Cedar Island 5K Swim

In 1987, the oil tanker MV Sea Isle City was struck by a missile in the Persian Gulf, a violent incident that brought international attention to the name of this New Jersey borough. Today, the waters surrounding the borough offer a far different experience for those who navigate the sheltered back bays of Avalon. The Cedar Island 5K Swim, now in its 17th year, centers on this quiet coastal environment, where the tide dictates the rhythm of the race. Swimmers depart from the Avalon Yacht Club, following a counter-clockwise course that hugs the marsh-lined channels of the bay, a geography shaped by the constant ebb and flow of the tide.

## The water

Unlike open-ocean events, this swim takes place in the protected back bays, where the intercoastal waters are distinct from the Atlantic surf. The course is designed to leverage tidal assistance, ensuring that swimmers move with the current during the critical segments of the 5K. While the area is steeped in the lore of Avalon—the mystical island of Arthurian legend—the reality for the athlete is a technical test of navigation. Participants are required to sight their own path, rounding four buoys while staying mindful of the dock-side markers. The event is strictly regulated with a 90-minute cutoff, ensuring that safety personnel on kayaks and SUPs can effectively manage the field within the bay’s confined channels.

## Race day logistics

Participation in this charity event, which supports Sneakers for Soldiers, requires strict adherence to timing and logistics. With no parking available at the Avalon Yacht Club, a jitney shuttle service connects the surrounding streets to the venue, where bib numbers and mandatory swim caps are distributed on race morning. The 9:40 AM mass in-water start demands a disciplined approach, as the field moves quickly through the timing mats. Swimmers looking to complete the regional circuit can also find the Point To Point Bay Swim scheduled in September, providing a different challenge within the same protected tidal system. Before entering the water, athletes are reminded that this is not the time for new equipment; the bay's mid-70s temperature makes the event wetsuit legal, allowing for the use of familiar gear as you navigate the narrow channels back toward the club’s floating docks.