Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard Relay

A Long Swim is proud to present one of the most ambitious open water challenges on the East Coast: the Nantucket to Martha’s Vineyard Relay Swim, taking place in July 2025. This unprecedented 18-mile open water relay—from Eel Point on Nantucket to East Beach on Chappaquiddick—will be the first organized attempt to complete this crossing, a feat made especially daunting by complex ocean currents and unpredictable marine life.

Unlike traditional east-to-west crossings, the greatest challenge of the N2MV swim is navigating the powerful tidal currents that run north to south—sometimes reaching up to five knots. Swimmers must thread the needle, catching the right part of the current’s “rollercoaster” to land safely on Chappaquiddick. This difficulty has foiled all previous solo attempts, including three by A Long Swim’s own Doug McConnell, who once came within 300 strokes of the finish before being pulled by the current.

In 2025, A Long Swim will attempt the crossing as a relay swim for the first time, assembling two teams of four swimmers. Each swimmer will rotate in one-hour shifts, following marathon swimming rules—unassisted, with no wetsuits or contact with support vessels. Each relay team will be accompanied by a motor escort boat and kayak, and guided by a seasoned navigation team.

The swim is slated for July 21 or 22, chosen for its optimal tidal conditions. Teams will gather on Martha’s Vineyard at 4:00 a.m., then motor to Nantucket for a 6:00 a.m. start. The full crossing is expected to take 8–10 hours, culminating in a historic landing on the shores of Chappaquiddick.

Environmental challenges are also top of mind. By swimming in July instead of August, the team avoids peak jellyfish season, improving comfort and safety. To address the growing presence of Great White sharks, A Long Swim uses advanced e-Sharkforce technology, an ankle-worn device that disrupts sharks’ ability to detect prey.

This historic event supports a greater mission. A Long Swim, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, has raised over $2.5 million for ALS research at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and water safety programs in underserved communities. Proceeds from the 2025 swim will fund the learn-to-swim initiative at the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard, expanding access to life-saving water skills for island children.

Join us as we push boundaries, honor lives affected by ALS, and make open water history—stroke by stroke.