They’re making a splash for a great cause. 

Swim Across America, which has raised $14 million in Nassau and Suffolk counties since 2001, makes its annual return to the North Shore this weekend, as a few hundred locals will plunge into the water to raise money for Long Island-area cancer research. 

This year’s event will see well-prepared islanders dive into the LI Sound on Saturday with half-mile, 1-mile, 2-mile and 5K distances at Prybil Beach in Glen Cove. 

8 A group of swimmers entering water this for Swim Across America. Doug Abdelnour/BEDFORD PHOTO-GRAPHIC

8 Swimmers gather for the Long Island Swim Across America event. Doug Abdelnour/BEDFORD PHOTO-GRAPHIC

Swim for America will continue Sunday in the waters of Cold Spring Harbor for a 10K (6.2 miles) swim. 

“We’ve swam almost 8,000 yards to get ready for this a few weeks ago,” 69-year-old Steve Chestler of Woodbury told The Post of Sunday’s big one. 

“We’ve probably been training for this for at least 10 weeks … two or three times a week, everybody was getting over 5,000 yards.” 

8 A group of swimmers competing in a number of races in the Long Island Sound for Swim Across America. Jenifer Howard for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

8 Map of the various courses for Swim Across America on Long Island. Jenifer Howard for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

Chestler, who has individually raised more than $110,000, proudly represents the nearly 100-person strong Team Carolyn, named for his late wife, whom he lost to adenocarcinoma in 2021. 

“My kids and I thought that would be the right thing to do,” Chestler said of his wife, who loved the water and even swam the English Channel. 

“It brings everybody together with a common enemy in cancer. Everybody rallies to do their best,” the team captain added. 

8 Carolyn Chestler, namesake of Team Carolyn for Swim Across America. Courtesy of Steve Chestler

8 Two swimmers jump into the Long Island Sound. Jenifer Howard for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

Recruiting donations and financial pledges for miles to be swum also came shockingly easy for teammates, according to Chestler. 

“We had a lot of people in there that was so worried about raising the amount of money. … They called me up and said, ‘Steve. I can’t believe I did it so easily.’ ” 

8 A big group of swimmers ahead of the races. Jenifer Howard for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

8 Swimmers jumping into the Long Island Sound for Swim Across America. Jenifer Howard for Swim Across America – Long Island Sound

Team Carolyn alone has raised $215,583 so far — 86 percent of its goal. 

“Everybody is definitely affected by this horrific disease — and we want to try and cure it,” Chestler said.