Maggie Fischer Memorial Great South Bay Cross Bay Swim

03/31/2026

https://sway.cloud.microsoft/eosCh06Xna1nxXdw?ref=Link

Diane McManus is a Cross Bay Swim regular and quite a gifted writer. Thanks, Diane!

The sun had not yet risen. The sea was indistinguishable from the sky, except that the sea was slightly creased as if a cloth had wrinkles in it. Gradually as the sky whitened a dark line lay on the h

02/19/2026

Swim registration is Saturday March 28 at noon NY time. Details are here:

The Maggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim is on Friday July 31, 2026.

11/18/2025

Friday, July 31, 2026 at 0700. That is when we begin our next cross-bay challenge. Save the date! More info will be announced in the near future.

10/30/2025

Fabulous picture overlooking our entire swimming path from the Lighthouse on the left, by Sexton island, through Steamboat Channel, and across the bay to Brightwaters, looking west at sunset. Thanks to Dave Faverio and Southwest Airlines for the picture and Mother Nature for the rest

10/10/2025

The Swim Committee held its last meeting of 2025 at Fatfish Restaurant in Bay Shore tonight. We were missing a few members, and still enjoyed a vigorous and hilarious discussion of this year's events. We are a talented group and, as you see, we really enjoy this work. Thanks to the best committee on earth! BTW, we distributed $120,000 to our charities earlier this month. Another great success.

08/14/2025

The Fire Island News' sister publication , Great South Bay News, has a great story covering this year's Swim. Enjoy!

GREAT SOUTH BAY NEWS

08/11/2025

Rachel Griffin posted a gripping and fascinating tale of her accomplishment. She is probably the first Brightwaters native to conquer the Channel, and the parallels to Gertrude Ederle are fun to hear. She has reached the pinnacle of open water swimming, the Triple Crown. Congratulations, Rachel! Your story is sure to be a classic.

https://youtu.be/ZdD2GSteNOg?si=_V-7fPcvh-2xl2-Q

08/07/2025

Congratulations to our friend Rachel Griffin, who just completed her triple crown, swimming the English Channel. Well done!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BUBNJnb3k/

07/20/2025

Still relishing all the memories.

Top 3 male / female winners and their times are below.(everyone’s time is listed in the RaceJoy link in bio)

But seriously, in our book, you’re ALL winners for making it across the 5.5 miles of the Great South Bay, through endless jelly fish, tangling seaweed and who knows what that was brushing against your legs!

Fun fact quizz : This was the 10th year that these swimmers (16-29) swam together. Name the swimmers below! Extra points if you name all 3 - GO!

TOP MALES
1. CJ Arena 1:47:51 / M Overall / M16 - 29
2. Erik Zaratin 1:52:39 / M30-49
3. Bryan Krut 1:54:16 / M50+

TOP FEMALES
1. Meghan Slattery / 2:01:25 /
F Overall / F16-29
2. Avery Van Tassel / 2:02:38 / F16-29
3. Kiera Singer / 2:05:57 / F16-29

07/16/2025

Photos from this year's event can be seen here, thanks to John Degarmo!

07/14/2025

Final results for our event are posted on Runsignup here

The Maggie Fischer Memorial Cross Bay Swim is on Friday July 11, 2025.

07/12/2025

News12's Jen Selig and Erin Colton provided great coverage of The Swim this year.

The 5.5-mile race starts at the Fire Island Lighthouse and ends at Gilbert Park in Brightwaters.