Registration is now open for the 24th annual Buzzards Bay Swim, set for Saturday, June 24. There are nearly 200 swimmers and 20 teams already signed up. Swimmers can register now at www.savebuzzardsbay.org/swim.

The event draws participants of every age, ability and fitness level, and first-time swimmers are encouraged to register. Swimmers complete a 1.2-mile open water point-to-point course across outer New Bedford Harbor to raise money for clean water in Buzzards Bay. Beginning in the South End of New Bedford and ending at Fort Phoenix Beach State Reservation in Fairhaven, participants are greeted at the finish line with a beach party featuring a pancake breakfast, coffee and pastries, live music, free massages and local beer.

Don’t want to swim solo? Many swimmers recruit friends and form a team to swim across the harbor together. This year, several spirited teams including “Just Keep Swimming,” “#cleanwater,” and “Scollops not Scallops” are registered and training.

Prizes are awarded for the top fundraisers and fastest swimmers, both individuals and teams. Swimmers who have participated for five, 10, and new this year, 20 years will also receive special participation awards.

All funds raised support the Buzzard Bay Coalition’s work to protect clean water in communities across the Buzzards Bay watershed, from Little Compton to Vineyard Sound.

The Buzzards Bay Swim is a Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH Series Event, presented nationally by Toyota. The SPLASH Series engages local citizens in recreational use of our waterways to celebrate access to clean water. Event sponsors also include Amica Insurance, Anderson Insulation, YMCA Southcoast and Fiber Optic Center.