Join us for the inaugural 2026 Little Red Lite Swim on
Saturday, August 22!
To register click on this orange link or use QR code below
Volunteer at this link to support to swim on land at the start of finish, or on the water as a swim angel, kayaker, or lifeguard.
Inspired by the spirit of the classic Little Red Lighthouse 10K marathon swim, a beloved event once hosted by NYC Swim, the inaugural Little Red Lite Swim offers a new opportunity to experience Manhattan’s iconic open-water scene.
This shorter, current-assisted swim follows a beautiful 6.4 km / 4 mi route along one of the most scenic stretches of the Hudson River. The swim begins at Inwood Canoe Club, just south of Dyckman Street in Manhattan, and finishes at the Baylander, a former U.S. Navy vessel now docked at the West Harlem Piers near 125th Street and converted into a relaxed floating bar and restaurant.
Along the way, swimmers will cruise downriver along the Manhattan shoreline, passing under the George Washington Bridge and by the Little Red Lighthouse, Riverbank State Park, and the Hudson River Greenway before finishing at the Baylander.
The Little Red Lite Swim is a non-competitive, non-timed event designed for swimmers who may not be ready for a marathon-distance swim but still want the thrill of swimming in the beautiful Hudson River.
Map of the swim course. Swimmers will travel south along the Manhattan shoreline from Inwood Canoe Club to the Baylander at 125th Street, with support from safety kayakers, swim angels, lifeguards, and event staff.
The Little Red Lite Swim offers participants a fun, well-supported opportunity to swim a classic Hudson River course, celebrate public access to New York City’s waterways, and enjoy a landmark-filled route through northern Manhattan.
Event Details
Start Location: Inwood Canoe Club, 360 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034, to the
Finish Location: Baylander, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY 10027
Date/Time: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 9:00 AM check-in, 10:30 AM splash
Distance: 6.4 km / 4 mi
Time limit: 2 hours
Early Bird Cost (until Aug 7 11:59 PM ): $140 for ages 25 and over, $100 for ages 13-24
Late Bird Cost (Aug 7 11:59 PM to Aug 19 @11:59 PM): $200 for ages 25 and over, $150 for ages 13-24
Maximum number of participants: 200
Entries Close: Thursday August 19 at 11:59 PM
Entry fee includes: swim entry for one swimmer, t-shirt, swim cap, 1 complementary drink ticket at the Baylander
Age limit: 13 and over
Requirements: All participants are required to wear a swim buoy at all times while in the water. Swimmers must bring their own swim buoy.
Refund policy: Entries are non-refundable.
Logistics & Amenities
Start details: Swimmers enter from the kayak dock at Inwood Canoe Club in waves of 10-20 swimmers every five minutes. Slower swimmers will start in early waves and faster swimmers in later waves to keep the field compressed.
Course Description: Swimmers head west briefly, round a start buoy, then swim south along the eastern Hudson shore for 4 mi with the escort of safety boats with lifeguards, kayakers, and swim angels.
Finish details: Swimmers will travel slightly past the Baylander marked by a colored buoy. They will make a hard left to on the south side of the vessel and exit the water by climbing seven rungs of a vertical ladder on the barge adjacent the Baylander (see photo above).
The current assists at ~1.5 mph; swim angels and safety repositioning may be used as needed.
Refreshments: Water and gatorade will be provided before and after the swim, but please bring your own reusable water bottle if you can! Each swimmer gets a completmentary drink ticket at the Baylander. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the Baylander post-race.
Water Temperature: 72–80 °F
Categories: Untimed / Non‑competitive
Bag Check: Bring a small, waterproof bag with minimal belongings. Bags will be transported by boat to the finish and can be picked up at Baylander.
Getting There & Parking
By Public Transport: Take the subway to Dyckman Street (A train or 1 train) or bus (Bx7 to Broadway/Dyckman Street) → walk to Inwood Canoe Club
By Car: Taxi or rideshare to Inwood Canoe Club, 360 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10034. Parking may be limited at both start and finish.
Contact & Final Info
Questions: email paula@nyopenwater.org
Final event details emailed to registered swimmers prior to race day
Event Day Schedule
9:00: Swimmer & bag check‑in opens
10:00: Check‑in & bag check close
10:00: Safety briefing
10:20: Line‑up begins
10:30: Wave 1 start (subsequent waves every 5 min until 11:15 AM)
12:00 PM: First finishers arrive at Baylander
1:00 PM: Last finishers arrive; course closes
12:00 PM onward: Refreshments available for purchase on The Baylander – swimmers are welcome to stay as long as you like!
