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Morning Notes: 281 swimmers tackle two-mile Save The Bay Swim

by Brooks Miles

Published On: July 21, 2025

Good morning, Newport!

🗓️ Today is Sunday, July 20, the 201st day of 2025. There are 164 days left in the year.

Weather Forecast

Today:

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 9am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight:

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow:

Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph.

🚨 You need to know

Nearly 300 swimmers plunged into Narragansett Bay’s East Passage Saturday morning for the 49th Save The Bay Swim, continuing a decades-long tradition that raises funds and awareness for one of Rhode Island’s most important environmental organizations.

At 8:05 a.m., 281 participants dove into the waves at the Naval War College in Newport, embarking on a challenging two-mile open-water swim to Potter Cove in Jamestown. The flagship fundraising event supports Save The Bay’s ongoing advocacy, habitat restoration, and education efforts aimed at protecting and improving the 1,705-square-mile Narragansett Bay watershed.

“Save The Bay was founded on the premise that a passionate, organized group of people can help Narragansett Bay recover from a century of pollution and neglect,” said Executive Director Topher Hamblett during the post-swim celebration in Jamestown. The organization has worked since 1970 toward its vision of a fully swimmable, fishable bay accessible to all.

The transformation has been remarkable. Nick Zerva, a 21-year-old triathlete from Cumberland, expressed amazement that the bay was unswimmable just 50 years ago. “I am participating in The Save The Bay Swim this summer because I have always had a deep-rooted desire to contribute to something greater than myself,” he said.

Saturday’s event celebrated not just environmental progress but also swimmer dedication. Hamblett presented awards to dozens of long-time participants, including Michael McGourty, who has completed the swim for 30 consecutive years. Daniel Force earned recognition for 25 years of participation, while 20 swimmers were honored for completing the event for five years running.

The swim drew 27 organized teams, ranging from the East Side YMCA to creatively named groups like the “Mischievous Mermaids & Friends” and “The Rainbow Narwhals.” Swim Ambassador Elizabeth Beisel acknowledged each team’s contribution to the collective fundraising effort.

For those unable to participate in the traditional swim, Save The Bay offers the “Save The Bay Open,” allowing athletes to choose their own physical challenge—whether kayaking, biking, or running—to support the cause. Participants have until August 31 to complete their chosen activity.

The event receives support from more than two dozen sponsors, including major regional businesses like Citizens Bank, Cox Communications, and Delta Dental, along with in-kind contributions from local establishments such as Ben & Jerry’s and Del’s Lemonade.

Founded in 1970, Save The Bay continues its mission to protect and improve Narragansett Bay through advocacy, education, and habitat restoration work. Those interested in supporting the organization can visit

savebay.org/swim

📰

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📅 What’s Up Today

Sunday, July 20

Things To Do

Newport Classical Music Festival
8 am:

Cars & Coffee — Gardner Seveney Sports Complex
8 am:

Free Sunday Guided Bird Walk

at Norman Bird Sanctuary
10 am:

Weekly Sunday Brunch

at Newport Vineyards & Restaurant
10 am:

Tiverton Farmers Market – Summer

at Tiverton Town Farm Recreation Area
10 am:

Newport Black History Walking Tours

at Bowen’s Wharf Pilot House
5 pm:

Yappy Hour 2025

at Beaulieu
7:30 pm:

The Newport Dance Festival

at Great Friends Meeting House
8 pm:

Newport Classical presents Leila Josefoqicz

at The Breakers

Live Music & Entertainment

Clarke Cooke House: Bobby Ferreira at 12:30 pm
Fastnet Irish Pub: Irish Sessions at 6 pm
Johnny’s Restaurant:

Mac Chrupcala Jazz Series

at 3 pm
JPT Film & Event Center:

The Last Class

at 2 pm,

Bad Shabbos

at 4 pm,

Secret Mall Apartment

at 6:30 pm
Landing: Jim Devlin at 12:30 pm, Timeless at 4 pm, Jake Kulak at 8 pm
Narragansett Cafe:

Ed Peabody & The Big Blue Thang

at 4 pm
Newport Craft:

The Groove Merchants

at 1 pm
Newport Vineyards:

Dim Lights

at 1 pm
O’Brien’s Pub: Greg Zercher on the Steel Drums on the patio at 3 pm,

Karaoke

at 9:30 pm
One Pelham East: Chopville at 3:30 pm
Pour Judgement: Los Duderinos at 10 pm
Speakeasy Bar & Grill: Live music at 9:30 pm
Sunset Cove:

Andre Arsenault

at 11 am,

Mark Flynn

at 3 pm

Newport County Public Meetings

No public meetings are scheduled.

Organizing an event?

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to What’sUpNewp’s Event Calendar.