Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla stages a safe, in-person fundraiser with a shoreline swim to the new Waterfront Park.

Over 250 swimmers swam in Provincetown Harbor, Wellfleet’s Great Pond and around the country.

It was a shimmering day in the sun, with blue skies and harbor waters dotted with neon pink swim caps and colorful kayaks. The 34th Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla re-imagined itself in 2021 with the first ever big-tent fundraiser at Provincetown’s brand new East End Waterfront Park, luring the public to the spectacular view of the harbor as swimmers approached the finish line of the 1.2-mile shoreline swim.

“It was a joyful return to the water after two years of interruptions from sharks, a tropical storm and the pandemic,” stated artist Jay Critchley, director of the Provincetown Community Compact, event sponsor.  With safety a top concern, all participants and the public were required to show proof of covid vaccination. For harbor safety, a Cessna airplane, courtesy of Cape Cod Ocean Community, Inc, flew overhead checking the water for dangerous interpolators.

The Swim for Life attracted over 250 swimmers who swam in the harbor, at Wellfleet’s bucolic Great Pond, and included 33 swimmers “Swimming in Place” around the country. Close to 150 volunteers kayaked, staffed the Mermaid Tea at the park catered by Far Land Provisions, and registered swimmers at the Boatslip Resort and Great Pond. Zoe Lewis provided the music. 

The Funk Bus transported swimmers to the Swim start at the Breakwater and Harbor Hotels where the shoreline swim created an opportunity for waterfront homes and businesses to cheer the swimmers on along the route. The finish line featured the Prayer Ribbons Garden, a 150-foot half circle installed on the beach in front of the wall, protecting a green patch of beach grass. 

The organizers would like to give a special thanks to the park’s next door neighbor, Pat’s Happy Park, managed by Michael Gaucher, who provided parking, beach access and a power source for the fundraiser. The Harbormaster and the Provincetown Rescue Squad provided safety on the water and shore.

Special Circle of Honor pendants, created by Christie Andreson, this year’s Volunteer Recipient, were awarded to ten-year swimmers Laurie Shields of Charlestown, RI and Thomas Keske of Randolph, MA. Special recognition was given to Joe Stewart from Baltimore, MD who swam for his 3ist time. He also organizes a sister Swim for Life in Maryland.

Thirteen teams participated including Chim4Life, Eastham Mermaids, Moving Violations, LANES, Friends Not Food, Team Gebhardt, Les Schwimmers, AIDS Support Group, Two Other Friends, M&M, Walker Family Swimmers and Wellfleet Great Pond Mermaids.

Forty-three swimmers and kayakers raised a thousand dollars or more and joined the $1,000 Club. The top five 2021 fundraisers include: artist Jim Youngerman of Lenox, MA, who also designed this year’s popular t-shirt, Boe Morgan of Moving Violations Team from Roslindale, MA, Barbara Jo Ravelle of Wellfleet, Jonathan Scott of Provincetown, Katherine Gail Strickland, the newest member of The Compact Board, Provincetown.

Beneficiaries of the September 11 Swim include: the 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 in Provincetown (SKIP), Provincetown Schools, The Compact Community Fund, Accessible Provincetown, West End Racing Club and Cape Cod Children’s Place.

Lead event sponsors include: Seamen’s Bank and b/well Cannabis Dispensary. Business sponsors: Fanizzi’s Restaurant, Provincetown Banner, Boatslip Resort & Beach Club, Lobster Pot Restaurant, Far Land Provisions, Cape Air, Bay State Cruise, Berta Walker Gallery, Art’s Dune Tours and WOMR 92.1, with support from the Provincetown Visitor Services Board. New sponsors this year include: Provincetown Aquasports, Cape Cod 5, Cranberry Square Dermatology, The Palette Fund, Arthur H. Platt Trust and support from the Provincetown Visitor Services Board.

Photo credit: Jay Critchley