Event Dates
From: Friday, September 8, 2023
To: Sunday, September 10, 2023
Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla essence embodies Provincetown as a place of healing and compassion
The Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla essence embodies Provincetown as a place of healing and compassion.
- Visiting Ptown? Book your stay at the Carpe Diem Guest House, rated “Superb” by our readers and located right by Commercial St, close to all the Swim For Life activities.
The Swim Event
- The Provincetown Swim for Life celebrates the PTown community as one that not only cares about local health and well-being, but also about Planet Earth, which faces unparalleled environmental challenges.
- Provincetown is a spiritual home to people across the globe. A place of hope and promise. Swimmers have come from France, Bulgaria, Australia, Mexico, Spain, UK, Canada and beyond.
- Stay at the Brass Key Guest House rated “Wonderful” by guests with a perfect location, charming hosts and famous outdoor pool for those who want to practice their swim strokes before the race!
History of the Event
- In the summer of 1988, artist Jay Critchley and dancer Walter McLean wanted to test their swimming ability by swimming across Provincetown Harbor. The two made the swim and two weeks later organized the first Swim for Life, which continues to celebrate the healing waters and ecology of the harbor, while raising money for local health services.
- The event has grown to attract swimmers, kayakers, volunteers and friends from throughout the country and abroad. With the assistance of 150 volunteers,400 swimmers and thousands of spectators, this annual fall ritual has become an event that defines the best of the Provincetown spirit.
- Provincetown is the fastest selling destination out of 200+ cities on our site, don’t delay, book your hotel as soon as possible.
The Mermaid Brunch
- Awaiting venue and time confirmation for 2023
- In 1991, Helen Roczkowski, a local gourmet chef, produced the first legendary Mermaid Brunch at the home of iconic Provincetown artist Hans Hofmann, which immediately followed the Swim.
- The Mermaid Brunch has since been held at the Crown & Anchor pool, Bas Relief Park and the Boston Ferry.
- The free meal is attended by hundreds of participants and is open to the community. It now has a home on the spectacular Boatslip Resort deck following the Swim, catered by Far Land Provisions.
Celebration of Life Concert
- Awaiting venue and time confirmation for 2023
- This euphoric community songfest at the UU Meeting House was created by John Thomas and Jim Vincent in 1994 in association with the Swim for Life. John Thomas has directed this free concert since, offering a rousing prelude to the next day’s Swim.
- The Mermaid Brunch, along with the Celebration of Life Concert, has propelled the Swim for Life into a weekend long celebration
The Prayer Ribbons
- From the lofty ceiling of the Meeting House to the deck of the Boatslip, from across Commercial Street to the State House in Boston, these five-foot long, inscribed colored ribbons are a dominant visual presence at the Swim for Life weekend.
- Prayer Ribbons were initiated in 1993 to provide a visual witness to the swimmers as they crossed the harbor from Long Point to the Boatslip, each swimmer with his or her own personal images, hopes and fears.
- All are invited to inscribe the names of those they love – and personal messages – to those they wish to celebrate in their lives, both living and deceased.The ribbons commemorate the devastation that AIDS has done to our community, but they also challenge us to live our lives more fully and joyfully. They create a visual statement about Provincetown as a community, its contradictions, its conflicts, its possibilities.
Trending Hotels in PTown
The following hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the Swim for Life Events:
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Carpe Diem Guesthouse is our
home from home when in Provincetown.
For further information and advice on
Swim for Life Weekend Website
Provincetown itself has two main drags, Commercial Street and Bradford Street. P’town can be divided into three sections, the quiet and peaceful West End, the bustling downtown center, and the East End, which has a number of galleries and guesthouses.
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We have chosen hotels in Provincetown that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
This Provincetown property features rooms equipped with refrigerators and free Wi-Fi. The Pilgrim Monument and Park are within a 10-minute walk of the property. Rooms are uniquely decorated and with large windows and balconies at the Anchor Inn Beach House. The rooms have antique-style furnishings and white bedding.
The Beaconlight Guest House features rooms with an en suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV with DVD player, and a refrigerator. The rooms are furnished with bright colors and inviting décor, and offer plush bathrobes. Guests can relax in the on-site outdoor hot tub or enjoy the summertime flower gardens
Located in the heart of Provincetown’s art gallery district, the historic Inn at Cook Street was originally built in 1836. It features unique, individually decorated guest rooms & serves a daily hot breakfast. Each guest room is decorated with original local artwork & offers antique furnishings. A flat-screen TV & en suite bathroom
located in the heart of Provincetown, Massachussets, boasts a large courtyard and gardens as well as free WiFi access. Every room at The Provincetown Hotel at Gabriel’s features a a cable TV. Many rooms have a fireplace. They are uniquely decorated in warm colours, plush bedding, and wood furnishings. Select rooms offer a balcony.
Swim4Life 2020 – 90 Second Bumper
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We have chosen hotels in Provincetown that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Along with a full-service spa, this hotel has a restaurant and an outdoor pool. Free cooked-to-order breakfast is provided, as well as free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free beach shuttle. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a coffee shop/café, and a sauna are onsite. All rooms feature LED TVs with cable channels, free WiFi. Guests will also find minibars, room service, and premium bedding.
Along with a full-service spa, this smoke-free guesthouse has a restaurant and a nightclub. Free buffet breakfast is provided, as well as free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a free beach shuttle. Other amenities include a bar/lounge, a poolside bar, and coffee/tea in a common area. All rooms are soundproofed and offer free WiFi and safes, flat-screen TVs come with cable channels, coffee makers.
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, 3 bars/lounges, and a conference center. Other amenities include self parking, coffee/tea in a common area, and a meeting room. All 19 individually decorated rooms feature free WiFi and room service. For a bit of entertainment, guests will find flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and other amenities include premium bedding and coffee makers.
Along with a microwave in a common area, this bed & breakfast has a computer station and express check-out. Free continental breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, a garden, barbecue grills, and a picnic area are onsite. All 8 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and pillowtop beds. Comforts include Egyptian cotton sheets and down comforters