Hello Dorset Dolphins, 

For the last 9 years, our swim team has developed a popular tradition of holding an annual giving back event to raise money for Hydrocephalus called the Dolphin Dash. This year's event will be held on Friday, June 6th during regular practice time: 8:30am-12pm. 

What is the Dolphin Dash? Dolphin Dash is open to all our swimmers and swim friends to swim as many laps as they can for as long as they can to raise money for Hydrocephalus research. You can even swim w/us virtually! Dolphin Dash was founded by the Beck family nine years ago in order to spread awareness and engage our community in Hydrocephalus research. 

"Our 14-year-old daughter Lilly developed Hydrocephalus as a result of premature birth. To date she has undergone 10 brain surgeries. We began fundraising for the Hydrocephalus Association the year after Lilly was born by participating in the Hydrocephalus Association annual walks. These walks were held in Lawrenceville, GA and we wanted to have something closer to share w/our support community. The Dolphin Dash was inspired by and is held in partnership w/Team Hydro (teamhydro.org [teamhydro.org]) who swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco and in Boston Harbor to raise funds for Hydrocephalus research. Through this partnership we are able to direct 100% of funds raised to research! During the past nine years we have raised over $70,000 for research and this year, we are hoping to add to that number!" 

That sounds a lot like another event which rhymes with triathl-on, why don’t you just call it a $w!m@th-on?! The USA Swim Association collects a 10% fee from events that end w/”thon.” We didn’t want there to be any confusion. This is not a $w!m@th-on! 

Ok. I’d like to participate, but…. My child is new to a swim team and can only doggy paddle… We love dogs and doggy paddlers, jump on in! 

I don’t think my child can swim that many laps in a row w/o taking a breather. Can I get in and out? Definitely. Just please use the same lane when you get back in so that you get credit for all laps swam. 

I think I am almost ready to sign up, but I’m nervous about being timed. Relax! We will only count total laps to see how far our team swims together! 

I don’t know how to fundraise. Should I ask for donations per lap? You can ask for donations per lap, but we welcome donations of any amount that encourage our swimmers to swim for as long and as far as they can. Ask your neighbors for a few dollars, hold a lemonade stand, do some extra chores, call Grandma and tell her that you’re helping kids have less brain surgeries! Just think of any funds you raise as a sponsorship, regardless of how many laps you swim, b/c hey let’s face it, raising money for research is awesome in its own right! 

Fine, I am ready to sign my name on the dotted line, how do I register? Just show up for your regular practice time and the coaches will guide you from there. Registration is free, but all donations are welcome and encouraged. They can be made via the link below or we will also accept cash/check during the day of the event. Please make checks payable to Team Hydro. We also accept Venmo @Anna-Beck-3. 

All donations are tax-deductible, and we will be happy to provide a tax receipt for any off-line donations of $50 or more. 

Oh no, I am out of town but want to support the cause. Can I just make a donation? Yes! Go to: Dolphin Dash - 2025 - Campaign 

P.S. If you're a former swimmer or a family friend, you're welcome to join the fun. Check in w/a lap counter when you get there and hop on in.