Save The Bay names Elizabeth Beisel swim ambassador

Save The Bay Names Elizabeth Beisel Swim Ambassador

Elizabeth Beisel with a Save The Bay Swim towel
Elizabeth Beisel with a Save The Bay Swim towel

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – Save The Bay is pleased to announce that two-time Olympic medalist and Saunderstown native Elizabeth Beisel has been named Swim Ambassador for the 42nd Annual Save The Bay Swim. In her capacity as Swim Ambassador, the first in event history, Beisel will offer welcoming remarks to swimmers and volunteers on August 4 before jumping in the water herself to participate in the 1.7-nautical-mile challenge and presenting final awards to Swim participants in Jamestown. In the summer months leading up to the Swim, Beisel will inspire local swimmers of all ages by leading two youth swim clinics, sharing open-water swimming tips through Save The Bay’s blog and social media and participating in a takeover of Save The Bay’s Twitter account.

Two-time Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel has been named Swim Ambassador for this year’s Save The Bay Swim.

“I grew up on the beaches of Narragansett Bay, which is where I fell in love with the water. That love helped me accomplish my dreams to represent Rhode Island and the United States in the Olympics,” said Beisel. “I feel so fortunate to now have the chance to give back to the waters I learned to swim in, and that’s why I’m so excited to participate in the Save The Bay Swim. It’s so important to protect and restore our shorelines, beaches and Bay, and this is a perfect and seamless way for me to get involved. Let’s help save the Bay for the future Olympians of Rhode Island.”

“It means so much to all of Save The Bay’s supporters and swimmers to have Elizabeth as our first-ever Swim Ambassador,” said Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone. “The annual Swim serves as, not only a fundraiser, but also a celebration of the recreational opportunities that become available when Narragansett Bay’s coastal resources are protected. Who better to help us spread that message than an accomplished Olympic swimmer, captain and team leader from right here in Rhode Island?”

As one of the most storied open-water swims in the United States, the Save The Bay Swim celebrates tremendous progress in cleaning up Narragansett Bay since its first official Swim in 1977 and the organization’s founding in 1970. In the early years of the Swim, swimmers often emerged from the water with oil and tar balls on their skin and swimsuits. Conversely, during the last event, swimmers reported seeing schools of menhaden beneath them. With a goal of $325,000, the Swim is Save The Bay’s largest annual fundraiser, providing critical support to the organization’s efforts to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed.

Keeping with the Olympic spirit, Save The Bay is offering local businesses the opportunity to medal as official Swim sponsors. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island has offered support as a silver medal sponsor, while bronze medal sponsors currently include Amica Mutual Insurance Company and Bradford Soap Works, Inc. Swim caps for the event will be sponsored by Speedo. Organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Leanne Danielsen at [email protected].

Those interested in learning more about registering for the Swim, creating a team or making a donation to the event are encouraged to visit swim.savebay.org.

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About Save The Bay: Founded in 1970, Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through advocacy, education, and restoration efforts. It envisions a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure.