Annual Labor Day Pier Swim
The Oceanside Pier Swim is an annual one mile swim that begins and ends on the beach, traversing around the Oceanside Pier.
The Labor Day Pier Swim began in 1929 and has continued each year since then. However, the main focal point of the swim, the pier, has changed immensely in those years. The pier that swimmers swam around in 1929 was the fourth pier to be built and the first one to extend to the present 1,900 feet into the ocean, and was located where the present day pier stands. This pier was damaged by a terrible storm in 1942 which led to the creation of the fifth pier. The sixth pier, which still stands today, was finished in 1987. Presently, when one swims around the pier it is not uncommon to see the history of the old pier layering the ground on the North side of the pier.
The Pier Swim opens with swimmers diving into the surf, circles one mile around the pier and ultimately ends with swimmers riding waves onto the beach and dashing towards a finish line on the sand. Not much has changed in the years since it began, it is still an excuse to gather some of the most hardcore swimmers in the country, and even Canada, together to compete. The Pier Swim has transferred from being a fundraiser for the City of Oceanside itself to being the main fundraiser for the Oceanside Swim Club. A non-profit organization and competitive swim team for children 5-18 years of age. The Pier Swim allows children over 12 to participate and has swimmers in their twilight years, 70s and 80s. The mile can be enjoyed by all and is dreaded by others coerced into doing it with friends. However, one thing is true, after one time it is hard to stay away from the friendly competition that the Pier Swim brings annually to Oceanside’s shores.
