2024 TENTATIVE Schedule of Events

This is the tentative schedule as of March 1, 2024. Dates and times for safety meeting, course tours, and pre-race meeting are subject to change.


Two dates, TBD
August, 2024

Safety Meeting (virtual)

Two virtual events to review safety information and course details. Invitations and links to the recording(s) will be sent to all swimmers, swimmer crew, and boaters.

This is mandatory for all swimmers, swimmer crew, and boaters to review, but not necessary to attend live.


THURDAY
August 8, 2024
10:00 AM

Course Tours (BHYC)

Check in for course tours at Boston Harbor Yacht Club (BHYC):
1805 Columbia Road
Boston, MA 02127

  • Board at approximately 10:30am for an optional, paid boat ride to see the Light at Little Brewster Island and view landmarks on the way back to Boston.

  • All attendees must reserve ahead of time; limited space available


THURSDAy
August 8, 2024
1:00 PM

Race bag pickup and lunch (BHYC)

  • Pick up race caps, swimmer swag, and pre-ordered merch

  • Enjoy a light lunch and refreshments overlooking Boston Harbor with swimmers, crew, and boaters


Pre-race meeting (BHYC)

  • Hear about the history of Boston Light Swim

  • Share introductions with other swimmers

  • Review the morning schedule and ask any last minute questions

THURSDAY
August 8, 2024
2:00 PM


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
7:00 AM

Swimmer and crew check in (BHYC)

  • Check in

  • Get body marked

  • Pick up boat flags

  • Meet your pilot on the dock and board your boat

BHYC is located between Castle Island and the Curley Community Center (alternate address 1805 Columbia Road). Consider parking closer to L Street Bathhouse/M Street Beach where we will end the race (check local parking signs for a safe place to leave your car for the duration).


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
7:30 AM

Leave Boston Harbor Yacht Club

  • Leave at least one hour before the start to motor out to the start at the Boston Lighthouse, and earlier if there's an onshore wind or if visibility is limited


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:30 AM

Boats arrive at Little Brewster Island

  • The trip from BHYC to the light takes approximately 45-50 minutes by boat

  • Boats with odd numbered swimmers should line up just behind the two lead safety boats; even numbered swimmer boats should stay back for wave 2.


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:40 AM

Wave 1: five minute warning

  • Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:45 AM

Wave 1: start

  • Race start for odd numbered swimmers signaled by one long horn blast

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!


Wave 2: five minute warning

  • Wave 2 boats to make their way to the starting line

  • Signaled by two short blasts from an airhorn

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:50 AM


Wave 2: start

  • Race start for even numbered swimmers signaled by one long horn blast

  • Also broadcast on channel 72 - keep your radios on!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
8:55 AM


Start
+46 to 60 minutes

Swimmers begin to pass Rainsford Island


Start
+1:30 to 2:15 hours

Swimmers begin to round Long Island (pass site of former Long Island Bridge)

  • Lead swimmer in 2016 was at the bridge about two hours after the start


Start
+3 to 5
Hours

Swimmers finish at M Street Beach (west of the Boston Harbor Yacht Club)

  • Head toward the fence to the right of the bright white handball course

  • Look for the finish-line banner and orange buoys


Cheer in the first race finishers (Curley Community Center)

  • Spectators encouraged to join us on the beach to cheer swimmers as the swimmers begin to cross the finish line

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
11:00 AM


FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
2:00 PM

 

End of race

  • Any swimmers still in the water must exit the water and motor to the finish area or to the BHYC dock to offload 

  • Leaving the water at 1pm is a strict safety requirement, the time we are permitted by the US Coast Guard, and the time in which the tide will begin to turn against swimmers


Awards and raffle (Curley Community Center)

  • Awards will begin 30 minutes after the race ends to allow any pulled swimmers time to join the post-race celebration

  • Prizes awarded for the top male, top female, top open, and “last one back to the barn”

  • Raffle prizes to randomly picked swimmer race numbers

  • Food and beverages will be available on the beach

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
2:30 PM


Event end (Curley Community Center)

  • Event ends, crew and volunteers pack up and clean up the beach

  • Nap time!

FRIDAY
August 9, 2024
3:00 PM


Directions

Boston Harbor Yacht Club
1805 Columbia Road
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-5641

Getting to South Boston is easy from Route 93, and there’s usually on-street parking available in the morning along Columbia Road near the Boston Harbor Yacht Club (1805 Columbia Road, near the O Street intersection) and M Street Beach (west of BHYC). On street parking is marked. Be careful not to park in a resident permit-only space, as you will be ticketed. Use www.mapquest.com or maps.google.com to get directions from your location.

From downtown Boston and points north and west of the city, head south on Interstate 93 and take Exit 15 for JFK Library/South Boston. At the end of the ramp, turn left, go halfway around the traffic circle, pass the police barracks, and follow William J. Day Boulevard (which becomes Columbia Road). You can park on the parallel street or side streets that don’t require resident permits. 

The finish will be at the M Street Beach, to the left of the (currently closed for renovation) Curley Community Center at 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston, MA.