According to English Channel Rules, eight open water swimmers, teamed as 2 relays, crossed the Nantucket Sound, from Eel Point Beach on Nantucket to East Beach on Chappaquiddick on July 22, 2025, with an experienced support team by their sides. This was the first time in history that an individual swimmer or a relay has successfully attempted this crossing. English Channel rules for official open water swims dictate strict rules: swimmers may not wear wetsuits, and only a standard swimsuit, cap and goggles are permitted. The swimmers must start and finish on dry land, without physical assistance, and may not touch the escort boat or another person during the swim.
The swimmers were:
Relay #1: Doug McConnell, John Chatinover, Jason Snow and Jenn Passafiume
Relay #2: Josh Thomson, Greg “Beefy” Mason, Andy Neuberger, Noah Froh, Allie Keefe
The support team consisted of Swim Compliance and Safety Officers:
Swim Compliance and Safety Officers: Susan McConnell (Relay #1) (Island Girl) and Kate Himes (Relay #2) (Xanadu). McConnell has crewed for McConnell on all of his open water swims and Himes has crewed for many.
Boat Captains Eamonn Solway (Relay #1) (Island Girl), Lou Quattrucci (Relay #2) (Xanadu), Jim Malkin (Safety Boat) (Esca). Eamon Solway has been the lead Boat Captain on all of Doug McConnell’s Vineyard Sound attempted crossings.
Kayak Safety Escorts and Navigators Dana Gaines (Relay #1) and Mark Baumhofer (Relay #2). Dana Gaines has kayaked for all of Doug McConnell’s Vineyard Sound attempted crossings, and Mark Baumhofer has been a navigator on most.
The never-before-accomplished and historic open water relay ocean swim: an 18-mile swim across Nantucket Sound from Nantucket’s Ell Point to Chappaquiddick’s East Beach was completed in 7 hours and 21 minutes. Following the landing, the teams simultaneously swam to the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard for a brief press conference with the Martha’s Vineyard Gazette and the Martha’s Vineyard Times.
The swim was led by accomplished English Channel swimmer and open ocean endurance athlete Doug McConnell, who has previously attempted this Nantucket-to-Martha’s Vineyard route three times. His first attempt came heartbreakingly close, just feet from the Vineyard’s shores, before a powerful current forced an end to the swim. McConnell’s other attempts were ended due to the ravaging currents which are famously complex in waters of the Vineyard Sound.
More than a test of physical endurance, the swim carried a profound purpose: to raise funds in support of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard’s Learn to Swim program, providing lifesaving water safety instruction to underserved children on the Island.
“This swim has become a personal mission,” said Doug McConnell. “Tackling it as a relay not only increases our chances of success, but also magnifies the joy of achieving it together. It was my open water swimming friend, Josh Thomson, who came up with this brilliant idea. We manifested this crossing with purpose, raising essential funds for the Learn to Swim programs at the Vineyard’s YMCA. Water safety for children is critical, and we believe this swim can help make that vision a reality.” The team has raised $20,000 so far in donations. Donations may be made at www.ALongSwim.org/donate
Eamonn Solway, Captain of Island Girl that managed Relay #1 was thrilled to land the swim, especially given the fact that the team had three previous attempts. “Congratulations to everyone involved. The swimmers made it look easy!”
Josh Thomson, lead swimmer of Relay #2, had this to say, “It was a privilege to support and accompany Doug on this unique crossing, with a bunch of awesome Island swimmers and frields. To have Jenn Passafiume, who leads the Y’s swim program, join us also, and raise money for her Learn to Swim Program, was very special.”
Jen Passafiume, Aquatics Director at the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, expressed her gratitude: “Additional funding is critical to reaching more children. Stronger swimming skills truly do save lives. We are so thankful to have the support of Doug McConnell and the A Long Swim team. Their commitment helps ensure that more children on our island will be safe in and around the water.”
All of the swimmers on the team are open water, open ocean swimmers and are notable in their swimming accomplishments. For example, Josh Thomson trained with his younger sister who is a 3 time Olympic Swimmer. Jon Chatinover is an accomplished open water swimmer and was co-captain for 2 years on Wesleyan University’s swim team. Andy Neuberger is an Ironman athlete and open water swimmer.
So far, the team has raised over $20,000 toward the YMCA’s swim programs. Donations are still being accepted at www.ALongSwim.org/donate.
Each swimmer will have individual fundraising platforms on the A Long Swim website at www.ALongSwim.org/donate.
About A Long Swim
A Long Swim is a nonprofit organization that designs and manages premier open water swimming events to raise funds for two critical causes: collaborative, world-class ALS research and Learn to Swim programs for underserved youth.
The organization is led by Doug McConnell, an accomplished investment banker and renowned open ocean swimmer. McConnell’s notable swims include the English Channel, Catalina Channel, Ka’iwi Channel, the circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, the length of Tampa Bay, and other major open water challenges.
To learn more, visit www.ALongSwim.org/donate.
Contact: Douglas McConnell
dmcconnell@vissantcapital.com
www.alongswim.org
312-203-0745
PICTURED:
Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard JAWS 18 Mile Open Ocean Relay Team: Andy, Neuberger, Jenn Passafiume, Allie Keefe, Jon Chatinover, Greg “Beefy” Mason, Jason Snow, Noah Froh, Doug McConnell, and Josh Thomson (Photo by Ray Ewing of the Martha’s Vineyard Gazette)
