New York Open Water is a not-for-profit organization, run by David Barra (@david.barra), Rondi Davies, PhD, and Alex Arévalo, that provides safety, support, and funding for open water swimming and kayaking programs and events while advocating for better stewardship of New York State’s natural water resources and promoting public access to these waters. 

The NYOW events include:

• 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan
• 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim
• 40 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan
• Ederle-Burke Swim

Barra announced, “Our 2025 marathon swim application is open with swim details including dates, pricing, payment and crew-registration deadlines, and withdrawal policies. All applications submitted by January 14th will receive full consideration; there is no need to rush to be among the first to apply.

• 8 tidal windows from June 20th to October 10th for solo or tandem swimmers for the 45.9 km 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan, with a small number of slots per date.  Experience in comparable cold and/or dark conditions will be necessary for any early/late-season and/or night swim assignments.  Swimmers with availability for multiple windows and appropriate experience will have the greatest likelihood of acceptance. (For 20 Bridges, keep in mind that each window allows for weather-related delays. If a swim start is not feasible on any scheduled swim day due to hazardous weather such as thunderstorms, all remaining swims in that window will be moved to the next day with a start that is approximately 45 minutes later.) 
• Up to 6 slots for solo or tandem swimmers to attempt all seven stages of the 193 km 8 Bridges Hudson River Swim, plus single-stage swims if space permits.  Note that this event is contingent on having a minimum field of two swimmers or one solo swimmer and one tandem pair for each stage.
• 1 date for the 91.8 km 40 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan.  Note that this event is contingent on having a minimum field of two swimmers or one solo swimmer and one tandem pair.
• 1 date for the 25.9 km Ederle-Burke Swim.  Note that this event is contingent on having a minimum field of two swimmers or one solo swimmer and one tandem pair.

Acceptances will be posted by January 31st.  If your application is accepted, you will be assigned a date for your swim.  If we are unable to accept all qualified applicants, we will also post a waitlist. A US$750 non-refundable deposit will be required by February 14th to confirm your entry.  Registration for paddlers, observers, and support crew is planned to open in the spring.

Please refer to the swim pages and FAQ if you have any questions.“

For more information, visit nyopenwater.org.

© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

“to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline“

A World Open Water Swimming Federation project.