A tide of determined swimmers turned out at dawn on July 17, 2010, for the Citizens Bank/Save The Bay Swim, setting a record for the most swimmers to take part in the event in the Swim's 34-year history.

The 6:30 a.m. start was one of the earliest in Swim history. Start times for the 1.7-mile trek are determined by optimum tides. Save The Bay staff and volunteers needed floodlights when they arrived in Newport shortly after 3 a.m. to set up for the event. Many swimmers pulled in before 5 a.m.

"Save The Bay's 40th Anniversary theme is Strength in Numbers," said Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone. "We certainly have shown today in record numbers the strength that drives the Swim and makes possible so many important things Save The Bay accomplishes. We are extremely grateful for this tremendous and spirited show of support. Together we're making the Bay cleaner, safer and more resilient.

Swimmers ranging in age from 15 to 74 hailed from 18 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Swimmers Paul Marion, 74, of Chatham Borough, N.J., and Ira Wolfe, 67, of Guttenberg, N.J., were honored for completing their 30th Save The Bay Swims.

Stone thanked the swimmers, their support teams and their families for helping make this year's Swim another success. He thanked the more than 100 volunteers who donate their time and energy to the Swim, as well as lead sponsor Citizens Bank, along with Amica Mutual Insurance, South County Orthopedics Center, Phoenix Bulk Carriers, REI, Helly Hansen, APC by Schneider Electric and Eident Sports Marketing.