For first-time swimmers of the Peaks to Portland, here are some sage words of swimmer's advice, offered to you from those who have swum it before. Because we all want you to have the grandest time.
The water is cold. You can't see the bottom. And 2.4 miles ain't nothing. But here's a secret: Swimming the Peaks to Portland is so so doable. Even if you don't at all consider yourself a highly experienced, super buoyant elite swimmer. You don't need to be. YOU can do this.
The annual Peaks to Portland swim is a 2.4-mile open water swim from Peaks Island to East End Beach in Portland. Every year, hundreds of swimmers take to the water to accomplish this impressive feat and raise much-needed funds for the YMCA of Southern Maine.
To help registered simmers train (the swim filled up the day registration opened), the Portland and Casco Bay YMCAs are offering training sessions right up until race day. Session one is almost over, but there's plenty of time to sign up for sessions two and three.