As August 18th is fast approaching, we’d like to make our participants aware of the following logistics for the 19th Statewide Annual Against the Tide Paddle, Swim, Kayak, Walk, Run and/or Aquathon event at DCR’s Nickerson State Park. Please note that this event takes place rain or shine.
Upon arrival
Parking for the event is not available at Flax Pond for our participants, you will be directed by our Parking Lot Volunteers to an available parking lot location. Complementary shuttle service will be provided by First Student Bus, Inc and pick up/drop off locations will be marked for your convenience. Please allow an additional 10 minutes of travel time to the event for parking and shuttle service. Participants registered for the early events (Competitive Swim, Run, Walk and Aquathon events) are encouraged to leave ample time for arrival. The last shuttle bus prior to the 8:30 events will reach the event area at 8:28.
For kayak participants who will be bringing their own kayak, you may drop your kayak at the Flax Pond bus stop area with volunteer, Kathy Kellogg, before continuing on to available parking. Please clearly label your personal kayaks.
Registration/Check-in
Participant registration opens at 6:45 AM at the registration tent at the top of the hill at Flax Pond. You will be directed to the top of the hill after exiting the parking lot shuttle. Participants should plan to check-in/register no later than one hour before the first event component they are participating in. Please bring a valid form of ID. We welcome all walk-in registrations, so if you have a friend who wants to join you, please bring them along. You can find directions to DCR’s Nickerson State Park in the attached calendar listing.
All swim, kayak, and aquathon participants must check in at the Water Safety Tent after registration. Swimmers and aquathoners will each receive one swim cap with their bib number. All swimmers, aquathoners, and kayakers will be checked in and out of the water by our Water Safety Team. Brewster Fire & Rescue will provide additional safety support along with lifeguards from DCR State Parks.
Kayak participants should check in at the Kayak registration table to receive your bib, name tag, and further instructions. Borrowed kayaks will be labeled with your name on the beach. Please do not use a kayak unless your name is on it.
Athlete Support
Please see the following schedule:
7:30 AM Stand up Paddle Board
7:55 AM Warm Up exercises
8:10 AM National Anthem by Lori Lori Welch, PIXY 103
8:30 AM Competitive Swim/Aquathon and USATF Certified 5K/10K Runs
8:35 AM 3-mile Walk
9:45 AM 1-mile Recreational Swim followed directly by the ½ mile Recreational Swim
10:45 AM 2-mile Kayak
11:30 AM Closing Ceremony
There will be volunteers stationed at water stops on the walk/run route as well as on the beachfront for swimmers and kayakers.
We invite all participants to enjoy refreshments on the beach from all our wonderful beach sponsors.
Aquathon participants may store their personal belongings in the Transition Tent located next to the Water Safety tent on the beach.
Awards
Awards will be handed out throughout the morning on the beach. Awards will be presented to our top 3 highest fundraisers and our highest fundraising team, in addition to the fastest male and female participants in the 1-mile competitive swim, 5K and 10K runs and aquathon events. There will also be a raffle drawing for a Necky Rip 10 Kayak, generously donated by Goose Hummock. Raffle tickets will be on sale at the event and a drawing will take place at 11 AM. For a complete list of incentive prizes at Against the Tide in Brewster, please visit: https://mbcc.org/against-the-tide/incentive-prizes/.
MBCC is excited to see all our Against the Tide participants, and we hope that everybody enjoys their time on the beach on the morning of August 18. If you have any questions, please contact MBCC’s office number at 617-376-6222. In addition, you can visit our Frequently Asked Questions page: https://mbcc.org/index.php/against-the-tide/general-information/.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire MBCC team, we thank you for your support in helping us toward our goal of breast cancer prevention. We could not do this important work without you!