4th Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, featuring the 57th Around The Island Swim
- Date Sun 30th July 2023
- Time 7:00AM EDT
- Location Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Price Free - $107.00
- Races 5 races
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day at the 4th Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, taking place on Sunday, July 30, 2023, in the vibrant coastal city of Atlantic City. This year’s event features the legendary 57th Around The Island Swim, a challenging 22.75-mile (36.6 km) swim that circles the picturesque Absecon Island. Swimmers will not only test their endurance but also join a rich tradition that began back in 1953, making this a must-attend event for open water enthusiasts.
Participants can compete in three exciting categories: Individual, Mixed Relay Team, and Scholastic Relay Team—an opportunity to showcase teamwork and skill! With a cash purse for the top competitors and the coveted "Solitare Cup" at stake, this festival promises not just competition but a celebration of swimming excellence. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or a passionate supporter, join us in Atlantic City for a memorable experience filled with camaraderie, challenge, and cheers!
Participants can compete in three exciting categories: Individual, Mixed Relay Team, and Scholastic Relay Team—an opportunity to showcase teamwork and skill! With a cash purse for the top competitors and the coveted "Solitare Cup" at stake, this festival promises not just competition but a celebration of swimming excellence. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or a passionate supporter, join us in Atlantic City for a memorable experience filled with camaraderie, challenge, and cheers!
Organiser's Description
ARE YOU TOUGH ENOUGH TO SWIM 22.75MI/36.6KM AROUND ABSECON ISLAND? SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TO COMPETE IN THE 4TH ANNUAL JIM WHELAN OPEN WATER FESTIVAL, _FEATURING_ THE 57TH AROUND THE ISLAND SWIM ON SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023!
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The history of this legendary marathon swim began back in 1953 when two ACBP members, Ed "Dutch" Stetser and Edward Solitare, participated in a $100 bet to see who could circumnavigate Absecon Island, and the communities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport, first. It was Solitare who won, completing the grueling course in 13:30, with Stetser only an hour behind him. Throughout the following half-century, numerous international open water swimming athletes competed in the race, which was eventually called a "world championship ocean marathon."
Hosted by Green Whales Racing, the inaugural Jim Whelan Open Water Festival successfully resurrected the historic and challenging swim for its 54th installment in 2019 in honor of the late Jim Whelan; a former NJ State Senator, Mayor of Atlantic City, member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Atlantic City teacher, and Atlantic City High School Swim Coach.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT BY VISITING OUR MAIN WEBSITE AT WWW.JWOPENWATER.ORG [http://www.jwopenwater.org]!
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FOR THE 57TH AROUND THE ISLAND SWIM, THERE ARE 3 COMPETITOR CATEGORIES: INDIVIDUAL, MIXED RELAY TEAM, AND SCHOLASTIC RELAY TEAM. RELAY TEAMS CAN BE MADE UP OF 2-4 ATHLETES OF EITHER GENDER.
Entry fees are as follows:
* Individual Competitor - $1,000
* Mixed Relay Team - $1,200
* "Solitare Cup" Relay - $600
_NEW FOR 2023!_ We are making the process of registering for the Around The Island Swim easier by only requiring full payment of the registration fee if you're selected after a thorough review by our Selection Committee. A $100 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION in order to cover the administrative costs of having the Selection Committee review your application & swim resume. Should you be selected, you'll be notified of next steps, including payment of the balance of your registration fee.
-------------------------
THE 4TH ANNUAL JIM WHELAN OPEN WATER FESTIVAL HAS A CASH PURSE FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR & MIXED RELAY TEAM CATEGORIES!
Purse amount & prize breakdown coming soon!!!
"SOLITARE CUP" RELAY TEAMS WILL BE VYING FOR THE COVETED "SOLITARE CUP," NAMED IN HONOR OF THE FIRST EVER FINISHER OF THE AROUND THE ISLAND SWIM, EDWARD SOLITARE!
(Of course, bragging rights for a whole year are also just as coveted.)
-------------------------
The history of this legendary marathon swim began back in 1953 when two ACBP members, Ed "Dutch" Stetser and Edward Solitare, participated in a $100 bet to see who could circumnavigate Absecon Island, and the communities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport, first. It was Solitare who won, completing the grueling course in 13:30, with Stetser only an hour behind him. Throughout the following half-century, numerous international open water swimming athletes competed in the race, which was eventually called a "world championship ocean marathon."
Hosted by Green Whales Racing, the inaugural Jim Whelan Open Water Festival successfully resurrected the historic and challenging swim for its 54th installment in 2019 in honor of the late Jim Whelan; a former NJ State Senator, Mayor of Atlantic City, member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Atlantic City teacher, and Atlantic City High School Swim Coach.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENT BY VISITING OUR MAIN WEBSITE AT WWW.JWOPENWATER.ORG [http://www.jwopenwater.org]!
-------------------------
FOR THE 57TH AROUND THE ISLAND SWIM, THERE ARE 3 COMPETITOR CATEGORIES: INDIVIDUAL, MIXED RELAY TEAM, AND SCHOLASTIC RELAY TEAM. RELAY TEAMS CAN BE MADE UP OF 2-4 ATHLETES OF EITHER GENDER.
Entry fees are as follows:
* Individual Competitor - $1,000
* Mixed Relay Team - $1,200
* "Solitare Cup" Relay - $600
_NEW FOR 2023!_ We are making the process of registering for the Around The Island Swim easier by only requiring full payment of the registration fee if you're selected after a thorough review by our Selection Committee. A $100 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE IS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION in order to cover the administrative costs of having the Selection Committee review your application & swim resume. Should you be selected, you'll be notified of next steps, including payment of the balance of your registration fee.
-------------------------
THE 4TH ANNUAL JIM WHELAN OPEN WATER FESTIVAL HAS A CASH PURSE FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL COMPETITOR & MIXED RELAY TEAM CATEGORIES!
Purse amount & prize breakdown coming soon!!!
"SOLITARE CUP" RELAY TEAMS WILL BE VYING FOR THE COVETED "SOLITARE CUP," NAMED IN HONOR OF THE FIRST EVER FINISHER OF THE AROUND THE ISLAND SWIM, EDWARD SOLITARE!
(Of course, bragging rights for a whole year are also just as coveted.)
Races
-
57th Around the Island Swim - INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION
Incl. $7.00 Fee & Commemorative T-Shirt
Sun 30th July 2023 (7:00AM EDT)
$107.00
CLOSEDIMPORTANT NOTE: This is only an application for becoming an individual competitor in the Around The Island Swim. The actual registration fee is $1,000. This $100 non-refundable application fee is covering the administrative costs for having the Selection Committee review your application & swim resume. If you are selected to participate, the balance of the entry fee ($900) will be due within 2-weeks. Athletes must be 18 years of age or older to swim as an individual competitor. We will provide you with a support boat for your coach/representative, staffed with rowers & a certified lifeguard from a local Beach Patrol. Athletes in this event are eligible for cash prizes. -
57th Around the Island Swim - MIXED RELAY APPLICATION
Incl. $7.00 Fee & Commemorative T-Shirt
Sun 30th July 2023 (7:00AM EDT)
$107.00
CLOSEDIMPORTANT NOTE: This is only an application for becoming a Relay Team in the Around The Island Swim. The actual registration fee is $1,200. This $100 non-refundable application fee is covering the administrative costs for having the Selection Committee review your application & swim resume. If you are selected to participate, the balance of the entry fee ($1,100) will be due within 2-weeks. Athletes must be 15 years of age or older to swim as part of a relay team. (Under 18 must have parent/guardian consent.) Relay teams can be single or mixed gender, and be made up of 2-4 swimmers. Relay teams are required to BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) staffed with Captain that is not one of the swimmers. We will provide your team with a certified lifeguard from a local Beach Patrol to ride along. Athletes in this event are eligible for cash prizes. -
57th Around the Island Swim - "SOLITARE CUP" RELAY APPLICATION
Incl. $7.00 Fee & Commemorative T-Shirt
Sun 30th July 2023 (7:00AM EDT)
$107.00
CLOSEDIMPORTANT NOTE: This is only an application for becoming a "Solitare Cup" Relay Team in the Around The Island Swim. The actual registration fee is $600. This $100 non-refundable application fee is covering the administrative costs for having the Selection Committee review your application & swim resume. If you are selected to participate, the balance of the entry fee ($500) will be due within 2-weeks. This event is open only to high school or college athletes. Athletes must be 15 years of age or older to swim as part of a relay team. (Under 18 must have parent/guardian consent.) Relay teams can be single or mixed gender, and be made up of 2-4 swimmers. Relay teams are required to BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) staffed with Captain that is not one of the swimmers. We will provide your team with a certified lifeguard from a local Beach Patrol to ride along. Athletes in this event ARE NOT eligible for cash prizes, however the winning team will be awarded the coveted "Solitare Cup," along with bragging rights for a whole year! -
Around the Island Power Boat Captain
Incl. Commemorative T-Shirt
Sun 30th July 2023 (7:00AM EDT)
Free
CLOSEDAs a Boat Captain, I understand that I must: Be available to my athletes during the full 22.75 mile marathon swim. Communicate with the Race Staff as needed throughout the race. Have my boat in the water & arrive at the race 1hr prior to the start of the race so that all equipment & passengers are loaded in time for the start. Provide any necessary documentation about you or your vessel as requested by the Race Staff, City of Atlantic City, and/or USCG. Boat Captains are required to be 18 or older. -
Around the Island Volunteer
Incl. Commemorative T-Shirt
Sun 30th July 2023 (7:00AM EDT)
Free
CLOSEDOur events wouldn't be possible without the help of community volunteers! We have plenty of tasks from pre-race setup, creating & distributing swag bags, hospitality, and post-event cleanup. Any age volunteer is welcome, however we ask that those under 18 have a parent/guardian's permission, and those under 12 be accompanied by an adult during the event.
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