MOWSA currently offers several solo, sanctioned swims that challenge marathon swimmers over long distances in cold water.
Boston Light Double (BLSx2) – 16 miles (25.8 km)
M Street Beach, South Boston to Little BREWStER Island and Back to M Street Beach, South BOston
The Boston Light Swim and the Boston Light Double have a ton of history. The BLSX2 is a tide-assisted, cold water swim. It starts from M Street Beach in South Boston, winds though the Boston Harbor Islands (which is a national park) out to Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. The Double is completed when the swimmer returns on a flood tide along the same course, back to the M Street Beach.
What to expect
Water Temperature: 58 to 68 degrees F
Tides: This swim has to be tailored to the swimmer's pace. You start at the M Street Beach in South Boston with the ebb tide and need to reach Boston Light on Little Brewster Island within 30 minutes of slack and swim back to South Boston on the flood tide.
Weather: Anticipate ocean swells, wind, waves, and overcast skies. You may get glassy water or four-foot swells. This is New England; expect it all.
Swimmer notes: The swim starts from a sandy beach. Little Brewster has a pebble/rock beach. The finish is back at the sandy M Street Beach. The water temperature is coldest at Little Brewster Island. The swimmer is allowed time to reapply sunscreen and anti-chafing products before starting the return swim, but you should not linger too long--officially you have just 10 minutes to begin the return trip or the swim is terminated. Plus, standing around wet after exiting 58-degree water can quickly lead to hypothermia for most people. You'll be in the open ocean for the duration of the swim, so expect to encounter some marine life.
Dates with favorable tides in 2025: MOWSA has identified the following dates as being amenable to a BLSx2 attempt. Inquire for more information or to schedule a swim:
May 1, 2, 16 & 19
June 2, 16, 17, 18 & 30
July 1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 28, 29, 30, 31
August 13, 14, 27, 28
September 11, 12, 25, 26
The BLSx2 starts in the early morning at a specific time in the tide cycle to capitalize on that assistance, which means there are limited opportunities available each season.
Solo Records
| Crossing Number | Name | Nationality | Date | Time | Notes | Observer | Pilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samuel Richards | USA | August 17, 1913 | 13:09 | First, Charlestown Bridge to Lighthouse and Back (24 miles) | Historic | Unknown |
| 2 | Charles Toth | USA | September 12, 1915 | 15:48 | Charlestown Bridge to Light and Return | Historic, noted as the American endurance swimming record at the time | Unknown |
| 3 | Charlotte Arne | USA | September 3, 1934 | 13:36 | First Female | Historic | Unknown |
| 4 | James Doty | USA | September 22, 1969 | 9:30:00 | First, M Street Beach to Lighthouse and Back (16 miles) | Historic | Unknown |
| 5 | Elaine Howley | USA | August 12, 2010 | 7:07:10 | First Female on 16-mile Course | Fred Knight | Chris Sweeney |
| 6 | Greg O'Connor | USA | August 12, 2010 | 7:07:10 | Fastest Male | Fred Knight | Chris Sweeney |
| 7 | Helen Lin | USA | August 7, 2015 | 7:56:26 | Elaine Howley | Chris Sweeney | |
| 8 | Tommy Gainer | USA | October 7, 2016 | 7:23:49 | Greg O'Connor | Chris Sweeney | 9 | Kim Garbarino | USA | July 19, 2018 | 7:41:02 | Greg O'Connor | Chris Sweeney | 10 | Kellie Latimer | USA | June 25, 2019 | 7:20:55 | Greg O'Connor | Chris Sweeney | 11 | Alana Aubin | USA | August 5, 2019 | 6:18:01 | Overall Course Record, Fastest Female | Greg O'Connor | Chris Sweeney | 12 | Laurie Craigen | USA | July 24, 2024 | 6:42:21 | Water temps as low as 55 in some areas, Observer's Notes | Elaine Howley | John Forgione | 13 | Susan McKay | Canada | August 23, 2024 | 6:32:28 | First Canadian swimmer on course Observer's Notes | Joanne Barker | John Forgione | 14 | Andrew Leone | USA | August 26, 2024 | 7:46:55 | Observer's Notes | Jess Gerber | Tim White |
| Boston Light Triple 24 Miles M Street Beach to Boston Light Boston Light to M Street Beach M Street Beach to Boston Light |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Natoinality | Date | Time | Notes | Observer | Pilot |
| Kim Garbarino | USA | July 19, 2019 | 14:22:01 | First male on Triple Course, tandem solo | Greg O'Connor | John Forgione |
| Elaine Howley | USA | July 19, 2019 | 14:22:01 | First female on Triple Course, tandem solo | Greg O'Connor | John Forgione |
Historial source documents:
Richards’ BLSx2 in the Boston Globe
Toth’s BLSx2 in the Boston Globe
Arne’s BLSx2 in the Boston Globe
Banner photo by David Boeri