Peaks to Portland, A Swim for Kids

If you have any questions that are not answered on the event home page or within this section, please use the button above to submit questions via email and we will respond as promptly as possible!

I see an option to add a Kayaker and their information during registration, is this required?

• Having a supporting kayaker is completely optional! If you do have someone kayaking with you, it is imperative that they also register as a kayaker via the free signup option so they can read, understand, and agree to the waiver and get on our e-mail list for event communications as we get closer to July 20.

Is there a minimum age requirement for the event?

• Yes, the minimum age for swimmers and kayakers is sixteen. All participants must be sixteen by the date of the event to be eligible to participate. Participants will confirm this via the registration process and waiver confirmation.

Is there a wetsuit policy?

• Wetsuits are allowed, but not required. Expected water temperatures for late July near Peaks Island is lower to mid-sixties. For this temperature range, a full wetsuit with 3/2mm thickness is recommended.

When and where is packet pickup?

• Packet pickup will be held at the Casco Bay YMCA Branch in Freeport on Friday, July 19 between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. It is critical that packets are picked up on Friday!

What is included in my event day packet?

• Your event day packet includes, but is not limited to: Event T-Shirt, Swim Cap, Event Day Instructions (ferry schedule, finalized event schedule, parking map, etc.), Ferry Ticket, Fundraising Prizes, Bag Tag

When does the event start?

• The event schedule is still being finalized, but swimmers should plan to be on Peaks Island ready to go around 7:30 AM. Please plan which ferry you will take out to Peaks Island accordingly! The one-way ticket provided in your event day packet can be used for any scheduled ferry.

What is the Ferry Schedule for event day?

• Casco Bay Lines has provided an additional ferry for the morning of the event that will depart Portland for Peaks Island at 6:15 AM. This ferry has additional capacity to carry both swimmers and kayaks and is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that all kayakers take this ferry over to the island.
• The regularly scheduled 5:45 AM and 6:45 AM ferries can carry both swimmers and kayakers; however, there is limited space on both of these ferries for cargo.

Are there any deadlines for fundraising?

• Soft Deadline - June 19: This first cutoff date is to ensure YMCA can order fundraising prizes with enough time to receive the prizes and hand out to swimmers as they pick up their event day packets on July 19. Additional prize levels reached after this date will be available for pickup roughly three weeks after the hard deadline.
• Hard Deadline - July 26: The final cutoff date is to ensure swimmers proper time to secure fundraising prior to and one week post event! Prizes will be available for pickup roughly three weeks after this deadline. The YMCA will reach out individually to coordinate prize pickup after delivery to the Casco Bay YMCA.