About

The Boston Light Swim has been a local tradition since 1907, the Boston Light Swim is the oldest open-water swim marathon in the United States of America. Participants begin the race in the water at Boston Light on Little Brewster and continue past George's Island and Rainsford Island, under the Long Island Bridge, around Thompson's Island, finishing 8 miles later at the L Street Bathhouse in South Boston.

This swim is perfect for individuals who would like to try a cold water ocean swim. Many swimmers in the past have used this swim to prepare for an English Channel crossing. The 8 mile swim is a non-wet suit event.

Eligibility & Qualifications

This is a New England Masters/USMS sanctioned event (041-009-SOWS). Each swimmer will have to show ID, proof of USMS membership, and be 18 years old or older on the day of the swim. One-day USMS registrations for non-USMS members will be available for $25. (A full annual USMS membership can be purchased for $40 online at: http://www.usms.org/reg/.) Forms for one-day memberships will be available at the pre-race meeting.
In addition to the eligibility requirements, each swimmer is also responsible for supplying his or her own support person and motorized escort boat with a cell phone (no rowboats, canoes, or kayaks allowed unless used as secondary support).

Swimmers will be required to have swum the BLS in the past 3 years OR show proof of a long distance, open-water swim (2.4 mi. swim, 4.4 mi. Chesapeake Bay Bridge swim, etc.) in the past 3 years. Each swimmer should be able to swim a mile in under 40 minutes.

No wet suits will be allowed for inclusion in official results.

Refund Policy

All fees are non-refundable! Due to the nature and complexity of this event, there will be no refunds for any reason, including, if the event were to be cancelled.