Megan Wallitsch
MASHPEE – The Town of Mashpee Recreation Department hosted the annual Mashpee Super Swim on June 13 to support the town’s summer programs.
The event hosted 201 swimmers this year, ages ranging from 10 to 77. This swim is known for younger swimmers dominating the podium. The swimmers in first and second place for the half mile, Charlotte Edwards and Tatum Whelan, were both 13 years old. Jack Eady, 18, won the mile, and Joey Eaddy and Mason Slugg, both aged 15, came in first and second place for the three-mile swim. The large turnout of young swimmers is an homage to the swim’s goal to fundraise for the town’s summer programs, such as camps.
With such a large range of ages participating, safety is taken very seriously. Throughout the year, race staff meet with the Harbor Master to discuss and coordinate safety precautions for the event, according to the race’s director, Bill Burnett. Eight lifeguards were on staff during the event to ensure participants’ safety. During the event, lifeguards had to swim out for one swimmer who was having problems with his shoulder, but the participant was able to walk themselves in
Swimmers at the event are able to register for either a half-mile, mile, or three-mile swim.
“What’s unique about this event is that the swim course is one mile loops, so it’s a very, it’s a deep lake, it’s warm, it’s clear water, so athletes really love that, that it’s a one loop course,” Burnett said.
The intensity swimmers choose to approach the swim at is also flexible, according to participant Andrew Strehle (56).
“If you want to race, there’s racing, but for most of the folks here, it’s just to get in and have a great time, seeing what we can do together.”
Prior to the race, swimmers were told that if they signed up for the three-mile and decided halfway through they were done, they were welcome to cut their race short, something participant Michael Toran did. Above anything else, the swim tries to foster community and a fun and welcoming environment for swimmers of all difficulty levels. The swim is about doing what you can, according to Toran.
The swim, which is over 35 years old, has kept many participants coming back year after year. Burnett got involved with the swim 15 years ago.
“You know, swimming is something that I love, and it’s my background, so I do it for the love of the sport.”
While individuals are able to enter and participate, many came in larger groups with teams, friends, and family. P.J. Ryan (30) has done the swim several times with his friends as a start of summer tradition. Devan Rodes (17) completed the swim for her first time alongside her team.
“It’s, like, really fun just to try because the weather was really great and I had a really nice time swimming with friends,” Rodes said. “You should do it with a friend.”
Strehle has done the swim five times with his team. “It’s a great group. We get to see a lot of our friends that we see at the swim meets during the winter, and it’s a different environment for us. Rather than sitting indoors on benches, we get to sit on this awesome beach, and it’s a little more lowkey than a usual swim meet would be.” Strehle noted that this year was the warmest year for the swim that he had participated in, with the water at 72 degrees. For Strehle’s team, it’s nice to get a swim in without having to wear a wetsuit. “Today is more, just about having fun and spending some time in the water.”
Swimmers at the event raved about this year’s conditions. “I mean, you couldn’t have a better facility than this. This is fantastic,” Ryan said. Both the water and air were warm. There was a breeze that created some choppiness on the way back for swimmers.
Overall, the Mashpee Super Swim is a well-run race, welcoming to swimmers with a range of experience levels.