Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla shines through tropical storm

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Provincetown Harbor swim component postponed to 2020; Great Pond Wellfleet swim a success

With a redirected swim route along the Provincetown shoreline due to the risk of seals and sharks in the deep waters off Long Point, a tropical storm slammed the town over last weekend that resulted in the postponement of the Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla’s swimming component for the first time in its thirty-two year history. However, the rest of the weekend activities went on with heightened energy and warmth.The storm held off for the highly anticipated Celebration of Life Concert at the UU Meeting House on Friday night, but was in full force Saturday morning.  At the Boatslip Resort, swimmers, volunteers, organizers and supporters braved the rain and wind to register their pledges with the Seamen’s Bank crew, enjoy music by Zoe Lewis, feast at the Mermaid Brunch catered by Far Land Provisions and applaud the awards presented by Swim director Jay Critchley.The Great Pond Satellite Swim of the Swim for Life, the first of its kind, which was held at Great Pond in Wellfleet, was successfully rescheduled the to 1:00 pm on the day of the Provincetown Swim. With reduced wind and grey skies, the swimmers swam the circumference of the pond and were greeted by a small group of supporters at the stairway finish line. Joan Nagle spearheaded the Wellfleet event, with a supportive permit from the Wellfleet Selectboard.Top Swim for Life swimmer fundraisers include:

  • Jim Youngerman, Lenox, MA $$18,026.00

  • Jonathan Scott, Provincetown, MA $7,801.00

  • Gene Landis, Amesbury, MA $6,161.00

  • Jon MacClaren, Walpole, NH, $5,905.00

  • Barbara Jo Ravelle, Gainesville, FL $4,515.00

Circle of Honor awardees (those who have swum ten times or raised $10,000), include:

  • Barbara Ann Morrison, Melrose, MA

  • Scott Helms, Hull MA

  • Rob Johnson, Cambridge

  • Jen Burgos, Wakefield, MA

Raphael Richter was awarded the David Asher Volunteer award for his community activism, including serving on the Provincetown Board of Select, transporting swimmers at the Swim on the Mayflower Trolley and the Funk Bus for years, and providing free transport for townspeople to Orleans to food shop during the Stop & Shop strike last winter. Richter and Circle of Honorees received handcrafted medallions from Christie Andresen of Taqwa Glassworks. The 2019 t-shirt was designed by Vicky Tomayko.Because of a shortfall in contributions due to this year’s challenging circumstances, the Provincetown Community Compact is appealing to supporters to help make up the difference. Beneficiaries

  • AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod (ASGCC)

  • Helping Our Women (HOW)

  • Outer Cape Health Services

  • Provincetown Rescue Squad Association

  • Lower Cape Ambulance Association

  • Soup Kitchen of Provincetown (SKIP)

  • Provincetown Schools

  • The Compact Community Fund

  • Accessible Provincetown

  • West End Racing Club

  • Cape Cod Children’s Place

The 2019 lead sponsor of the Swim for Life is Seamen’s Bank; media sponsor is the Provincetown Banner. Also, Fanizzi’s Restaurant, the Lobster Pot Restaurant, Far Land Provisions, Berta Walker Gallery, Cape Air, Bay State Cruise, Art’s Dune Tours, WOMR 92.1 FM and. The event also receives support from the Provincetown Visitor Services Board.The 33rd Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla is scheduled for September 12, 2020. Thank you for your support!