Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard – Press Release

Share Post:

A Long Swim has announced a premier open water marathon swim from Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard scheduled for August 26, 2019.  English Channel Swimmer Doug McConnell will be the first swimmer ever to attempt this swim, and will have the critical support of Martha’s Vineyard boat pilots, navigation experts, and his highly seasoned open water crew that includes two experienced ocean kayakers.

The Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard swim is 18 miles, with some challenges that are specific to that route.  Sharks and jellyfish top the list and navigating through tides, currents and shoals will keep the crew on alert the whole expected time of 10 hours.

There is a Landing Party Reception and Press Conference following the swim, scheduled for August 26, beginning at 5:00pm, at the beautiful Harbor View Hotel just up the beach from the Edgartown Lighthouse. The Harbor View Hotel is located at 131 North Water Street, Edgartown, Massachusetts 02539. Overnight accommodations may be made at www.HarborViewHotel.com.

A Long Swim is happy to have the support of the Martha’s Vineyard Gazette and there will be a reporter on the support boat for the entire length of the swim. The reporter’s name is Will Sennott.

In addition to the English Channel, McConnell has swum the the Ka’iwi Channel, the Catalina Channel, around the Island of Manhattan, and the length of Tampa Bay.  His marathon swims raise funds for ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, through the foundation A Long Swim, an IRS-recognized 501(c)3.  To date, A Long Swim has raised more than $500,000 for collaborative ALS research at Northwestern University, and ALS patients throughout the world have benefitted from their findings.  In part because of A Long Swim’s efforts, the world-class research team at Northwestern is on the brink of important discoveries with announcements coming this summer.

“I am proud to be the first to attempt crossing the Nantucket Sound to land at the Edgartown Light. Marathon swimming is a team sport, and we’ve traveled the world doing what we do best – swimming in the name of finding a cure to ALS.” There is a Landing Party Reception scheduled at the Harbor View Hotel which overlooks the Edgartown Light. Landing is expected to be at 6:00pm. The Landing Party Reception is open to the public.

Doug McConnell is available for speaking engagements leading up to and following the swim and may be contacted here.  Information is also available on the A Long Swim website. A Long Swim and their Facebook page will have announcements leading up to the swim.

Sponsorships are also available and corporations and foundations will join The Harbor View Hotel, The Martha’s Vineyard Gazette, Medtronic, Vineyard Vines, Phillips Men’s Wear, Truly Scrumptious Catering, and Vissant Capital.  Tax deductible donations may be made on the A Long Swim website. 

ALS logo

Stay Connected

More Updates

Kayaking on Chicago River

Chicago Sun Times 9-14-16

Some swimmers don’t want to wait to tackle Chicago River Chicago Sun Times, by Mark Brown | September 14, 2016 You’ve heard all the talk of making the Chicago River safe for swimming by 2020. A pair of local swim race

Continue reading →
365 Barrington 8-31-16

365 Barrington Article

Doug McConnell Called a Hero Despite Early End to Epic Hawaiian Swim for ALS 365 Barrington, by Liz Luby | August 31, 2016 Marathon swimmer Doug McConnell and his wife Susan returned to Barrington this morning after Doug and his

Continue reading →
Hawaiian Islands Map

Welcome Home Doug, after Ka’iwi Channel Swim

Ka’iwi Channel swim A Welcome Home Party was held for our Ka’iwi Channel swimmer, Doug McConnell and our support kayaker, Don Macdonald at Francesca’s in Barrington, Illinois.  Hosted by Phillips Menswear of Barrington, our guys were interviewed by Terry Owens and

Continue reading →