The 2nd Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, featuring the 55th Annual Around The Island® Swim, will be held on Sunday, August 1, 2021 in and around Absecon Island, NJ, which is made up of the cities of Atlantic City, Ventnor, Margate, and Longport.

Hosted by Green Whales, Inc., the inaugural Jim Whelan Open Water Festival successfully resurrected this historic and challenging  22.75mi/36.6km marathon swim for its 54th installment in 2019 in honor of the late Jim Whelan; a former NJ State Senator, Mayor of Atlantic City, member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Atlantic City teacher, and Atlantic City High School Swim Coach. 

"Honoring nostalgia in service to our community."

Through our efforts and the generous support of our sponsors, we continue to accomplish our two main goals:

• To increase awareness of "Whelan Whales"--a free swim lesson and water safety program for the children of Atlantic City. 
• Honor the historical significance of the Around The Island® Swim to the Absecon Island community and generations of lifeguard families.

The history of this legendary marathon swim began back in 1953 when two ACBP members, Ed "Dutch" Stetser and Edward Solitare, made a $100 bet to see who could circumnavigate Absecon Island first.  It was Solitare who won, completing the grueling course in 13:30, with Stetser only an hour behind him.  Throughout the following half-century, numerous international open water swimming athletes competed in the race, which was eventually called a "world championship ocean marathon."

The Around the Island® current record holder, as documented on marathonswimmers.org, remains Stéphane Gomez, from France, set in 2004 with a time of 6:37.09.   The winners from the 54th Around The Island® Swim in 2019 are:

• First male and overall winner: William “Bill” Leonard, from Canada, at 8:23:27
• First relay: Swim RVA Hammerheads, Steven “Craig” Dunbar and Teresa “Tess” Andres from the United States, at 9:29:56
• First female: Charlotte Brynn, from the United States, finishing at 9:31:28

What will you be doing on Sunday, August 1, 2020?  Will you become a part of history?  Will you support a worthwhile cause?  Do you want to challenge your open water swimming skills?  Register to participate in the 2nd Annual Jim Whelan Open Water Festival, featuring the 55th Annual Around The Island® Swim!