Member Swims | CIBBOWS

CIBBOWS is offering distance training swims for more experienced swimmers in 2023. These swims are a great entry point to longer distances if you are working your way up to longer marathon swims – or are just looking for some longer swims around New York with fantastic views!

These are training swims, and boat support is shared between the swimming group, so you’ll need to match up with swimmers of a similar speed and stay together throughout the swim. These swims are NOT a race. You must all follow the lead boat and swim close together at all times: ideally 20-50 yards, depending on conditions, and no more than 100 yards.

You can sign up to swim solo, or gather a pod of swimmers of a similar pace (maximum 4 swimmers per swim) and train up together for the swim. If you want to be matched with a group, please contact us first, and we will try to match you with others your speed.

How to prepare for these swims: If your group swims and trains together in a pool, this doesn’t necessarily translate to the open water. You’ll need to plan to swim and train together in the ocean! We also recommend planning at least one long swim together in the ocean before the training swim itself. We also recommend you practice feeding in the ocean, using the feeds that you will use for the swim itself – everything feels different in the ocean! If you haven’t trained for long distances or using feeds before, please reach out to more experienced swimmers for advice – maybe through our forum!

Crew: Your swim will be crewed by the swim director, Capri Djatiasmoro and 1-3 other crew members. If you have experienced crew members in mind, you can suggest them. Please check that they don’t get seasick! If you don’t have a crewmember in mind, that’s ok – we will help you find experienced crew.

What to bring: A brightly colored (ideally neon) swim cap – try to avoid white, blue and other colors so you are visible against the ocean. Bring enough feeds for the length of your swim plus 1-2 hours (open water is not always predictable!). Make sure your feeds can be securely attached to a 50ft length of rope so the crew can throw them to you from the boat and retrieve them. Bring your warm clothes, towel, etc. in a *waterproof* dry bag – you will have to tow them out to the RHIB at the start so make sure your bag is definitely waterproof!

Weather cancellation notice:

We monitor the weather closely in the run-up to the swim. Swimmer safety is our top priority, and if absolutely necessary, we may cancel the swim due to inclement weather such as: fog, high wind over 25mph, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, etc. If we make the decision to cancel, you will be notified the day before the swim. If at all possible, we will reschedule swims that have to be canceled due to weather. In the event that we can’t reschedule, you will be refunded the cost of the swim minus a $700 processing fee to cover our costs.

These swims are offered to CIBBOWS members only. Contact us for further information.

Registration for these swims is open on a rolling basis. You can register as a solo swimmer, as a group (please nominate one person to register your group!) or ask us to try and match you with a group. Please indicate the swim(s) you are interested in (see the list below) and your preferred date(s). Once you have registered, someone from CIBBOWS will be in touch about your swim. If your swim is confirmed, the deposit is due to hold your spot. The balance is due 1 week before the swim.

Long swims

Governors Island to Sandy Hook, NJ

This is a nice marathon distance training swim, with current assist. You will swim 5 miles from the southern tip of Governors Island (around 2 hours) and then 9 miles to the finish at Sandy Hook (around 3 hours). Bring feeds for around 6-7 hours as times can be unpredictable.

Start: Southern tip of Governors Island
Finish: Sandy Hook, NJ
Distance: 14 miles
Staging: Grimaldo’s Chair. You will need to swim 500 feet out to the RHIBs at Brighton Beach
Swimmers: 4 maximum
Duration: 5 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 6-7 hours, secured to a 50 foot rope
Cost: $3,000*
Deposit: $1,500**
- *Cost is for the whole swim – same cost for solo or group.
- **Balance is due 1 week before the swim

Governors Island to Marine Parkway Bridge

This is a challenging and fun current assisted swim with great views – including swimming past our very own Brighton Beach!

Start: Southern tip of Governors Island
Finish: Gil Hodges Memorial Marine Parkway Bridge
Distance: 16 miles
Staging: Grimaldo’s Chair. You will need to swim 500 feet out to the RHIBs at Brighton Beach
Swimmers: 4 maximum
Duration: 7 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 8-9 hours, secured to a 50 foot rope
Cost: $3,000*
Deposit: $1,500**
- *Cost is for the whole swim – same cost for solo or group.
- **Balance is due 1 week before the swim

Mid-distance swims

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Sandy Hook, NJ

This is a great swim for anyone embarking on their first longer swim. Current assist means that it takes around 3 hours.

Start: Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
Finish: Sandy Hook, NJ
Distance: 9 miles
Staging: Grimaldo’s Chair. You will need to swim 500 feet out to the RHIBs at Brighton Beach
Swimmers: 4 maximum
Duration: 3 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 5-6 hours, secured to a 50 foot rope
Cost: $2,400*
Deposit: $1,200**
- *Cost is for the whole swim – same cost for solo or group.
- **Balance is due 1 week before the swim

Key Lime Pie Swim – Coney Island Pier to Red Hook Valentino Pier

Work up an appetite on this 10-mile swim finishing at Valentino Pier for BBQ and Key Lime Pie.

Start: Coney Island Pier (red buoy #6)
Finish: Red Hook Valentino Pier
Distance: 10 miles
Staging: Grimaldo’s Chair. You will need to swim 500 feet out to the RHIBs at Brighton Beach
Swimmers: 4 maximum
Duration: 4 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 5-6 hours, secured to a 50 foot rope
Cost: $2,400*
Deposit: $1,200**
- *Cost is for the whole swim – same cost for solo or group.
- **Balance is due 1 week before the swim