Over 350 Swimmers To Participate In Friends of Virgin Islands National Park 19th Annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim On Memorial Weekend

Press release / St.John, US Virgin Islands, May 18, 2022 — Friends of Virgin Islands National Park’s annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim helps raise funds for marine conservation and youth programs like Learn To Swim.  This year over 350 participants will be swimming down St. John’s North Shore beaches from Maho to Cinnamon or Trunk or Hawksnest on Sunday, May 29 in the 19th Power Swim event.

Registered swimmers represent 38 states and territories with ages ranging from 4 to 79 years old.  24 participants have swum the race at least 10 times with four 19-year veterans in the lineup.  In all, there will be 214 females and 146 males diving into the water on Sunday, May 29. Registration is closed as the event is at capacity.

“The excitement and interest in this year’s swim has been extraordinary,” says Tonia Lovejoy, Executive Director, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.  “We reached capacity and closed registration earlier than we have ever done before.  This event is a wonderful opportunity for serious competitors as well as casual swimmers and families to participate in an event in the azure waters in Virgin Islands National Park and support important marine protection and youth programs.”

Recognized as one of the most beautiful open water swim meets in the world, the event includes:

• Cinnamon Short Course for solo swimmers only from Maho Beach to Cinnamon Beach (1 mile)
• Trunk Intermediate Course for solo swimmers only from Maho Beach to Trunk Beach (2.25 miles)
• Hawksnest Long Course for solo swimmers from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach (3.5 miles)
• Relay Long Course for 3-person relay teams from Maho Beach to Hawksnest Beach (3.5 miles).  The relay team transition points will be at Cinnamon Beach and Trunk Beach.

The 2021 long course was won by 56-year old Carlos Lomba from Puerto Rico who finished the 3.5-mile swim from the start at Maho Beach to the finish at Hawksnest Beach in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 49.3 seconds.

The 2022 event logo was designed by a young local artist, Kavone Wyatt. First place medals were created by artist, Lisa Etre.

Volunteers Needed

The Friends is a small organization and depends on an incredible community of over 100 volunteers on Race Day.  Volunteers are needed in the water with boards, kayaks, dinghies, and boats, as well as on land with organization tasks.  Anyone interested in helping out on Sunday morning, May 29 should please contact Jennifer Stone at jstone@friendsvinp.org or (340) 779-4940.

Thanks To Our Sponsors

This event is made possible thanks to the local business community and sponsors with safety support being provided by St. John Rescue.  This year there are 56 sponsors including 12 new supporters.  The premier sponsors are St John Insurance Agency, 340 Real Estate, Liberty Foundation, and USVI Tourism.  

In addition, sponsorship is provided by St. John Hardware, Paradise Lumber, Windspree Vacation Homes, Salty Deck, Salty Daze, Shambles, First Bank, Mongoose Junction, United Health Care, Baker Magras & Associates, Maho Crossroads, Topa Properties, Topa Insurance, Merchants Bank, Little Olive, Salty Mongoose, Great Horizons VI, High Tide, Seaside at Grande Bay, De-signs, Beach Bar, Alfredo’s Landscaping, St. John Physical Therapy, Islandia Real Estate, Rotary Club of St. John, Muilenberg Law LLC, VI Body Spa, Longboard, St. John Dinghy Rental, Bark Design, Gallows Point, Low Key Watersports, Ocean Runner, USVI Expeditions, NBC, BUZZ Radio, Virgin Islands Daily News, Stream2Sea, St. John Brewers, St. John Provisions, Reef2Peak, T-Shirt One, Love City Ice, Crown Awards, Starfish Market, St. John Coastal, Chelsea Drugstore, Kate n’ Design, Race Impressions, Lisa Etre Art, Cinnamon Bay Beach & Campground, and Art By Kavone.

Information on the Beach to Beach Power Swim as well as the programs it funds can be found on the Friends website at https://friendsvinp.org/power-swim/