Some of the most enthusiastic and generous supporters of an open water swimming charity event jumped off boats in Boston this early Friday morning.

From elite athletes like Heather Petri, Brooke Bennett, and Kristy Kowal sporting their Olympic medals to masters swimmers sporting wetsuits, the Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim kicked off early. The 22-mile marathon swimming relay around the Boston Harbor Islands started at sunrise in downtown Boston and will continue throughout today.

Event director Kitty Tetreault is directing the swimmers aboard two escort boats named ‘Mon Amour,’ and ‘Secret Love.’ After spending the day swimming and hanging out with donors for the MassGeneral Hospital for Children Cancer Center and the Perini Quality of Life Clinic at the Dana-Farber Hospital, the swimmers will finish back on shore.

After the first leg, four-time Olympic medalist Petri remarked, “The water is great, not cold at all, just a bit windy.”

For more information about the event and the 80 swimmers who raised over $350,000 for the beneficiaries, visit here with a tracking of their course here.

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