Maine Coastal Triple Crown of Swimming

The Maine Coastal Triple Crown was created in 2018 by the organizers of three coastal Maine swims. Completion of all three earns you the distinction of completing the Triple Crown.

The Nubble Lighthouse Swim (The Nubble Light Challenge)

Long Sands Beach to Short Sands Beach, York, Maine (and through the gut!), 2.5 mi.

This swim was originally called the Nubble Challenge and ran for 10 non-consecutive years starting in 2010. In 2025 the swim was organized by GoMOWSA as the Nubble Lighthouse Swim and follows the same route as the original challenge. Swimmers who register and swim the organized event are automatically eligible for completion status.

See the event page for further details of this swim.

Peaks to Portland A Swim for Kids

Peaks Island, Maine to East End Beach, Portland, Maine (Across Casco Bay), 2.4 mi.

This event was first swum in 1900. It has been organized by the YMCA of Southern Maine since 1981 as a fundraiser for their organization. Swimmers who register and swim the organized event are automatically eligible for completion status.

See the organizer’s website for further details of this swim.

Cross for LifeFlight (The Islesboro Crossing)

Northport, Point Lookout Resort to Grindle Point, Islesboro, Maine (Across West Penobscot Bay), 5k

This swim ran as an organized event from 2013 to 2019 and was organized by LifeFlight of Maine as a fundraiser. Post-2019, the swim would need to be organized by the swimmer as a solo swim. LifeFlight currently promotes virtual events to raise funds for their lifesaving helicopter service. Eligibility for the Maine Coastal Triple Crown requires completion of the Islesboro Crossing and not a substitute swim.

See the organizer’s website for further details on how to participate in fundraising for LifeFlight.

Reporting your completion of the swims to GoMOWSA for review

Completion of the Nubble Light Challenge (historic) or Nubble Lighthouse Swim (as of 2025); completion of Peaks to Portland; and completion of the Islesboro Crossing (historic) can be satisfied by providing a screenshot of the official event results from the timing or organizer’s website.

For swims that were not completed as part of the official organized events, in particular, though not restricted to the Islesboro Crossing post-2019, the following evidence should be submitted to GoMOWSA:

• Your full name

• Date of swim

• Start and end times of your swim

• Photographic evidence of your start and finish (photo or video)

• Video depicting a portion (at least 30 seconds) mid-swim

• Names of crew members and their roles

• Additionally, a screenshot of your swim route from a GPS device may be submitted, but is not required

Send the evidence of your swims to GoMOWSA at gomowsa@gmail.com

Please use the subject: Maine Coastal Triple Crown Verification Request

Swims completed may be submitted at any time for confirmation by GoMOWSA, but your name will not be posted on the swimmers list until all three swims have been completed and verified.

Special Categories

Special categories of any of these routes may also be submitted for consideration. These may include, double swims of the original routes, swims of the original routes that include additional legs, and swims done in the reverse of the original routes. The original route must be part of your swim.

For special categories please also submit the following evidence (in addition to the requirements above):

• Description of the variance from the original route

• Photographic evidence of turn around point or start and end of any additional legs