40th annual bay swim registration starts with ‘Splash’ & obstacle course

Posted 2/11/16

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, Save The Bay will kick off registration for its 40th Annual Save The Bay Swim with a splash, quite literally. The Splash will be a challenge obstacle course and cold …

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40th annual bay swim registration starts with ‘Splash’ & obstacle course

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At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, Save The Bay will kick off registration for its 40th Annual Save The Bay Swim with a splash, quite literally. The Splash will be a challenge obstacle course and cold water plunge at Easton’s Beach in Newport, and those who register for The Splash will have the option to reserve a coveted spot in the Swim before registration officially begins two days later. Splashers will also receive free admission to Save The Bay’s Exploration Center and Aquarium at Easton’s Beach and discounted tickets for Save The Bays Seal Tour later the same day.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of Save The Bays iconic, cross-bay Swim, and we are very excited about drawing attention to it with another activity that celebrates the Bay during a time of year when most people aren’t focused on beach and water activities,” said Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone. “The Splash is also a reminder that summer will be here before we know it, as will our 40th Annual Save The Bay Swim in August. The Swim fills up quickly, and this is a chance to get a spot early for this milestone of 40 years crossing the Bay”

Unlike most cold-water plunges, The Splash includes a short obstacle course that finishes with a cold water dip in the Bay. The obstacle course, designed by Ryan McGowan, owner of Laid Back Fitness on 2800 Post Road in Warwick, will include a balance obstacle, climbing walls, hurdles, a Ninja challenge, and a mystery obstacle from BoldrDash. The first 200 people to register for The Splash will receive a medal. A seven-year Save The Bay swimmer and loyal supporter, McGowan promises beginners and experience athletes alike are welcome to try the course.

“At Laid-back Fitness, we focus on physical competence, situational preparedness, and play,” says McGowan, who also specializes in kids Ninja essentials and adult Tough Mudder training. “Our obstacle course will challenge your running (which is different on sand), balancing, crawling, climbing and jumping skills. We will also test your mental strength by forcing you to deal with temporary discomfort by plunging into the frigid Atlantic,” he said in a release.

After The Splash, registered plungers will receive free admission to the Exploration Center and Aquarium, the perfect way to warm up afterward. The Exploration Center features three touch tanks with urchins, crabs, little skates, dogfish sharks and more. Some 100 other exhibits feature big fish of the bay, rare lobsters, octopus, terrapins, sea horses, and more. Children can take part in a full schedule of such activities as story time, crafts, scavenger hunts and fish feedings.

Plungers can also enjoy discounted tickets, at $15 per person (usually $22), for Save The Bay’s Newport Seal Watch Tours at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. The Save The Bay education vessel will cruise through historic Newport Harbor to take in 360 views of seals resting on Citing Rock off of Rose Island and the Newport Bridge.

Registration for The Splash fundraiser is $30 for adults and $15 for children aged 8 -13 years. Children must be at least eight-years-old and have permission from a parent or guardian. Proceeds support Save The Bays education, restoration and environmental advocacy programs. Register for The Splash at www.savebay.org/splash.

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