On July 21–22, 2025, eight open water swimmers will attempt a historic and never-before-accomplished open water relay ocean swim: an 18-mile swim across Nantucket Sound from Nantucket’s Ell Point to the iconic Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard named “The JAWS ACK to MVY 18 Mile Relay Swim.”
The relay is 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.
Joining McConnell for this groundbreaking relay are fellow open water swimmers Josh Thomson, Greg Mone, Greg Mason, John Chatinover, Rainy Goodale, Noah Thomson, and Ari Lurie. The swim will be supported and navigated by seasoned pilot Captain Eamonn Solway, who has led all three of McConnell’s previous attempts across the Nantucket Sound. Captain Solway is also joined by Captain Spa Tharpe, who also piloted on the three previous swims. The swim will be supported by navigation experts Geoff Gibson, Mark Baumhofer, and Dana Gaines, all three of whom have been integral in previous swims. Dana Gaines always plays the critical role as the lead kayaker.
“This swim has become a personal mission,” said McConnell. “Tackling it as a relay not only increases our chances of success, but also magnifies the joy of achieving it together. We’re manifesting 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.”
Jen Passafiume, Aquatics Director of the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, is very excited to have additional funds to help island children be safe in and around the water. “Having additional funding is critical to helping us reach more children. Stronger swimming skills can and does save lives! We are so thankful to have a wonderful community and programs such as Doug McConnell’s A Long Swim team to support in continuing to teach more children how to swim here on Martha’s Vineyard.”
All of the swimmers on the team are notable in their swimming accomplishments.
John Thomson is a father of three active kids on MVY, a sports marketing and tech consultant, and an avid pool and open water swimmer. His biggest claim to swimming fame was training with his younger sister who swam in three Olympics! Josh is thrilled to be attempting this ACK to MVY relay crossing with all his swimming buddies and to be raising money for the YMCA.
Jonathan Chatinover is a consultant at ACC, Inc. helping professional firms (mostly law firms) with accounting systems. A Masters swimmer since 2012, Chatinover swam on a relay around Manhattan Island in 2014. He swam collegiately at Wesleyan University where he was Co-Captain for 2 years and placed in the top 16 in the 500 freestyle his junior year at the New England Championships. During college, Chatinover swam at the Doreen Grace Memorial Swim from Falmouth to Martha’s Vineyard.
Noah Thomson, hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin moved to Martha’s Vineyard to pursue a career in Land Conservation. Open water swimming has further solidified his interest in protecting the land and water around him. Noah lives in the woods of West Tisbury.
Each swimmer will have individual fundraising platforms. Donors can also support the swim at 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.
