The Naples Island Swim & SUP event – that dates back to at least the 1950s – is being held this weekend in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, California features 7 races (SUP races, 200 yards, 500 yards, 1000 yards, 1 mile, 3-mile circumnavigation swim).

“This is a great race and a lot of fun,” says frequent competitor and local waterman Parks Wesson.

“The water quality in Naples is very good right now; 3 of the 4 measurement points are rated A+ and 1 is rated A.”

Co-race directors Bruce Bradley, Lucy Johnson and Greg Shea explained, “The location in a calm, flat body of water creates a prime opportunity to introduce open water swimming and stand-up paddleboard competition to new competitors, and provides a fast course for experienced water sports athletes.”

The Naples Island Swim & SUP is an annual opportunity for the City of Long Beach, known as the Aquatic Capital of America, to showcase its leading position as a destination for aquatic competition.

Merritt Johnson Morris described the various courses in this unique venue, “The one-mile race cuts through the canals in middle of Naples Island. The 3-mile race is a circumnavigational course around the entire island. The 1000-meter race follows the swim buoy line [along the shoreline. The 500-yard race is similarly along the shore for our younger competitors. There is also a 200-meter race for the youngest kids.”

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