Tree of Life: Art Matènwa/Haiti Project; image by Ellen LeBow with Andrea Pluhar
The quintessential Provincetown tradition, the Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, enters its fourth decade, raising funds for AIDS, women’s health & the community. The 31st Swim for Life will take place on Saturday, September 8 in magnificent Provincetown Harbor. Swimmers, kayakers, boaters and volunteers from across the US and beyond are invited to participate in the 1.4-mile harbor crossing. The annual, post-Labor Day event, which has raised over $5M for the community since its inception in 1988, and includes the Celebration of Life Concert, the Mermaid Brunch and the Awards Ceremony.
The public is invited to greet swimmers here beginning at 11:30am on the day of the Swim. followed by the Mermaid Brunch on the Boatslip deck. The brunch is open to the public and is catered by Far Land Provisions. Provincetown’s own international performing artist, Zoe Lewis will provide the entertainment.
The Celebration of Life Concert, produced by John Thomas, will be held the evening before, on the 7th of September
“The Compact, celebrating 25 years as a community building organization, is proud to support and nurture our vibrant community on this spiral spit of sand we call home,” states artist and director, Jay Critchley.
The Swim for Life builds community and provides year round funding and support for social services, youth and educational organizations that include: AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women, Outer Cape Health Services, Soup Kitchen of Provincetown, Provincetown Rescue Squad, Lower Cape Ambulance, Accessible Provincetown, The Compact Community Fund, Provincetown Schools, West End Racing Club and Cape Cod Children’s Place.
This year’s t-shirt design, created from a Tree of Life image from Haiti and designed by Ellen Lebow with Andrea Pluhar, will be available at Seamen’s Bank on Commercial Street in Provincetown by mid July.
Personal fundraising pages for for swimmers and kayakers, may be set up through the Swim website:
Swim for Life Satellite Swim 2018
www.swim4life.org. Those unable to attend the Swim in person this year, might consider a Satellite Swim in another location, such as a nearby pool.
Business sponsors include: Provincetown Banner (media sponsor), Seamen’s Bank (lead sponsor), and the Lobster Pot Restaurant, Far Land Provisions, Boatslip Resort & Beach Club, Fanizzi’s Restaurant, Harbor Hotel, Berta Walker Gallery, Cape Air, Bay State Cruise, Art’s Dune Tours, WOMR 92.1 FM, ProTools and Seashore Point.
Swimmers, kayakers, boaters, volunteers and friends of the Swim for Life may contact www.swim4life.org for registration, pledge sheets and volunteer opportunities.
