Registration for 2019 Islesboro Crossing for LifeFlight opens Feb. 15

Tue, 02/12/2019 - 9:00pm

The Islesboro Crossing open water swim isn’t a typical fundraiser: dinner overlooking Penobscot Bay the night before; an early morning swim with the pink sunrise still lingering behind picturesque Islesboro; homemade breakfast and helicopter tours at the finish; and a sense of accomplishment that will last long after Maine’s fleeting summer.

Registration for this year’s event opens on Friday, February 15, at 8 a.m. and accepts a limited number of participants. Read on to discover the five most talked about things that make the Islesboro Crossing special.

  1. Inspirational helicopter escort

This unique open water event, scheduled for Sunday, August 18, starts on the beach at Point Lookout Resort in Northport and finishes just over 3 miles away on the island of Islesboro. It’s a fundraiser for LifeFlight of Maine, the state’s only emergency medical helicopter service. As a way to thank participants for their support, one of the organization’s three helicopters often makes a special appearance as the swimmers and paddlers make their way across the bay (provided one is available and not busy helping a patient in need), making several passes overhead before landing on the island. Maine offers millions of acres of forests and farmland, thousands of miles of rocky coastline, bucolic villages, natural beauty, and small, tight-knit communities. But the time and distance to specialized medical care is formidable – especially in an emergency in rural parts of our state. The Crossing illustrates the challenges inherent in providing medical support to those living, working and recreating in remote or wilderness areas.

  1. Birds eye view of the course

The evening before the swim, athletes and volunteers gather at Point Lookout for dinner and a mandatory safety meeting. From the front lawn, participants have the perfect vantage point overlooking the bay and the stretch of ocean they will be crossing the next morning.

  1. Hugs from nurses, medics and pilots in green flight suits

Although some of the swimmers will be keeping track of how long it takes them to cross the bay, the Islesboro Crossing isn’t a race. It’s an event focused on personal challenge and the spirit of community as people come together in support of a good cause. After the helicopter flies over the swim, the crew lands at the finish to congratulate the swimmers and share stories that illustrate the critical role LifeFlight plays in emergency medical healthcare across the state. The reasons that compel our swimmers, paddlers and volunteers to get involved are as varied as the people themselves, but the folks at LifeFlight are grateful for each and every one of them. All funds raised will help LifeFlight purchase two new helicopters to replace the oldest models, nicknamed Echo Mike and Charlie Mike, which have been transporting patients since 2004. The new aircraft will provide the next generation of safe, reliable helicopters for the people of Maine.

  1. Authentic Maine island community welcome

Most of Maine’s island communities are remote, small and tight-knit, and Islesboro is no exception. Every year, the people of this unique place welcome Islesboro Crossing participants with open arms and delicious homemade food. Dozens of residents volunteer to make muffins and pastries, purchase fruit and drinks, and brew fresh coffee for the swimmers and paddlers as they emerge from the cold ocean in a steady triumphant stream. Bells ring, hands clap, and voices are cheering as the convivial crowd gives high fives and drapes warm towels over the swimmers.

  1. Opportunity to swim across West Penobscot Bay while supporting a worthy cause

The 3-mile swim across the bay is LifeFlight’s biggest annual fundraiser, with last year’s event bringing in more than $520,000 to support Maine’s critical care air ambulance. The popular event only permits a limited number of swimmers, and spots fill up quickly. There is a $75 registration fee, and a $175 minimum fundraising commitment. To register for the event, as a swimmer or as a volunteer, visit www.islesborocrossing.org.

Every year, LifeFlight helps more and more critically ill and injured residents and visitors to Maine regardless of their ability to pay. Last year, the flight crew treated more than 2,000 patients using the organization’s three helicopters, airplane and ground ambulance. Nearly 26,000 patients have been transported since operations began in 1998. The nonprofit, statewide emergency medical helicopter service is a lifeline for Maine’s communities, and it relies on private donations from individuals, businesses and foundations to stay in the air.

Visit islesborocrossing.org to learn about available sponsorship opportunities or to sign up as a volunteer. If you’d like to join us on the day of the event, you can register to volunteer or hop on the ferry in Lincolnville, head for Islesboro and help welcome the swimmers across the finish line.

LifeFlight of Maine is a nonprofit air medical and critical care transport organization. LifeFlight brings lifesaving critical care staff and equipment directly to the patient by helicopter, airplane and ground ambulance. It also provides advanced emergency medical training to Maine’s hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS) and public safety agencies. Overseen by 25 physicians, LifeFlight cared for more than 2,000 critically ill and injured patients last year. Since its inception in 1998, LifeFlight has transported nearly 26,000 patients from every hospital and nearly all of Maine’s communities and islands. If you would like to learn more about LifeFlight, please visit the website www.lifeflightmaine.org or call 207-230-7092.