We’ll see you in 2024!

The Curley Community Center is finally open again, and we are eagerly looking forward to hosting not one but two Doty Memorial events in 2024! Choose to swim the 1mile course, OR challenge yourself with a Doty Double 2 mile swim.

2024 Doty Swim Events

Saturday, June 22 at 11 a.m. Doty Memorial 1-Mile Swim, Registration to open 4/15; 50 swimmer limit
Saturday, June 22 at 11 a.m. Doty Memorial 2-Mile Swim, Registration to open 4/15; 25 swimmer limit

In Memoriam

James J. Doty was a local open-water swimming legend; there isn’t a body of water in New England that Jim didn't swim over the course of his lengthy career. In addition to completing a staggering number of marathon swims over several decades, Jim was also dedicated to offering more swimming opportunities to others. To further this mission, he formed the New England Marathon Swimming Association (NEMSA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting swimming and a clean environment in New England waters. (NEMSA has since become the New England Open Water Swimming Association, which continues to offer open water opportunities throughout New England.) Jim also revived the Boston Light Swim, America's oldest open water race, in the mid-1970s after a long hiatus. The annual Jim Doty Memorial Mile is a small gesture to honor Jim's impressive open water legacy.

WhAT

The Doty swim is an informal, one-mile swim held in memory of James Doty. Wetsuits are encouraged. This is a great starter open water event for athletes making the transition to triathlon, open water newbies, teens, and swimmers who might be a little anxious about leaving the chlorinated confines of the pool behind.

Where

L Street Bathhouse (Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Road, Boston, MA 02127). Head for the K Street entrance--this is the women's side of the facility.

Cost

1-Mile Swim $45
2-Mile Swim $65

CHeck-In

Check-in begins 1 hour before swim start time (10:00am) and closes 15 minutes prior to start time. You must check in at the table in order to swim. All swimmers must attend the pre-race briefing that will be held 15 minutes prior to the start time. If you’re not checked in before the meeting starts, you will not be permitted to swim.

Course

Course will be a triangle course in which 1 loop = 1 mile and 2 loops = 2 miles. Course map to be updated shortly.

Safety

Swimmers will be required to attend the pre-race meeting 15 minutes prior to the race. Lifeguards, kayak support, and angel swimmers will also be in the water to prevent participants from swimming too far from shore and to assist swimmers who require support.

Future doty swims

Future editions of the Jim Doty Memorial Mile are tentatively scheduled for:

2025: June 7th @ 9:00 a.m.

2019 video by Bill Steele. Banner photo by David Boeri