The River Pool is securely installed for summer 2021 off the north shore of Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, in Beacon, NY. Pool hours are planned for Tuesday-Sunday, 12-6 pm, July-Labor Day, weather permitting. Lifeguards are always present when the pool is open. Visitors are advised to check riverpool.org to confirm hours. The late Pete Seeger, a founding member of the organization, believed that river stewardship begins with being on, near, and in the river.
In offering a safe place to swim, the rainbow colored floating River Pool, presents just such opportunities. Its mission is to provide safe access to the Hudson River; to educate the general public about the importance of continuing to preserve and clean the Hudson River; to promote swimming as a fun, healthful fitness activity in a natural environment; and to demonstrate to other communities the viability of floating pools. The twofold joy of the pool--allowing its users to enjoy a cool river swim on a hot summer day while carrying forward Pete’s legacy--has been experienced by its wide community of supporters and users:
About 13,000 people have swum in the floating pool during the past 14 years. Volunteers install the pool each June and take it out of the river in September.
This very special community asset is made possible in large part by the swimmers, kayak escorts, and volunteers who participate in The Annual Great Newburgh to Beacon Hudson River Swim. The 2021 swim, the 17th cross-river swim, takes place on Saturday, July 24 (rain date July 25). Advance registration is required for the swim where 100 or more swimmers are expected to splash-in from Newburgh at approximately 8:50 a.m. Contributions raised by swimmers are used to maintain and operate the pool, free to all visitors (seasonal costs average $40,000.) Each swimmer raises a minimum $100 of sponsorship donations in addition to the registration fee of $75 for adults and $25 for minors that covers the cost of the fundraising swim. Volunteer kayak escorts guide the swimmers across the Hudson River to provide a safe environment for registered participants. The organization coordinates with the US Coast Guard and Dutchess and Orange County Sheriffs’ vessels, additional marine support, and qualified jet skiers aid in halting river traffic and provide safe passage for the registered swimmers. Mobile Life Support Services and Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be available on Newburgh and Beacon shores. Registration for the swim is open at www.riverpool.org.
River Pool at Beacon Inc. is a not-for-profit 501c3. For additional information about the pool, the swim, volunteering on shore, as a kayak escort, other organization volunteer opportunities, and all up-to-date Covid protocols, or to make a donation: go to www.riverpool.org.