35th annual charity open water swim around Harrington Sound with distance options from 0.8km to 10km.
Round the Sound 2025: Bermuda's Premier Open Water Swimming Challenge
Scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, the 35th edition of Round the Sound promises to deliver one of Bermuda's most beloved and challenging open water swimming experiences in the pristine waters of Harrington Sound. This iconic charity swim event has evolved into a cornerstone of Bermuda's sporting calendar, attracting swimmers from around the world who come to test their endurance while supporting vital conservation efforts in one of the Atlantic's most beautiful island paradises.
Round the Sound represents far more than a typical swimming competition. It embodies the spirit of community, conservation, and athletic achievement that defines Bermuda's approach to sport and environmental stewardship. As participants prepare to take on distances ranging from a manageable 800 meters to the full 10-kilometer circumnavigation of Harrington Sound, they become part of a tradition that has raised over $460,000 for local charities while showcasing the natural beauty that makes Bermuda a world-class destination.
The Unique Setting of Harrington Sound
Harrington Sound provides an extraordinary natural amphitheater for this swimming spectacle, offering protected waters that create ideal conditions for open water swimming while maintaining the challenge and excitement that draws elite athletes and recreational swimmers alike. This inland body of water, connected to the ocean through underground channels, maintains comfortable temperatures and generally calm conditions that allow swimmers to focus on their performance rather than battling harsh currents or dangerous surf.
The sound's crystal-clear waters provide exceptional visibility, allowing participants to navigate the marked course while enjoying glimpses of Bermuda's diverse marine life below. The natural boundaries of the sound create a secure swimming environment where safety boats can easily monitor participants throughout their chosen distances, ensuring that the focus remains on personal achievement and charitable contribution rather than survival concerns.
Race Distances and Course Design
The 2025 event offers five distinct race distances designed to accommodate swimmers across all skill levels and experience ranges. The shortest 800-meter distance starts and finishes at the Bermuda Aquarium, providing newcomers and young swimmers with an achievable goal that still delivers the satisfaction of completing an open water challenge in Bermuda's stunning natural environment.
Progressive distances of 2 kilometers, 4 kilometers, and 6 kilometers begin at strategically located docks around the sound, with each start point carefully chosen to ensure that swimmers in different categories finish at approximately the same time at the Bermuda Aquarium. This staggered start system creates a exciting finale where swimmers across all distances converge on the finish line, generating tremendous energy and community support for every participant regardless of their chosen challenge level.
The ultimate 10-kilometer distance constitutes a complete anti-clockwise circumnavigation of Harrington Sound, beginning at Villa Monticello Dock and taking swimmers on a comprehensive tour of the sound's entire perimeter. This flagship distance attracts serious open water swimmers and endurance athletes who seek to test themselves against one of the Caribbean's most scenic and challenging swim courses while contributing to Bermuda's conservation efforts.
Charitable Mission and Community Impact
Round the Sound operates as a charity event with all donations and proceeds supporting the Bermuda Zoological Society's educational and conservation programs. The Bermuda Zoological Society, registered as Charity #179, uses these funds to support vital research, education, and conservation initiatives that protect Bermuda's unique marine ecosystems and promote environmental awareness throughout the local community and among visitors.
Since its inception, Round the Sound has raised over $460,000 for local charities, demonstrating the power of combining athletic achievement with community service. Participants can make additional donations online through October 31, 2025, extending the fundraising period beyond the event date and allowing supporters who cannot attend to contribute to this important cause.
The event's charitable focus creates a meaningful purpose that transcends individual athletic goals, uniting participants in support of environmental protection and education that benefits both Bermuda's natural heritage and the global understanding of marine conservation. This dual mission of personal challenge and community service attracts participants who value both athletic achievement and positive social impact.
Registration and Participation Requirements
Registration for Round the Sound 2025 operates exclusively through the official online platform, with no day-of-race or late entries accepted under any circumstances. This policy ensures proper safety planning, accurate participant counts, and appropriate resource allocation while encouraging early commitment from swimmers who want to be part of this special event.
Entry fees increase after October 3, 2025, providing financial incentive for early registration while allowing organizers to finalize logistics and safety preparations well in advance of race day. Participants must complete an emergency plan card during registration, ensuring that safety officials have essential information about each swimmer's medical needs and emergency contacts.
The official swim cap provided at check-in contains timing chips that track each participant's progress throughout their chosen distance. Swimmers must check in between 30 and 60 minutes before their designated start time, allowing race officials to conduct final safety briefings and ensure that all participants understand course marking, safety procedures, and emergency protocols.
Safety Measures and Support Systems
Round the Sound prioritizes participant safety through comprehensive support systems that include multiple safety boats, strategically positioned checkpoints, and experienced race officials who monitor progress throughout the event. The race committee reserves the right to remove swimmers who fail to reach checkpoints by designated cut-off times, ensuring that all participants complete their distances within safe timeframes.
Safety boats patrol the entire course, providing immediate assistance to any swimmer experiencing difficulty while maintaining communication with shore-based officials who can coordinate emergency response if needed. Water stations positioned along the course provide hydration opportunities, though swimmers should develop personal hydration strategies appropriate for their chosen distance and individual needs.
The warm water temperature averaging 78°F (26°C) in October eliminates the need for wetsuits, which are specifically prohibited in the event rules. This policy ensures fair competition while taking advantage of Bermuda's ideal climate conditions that make October swimming comfortable and enjoyable without artificial thermal protection.
Weather Conditions and Climate Advantages
October represents an ideal time for open water swimming in Bermuda, with air and water temperatures that create comfortable conditions for extended physical activity. The island's position in the Atlantic provides stable weather patterns during October, with the event experiencing only one cancellation in twenty-eight years due to hurricane conditions.
Bermuda's autumn climate typically features gentle trade winds that keep air temperatures pleasant while the ocean retains summer warmth, creating perfect conditions for both athletes and spectators. The extended daylight hours of early October provide excellent visibility throughout the event while allowing ample time for post-race celebrations and social activities.
Participants should prepare for potential brief rain showers that characterize Bermuda's subtropical climate, though these rarely affect water conditions or race safety. The island's compact size and modern infrastructure ensure that weather monitoring and emergency response capabilities meet international standards for outdoor sporting events.
Travel and Accommodation Planning
Bermuda's excellent international air connectivity makes Round the Sound accessible for swimmers from major North American and European cities, with direct flights available from key markets including New York, Boston, Toronto, and London. Flight times of approximately two hours from the U.S. East Coast, three hours from Toronto, and seven hours from London make travel logistics manageable for international participants.
The island's acceptance of U.S. currency at par with Bermudian dollars simplifies financial transactions for American visitors, while widespread credit card acceptance eliminates the need for extensive currency exchange. Most hotels and restaurants cater to international visitors with familiar payment systems and English-language service that makes navigation simple for first-time visitors.
Accommodation options range from luxury resort properties to charming guesthouses, with many establishments offering special packages during Round the Sound weekend. Early booking is recommended, particularly for properties in Hamilton and St. George's parishes that provide convenient access to both the race venue and Bermuda's cultural attractions.
Transportation and Local Navigation
Bermuda's efficient public transportation system provides clean, punctual bus service that connects major hotels with race venues and local attractions. Multi-day transportation passes available through hotels offer cost-effective access to the entire island while reducing environmental impact compared to individual vehicle use.
Taxi service remains readily available throughout the island, though advance booking is recommended for race day transportation to ensure timely arrival at check-in locations. The compact nature of Bermuda makes most destinations reachable within 30-45 minutes, allowing flexible scheduling for pre-race preparation and post-race activities.
For participants purchasing the Visitor Package, organized transportation is provided from Grotto Bay Beach Resort to group swims on Friday and Saturday morning, as well as to the main event on Sunday. This comprehensive service allows international visitors to focus on their race preparation while ensuring reliable access to all event activities.
Training and Preparation Strategies
Successful participation in Round the Sound requires specific preparation for open water swimming in tropical conditions, with training programs that emphasize both physical conditioning and practical skills needed for navigation and pacing in unfamiliar waters. The absence of wetsuits means that swimmers must develop comfort and efficiency in natural water temperatures without artificial buoyancy assistance.
Course familiarization opportunities during Friday and Saturday morning group swims allow participants to experience Harrington Sound conditions while practicing navigation techniques and testing their planned pacing strategies. These sessions provide valuable insights into local conditions while building confidence for race day performance.
Hydration and nutrition strategies become particularly important in Bermuda's warm, humid climate, requiring careful planning for pre-race preparation and post-race recovery. Participants should experiment with hydration protocols during training to identify approaches that work best for their individual physiology and chosen race distance.
Cultural Immersion and Island Exploration
Round the Sound weekend provides an excellent foundation for comprehensive Bermuda exploration, with the island's rich history, stunning beaches, and vibrant cultural scene offering numerous attractions beyond the swimming competition. Historic St. George's, a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcases 400 years of colonial architecture and maritime history within walking distance of charming restaurants and artisan shops.
The Royal Naval Dockyard combines shopping, dining, and entertainment with maritime museums and cultural exhibits that tell the story of Bermuda's strategic importance in Atlantic history. Regular ferry service connects the dockyard with Hamilton and St. George's, providing scenic transportation that becomes part of the overall island experience.
Beach exploration opportunities abound throughout Bermuda, with the famous pink sand beaches of the South Shore providing spectacular settings for post-race relaxation and recovery. Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay, and Elbow Beach offer different personalities and amenities while maintaining the pristine conditions that make Bermuda beaches world-renowned.
Post-Race Celebrations and Community
The conclusion of Round the Sound at the Bermuda Aquarium creates a natural gathering point where participants, supporters, and local residents come together to celebrate individual achievements and collective charitable impact. Prize-giving ceremonies honor top performers in each category while maintaining the inclusive spirit that welcomes every finisher regardless of their competitive placement.
The aquarium setting provides educational opportunities that complement the event's conservation mission, allowing participants to explore exhibits that showcase the marine life they encountered during their swim. This connection between athletic achievement and environmental education reinforces the broader purpose that makes Round the Sound more meaningful than a typical sporting event.
Social gatherings following the formal ceremonies create opportunities for participants to share experiences, exchange contact information, and plan future participation in Bermuda's sporting events. The international nature of the participant field often leads to lasting friendships and swimming partnerships that extend well beyond the October weekend.
Economic Impact and Community Support
Round the Sound generates significant economic impact for Bermuda through participant spending on accommodation, dining, transportation, and recreational activities that extend throughout the weekend and often into extended stays. The October timing coincides with shoulder season tourism periods, providing valuable economic stimulus during traditionally quieter months.
Local businesses, from restaurants and shops to tour operators and marine services, benefit from the influx of health-conscious, environmentally aware visitors who often become repeat customers and enthusiastic ambassadors for Bermuda tourism. The event's charitable mission also creates positive associations that enhance Bermuda's reputation as a destination that balances tourism development with environmental protection.
Volunteer participation from local residents strengthens community bonds while providing visitors with authentic interactions that enhance their overall Bermuda experience. These connections often develop into ongoing relationships that bring participants back to the island for future visits and events.
Round the Sound 2025 represents an extraordinary opportunity to combine athletic challenge with charitable contribution while experiencing one of the world's most beautiful island destinations at its absolute best. Whether you're an experienced open water swimmer seeking a new challenge or a recreational athlete looking to push your boundaries in a supportive environment, this event offers experiences that will create lasting memories and meaningful impact. Register early at the official website, plan your October Bermuda adventure, and prepare to join hundreds of swimmers from around the world in supporting conservation while testing yourself against the pristine waters of Harrington Sound.
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