Swimming for a First: The Backwards Boston Light Fundraiser
The Challenge:
On July 20, 2026, local swim instructor and endurance athlete Adina O’Neill is attempting to make history. She will be the first person to tackle the Boston Light Swim, the oldest marathon swim in the U.S., entirely on her back. To make this “epic backstroke attempt” even more fitting, she is reversing the traditional route, swimming 8 miles from South Boston out to the Boston Lighthouse.
The swim will be observed by the Massachusetts Open Water Swimming Association (MOWSA). Adina will follow strict marathon swimming protocols including:
- No wetsuit (standard swimsuit only)
- No contact with the support boat or other people
- No use of music players while in the water
The Mission
Turning Laps into Lessons Adina believes that the water is a place of magic and healing, but for many, it remains out of reach.
As an instructor at the Stoughton YMCA, she sees firsthand the courage it takes for adults to face their fears, from a 70-year-old learning to float to a mother finally joining her children in the water on vacation.
Your Impact
We believe everyone deserves to find their "magic" in the water.
All funds raised through this solo swim will go directly toward scholarships for adult learn-to-swim participants who cannot afford private lessons.
Donation Levels
- Dolphin: $315 Funds a 5 pack of lessons to build life-saving confidence.
- Otter: $65 Provides a single introductory lesson for a fearful adult
- Fish: Any contribution helps us remove the financial barrier to water safety for our neighbors.
Meet Coach Adina O’Neill
Adina is the founder and head joy coach at Team B*REAL, an endurance sport community for athletes of any size, color, identity, age & ability. Team B*REAL provides swim and triathlon coaching, group workshops, and online courses for athletes at every stage of their fitness journey. Adina and her team focus on building a supportive, judgment-free community where clients feel empowered to try new things, dream bigger, and achieve more than they ever imagined.
Adina is the author of Forward Is A Pace, is certified through US Masters Swimming, World Open Water Swimming Association, USA Triathlon, IRONMAN, Women Are Not Small Men, and is a volunteer coach for Special Olympics MA. She specializes in coaching women through the menopause transition, swimmers exploring new distances and triathletes looking to improve swim technique and efficiency.
Adina swims year-round at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA where she began her triathlon journey and has prepared for multiple ice and marathon swims. Her favorite endurance memories include the Paris Marathon, Ironman Mont Tremblant, the 200m free in frozen Lake Memphremagog, and back-to-back 10Ks at Swim to the Moon. Adina enjoys traveling, eating cereal, listening to live music with her husband, and spending time with her 2 adult children and their yellow lab Mel.