We are delighted to have Swim for Life events at two locations. At Wellfleet Great Pond there will be a lifeguard and medical support and kayaks for swimmer safety. The 1-mile route is around the edge of the pond.

Provincetown Harbor

Kayakers and boaters are essential to ensure the safety of swimmers. Safety is a number one priority of the Swim for Life and requires a coordinated effort from medical personnel and the Provincetown Rescue Squad on shore, and kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders, safety boats, the Harbormaster and lifeguards on the water to ensure the safety of each and every swimmer. There is a special symbiotic relationship between swimmers and kayakers that creates a special bond. Check out our page on hypothermia. 

Please read the Water Safety Protocol

Water safety video with Pete, the Harbormaster

Finish line medical protocols with George, RN.

Kayakers Thank you for kayaking for the Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla! Your support on the water is essential to keeping our swimmers safe.

1. REGISTER
If you haven’t already, register as a Swim for Life paddler here.

2. GET A KAYAK
Please bring your own kayak or borrow one from a friend if possible. If you need a kayak:

Coyote Kayaks: Available through Coyote Kayaks are reduced-fee $25 rentals for a single kayak, $45 for a double (funds to go to the Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore), available through Coyote Kayaks Swim for Life, 333R Commercial Street. We recommend that you reserve one before Swim day directly with Coyote Kayaks and complete their registration and liability release online using the link provided. They open for pickup at 10:15 am on Swim Day. 

3. CHECK IN ON SWIM DAY
Registered kayakers must check in at the beach at the end of Bullring Wharf (Pearl Street), off Commercial Street on the east side of Pepe’s Restaurant, to receive supplies, safety instructions and your assigned role.

4. SUPPORT SWIMMERS 

We require kayakers to fully review this page. Please keep swimmers on course close to shore. Stick with slow swimmers if needed, offering rest and water. Keep in mind that swimmers are tired and concentrating on swimming, so please limit conversation.

There is an optional meeting for kayakers, Friday, September 11 at 2:00 pm at Johnson Street beach.

We are looking for 14 “Rock Stars” to steer swimmers away from the rock groins that protrude into the water.

Using a Coyote kayak? Please return it promptly after you check out at the kayak table at Bullring Wharf and before heading to the Mermaid Brunch at Johnson Street Beach.

Thank you for volunteering your time and paddling skills. We couldn’t do it without you!

Kayak registration begins at 9:30 am at Bullring Wharf at Pearl Street Beach location - east of Pepe’s Wharf restaurant, where you will be required to sign the registration/liability release form. Although raising pledges is not required of kayakers and volunteers, we welcome you participation in our fundraising efforts. 

If you are not on our mailing list, please join now and receive updates.

We have two categories of prizes. Kayakers and swimmers who raise $2,500 or more are eligible for top gift certificates, prizes, ribbons and recognition at the Awards Ceremony. We also will award prizes for those who join the $1,000 Club.

All kayakers may register in advance and help collect pledges. All must register and check in the morning of the Swim.

Once registered, you will receive a coupon for a t-shirt, swim cap, a ribbon and a bottle of water. Kayakers will also receive a whistle. Rescue tubes will be available for some kayaks. They can be towed behind kayaks and tossed to swimmers in need, therefore avoiding swimmers inadvertently hanging onto the side and tipping a kayak.

Swimmers should NOT hold onto the bow or stern of the kayak for rest.

We encourage both swimmers and kayakers to become familiar with the signs of hypothermia. At the Swim start (for Swim Route, scroll to the bottom of page) it is important that you stay separated from the swimmers and be in the water when you see Jay arrive with his red lamé flag at the start. Sometimes the start is held up because kayaks are beached and paddlers are not with their boats and in the water.

The Paddler Flotilla will form outside the swimmers from the shoreline and help shepherd them along the swim route. Please guide swimmers to stay close to shore for their safety. The safety boats will be back of you for support. If you are inexperienced, let the Swim start before you venture out, as long as you are beached away from the swimmers.

East End Shoreline Groins

There are a series of 14 groins or rock breakwaters along the East End route that are mostly underwater at high tide. These groins will have ROCK STAR kayakers assigned to them to alert swimmers to their position. Let us know if you’d like to be one of the 14 ROCK STARS!. The groins are marked on the Swim Route map. (scroll to the bottom).

Your important role is to provide support for the swimmers in the water. If you see a swimmer going off course, help them back on course. Stick with slow swimmers if needed, offering rest and water. Keep in mind that swimmers are tired and concentrating on swimming, so please limit conversation.

Kayakers, please do not leave the water until all remaining swimmers have on-water support.

A tired swimmer should signal one of the kayakers/boaters but do not hold onto the kayak. The swimmer should not attempt to climb into the kayak. Swimmers also have the option to swim to shore to shallower water.

Kayakers and other boaters signal for assistance if needed by blowing their whistle and raising their paddle vertically over their head.

A final reminder, the kayaker and stand-up paddle boarders’ job is to be a safety net and stay with the swimmers in case they need you. Stay focused, the water can be choppy and challenging to navigate while attending to swimmers.

Some of the most memorable stories about this event are about the special connection that often occurs between a kayaker and a swimmer.

#ptownswim @ptownswim

Be safe.  Thank you.