NYC SWIM

Events » Aquathlon: Stars & Stripes

Brooklyn Bridge Swim

Usually we swim alongside a coastline, sometimes around islands, but rarely do we get to cross a channel. This is your chance to swim your way from Manhattan across the East River to Brooklyn, in the shadow of the most famous bridge in the world. To add to the allure, teams from Brooklyn and Manhattan will compete in the Battle of the Bridge.

After the swim, hop on the ferry and head back to Manhattan with the NYC Swim staff to enjoy some fun in the sun at the Water Taxi Beach at South Street Seaport (near the swim start location). This informal, pay-as-you-go get together is a great way to round out a swimming-filled Saturday morning!

Enroll as a SwimmerEnroll as a Volunteer
Date:09/12/2009 
Distance:1 K 
Check In Time:8:00 - 9:00 AM - East River Park, Dover Street/South Street. Photo ID Required. 
Start Time:9:45 AM 
Start Location:East River Park - Dover Street/South Street 
Finish Location:Brooklyn Bridge Park 
Field Size:Maximum field of 400 (1 Enrolled - Enrollment Closed) 
Awards:Awards will be presented approximately 20 minutes after the last swimmer exits the water.
3 - Overall (Male and Female)
5 - 15-19 (Male and Female)
5 - 20-29 (Male and Female)
5 - 30-39 (Male and Female)
5 - 40-49 (Male and Female)
5 - 50-59 (Male and Female)
5 - 60-over (Male and Female)
Medals for all participants. 
Fees:$70 February 19, 2009 (1:00 PM)
$85 February 20 - April 30, 2009
$95 May 1 - August 31, 2009 (if space is available)
$110 September 1 - September 10, 2009 (if space is available)
Entries open on February 19, 2009 (1:00PM)
and close (unless full prior) on Sept 10, 2009 at 9:45 AM. 
Directions to Start:By Car (to South Street Seaport just south of the Brooklyn Bridge):
From West Side, George Washington Bridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels, take West Street southbound. Follow the signs to FDR Drive. Take underpass, keep right - use exit 1 at the end of the underpass. Turn right on South Street and go approximately six blocks. From East Side, take FDR Drive south to exit 3 onto South Street. Proceed on South Street about 1 mile.

By Subway:
Take 2,3,4,5,J,Z or M to Fulton Street; A and C trains to Broadway - Nassau. Walk east on Fulton Street to South Street. Follow ""On Foot"" directions below.

By Bus:
Take M1, M6, or M15 bus to Fulton Street. Walk east on Fulton Street to South Street and follow ""On Foot"" directions below.

On Foot:
At the intersection of Fulton and South Streets, look for the NY Water Taxi kiosk. Head due north, parallel to the seaport mall, the old Fulton Street Market to Dover Street.

For additional public transportation alternatives, please check www.hopstop.com. Please allow ample time to arrive at race check-in/start. Note that weekend disruptions to subway service are possible. Check www.mta.info for service advisories that may affect your trip. 
Directions to Finish:By Car:
From Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge: Take the Cadman Plaza West exit, stay in the right lane, and drive west under the BQE down the hill and toward the harbor and Fulton Ferry Landing (this street becomes Old Fulton Street). Turn right on Front Street. Proceed 2 blocks and turn left on Main St.
From Brooklyn: Once in the Downtown Brooklyn area, arrive at Cadman Plaza off Tillary St. at Court St. and Clinton St. (See above.)
There is no parking available at the Park. There is limited on-street parking and there are three parking garages nearby: corner of Front Street and Dock Street; Adams Street between Front Street and Water Street; Front Street between Main Street and Washington Street.

By Subway
The A/C to High Street. Exit to Cadman Plaza West (CPW). Walk west, toward the BQE, down the hill - CPW turns into Old Fulton Street. Walk down the hill, take a right at Front Street. First left is Dock Street; entrance to Empire Fulton Ferry State Park is one block ahead on Water Street. The second left is Main Street; entrance to the City Park is ahead 1 1/2 blocks.
The 2/3 to Clark Street. Exit to Clark/Henry Street. Walk west on Henry; take a right on Middagh St. and then a left on Cadman Plaza West/Old Fulton. (See above.)
The F to York Street. Walk down York or Washington Street until you get to the waterfront.

 
Time Limit:45 minutes 
Age Requirement:15 years and over ( younger swimmers may be accepted based on swimming experience).  
Experience Requirement:Safety concerns require us to ensure that every participant in a NYC Swim swim event has adequate swim experience; thus we have set certain qualifying standards for participation in each of our events. You may register for a NYC Swim event even if you have not completed a qualifying swim, and your enrollment will be approved upon verification of your qualifying swim details. The experience requirement for participating in the Brooklyn Bridge Swim is as follows:

The completion of any NYC Swim open water swim or Aquathlon since January 1, 2007
--- or ---
Any DOCUMENTED timed open water swim race of 1.5 miles or more since January 1, 2007 [How to upload your results]
--- or ---
Any DOCUMENTED Triathlon with a timed 1.5 mile or longer open water swim since January 1, 2007 [How to upload your results]
--- or ---
Pool certification in a manner consistent with the sample template, which can be accessed on your user profile swimmer page, documenting the completion of a continuous 2-mile pool swim (3300 yards/3000 meters) in 1 hour and 30 minutes or better since January 1, 2009. Swim must take place in a traditional swimming pool; "Endless Pool" swims are not acceptable for qualification purposes. [How to upload pool certificate]

All pool certifications and qualifying swim information must be received by NYC Swim at least 14 days prior to the date of the race (no later than August 29, 2009). Swimmers who enroll after August 29th must submit their qualification information to NYC Swim within 24 hours of enrollment. Participants' qualifications will not be accepted, reviewed or approved on race day. 
Predicted Water Conditions:Approximately 70 to 75 degrees. Wetsuits/non-traditional swim attire may be worn but may affect a swimmer's eligibility for awards. The full wetsuit policy can be viewed here.

There can be a substantial amount of chop in the water from wind & tide action. The waterways are salt-water and there is shipping traffic. There may be random jetsam & flotsam in the waterways. For additional information on swimming and water quality in the Hudson River, please see our FAQ page.  
Previous Year's Water Temp:74.84 (on 09/12/2008)
Not Available (on 09/12/2007)
70.34 (on 09/12/2006)
Not Available (on 09/12/2005)
Not Available (on 09/12/2004)