The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

LYONS FERRY – The sixth annual Swim the Snake event will be held at Lyons Ferry Marina and Lyons Ferry State Park on Aug, 11, beginning at 11 a.m.

In addition to the non-competitive open-water swim, the event will also include a two-stage, competitive (or non-competitive) relay, paddling in a kayak or paddle-board.

Participants will go from Lyons Ferry Marina to Lyons Ferry State Park, across Lake Bryan on the Snake River. Upon arrival at Lyons Ferry State Park, paddlers can enter the water or tag-team with their “paired swimmer” and swim back to Lyons Ferry Marina.

Lyons Ferry Marina Snake River Grill will be offering a special lunch menu for all event participants. Participants may receive a discount for $2.00 off their meal only. Wine and beer are also available for purchase.

Online pre-registration is required. All event information can be found at swimthesnake.org

Cost for the event, which supports the Dayton and Pomeroy Youth Summer Swim Team programs and the Blue Mountain Resource Conservation and Development Council is $30 per participant. The fee includes a commemorative T-shirt (if ordered before July 30), bottle of water, required (returnable) swim cap, chilled melon slices at the end of the event and transportation for swimmers back to the State Park following the swim.

Paddlers can check in at Lyons Ferry Marina and swimmers at Lyons Ferry State Park from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. All participants MUST sign a waiver for release of liability and be in good physical health.

Participants parking at Lyons Ferry State Park are required to have one-day or annual Discover Passes authorizing parking within the State Park. Participants may also call (509) 386-6021 for additional event information.

Coast Guard Kennewick Auxiliary, Columbia and Franklin County Sheriff’s patrols will be on the river with numerous volunteers, Washington State Parks and US Army Corps of Engineers personnel to provide assistance and ensure participant safety.