Dear Friends,

Well, things have certainly changed from a year ago. Our usual routine of the Save The Bay Swim has fallen victim to the cessation of large gatherings, social distancing concerns, and preventing the spread of the coronavirus. But that doesn't mean caring for the bay that we all love and enjoy will cease. "A swim" will happen, but it will be virtual. And, this year's swim will mark my 20th Save The Bay Swim. Swimmers (and kayakers) will still collect pledges and donations, but individual swims of similar distance (2 miles) will be completed by swimmers privately, or in small groups and reported to STB. I haven't definitely decided yet, but I think my swim may be from Easton's Beach (First Beach) to Sachuest Beach (Second Beach) Surfers End. I may try for the original date of this year's usual swim. Essentially all that will change is that we won't be swimming our traditional course en masse. For all intents and purposes, this isn't unprecedented. It's not unlike the 2017 swim which had to be cancelled at the 11th hour due to inclement weather. With many donation pledges already collected, and 'SWAG' gear already on hand at STB, most swimmers completed "a swim" in the days and weeks following the cancellation of the scheduled swim. Everything was reported to STB, and all usual awards were made. So, I hope that I can again count on your support to STB by making a pledge to my 2020 swim.

Sincerely,
Dan Force