Bay swim serves as Alzheimer’s benefit

A Harborfields High School teacher will lead a team of swimmers across Northport Bay to benefit the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

Physical education teacher Bryan Proctor, 27, of Northport, is leading a team of 32 swimmers, kayakers and lifeguards in the July 28 Distant Memories Swim to raise money for the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

This year, Proctor’s team is swimming in memory of longtime Long Island lifeguard Harold Charles “Hal” Daly.

Proctor first participated in the Distant Memories Swim in 2003 in honor of his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s disease. In the years since, he said, he and his teammates have raised more than $63,000 in sponsorships and donations.

Opening ceremonies at this year’s Distant Memories Swim begin at 9 a.m. at Asharoken Beach, and the swim starts at 10 a.m. It ends four miles away at Knollwood Beach in Huntington. Proctor’s team has a goal of raising $15,000. For more information, visit memoryswim.org.

Above, Bryan Proctor participates in last year's Distant Memories Swim.