Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.

2024 DETAILS:

When: Saturday, June 22, 2024, 9:00am (rain or shine)

Where: URI Boathouse – Flagg Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.

Registration: Online or by mail. Online registration closes at 6pm the day before the swim. In person the morning of the swim will be available if space allows.

Entry Fee: $40 through June 14; $45 on or after June 14 and the day of the swim. Includes 2024 Turnaround Swim T-shirt (size guaranteed for registrations by 5/26). Entry fees are non-refundable.

Swim Sponsor:  $70 (includes swim registration, one year NRPA membership and name listed on the 2024 Turnaround Swim T-shirt), $75 after June 14 and on day of swim. T-shirt size and printing of Sponsor’s name on t-shirt not guaranteed after May 26.

Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

Limit: 150 participants.

Timing: Ankle chip timing by Timing Plus New England.

Check In: 7:45 to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.

Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.

Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.

Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.

A WORD OF CAUTION! The Narrow River is home to Rhode island’s only substantial population of native oysters, but the edges of these wonderful oysters can be SHARP! We recommend protective footwear for the Turnaround Swim. Participation is at your own risk.

Curious about swimming in Narrow River? Check out this essay by swimmer and Narrow River enthusiast Veronica Berounsky!

Thanks to all of the hardy swimmers who swam the 2023 Narrow River Turnaround Swim on June 24. It was almost as wet out of the water as in.

Many thanks to Frank McQuiggan, volunteer safety kayaker, who has shared an photos for all to enjoy (see below). Thank you Frank! Click here to see all of Frank’s photos.

We were pleased to present the following awards!

• Women’s non-wetsuit first place – Abby Bauman 24:07
  
• Men’s non-wet-suit first place – Eric Nillson 21:12
  
• Women’s wetsuit first place – Kate Porter  25:23    
  
• Men’s wetsuit first place – Stuart Cromarty  22:24    
  
• Middle of the pack – Jennifer McCaffrey  34:15 
• Youngest finisher – Ben Crowder Age 11    
  
• Oldest finisher – George Geoffrey Age 77    
  
• Finisher who traveled the farthest – McKenzie Moore (Hawaii!) 

Almost 30% of the participants were from out-of-state.  Maybe that’s not surprising for a swimming event taking place in the smallest state!

Click here for full race results.

---

Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways. Register online now!

2023 DETAILS:

When: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9:00am (rain or shine)

Where: URI Boathouse – Campanella Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.

Registration: Online or by mail (click here for printable form). Online registration closes at 6pm the day before the swim. In person the morning of the swim will be available if space allows.

Entry Fee: $40 through June 14; $45 on or after June 14 and the day of the swim. Includes 2023 Turnaround Swim T-shirt (size guaranteed for registrations by 5/30).

Swim Sponsor:  $70 (includes swim registration, one year NRPA membership and name listed on the 2023 Turnaround Swim T-shirt), $75 after June 14 and on day of swim.

*T-shirt size and printing of Sponsor’s name on t-shirt not guaranteed after May 30.*

Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

Limit: 150 participants.

Timing: Ankle chip timing by Timing Plus New England.

Check In: 7:45 to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.

Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.

Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.

Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SWIM AREA IS A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, SO BE AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF OBJECTS THAT MAY BE SHARP.

PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

Curious about swimming in Narrow River? Check out this essay by swimmer and Narrow River enthusiast Veronica Berounsky!

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Online registration is now CLOSED.

Registration will be available at the swim for the remaining 18 spaces available. Registration opens at 7:45am.

Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.

DETAILS:

When: Saturday, June 25, 2022, 9:00am (rain or shine)

Where: URI Boathouse – Campanella Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.

Registration: Online or by mail. Online registration closes at 6pm the day before the swim. In person registration the morning of the swim will be available if space allows.

Entry Fee: $35 if by June 15; $40 after 6/15 and the day of the swim. Includes 2022 Turnaround Swim T-shirt (size guaranteed for registrations by 5/30).

Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

Limit: 150 participants.

Timing: Ankle chip timing by Timing Plus New England.

Check In: 7:45 to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.

Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.

Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.

Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.

Swim Sponsors: For a donation of $25, become a member of NRPA and have your name printed on the Swim T-shirt to show your support for Narrow River (if received by 5/30).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SWIM AREA IS A NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, SO BE AWARE OF THE PRESENCE OF OBJECTS THAT MAY BE SHARP.

PROTECTIVE FOOTWEAR IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.

Unfortunately, we have decided to cancel the 2020 Narrow River Turnaround Swim.

We considered ways to adapt the swim to comply with social distancing guidelines, but ultimately we could not find a way to hold the swim in a way that would be completely safe for our swimmers and volunteers.

Please stay tuned – we are considering sponsoring a virtual event that would encourage enjoyment of the outdoors while socially distancing and would raise funds for Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA). We hope to have plans finalized by early June and will email you with details.

For folks who are registered for the swim, we’ll offer three options:

1) a full refund of your registration fee,

2) the opportunity to donate your registration fee to (NRPA), or

3) if we schedule a virtual event, you may transfer your registration to that event (and receive a Tshirt!)

If you would like a refund of your swim registration fee now, please email nrpa@narrowriver.org and we will be glad to process that as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support of Narrow River Preservation Association! Stay well, NRPA

---

---

Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.

Please join us in June 2021 for the Narrow River Turnaround Swim.

DETAILS:

Where: URI Boathouse – Campanella Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.

Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

Limit: 150 participants.

Entry Fee: $35 preregistration; $40 the day of the swim. The first 125 entrants receive a Narrow River Turnaround Swim T-shirt.

Timing: Ankle chip timing by Timing Plus New England.

Awards: Four awards: best times for male and female swimmers in wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.

Check In: 7:45 to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless he or she has checked in and received a numbered swim cap by 8:40 a.m.

Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.

Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.

Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.

Swim Sponsors: For an additional $20, become a member of NRPA and have your name printed on the Swim T-shirt to show your support for Narrow River.

Please note that the swim area is a natural environment, so be aware of the presence of objects that may be sharp.

Protective footwear is strongly encouraged.