Swim Challenges

Longer Swims for you and your Swim Buddies!

Every season we offer a number of Swim Challenges for small groups of experienced swimmers looking to complete longer distances. CIBBOWS plans the routes, obtains the necessary permits, lines-up boat and kayak escorts, and helps to connect swimmers to train and swim together.

All swimmers must be CIBBOWS members and all event costs are shared by the swimmers.

How to Apply

 

Swimming as a Group

These swims are not races: they are boat supported group swims.

Swimmers are required to swim as a pod and stay together for the entire swim. Ideally, pod swimmers stay within 50 yards of each other. This ensures the safety of the group. If you are interested in one of our swims but don’t have a group to fill all the slots, we can try to match you with similar-paced swimmers.


You must all follow the lead boat and swimmers need to swim at a similar pace and stay together throughout the swim – ideally within 20-50 yards, depending on conditions, and no more than 100 yards. If you want to be matched with a group, please contact us first, and we will try to match you with others your speed.

Some Swim Challenges can also be done as a RELAY with swimmers trading off every 20 to 30 minutes.

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Membership

All participants MUST be CIBBOWS members. To become a member, click here.

Applying and Cost

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply as a solo swimmer or as a group. (Groups, please nominate one person to apply for your group!) For solo swimmers, we will try and match you with others who swim at your pace. Please indicate the swim you are interested in (see the list below) and your preferred date(s).

Please email constance@cibbows.org to apply.

Once you have indicated interest, someone from CIBBOWS will be in touch to confirm and assess that your level of experience matches the challenge.

Once your swim is confirmed, you must pay the $200 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot. Half the balance is due 4 weeks before the swim. The final balance is due 1 week before the swim.

Note about Costs

The cost of these events is fixed and primarily covers the expense of the boat support. The cost must be shared by the group of swimmers. We suggest each group make a contingency plan in case someone drops out. It is recommended that each group line up back-up swimmers, so if someone has to drop out, another swimmer can join and the other participants are not caught carrying the additional burden of the event costs. Your options include: 1) once each member of the group commits to the swim, they pay their share of the cost even if they drop-out (as would be the case if you register for a schedule tri or swim event); 2) you find a replacement swimmer (may be difficult at the last minute); 3) the remaining swimmers share the full cost; or 4) you cancel the swim.

Cancellations must be made a week prior to the swim before the final payment is made but you will forfeit the $200 non-refundable deposit.

How to Prepare

Although your group may swim and train together in a pool, this doesn’t necessarily translate to the open water. It is important that you swim and train together in the ocean and practice pacing yourselves as a group. We recommend you practice feeding in the ocean using the same feeds you will use for the swim itself – everything feels different in the ocean.

Crew

Swim Challenges are crewed by Capri Djatiasmoro and 1-3 other crew members who are experienced open water swimmers themselves. 

What to Bring

A brightly colored (ideally neon) swim cap – NOT white or blue — 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!) For short swims (3-5 miles), you will feed from your own swim buoy. Be sure to use marine safe carabiner hooks and waterproof bottles. For long swims (14 miles), you will feed from the kayak. Be sure to secure your feeds on a 5-10 foot length rope for the kayak. Bring your warm clothes, towel, feeds, etc. in a *waterproof* dry bag as you have to tow your items out to lead boat at the start.

Weather Cancellations

We monitor the weather closely in the run-up to the swim and swimmer safety is our top priority. If we have to cancel the swim due to inclement weather (e.g. fog, high wind over 25mph, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, etc.) we make the decision the day before the swim. If at all possible, we will reschedule your swim. If we can’t reschedule, you will be refunded the cost of the swim minus the non-refundable $200 deposit.

Past Swim Challenges

August 23, 2026

Verrazzano Bridge → Swinburne Island

Do you enjoy swimming a Pier loop and a 5k loop? Try this 3 mile adventure as your stepping stone to marathon swimming. The recommended pace to qualify is a 45 minute-1 hour open water swim mile.


Start: Verrazzano Bridge
Finish: Swinburne Island
Distance: 3 miles
Staging-Swimmer/crew pick up and drop off: Brighton Beach-Brighton 4th Street (Grimaldo’s Chair)
Swimmers: 6 maximum
Duration: 2 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 2 hours
Cost: TOTAL = $3000/if 6 swimmers = $500.00 per swimmer. Same cost for solo or a smaller group.

Recommended pace to qualify: 45-60 minutes per mile

July 31, 2026

Governors Island → Sandy Hook, NJ

Looking to step up for a more challenging swim? Consider an epic 14 mile swim challenge from Governor’s Island to Sandy Hook. A maximum of 4 participants will swim in a pod between two safety boats and feed from a kayaker. Swimmers will meet at Brooklyn Pier 4 Beach, (4 Montague Street, Brooklyn) and wade out to the boat with your gear in a waterproof bag. The first leg is 5 miles from the southern tip of Governors Island the Verrazzano Bridge (around 2 hours) and then 9 miles to the finish at Sandy Hook (around 3 hours) – with minimal current assist.

Post swim, there is a 20 minute boat ride back from the Sandy Hook finish to Brighton Beach. EVERYONE will be dropped off at Brighton 4th and swim into shore from 500 feet out (buoy markers).

Start: Southern tip of Governors Island
Finish: Sandy Hook, NJ
Distance: 14 miles
Staging- Swimmer/Crew/Kayaker Pick Up: Brooklyn Pier 4 Beach- 4 Montague Street, Brooklyn
Swimmer/Crew/Kayaker Drop Off: Brighton Beach-Brighton 4th Street (Grimaldo’s Chair)
Swimmers: 4 maximum
Duration: 5 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 6-7 hours
Cost: TOTAL = $4300 / If 4 swimmers = $1075.00 per swimmer. Same cost for solo or a smaller group.
Recommended pace to qualify: 25 minute mile.

July 24, 2026

Verrazzano Bridge → Coney Island Pier

Do you enjoy swimming a Pier loop and a 5k loop? Try this 5 mile adventure as your stepping stone to marathon swimming. The recommended pace to qualify is a 45 minute-1 hour open water swim mile.

 

Start: Verrazzano Bridge
Finish: Coney Island Pier
Distance: 5 miles
Staging-Swimmer/crew pick up and drop off: Brighton Beach-Brighton 4th Street (Grimaldo’s Chair)
Swimmers: 6 maximum
Duration: 1-3 hours
You will need: Feed/hydration for 3 hours
Cost: TOTAL = $3000/If 6 swimmers = $500.00 per swimmer – Same cost for solo or a smaller group.
Recommended pace to qualify: 45-1 hour mile