Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

The Swim Across America’s Long Island Sound Swim started in Larchmont, New York in 1992. The 4-mile swim that starts at the Larchmont Yacht Club is dedicated to the memory of Kathy Webers who battled cancer for over a year. In its first year, 35 swimmers raised US$15,000.

Over the 23 years, the money raised, the number of swimmers, and the swim distances have been increased. Most impressively, the event raised US$1.245 million in 2011.

The event has dominated the highest grossing open water charity swims in the world:

1. 2015 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge – US$2,010,000
2. 2011 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,245,000
3. 2013 Nighttrain228 – US$1,200,000
4. 2012 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,118,000
5. 2014 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,105,000
6. 2005 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,067,000
7. 2006 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,065,000
8. 2010 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,038,000
9. 2007 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$1,032,000
10. 2013 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$986,000
11. 2004 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$936,000
12. 2008 Swim Across America Long Island Sound – US$917,000
13. 2015 Tampa Bay Frogman Swim – US$500,000+
14. 2015 Mighty Mac Swim – US$432,000
15. 2016 A Long Swim – US$320,000+
16. 2016 OceanFit – US$308,800

* for Habitat for Humanity in its first year

Copyright © 2015 by World Open Water Swimming Association