THIS IS A SWIM FOR EXPERIENCED OCEAN SWIMMERS.

The ocean conditions are quite variable with respect to temperatures, waves and swells. Your preparedness for challenging conditions is critical. The swim requires the ability to successfully make it through challenging wind and wave conditions and deal with varying water temperatures. This is a long swim and if you haven't been training and acclimating to the cold ocean temperatures you will not be prepared for this swim. YOUR SWIM RESUMÉ WILL BE EVALUATED AND APPROVAL BY THE SAFETY COMMITTEE IS REQUIRED.

Water Temperature: Be prepared for a sub-60°F swim. Although water temperatures are often in the 60s in August, it is always possible that the water temperature will drop on swim day. 

Wave Conditions: Wave height, currents, and chop are highly variable. Swimmers should be prepared for rough surf conditions. 

This is a long swim. IF you haven't been training and acclimating to cold ocean temperatures, you will not be approved to participate.

The swim distance for this event is approximately 7 miles. Actual distance will vary depending on the swimmer's ability to navigate the wind, currents, swell and tidal impact on event day.  From an endurance perspective, solo swimmers should train to complete this distance comfortably. Swimmers should also be acclimatizing to temperatures in the 58°F and higher degree range. The best suggestion for swimmers is to swim in the open ocean in colder water conditions. There are many swim groups that can be found on social media.

If you are confident that you meet the qualifications for this open ocean marathon swim, go to SHOALS SWIMMER REGISTRATION‍.

If you have questions or are unsure of your qualifications, please complete the SHOALS SWIMMER INTEREST form and we will contact you with further information about the swim.

Swimmers must be 18 or older on the day of the swim.

Wetsuits are highly recommended by the Safety Committee. Non-wetsuit swimmers require approval by the Event Director in advance. The backgrounds of swimmers who request to swim without a wetsuit will be vetted by the Event Director for approval.  

If the water temperature drops below 58°F, wetsuits will be required, unless you have pre-approval from the Event Director.

If a swimmer decides they would prefer a wetsuit on event day for their safety, that is their perogative. In no case will a swimmer be able to switch from the wetsuit category to the non-wetsuit category on event day.

The registration fee is $75 for solo swimmers, relay swimmers and paddleboarders.

Fundraising minimums are $500 for solo swimmers and paddleboarders and $250 per swimmer for relays. Full payment is due by 8/14/26.

No discounts of any kind are offered (e.g. student discounts, senior discounts, group/team discounts).

Once you register for the swim, you will be able to begin fundraising. We will provide a URL and a QR code for the donation site as well as some information about the swim benefactor, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation.

Fundraising minimums are $500 for solo swimmers and paddleboarders and $250 per swimmer for relays.

Donations will be attributed to you by your donors. We will track donations and give you feedback on 8/1 and 8/11. Any balance due must be paid by 8/14.

Yes. All swimmers are required to attend an on-line safety briefing prior to the swim.

Personal blow-up style swim buoys are required for all swimmers, no exceptions.‍

No. No assistive devices are allowed in this event. No fins, snorkels, or cameras are allowed.

Swimmers may wear thermal caps, booties and gloves only. Watches are permitted.*

*If you are looking to have a swim ratified as a marathon swim, you must abide by the GoMOWSA marathon swimming rules.

Each team must have a motorized escort boat. Personal kayak or paddleboard escorts for individual swimmers require prior approval of the Event Director.

The start of the race will be at the dock at Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals and the finish of the race will be at the north end of the Rye State Beach just south of the groin that separates the beach from Wallis Sands State Beach.

See the COURSE MAP for details.

Swim start time 7:45 AM from Appledore dock at the Isles of Shoals.

From the start time of the last heat, there is a 6 hour, 15 minute cutoff time. The cutoff time is agreed upon by the Event Director, GoMOWSA, the Towns of Kittery, ME and Rye, NH and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Event and safety officials reserve the right to remove any swimmer from the race before the cutoff if it appears that the swimmer will be incapable of completing the race within the cutoff limit.

On the day of the race, the Event Director may choose to shorten the cutoff time due to water temperature, surf or other conditions.

Please signal to your escort boat if you feel you may be having a problem. If you ask to get out/retire from the swim or are reporting symptoms or showing signs suggestive of a medical emergency you will be pulled from the swim.

Hypothermia is a medical condition that occurs when the core temperature of the body drops below 35°C (95°F). Swimmers are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia when swimming in cold water. The amount of time spent in the water is also a significant risk factor for hypothermia. That is, the longer the amount of time spent in the water, the higher the risk. Water temperature above 60°F is usually not a problem for the swimmer, however factors such as strong water current may increase the risk. The risk of hypothermia increases when fatigue occurs during swimming.

The symptoms of hypothermia include: uncontrollable shivering, stiff muscles, numbness in extremities, extreme fatigue, disorientation and confusion.

If you have any of these symptoms you should signal to your escort boat and exit the water.

Escort boats will be monitoring swimmers for signs of severe fatigue or possible medical issues. The Event Director, medical team or escort boat captain have the right to remove a swimmer at any time. If you are told to leave the water and get on the escort boat you must do so immediately.

At the Finish: You will be greeted by the Seacoast Paddleboard Club, GoMOWSA volunteers and medical volunteers. Swimmers will swim back to their escort boats shortly after the completion of the swim.

Post-Event Celebration:‍ ‍An informal gathering will be held following the event. Details will be forthcoming.

Unfortunately, there are no refunds. No, there are no refunds. GoMOWSA is a 100% volunteer organization and the Shoals to Shore Swim is a fundraising event. All net proceeds will be donated to the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. Should the event be cancelled, your registration fee and fundraising dollars will be donated as planned.

In the event of a postponement due to inclement weather or other conditions that could impact the safety of the race, the Event Director will send out a notice of the postponement or cancellation as early as possible on Facebook, by e-mail and by text. However, because weather conditions on the water can change quickly, the Event Director reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event at any point prior to the start. In the event that weather becomes hazardous during the swim, the Event Director may stop the race and have all swimmers picked up by boat. There is no rain date.

Safety of each swimmer and support volunteers is a priority for the event. The hardest decision for an Event Director to make is the “cancellation call.” Swimmers understand this and accept the fact that the event is not set up to be a rescue mission for a number of swimmers. A cancellation decision will be made in the best interest of the overall safety of the swimmers, and support boat volunteers. The event will be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. This will be a joint decision between the Event Director, the Towns of Kittery, ME and Rye, NH and the U.S. Coast Guard. The cancellation decision will be final. Examples include but not limited to: lightning or forecasted lightning, large waves, strong currents, high winds, limited visibility, water temperatures below 55°F, cold air temperatures, wind chill, hazardous wildlife, or poor water quality or any combination of conditions.

Swim registration fees and fundraising donations are non-refundable and non-transferable. GoMOWSA is a 100% volunteer organization and the Isles of Shoals Swim is a fundraising event.  Should the event be cancelled, your registration fee and fundraising dollars will be donated as planned.