By Mike McCombs
The Island News
The 19th annual Beaufort River Swim is set for Saturday morning, May 31, on the Beaufort River, and it looks like this one could be a record-breaker, participation wise.
The race is the chief fundraiser for the Wardle Family YMCA’s Learn to Swim Program.
The day’s events include the 3.2-mile competitive Beaufort River Swim, a 1-mile Swim and 5K Road Race after either swim distance. This year’s new event is a relay option, where one person swims and a second person runs the 5K.
Nancy Kirk, Director Of Marketing and Development at Beaufort-Jasper YMCA in Port Royal, said there are a record 202 participants registered as of Tuesday, May, 27. There were 171 participants registered at the same point last year.
“We’ll probably be able to provide scholarships [for swim lessons] for over 350 people,” Kirk said.
The Beaufort marina parking lot is the end point of both swims. This is the staging area for swim and run events. Competitors should look for directional signage for check-in to receive a timing chip and be marked up. Parking is free until noon.
Check-in begins at 6 a.m., and the 3.2-mile competitive swim starts at 8 a.m., with the Fun Swim starting at approximately 8:30.
YMCA staff will transport via bus all swimmers to their respective starting points (Safe Harbor Port Royal Marina for the 3.2-Mile swimmers and the Beaufort Memorial Hospital dock for the 1-mile swimmers). The last bus for the 3.2-mile swimmers leaves the Beaufort Marina at 7:30 p.m.
There is no same day registration – registration was to end Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Award presentation will be held at the downtown marina parking lot area immediately after the 5K ends.
The Beaufort Search and Rescue Squadron will be providing the primary safety for our event. DNR will have boating traffic cut off along the route. A fleet of kayakers and other safety vessels will monitor the course to ensure the swimmers’ safety.
Awards presentation will be held two hours after the swim start for swimmers and two and a half hours after the swim start for swim/runners at the Downtown Beaufort Marina parking lot area.
Last year’s male and female overall champions were Cohen Bruner and Piper Lucas.
Kirk said, aside from the new relay option, there weren’t any huge changes to the event this year.
“This is our 19th year, so it’s kind of copy and paste at this point,” Kirk said.
