For 36 Years, Swimmers Have Made Waves for Water Safety in Greenwich

On a quiet summer morning each July, as the sun rises over Tod’s Point, something extraordinary happens. Dozens of swimmers gather at the shoreline—not just for the thrill of the swim, but for something far greater.

For 36 years, the One-Mile Swim at Tod’s Point has brought together swimmers from across the region to support a cause that ripples through our entire community: ensuring every child has the chance to learn how to be safe in and around water.

Co-hosted by the Greenwich Swim Committee and the YMCA of Greenwich, this beloved event is more than a race—it’s a tradition rooted in purpose. Each stroke taken in the Long Island Sound helps fund critical YMCA water safety programs and swim lesson scholarships for families who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

In a waterfront town like Greenwich, swimming isn’t just a recreational skill—it’s a layer of protection. For families struggling to make ends meet, swim lessons can be out of reach. But thanks to the enduring support of the swimming community and the generosity of local donors, the YMCA’s Swim School Scholarship Campaign and expanded Safety Around Water program are helping to close that gap.

For the second year in a row, the Y invited over 600 local kids to learn how to swim through the Safety Around Water program—working with Greenwich Public Schools to identify children without basic water safety skills and inviting them to participate in a free, six-week swim series. It’s all part of a bigger mission: to make sure cost is never a barrier to safety.

Whether you’ve participated every year since the ‘80s or are just discovering the event for the first time, your involvement continues a legacy of lifesaving impact. The Greenwich Swim Committee and the YMCA of Greenwich are deeply grateful for the decades of dedication from those who show up, dive in, and support this meaningful cause.

This year’s event takes place Saturday, July 19 at Tod’s Point, with check-in beginning at 6:30 AM and the swim starting at 7:30 AM. Registration is $65, and proceeds benefit the Y’s water safety programs.

After the race, swimmers will be welcomed with light refreshments, commemorative T-shirts, and a sense of knowing they’ve helped build a safer, more inclusive Greenwich.

Want to Be Part of This Story?

To register or learn more, visit the Greenwich Swim Committee website. For questions, contact Jon Harnett at 203-253-2546.