Ladrigan Swim Races

About the race

September in the Long Island Sound brings water temperatures that typically hover in the low 20s Celsius, offering a manageable environment for the annual Ladrigan Swim Races. Tidal cycles dictate the event's rhythm, with a high tide arriving around 11:38 AM, forcing a sharp start time aligned with the local flow. Swimmers navigate these coastal waters under the constant gaze of the Greens Ledge Light, a 90-foot tall 'sparkplug' structure completed in 1902. Its foundation is a curiosity of engineering, containing over 30,000 tons of rock excavated during the 1933 construction of Radio City Music Hall. Navigating toward Bayley Beach, participants must maintain a direct line, as the harbor currents can shift rapidly based on the lunar phase.

Industrial history along the buoy line. As you track toward the shore, the landscape shifts from the open sound to the bustling edges of Norwalk’s maritime corridor. To the west, the silhouette of the former Manresa Island power plant serves as a reminder of the area’s industrial past, a site now transitioning into public parkland. Further into the inner harbor, the 1895 South Norwalk Railroad Bridge cuts a rigid, iron profile against the sky. These landmarks provide clear sighting points, though they also reflect a region historically vulnerable to surge events, such as the destructive floods of 1955.

Logistics for the 1609-meter and 805-meter distances require mandatory kayak support, a necessity born from the volume of local boat traffic and the specific navigation requirements of the harbor mouth. Entry fees of 38.96 USD cover the timing chip and race logistics, including the shuttle boats that transport swimmers to the lighthouse start. This event honors the Arthur J. Ladrigan tradition, embedding the swim within a community that has long balanced its identity between the oyster harvesting heritage of the harbor and the progressive social history of neighboring areas like Village Creek, founded in 1949 to champion integrated living. Returning your timing chip at the finish line at Bayley Beach marks the end of a course that bridges the gap between active water sport and the maritime history of the Connecticut coast.

Course

• 1.609 km — 1 mile open water swim from Greens Ledge Lighthouse to Bayley Beach.
• 805 m — Half mile open water swim from the buoy to Bayley Beach.

Entry fees

• 1.609 km — 38.96 € · Includes $3.96 processing fee
• 805 m — 38.96 € · Includes $3.96 processing fee

Children's race is free. Prices include processing fees.

Awards

Awards ceremony follows the races.

Participant kit

• swim cap
• timing chip

Issued at check-in upon showing confirmation.

Mandatory gear

• kayak escort — All swimmers in Lighthouse and Buoy races must have an escort in a kayak.

Previous editions

• 2025 · results

Organizer

Rowayton Civic Association

Official site

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