A new open water charity swim is heading to Martha’s Vineyard this summer, with the inaugural Swim Across America – Martha’s Vineyard event scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026.
The open water swim will take place at Menemsha Beach in Chilmark, MA, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. The swim will raise funds for its local beneficiary Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and support cancer care on the island. Hundreds are expected to dive in and make waves to raise funds at the event. Swimmers, land and water volunteers (boaters, kayakers, stand up paddle boarders) are encouraged to register for the event. The organisers have set a fundraising target of US200,000 for the first year.
The event is being led by co-event directors Leah Thomson and Zoe Treitman, who are both 17-year-old high school juniors and residents of Martha’s Vineyard.
Leah Thomson, Co-Event Director for the swim, said “I was inspired to get involved with Swim Across America for my Grammy, for family members who are facing cancer and for my dear friend and coach Jay Grossman. Swimming is nothing compared to the challenges our loved ones with cancer face. By helping put on this event, I can help make a difference and swim for those who can’t – and with my community’s support, I know it will help make a significant impact on cancer care on our island.”
Zoe Treitman, Co-Event Director for the swim, said “So many on Martha’s Vineyard and beyond are affected by cancer, and I want to help make their quality of life better – all while raising funds locally that stay local, supporting Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute Martha’s Vineyard Hospital here on the island. Cancer has taken so many of our loved ones, and we want to do all we can to fight it. I hope our community will come out and join us on Saturday, July 18, at Menemsha Beach and help us make waves to fight cancer.”
Rebekah Thomson, Leah’s mother, is acting in a supporting role for the teenagers. She said “I’m really proud of the ambition that Leah and Zoe have to organise this event and their passion for making a difference. To take on running a major event is a huge endeavour for anyone of any age, but for Leah and Zoe to just be 17, it is a major accomplishment.”
Registration is open this month for swimmers, as well as land and water volunteers, including boaters, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders.
Swim Across America is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to funding cancer research, prevention, and treatment. Since its founding in 1987, it has raised more than US$150 million, supporting clinical trials and funding breakthrough research projects at various medical institutions. The organisation hosts pool and open water swims in 27 communities across the United States.
