Tri-town locals participate in Buzzards Bay Swim

Jun 28, 2016

The Buzzards Bay Coalition raised $120,000 and saw 240 swimmers participate in the 23rd annual Buzzards Bay Swim on Saturday.

There were multiple participants from the tri-town in the race, including Greg Glavin from Marion, who received the Six-Mile Award for participating in the 1.2-mile event five years in a row.

“It’s a nice thing,” Glavin said. “I enjoy the race, it’s a fun event. There’s quite a few people who I swim with on a regular basis in Buzzards Bay, so I look forward to it.”

The money raised during the swim goes to the Coalition’s nonprofit work to protect clean water, conserve land and educate both youth and adults.

Glavin says he spends a lot of time enjoying the water.

“I boat in Buzzards Bay, I surf in Buzzards Bay, I just enjoy Buzzards Bay, so I thought [the race] was a nice way of giving back a bit,” he said.

Glavin is the manager of Brewer Onset Bay Marina, and has been involved with the organization for a number of years, so the swim is usually a family affair.

“My daughter tries to make it, my dad, my brother, his family,” he said. “My brother is actually swimming in it this year.”

The 240 participants this year made for one the largest swims ever for the Coalition. The swimmers ranged from ages 12 to 76, and came from 120 different communities in 15 states, including Alaska, Washington and Florida.

The fastest swimmer was 15-year-old Henry Keegan from Needham, who finished in 22:40. The fastest team was the Salty Sea Dogs – Alex Gallant from Lakeville, Nick Graca from East Freetown and Trevor Ragas from Lakeville – with an average time of 25:51.

The top fundraiser was Larry Fish of Falmouth, who raised $5,000. The top group fundraiser was the Red Dory Restaurant of Tiverton, Rhode Island. The group raised $4,026.

For complete race results, visit: support.savebuzzardsbay.org.