2023 Women Swimmin' for Hospicare

Swim Day Schedule - Saturday, August 12, 2023

More details for Swimmers can be found here. Details for paddlers/boaters can be found here. For participants, please read the Safety Manual for Swimmers & Paddlers for details about what to expect at the start of the swim and as you're crossing the lake. 

A local meteorologist is monitoring the weather for the area around IYC for the time period of the swim. HABs (Harmful Algae Blooms) reports will be shared on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with The Safety Team. A final determination to cancel/postpone the swim no later than 6:30AM on Saturday August 12, 2023.

Please continue to monitor the Women Swimmin' Facebook page for any updates, or email womenswimmin@hospicare.org


  • Sunrise - HAB Harriers from Finger Lakes Watershed Network and the Community Science Institute begin visual inspection of the swim course to look for signs of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).
  • 6:15 a.m. - Women Swimmin' staff and Safety Team meet to make decision, based on a detailed weather forcast, lake conditions, reports from HAB harriers, and other environmental concerns. Check Facebook for cancellations updates.
  • 6:15 a.m. - Lake swimmers begin to gather for check-in at Cass Park Rink, according to their pod assignment.
  • 6:30 a.m. - TCAT shuttles start running from Cass Park Union Fields to IYC (only for spectators and volunteers).
  • 7:10 a.m. - First pod of swimmers enters the water for their swim across the Lake!
  • 7:30 a.m. - Breakfast opens for spectators and volunteers.
  • 7:45 a.m. - The Yardvarks begin to play, merchandise and raffle sales open, and swimmers begin arrivng back at IYC.
  • 11:00 a.m. - Final Swimmers complete their swim and arrive at IYC.
  • 11:15 a.m. - Closing ceremonies, award presentation, drawing of raffle winner
  • 11:30 a.m. - Clean-up begins. Feel free to stay and help!
  • 12:30 p.m. - Last run of shuttle buses from IYC to Cass Park

After the Swim - Party and Breakfast at Ithaca Yacht Club (IYC)

Friends and family can meet swimmers after they exit the dock at IYC. Friends and family can also have breakfast, for a suggested donation of $5. Stick around the IYC and listen to the music of The Yardvarks and enjoy the festivities. After all the swimmers and paddlers are ashore, we'll have closing ceremonies to draw the name for the stand-up paddleboard raffle, will announce winners for top fundraising prizes, and will announce the total amount raised for Hospicare!

Shuttle Busses for Volunteers and Spectators

Shuttle buses going back to Cass Park leave from the top of the stairs on the parking lot side of the IYC. The shuttle will make stops at both Union Fields (where spectators and volunteers park) and Cass Park Rink. Busses run continuously from 6:30 a.m until 12:30 p.m.