Warning, this event was expired!

By Phil and Julie Taub, Co-FoundersHere is our story.  We started Swim With A Mission, Inc. because we needed to do something! We are frustrated and concerned that our Veterans are being treated so poorly. Our Veterans and their families have given so much and for some, have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Our Veterans deserve more. We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave, because of the brave. We hope that you will join us on this mission to help, support and honor our Veterans. We started this organization with our friends by combining our most fundamental passions: Veterans, lake living and swimming.  Our cornerstone event features a swim across Newfound Lake, the cleanest lake in the Northeast, followed by a demonstration of skills by our Navy SEALs.  We now have hundreds of swimmers and volunteers showing up and raising money for our Veterans.  Thousands of spectators have showed up to provide support and enjoy what has become a huge Veteran festival.  We then added a unique team building day led by the Navy SEALs in which they spend time presenting to some of the top companies in the Northeast about leadership, “team first” attitude and mental toughness.  We then test those skills in a paintball tournament, which in its first two years has become the highest grossing paintball charity event ever in the USA. 

As we continue to evolve and understand more about the needs of our Veterans, we are focusing more on providing service dogs to Veterans and creating art programs, both of which address the invisible wounds that too many of our veterans are suffering through. Last year, we added an event Whiskey and Whiskers that focuses on the military K9’s, both in combat and then in their roles as service K9’s to our Veterans. This year, we are creating art programs for Veterans and their families.  We are kicking off our art fundraising efforts by bringing Portraits of Courage to New Hampshire, a unique collection of paintings of Veterans by President Bush. 

We are so grateful that our first three years were such a great success and are exceedingly appreciative of every donor, sponsor, swimmer, volunteer and participants who helped make this mission victorious!  We have an incredible board, group of advisors and swim committee that are working hard to make year four even better.  We are all volunteers, except that we have now made our first staff hire in the amazing Matt Foster. Please join us to make a difference!

Distances

• 10k Relay (Teams of 3-5 swimmers)
• 10k individual swim
• 5k individual swim
• 1k individual swim

Swimmer Qualifications

1. In good health and capable of making the swim distance
2. Strong enough swimmer to hold a consistent pace (based on 100 yards) of 1:50 or better
3. Committed to supporting our veterans and designated charities
4. Each relay team will have at least 3 swimmers, but no more than 5
5. Fundraising is not required, but highly encouraged! To further motivate our swimmers, there will be fundraising incentives

Recognition & Awards

• The top fundraising individuals will get special recognition.
• Official Swim With A Mission Awards will be presented to the following finishers: top 3 in the men’s and woman’s individual categories and top 3 relay teams.

USAT Wetsuit Rules

• USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower.
• USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards.
• If the water temperature is 84 degrees or above, participants may not wear wetsuits.

General Rules and Details for All Swimmers

• Swim Buoys and Assistive devices, including masks, fins, snorkels, and paddles are NOT allowed.
• Swimmers are NOT permitted to wear headphones during the race.
• USAT Wetsuit rules apply for use of wetsuits

1K, 5K and 10K Individual Details

• Water starts for each distance
• Out and back course (see map)
• Swim in clockwise direction…always stay on left of buoys
• Buoy at each distance turn around
• There will be support boats at the 5K and 10K turnarounds.
• Paddlers and support boats will be along the course for safety and support. ALL Paddlers and Support Boats must register through the Volunteer Registration

10K Team Relay Details

• Beach start for all relay swimmers
• Team members not swimming will remain on beach
• Each lap equals .31miles or .5K (20 laps equal 10K) (see map)
• Swimmer must cross start/finish time pad at the beginning of each lap
• Every swimmer needs to swim at least one lap
• There will be paddlers along the route for your safety

Swim Route

• All swim races will begin and end at Wellington State Park.