Swim Across America & New Tampa YMCA Offer Swims For Good Causes

By Matt Wiley

A national event to help raise money for cancer research, the first of its kind, has some roots right here in New Tampa.

For the third year, Arbor Greene residents Rob and Alicia Shapiro are gathering swimmers, volunteers and money for cancer research for the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, located on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, for the “Swim Across America” (SAA) – Tampa Bay Open Water Swim. Three years after its inception, there are only two SAA events in the state, the only other takes place in Boca Raton in southeast Florida.

Attendees can expect to swim with five former Olympians, including Brandon’s Brooke Bennett, former Univ. of Florida star Craig Beardsley, Janel Jorgenson McArdle, Kristy Kowal and Heather Petri.

This year’s event, which is being held bright and early at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 31, at Pier 60 in Clearwater, offers swimmers three different courses, measuring a half-mile, one-mile or the Ironman triathlon distance of 2.4-miles. Swimmers of all experience levels are invited to participate.

“Most come not because they’re competitive swimmers, but because they’ve been touched by cancer in some way,” explains Rob, who is the event’s director.

In the past two years alone, the Tampa Bay Open Water Swim has raised more than $250,000 for Moffitt. This year, the Shapiros hope to raise another $200,000 for cancer research. Each participating swimmer is responsible for raising money for the event, which goes directly to the local cancer center, one of only 66 National Cancer Institute-designated research centers in the U.S.

“The main difference between SAA-Tampa Bay and other similar fund-raising events is that the money raised is donated to specific areas within Moffitt,” Rob explains. This year, the funds will benefit Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Care, as well as Metastatic Melanoma research. Rob says that so far, the event already has raised more than $100,000 this year.

“We’ve got a few weeks, but a lot of work to do,” he says. “It’s going to be a challenge (to meet our goal).”

Alicia explains that SAA always is a touching event. “Lots of people have been affected by cancer and even more are affected each year,” she says. “We just want to raise money to help find the cure.”

Before beginning the first Swim Across America event in Florida, Rob says he and a few friends used to travel to Glen Cove, NY, to participate in the Sound to Cove Open Water Swim in the Long Island Sound for more than ten years. After years of traveling to participate, Rob, Alicia and their friends decided to start one here in Tampa.

“We didn’t have any experience (with organizing events),” Alicia explains. “But, we really wanted to do this in the Tampa Bay area.”

For more information about the Tampa Bay Open Water Swim to benefit Moffitt, please visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org.

New Tampa YMCA To Host Meet For Disabled Swimmers

Before SAA, another swimming event for a good cause will be held a little closer to home.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 4, the New Tampa Family YMCA (located on Compton Dr. in Tampa Palms) will be hosting the third annual “Cinco De Mayo” adaptive swim meet in its newly reopened Olympic-sized pool.

The competition is open to all swimmers with a physical, visual and/or intellectual impairment. Swimmers can enter up to six events, including four individual events and two relays. The entry fee is $25 per participant and includes a t-shirt.

“The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is committed to developing strength in spirit, mind and body for all — regardless of physical or mental limitations,” says Kass Pilczuk, adaptive coordinator for the YMCA. “Our adaptive programs help children, teens and adults of all abilities benefit from physical activity and group interaction. The New Tampa Y offers a full-range of adaptive programming, including art, basketball, cheerleading and aquatics.”

For more info, please call 866-9622 or email Kass at KPilczuk@TampaYMCA.org.