Every year, swimmers cross the Bay from Newport to Jamestown for Save The Bay’s largest annual fundraiser! There are lots of ways to support the event and celebrate the progress we've made toward a clean bay. Volunteers must be 16+ to work independently, and volunteers who are 12+ may volunteer accompanied by a parent. Groups of up to 25 people are welcome. SIGN UP to volunteer!
JAMESTOWN VOLUNTEERING: 7 AM - 12 PM (except Party Tent, 8:30 AM-1 PM)
- Parking, Curb and Shuttles: Volunteers will keep the road in front of Potter Cove clear for ambulance parking and pedestrians. They will also help direct people to the shuttle after the swim to head back to Newport.
- Barrier Monitors: Volunteers are in the water and on the beach, assisting swimmers across the finish line and onto the beach. They are great cheerleaders, applauding the swimmers for their 1.7 mile accomplishment. They will also guard the finish line to prevent spectators from unintentionally interfering with the swimmers’ check in. YOU MUST HAVE WATER SHOES for this role.
- Popsicle Stick Team: This team will take the popsicle sticks from the swimmers at the shore. Two team members will write the swimmer participant number clearly and correctly on the popsicle stick, while the rest will assist by holding bins, collecting sticks, etc. This is how we account for every swimmer’s time and the fact that they are safely out of the water. YOU MUST HAVE WATER SHOES for this role.
- Kayaker Check Out & Shirts: Volunteers will be in and out of the water (knee to thigh high), collecting athlete pinnies from all of the kayakers that come in off the water from the event. You will need to take the pinnies to the check out table for our staff to mark off that the kayaker has made it to land safely. You will then need to give a Participant Shirt to the kayaker. WATER SHOES REQUIRED.
- Time Sheet Runners: You’ll be going from the finish boats with paper time sheets, through the water, to the land to drop at the check-out tent. Land Time Sheet Runners will run time sheets from the beach to the results van on the lawn across the street. Volunteers should be meticulous and be comfortable moving safely and swiftly in water or on land. WATER SHOES REQUIRED.
- Party Tent Volunteers work on the lawn near the Jamestown Bridge authority office, helping to prepare and provide food for hundreds of swimmers, kayakers, spectators, and volunteers. This role starts and ends a little later: 8:30 AM-1 PM.
