Swimmers take to the water for the Y’s “Point to Point Swim” on Sunday morning at Compo Beach. / Photos by Jarret Liotta
Y Aquatic Director Josephine Rojas gives last-minute directions to swimmers in one of the Point to Point heats.

By Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — Nearly 100 swimmers turned out at Compo Beach Sunday morning for friendly competition and charitable contributions.

The Westport Weston Family YMCA hosted its 43rd annual Point to Point Compo Beach Swim, raising funds for aquatic safety and scholarships.

“It is a charity swim and the funds go toward water safety and subsidizing swim lessons [for] those in need,” explained Maria Chatman, Y chief operations officer, with life-saving techniques also taught to adults with some of the funding.

Four tiers of swimmers took part in the one-mile Point to Point circuit around the east beach, including beginner, intermediate and advanced groups, as well as a special- needs heat for the first time assisted by My Team Triumph volunteers.

Above: Robert Goodman of Scarsdale, N.Y., has participated in Point to Point swims since 2009.

Left: First-place winner Ashley Honey of Greenwich takes a breath after finishing the one-mile heat in 18:47. / Photos by Jarret Liotta

“It’s an amazing community event,” noted Anjali McCormick, the Westport Weston Family YMCA’s CEO. “The Y is all about community.”

Check the Westport Weston Family YMCA website for more information about the organization.

Swimmers head to the Compo starting line. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Second-place finisher Josh Glantz, left, of Scarsdale, N.Y., with a time of 19:02, is followed closely by third-place finisher Alex Shakibnia of Westport, who completed the mile in 19:10.
Sandy Brink of Westport, right, helps Cindy Keane of Bethel with her suit. / Photos by Jarret Liotta
Members of the My Team Triumph of special-needs swimmers ready to roll. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Anjali McCormick, Y CEO, at left, explains the mile-long course to Joan Lanius-Nichol of Wilton.
Derek Yach of Fairfield plans to swim a meet in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, next Saturday. / Photos by Jarret Liotta
Swimmers in the Point to Point intermediate heat heading to the water. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Maria Chatman, Westport Weston Family YMCA chief operations officer, prepares to take part in Sunday’s Point to Point mile-long swim. / Photo by Jarret Liotta