Who sponsors the Swim for Life? The Provincetown Community Compact, (The Compact) which sponsors the Swim for Life, is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt organization, established in 1983.  The 37th Swim begins now - through September 7, 2024!.

How are you dealing with COVID-19?

We will follow guidelines mandated by the Town of Provincetown on the date of the Swim.

When was the Swim for Life started? Who started it? Jay Critchley and Walter McLean created it in 1988, and it has since been directed by Jay, under the auspices of The Provincetown Community Compact.

What’s it for? To raise funds and awareness of HIV/AIDS, women’s health and community health, AND, to celebrate the environment and the magnificence and vitality of Provincetown Harbor and the Provincetown community. Primary beneficiaries for 2022 (2023 TBA) are the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, Helping Our Women. Outer Cape Health Services, Community beneficiaries include: Provincetown Rescue Squad,  Lower Cape Ambulance, Soup Kitchen of Provincetown, The Compact Community Fund, Provincetown Public Schools, Accessible Provincetown, West End Racing Club, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Lily House and Native Land Conservancy.

What is the distance of the Swim? In 2019 we adapted to new realities in the harbor and changed the course of the Swim. The 2024 Swim route is 1.2 miles along the East End shoreline from Snail Road beach to Cannery Wharf Park. see map

Why swim? Because you can, because it’s a personal challenge – physical, mental or emotional, because of the enormous healing energy you’ll feel after the event, because it’s a way to stay connected to the quintessential spirit of the community, because you’ll raise funds for important health organizations, because it’s fun and because Provincetown loves you!

What is the water temperature? Do I need a wetsuit? The water temp is usually around 65+ degrees (last year it was 70 degrees!), but it is impossible to predict due to occasional upwelling of colder water, wind, tides, moon, sun. It can be chillier. We suggest you wear a wetsuit; we provide free wetsuit loans on the day of the Swim, after swimmers are registered.

When do I have to register? You can register now. Please register early this year and set up a personal fundraising page on Pledge It. You will need to check in at the Swim to pick up your swim cap, ribbon and confirm your total pledges.

I can swim but…? Many people used to swim on a high school team or swim more frequently years ago, but don’t consider themselves a “swimmer”. To many, a swimmer is one who is in training or in a club, etc. Not so. If you can swim, you can participate. Many people use the event as a training goal for themselves as part of a fitness program. It may take some a few years to feel confident, but it’s all part of the process. If you are hesitant, join us as a volunteer or kayaker and experience the event close up. Or join a team and help raise funds.

Is it a race? It is not a race! The beauty of the Swim is that everyone swims their personal best, and we keep the times of all swimmers. The Order of Finish is sent out around the end of the year. We respect everyone’s personal challenge - the event is not over until the last swimmer hits the finish line. And, the last swimmer receives a massage!

May I use flippers, tubes, water wings, etc? YES, whatever it takes to get you in the water and motivate you to participate. The one rule we have is that the safety of the swimmers is our top priority. Make it fun, and don’t hesitate to seek help, a drink of water or a rest from one of the kayaks or safety boats. You are a winner whether you finish the entire distance or not! Remember, you’re close to the shoreline.

Is it true I can solicit pledges on Provincetown streets without being picked up for panhandling? YES, it’s true! Keep collecting pledges after you arrive in town, right up to registration. The year that an entangled right whale showed up in the harbor before the Swim started we had to delay the event and reconfigure the swim course. James was $200 short of the $1,000 Club so he went back out on Commercial Street and collected enough to reach his goal! Unfortunately, the Whale never collected any pledges! 

I want to swim but I can’t raise money? This is a tough one. Is there anyone who likes to raise money (besides the IRS)? Raising pledges is part of the process of building up your enthusiasm, commitment and a support team for your swim, and asking them to help you raise pledges. You might be surprised if you end up recruiting others to swim with you! Social media has made it easier for some swimmers. You may set up your personal funding page GiveLively Check out our Fundraising Tips page, and don’t forget to request matching corporate funds from your workplace.

How much do I have to raise? We have not changed the $100 pledge minimum since we started in 1988. We encourage people to take the plunge, to make it easy to join in, but this is a fundraiser and local health organizations count on these funds to provide year-round services to the community. The average swimmer raises over $450+.

Do I receive a t-shirt or prize?. If you raise the $100 minimum you will receive a t-shirt on Swim day. If you do a Swimming in Place swim, we will send you your t-shirt and ribbon. We have prizes for top fundraisers – the $1,000 Club and the Circle of Honor (those who have swum ten years or raised $10,000).

Does the Swim have a social media presence? Indeed! We have a Facebook page that you are encouraged to post your story and images on, and a link to your PledgeIt fundraising page. Also check out our Instagram page. Please friend us, join us and repost! Tag us. #ptownswim. @ptownswim

Is it safe out in the harbor? Safety is the primary focus of the Swim organizers. We moved the Swim route from Long Point to the Boatslip to the town’s shallow East End shoreline to minimize the risk of predators. Please stay close to the curve of the shoreline - it is important for your safety and the kayaks and safety boats supporting you. Look for our kayaker “Rock Stars” guiding you away from the 14 rock groins along the shore.

We also offer an alternative Swim at Wellfleet’s Great Pond on Swim day.

The Provincetown Rescue Squad will be on hand at the finish line as well as our medical team; dozens of kayakers are an important link in the safety chain on the water as well as a contingent of lifeguards on boards, safety boaters, stand up boarders, the Provincetown Harbormaster and the US Coast Guard. We also provide hot tea at the finish line.

What about sharks? With increased attention about shark sightings, particularly white sharks on ocean beaches and in Cape Cod Bay near seal populations, we have changed the Swim route closer to the town shoreline along the East End.

To address this risk, and consistent with prior years, the Swim for Life is working closely with the Provincetown Harbormaster, who patrols the harbor for any unusual activities or animals and keeps a watch on the seal population in the harbor the morning of the event, alongside the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies research vessel, Ibis. The US Coast Guard will also be out on the water to assist in water safety.

We follow protocols developed by the Shark Working Group in the event of confirmed sightings and response procedures. The group comprises representatives of the Cape Cod National Seashore, the towns of the Lower Cape, including the Provincetown Harbormaster, lifeguards, the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. We have worked with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy by setting up two receiver buoys with the Provincetown Harbormaster. We have also donated to the study of how to mitigate our relationship with the seals and sharks. Tagged sharks are recorded by these receivers and assist in research by the conservancy and the Commonwealth.

If you need to contact the Provincetown Harbormaster’s Office, the phone #: 508 487-7030.

What is hypothermia? Shivering is your body’s automatic defense against cold temperature — an attempt to warm itself. Constant shivering is a key sign of hypothermia. It is important to recognize and understand the symptoms and treatment for hypothermia. Please read out page on hypothermia here.

Do you need volunteers? How many? Yes, please sign up and we will contact you. We need dozens of volunteers to run this event. Perhaps you know a swimmer who needs support? Adopt a swimmer and you become part of a support team and help fundraise.

What do the kayaker do? The “Paddler Flotilla” was created to acknowledge the importance of kayakers for the safety of the event. The Flotilla provides assistance to swimmers – water, rest, support and reassurance. The role of kayakers is to stay out on the water with the swimmers until all swimmers are safely covered by a kayak. Kayakers will provide a safety net between the swimmer along the shoreline and the harbor waters. See special kayaker page. Check out the Rock Star Brigade!

What is The Compact’s mission? The Swim for Life is organized and sponsored by the Provincetown Community Compact, Inc. (The Compact), a non-profit, tax-exempt organization established in 1993 that manages this event. Our mission is to nurture the community. We also run two dune shack residencies in Cape Cod National Seashore and provide fiscal sponsorship for artist and community projects through our “Think-ubator”. Check our Prayer Ribbons Project.

Join our email list and on Facebook.

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Thank you!