Swim Across America begins its season of summer events June 25 with an open-water swim clinic coached by former Olympic bronze medalist Susan Williams.

The Open Water Swim to Fight Cancer Clinic is just the first of a series of events the organization will be hosting as part of its fight against cancer. The clinic begins at 4:30 p.m. at Chatfield Gravel Ponds, at Chatfield State Park, 11500 N Roxborough Park Road in Littleton.

Swim Across America is a national organization with local affiliates across the country to help fight cancer at home, so cancer patients can stay close to home for treatment rather than have to travel great distances.

“We’re trying to make waves in the fight against pediatric cancer in Colorado,” said event coordinator Nicole Vanderpoel, “and by participating in the open-water clinic you’re supporting that goal. We feel it’s important to help participants feel better about swimming in open water and this is a fun effective way to help because the most important thing about Swim Across America is to have a safe, fun experience and that’s truly what we want.”

There are 18 individual Swim Across America events in the country. The SAA Denver chapter’s main event will be Aug. 26 at the Chatfield Reservoir.

Registration for the open water clinic June 25 is $30 and begins at 4:30 p.m. Kids over the age of 12 are allowed to join and kids under 12 are asked to email Vanderpoel to gauge their openness to open water swimming. Lifeguards will be on duty for the clinic. You can register online at www.SwimAcrossAmerica.org/DenverOpenWaterClinic.

Vanderpoel said the clinic will help ease swimmers’ minds to swimming in open water.

Williams, of Littleton, will be leading the clinic. She became the first American medalist in the triathlon when she earned bronze at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

On August 25, Missy Franklin will be speaking at a VIP dinner at Cherry Hills Country Club. The event will be from 4:30 to 8 p.m.