Tricia Elmer

NAME: Tricia Elmer

HOMETOWN: Seattle

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHY BLS? BLS is a bucket list swim. It's a nice distance too.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Pilot - Doug Hartunian, Crew - Scott Lautman

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? I swim winters in an outdoor 25 yard pool, but year round in Puget Sound and in Lake Washington once the water gets above 55F.

SWIMMING FUN FACT: I swam my first World Winter Swimming Championship in Tallinn, Estonia in March 2024...and LOVED IT!!! More ice swimming is definitely in my future!!

ANYTHING ELSE? There will be bumps in the road, just keep swimming. I broke my wrist and had a plate installed in May 2024....there's a bump...but I will swim BLS, but maybe slower than previously planned. Just keep swimming until I get to the finish. Always Enjoy!

Shauna Decoteau

NAME: Shauna Decoteau

HOMETOWN: Groton, MA

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHY BLS? I keep trying to increase my mileage for swim races and I was thrilled to come across this race. I live in the Seaport and it is wonderful to have such a great race right in my backyard.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? My crew will be my parents, Lea and Jay Decoteau, and I will likely also have Ryan Militana and/or Ben Decoteau on the boat as well.

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? I swim in the Vineyard Sound

SWIMMING FUN FACT: During the summer, I swim from Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard with some great friends.

ANYTHING ELSE? I usually do tropical swims like Nevis or St. Croix so this cold water will be my biggest obstacle.

Brian Geiger

NAME: Brian Geiger

HOMETOWN: Durham, NH

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHY BLS? I want to swim a long ocean swim.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Pilot - John Swirbalus. I’m still firming up my crew.

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? Rye Beach, Dover Pool, Mendums pond, Kingston Pond.

SWIMMING FUN FACT: When I was 8 years old I almost drowned on a family camping trip. I didn’t go back in the water the rest of that trip. But I put that behind me. Last year I swam the Nubble Light Challenge sans wetsuit for a qualifying swim for the BLS.

Amy Meskill

NAME: Amy Meskill

HOMETOWN: I am a rookie BLS swimmer. I grew up on Massachusetts south coast, and as a competitive swimmer, the BLS swim always intrigued me. I was a sprinter in competition, so I didn’t think it was ever a possibility until I met a great group of open water swimmers in CT who have helped me towards my goals of swimming longer distances.

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Al Creech (pilot), and Bob Meskill (crew)

WHY BLS? I grew up on Massachusetts south coast, and as a competitive swimmer, the BLS swim always intrigued me. I was a sprinter in competition, so I didn’t think it was ever a possibility until I met a great group of open water swimmers in CT who have helped me towards my goals of swimming longer distances.

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? I primarily train in Long Island sound.

Joanne Barker

NAME: Joanne Barker

HOMETOWN: Somerville, MA

BLS EXPERIENCE: I swam the BLS as a relay with Maura Twomey in the pouring rain in 2017. This will be my second solo attempt.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Crew: Chris Stepanian, Laurie Craigen, Jessica Stokes and Pilot: Rick Osterberg

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? South Boston

SWIMMING FUN FACT: I originally started to swim as a way to stay active in the rowing off-season and eventually loved it so much, I gave up rowing.

Brian Jaskot

NAME: Brian Jaskot

HOMETOWN: Vienna, VA

BLS EXPERIENCE: Participated in 2019 when the event was cancelled for fog. Excited to be back in Boston and hoping for a great event.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Crew is Andie Nelson. Pilot is Dave May.

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? I train in the pool with a masters team and in the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River for open water training.

SWIMMING FUN FACT: My favorite feed during swims is sourdough pancakes.

ANYTHING ELSE? Excited for the swim and to see friends, fellow swimmers, and awesome volunteers!

Attila Manyoki

NAME: Attila Manyoki

HOMETOWN: Budapest

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHY BLS? Fantastic history and I would like to enjoy this iconic event.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? Brad Peri

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? Budapest National Swimming Pool - Margit island

SWIMMING FUN FACT: I was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2016 and became the 18th person to ever complete Oceans Seven challenge in 2019.

ANYTHING ELSE? The open water swimming is my passion.

Read more about Attila on his Wikipedia page!

Barbara Cocci

NAME: Barbara Cocci

HOMETOWN: Milton, MA

BLS EXPERIENCE: Rookie

WHY BLS? I have been following the BLS for the past few years. I would chat with swimmers at Pleasure Bay about their swims. A friend planted a seed about me doing it this year. I thought " I enjoy a challenge and also like having a goal". Last August, I climbed Mount Washington with friends and we all worked together to be as prepared as possible. This August, Boston Light Swim: here I come!

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? My pilot is Tom Hamilton and my crew is Maura Twomey and Jen Deleonardis.

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? To date, I have been swimming at Farm Pond and Walden Pond. I plan to add Pleasure Bay/M Street beaches beginning June 1.

SWIMMING FUN FACT: This will be my longest open water swim ever!

ANYTHING ELSE? Up until fifteen years ago, I was a poor and infrequent swimmer who knew nothing about open water. I have met so many encouraging people along the way, including some great trainers and coaches. I am enjoying the journey thus far and looking forward to the challenge.

Betsy Sandberg

NAME: Betsy Sandberg

HOMETOWN: Durham, NH

WHY BLS? I love the island tour nature of the swim.

WHO IS YOUR PILOT AND CREW? John Forgione (Pilot), Bob Fernald (Crew), Gail Pentheny (Crew)

WHERE ARE YOU SWIMMING FOR YOUR BLS TRAINING? NH Seacoast (fresh and salty options)

SWIMMING FUN FACT: Hysterical fact: I used to be a sprinter!

ANYTHING ELSE? I married my swim coach (heart emoji).