. It's not a race, it's a joyful community fundraising event! That said, we do have awards for the fastest swimmers (without swim aids) in the following categories:
- Fastest overall swimmers in the male and female categories
- Fastest swimmers in each category in the following age groups: 11-13, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80-89, 90+
For teams, we have the Wheeler Cup for the fastest adult team (calculated using the three fastest team members' finish times) and the Quicks Awards (named after Quicks Hole) for youth in two categories: 11-13 and 14-18. Please consider this your invitation to stick around for the awards ceremony! Whether you win or not, it's great to be there to cheer on your fellow swimmers (especially those who are winning the 80+ category!)
Fundraising Awards
The top three individual fundraisers receive a fundraising award, and so does the top fundraising team. NEW AWARD THIS YEAR: we have an award for the team who brings in the top fundraising per person. Basically, we take the team's fundraising total and divide it by the number of team members. Note: although you can still keep fundraising for two weeks after the Swim, for the purposes of the award ceremony, we calculate these fundraising awards at noon the day before the Swim (on Friday, June 19).
Fundraising Gifts
Every registered swimmer receives this custom Tee, designed by Art Director Hannah Haines.
We love this cute Osprey Swimmer tee and it's so appropriate for the Buzzards Bay Swim (fun fact: Gosnold coined the name Buzzards Bay because of what he saw as an abundance of buzzards BUT they were actually ospreys!)
We love when you refer other Swimmers to this great community event!
As a thank you, we have a Coalition-branded, breathable tote bag for the first 40 swimmers who refer a friend. These are great for the beach or pool, especially for your training and day-of carrying needs. It has a pocket for your phone or other valuables.
If you refer someone to the Swim, just make sure they put your name down in the "How did you hear about us?" box. And the tote is yours to pick up at our locations at any time (or on the Swim day)!
About
In 1994 at the Smuggler’s Den, a dive bar situated where Cisco Brewery is now, some folks had a big idea one night. They would swim 1.2 miles across outer New Bedford Harbor to raise funds and awareness for clean water in Buzzards Bay. They gathered some friends and 17 swimmers raised $2,000 in 1994 which started an annual tradition that has since raised over $2.2 million dollars to save and protect the Bay. The following year, there were 40 swimmers. (1995 Swim photo on this page.)
Become Part of the Smuggler's Den
This summer, swimmers who raise $2,000 or more will become members of the Smuggler’s Den, creating a bridge between those first visionary swimmers and the swimmers today who have put so much commitment into both their training and their fundraising efforts.
Training & Local Resources
Swim Clinics
May 30, 2026 - 10-11:30am | Onset Bay Center
June 6, 2026 - 10-11:30am | Fort Phoenix
This free clinic will begin with an orientation and Q&A. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered while meeting other swimmers and event staff.
Following this, long-term swimmer and participant Mel Dyer will lead registered swimmers through a guided swim practice, offering valuable tips and strategies for sighting in open water and swimming near kayakers. You can use this time to test your personal gear, such as wetsuits and goggles (wetsuits are recommended), in an open water setting. This clinic is suitable for swimmers at beginner and intermediate levels.
YMCA Membership Discounts
Socialize with Other Swimmers
Buzzards Bay Swimmers Facebook Group
First Time Swimmers Group Chat!
