Virginia Beach's Openwater Swimming Community

For some residents of Hampton Roads, open water swimming offers a way to exercise, but for Elizabeth Moore, it offers a challenge and a sense of community. As a college student, Moore is constantly packing up her life for the next opportunity and having a common bond, such as open water swimming allows her to move places with pre-existing connections.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, prepares her goggles prior to racing in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, and her friend Sam Hawke, right, survey the surf before wading in to warm up on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Moore and Hawke were competing in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race from 17th Street to the end of the boardwalk at 42nd Street.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, applies sunscreen before racing in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, and her friend Sam Hawke, left, chat before completing the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, center in green cap and black swim suit, races in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, races out of the water to finish the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, races out of the water to finish the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Elizabeth Moore, a Virginian-Pilot business intern, flicks her hair, attempting to dry it out, after racing in the Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association Ocean Swim Series three kilometer race on Sunday, July 11, 2021.