Beyond The Breakers

05/29/2026

Nobody talks about the observer!

While two athletes were grinding through jellyfish stings and building swells in the Atlantic — miles offshore — Elaine Kornbau Howley was on the boat observing the swim on behalf of Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association . Logging every hour. Watching every stroke. Holding the authority to keep the swim honest and the swimmers safe.

That's the job. No glory. No finish line. Just the clipboard, the stopwatch, and the responsibility of being the person the swimmer trusts.

Observers are the backbone of this sport. Without them, the swims don't count. Without organizations like MOWSA showing up and observing — none of it happens.

This is the gritty, unglamorous, essential work that makes open water swimming real. And it's exactly the community BTB is built around.

The swimmers. The coaches. The pilots. The crew chiefs. The observers. Every single one of them belongs in the room.

That's what Beyond The Breakers is all about.

Everyone who makes this sport go, belongs at Beyond The Breakers!

See you in November!

05/21/2026

This is what it actually looks like.

Swimmers in open water. Es**rt boat guiding the way. Support crew watching every stroke. Observers making sure it is done right. Every person is an integral part of this sport!

No lane lines. No walls. No clock on the wall telling you when you're done.

Just the open ocean, a boat full of people who give a damn, and the decision to keep pushing.

This is the sport. This is the community. This is exactly who BTB 2026 is built for.

Swimmers. Coaches. Race directors. Support crew. The whole ecosystem — in one room. November 14th at Bentley University!

Find your people! Link in bio.

05/17/2026

The Heart Behind Beyond the Breakers: A Message from Our Founder.

What drives Beyond the Breakers?

Our founder, Craig, shares his 20-year journey with open water swimming and the powerful reasons he created this summit.

It's more than just an event—it's a movement built on meaning, purpose, community, and confidence.

Craig's vision is clear:

•Open Water for Everyone: Regardless of your skill level, the water welcomes you.

•Supportive Community: A place to grow, achieve goals, and find your tribe.

•True Inclusivity: From swimmers to kayakers, every role is vital and celebrated.

•Personal Growth: Push your limits, find adventure, and build a sense of achievement.

His passion is infectious, and his message is simple: If you belong to the water, you belong here.

Watch the video to hear his full story!

Ready to be part of this incredible community?

Learn more and secure your spot today!

05/16/2026

You're out there navigating swells, managing feeds, reading currents, and apparently sourcing dinner.

The kayakers. The es**rt pilots. The crew chiefs. The ones tracking the tide charts at 2am, managing the feeds in 6-foot swells, and staying calm when the swimmer is in full on panic mode. The people who've been awake longer than the athlete and won't say a word about it.

The support crew doesn't just make big swims possible, they make them legendary.

BTB 2026 is one of the only events where the support crew have a seat at the table. Not as an afterthought. As part of the conversation.

November 14 · Bentley University · Waltham, MA

Grab your spot → swimbeyondthebreakers.com · link in bio

Photo credit: Dan Simonelli during the

05/15/2026

Great swim to jump into!

🏊 Doty Swim is back, and better than before! massowsa.org/doty-swim

Join MOWSA at Carson Beach on Sunday, June 14th @ 9am for 1 mile and 2 mile open water swim events in Boston Harbor.

New for this year:
✅ Chip timing!
🏅 Awards for top wetsuit and non-wetsuit finishers in each race

Register by Memorial Day for:
👕 Guaranteed event t-shirt
💲 Lower pricing
• 1 Mile: $50 ($60 after Memorial Day)
• 2 Mile: $70 ($80 after Memorial Day)

Space is limited. Register at massowsa.org/doty-swim

05/14/2026

IF YOU BELONG TO THE WATER, YOU BELONG HERE!

The open water doesn’t care about your pace, your gear, or how many miles you have in your logbook. It only cares that you showed up.

Whether you’re a triathlete finding your calm in the churn, a masters swimmer trading the black line for the blue horizon, or a marathoner eyeing your next channel—Beyond the Breakers is built for you.

We are a community of "Water People." We’re the ones who don't mind the sand in our cars, the salt on our skin, or the early morning chill. We’re gritty, we’re adventurous, and we’re better when we’re together.

On Nov 14, 2026, we’re gathering at Bentley University to level up:
🔹 EDUCATION: Expert-led sessions on safety, technique, and the "science of the swim" that apply whether you're going 1 mile or 20.
🔹 COMMUNITY: Meet your future support crew, your next training partner, and the coaches who will help you find your edge.
🔹 ADVENTURE: Real talk about the logistics of the wild—from navigating currents to the mental game of the deep.

The water is the great equalizer. Let's swim beyond the breakers together!

🎟 Early Bird tickets are officially live. Secure your spot now: swimbeyondthebreakers.com

04/30/2026

YOUR LAST CHANCE — Prices go up TONIGHT at 12:00 AM EST.
Today is your last chance to lock in pre-sale pricing for Beyond The Breakers 2026. 13+ expert-led sessions, world-class speakers, and Rowdy Gaines on the keynote stage, all at the LOWEST price we'll offer this year.

After tonight, the price goes up and stays there!

Don't wait.
🎟️ swimbeyondthebreakers.com/tickets

Beyond The Breakers continues to be the premier event in the swim industry, uniting experts, professionals, and enthusiasts in open water swimming. This summit promises to be an exciting event, providing a dynamic platform for passionate swimmers, athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to connect a

04/29/2026

Time is of the essence!

Prices go up in a few days!

Swimbeyondthebreakers.com

04/27/2026

ROWDY GAINES is coming to Beyond The Breakers 2026 — and we are absolutely stoked to have him!

Three Olympic gold medals. Ten world records. The voice of swimming for NINE straight Olympic Games on NBC. A man who was told his moment had passed — and proved everyone wrong anyway!

On November 14th, Rowdy Gaines is standing on our stage at Bentley University in Waltham, MA — and if you're a swimmer, a triathlete, or anyone who has ever pushed through something that should have stopped you, you need to be in that room.

This is not a lecture. This is the kind of talk you'll still be thinking about when you're in the water six months later!

Tickets are live. Prices go up this Friday, May 1st. Don't say we didn't warn you. 🎟️

👉 swimbeyondthebreakers.com/tickets

04/25/2026

We're announcing our 2026 keynote speaker this Monday — and we want to have a little fun before we do so! Let's see if you can guess who it is.

Here's the deal:
Tag who you think our 2026 keynote speaker is in the comments before 8am est on Monday, April 27th. The first person to guess correctly wins a Beyond The Breakers shirt and swim cap!

A few hints to get you started:
1. They have deep roots in the swimming world
2. They have a voice you've probably heard before
3. They are an absolute legend in our sport

Think you know? Tag them in the comments below!

Winner will be announced Monday after the big reveal — good luck! 🤙

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No purchase necessary. Open to participants 18+ where not prohibited by law. Enter by tagging your guess in the comments before midnight EST on April 28, 2026. First correct guess wins one Beyond The Breakers shirt and cap (approximate retail value under $100). Winner will be notified via Instagram DM and announced publicly following the keynote reveal on April 28th. Void where prohibited. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram.

04/12/2026

Wicked exciting update getting sent out tomorrow morning. If you aren't on the email list, you will be the last to know! Go sign up now!

Swimbeyondthebreakers.com

Beyond The Breakers continues to be the premier event in the swim industry, uniting experts, professionals, and enthusiasts in open water swimming. This summit promises to be an exciting event, providing a dynamic platform for passionate swimmers, athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to connect a