ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Over 200 individual and relay team swimmers are expected at the fourth annual Swim for Alligator Lighthouse Saturday, Sept. 17, a unique open-ocean challenge in Atlantic waters off Islamorada.
Individuals and two- and four-person teams have up to seven hours to complete the 9-mile roundtrip course. Individuals must show proof of completing a prior 1,650-meter or 1-mile swim in 35 minutes or less to compete as an individual.
The course features an in-water start and a beach finish, ending shoreside at the event’s headquarters, The Moorings Village & Spa resort at 123 Beach Road in Islamorada.
* current changes. At least 3 different opportunities for a current change as swimmers will swim on a sandy and grassy bottom, then through a crossing channel, and finally over a reef.
* tidal changes. The best swimmers can finish the swim in about 3 hours 30 minutes, but many take nearly 6 hours. Full tidal cycles take 6 hours, so changes in the water are always present.
* wildlife. Unlike most channels that are heavily trafficked and wildlife is not really seen, swimmers are almost guaranteed to see sharks, colorful fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and moon jellyfish.
First- through third-place solo and two-person team finishers are to win cash prizes and trophies in male and female divisions overall. Other prizes also are to be awarded in sunset ceremonies to begin at 6 p.m. at the Moorings Village beach.
Registration and check-in are set for 2-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. Swimmer starts are to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, in heats. All racers must exit the water by 3 p.m.
Entry fee is $150 per solo swimmer, $120 per person for two-person teams and $90 per swimmer on four-person relay teams. The field is limited to a total of 400 swimmers. Admission for spectators is free.
Athletes, support crews, family and friends are encouraged to arrive ahead of the race weekend and/or stay longer for a bonus Florida Keys Flip Flop Experience, offering a passport to explore Islamorada area activities including a free Thursday Art Walk, a scavenger hunt and local attractions, dining and water adventures.
Passports are to be available for download online at www.swimalligatorlight.com/
Specially priced Islamorada accommodations are available to participating swimmers.
Event information: swimalligatorligh
Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/
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Press release courtesy of Swim for Alligator Lighthouse