Athletes were in Long Branch over the weekend trying to prove they have what it takes to swim alongside a group of Navy SEALs.

Saturday was the first of two tryouts for the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim.

Would-be swimmers were attempting to qualify to participate in the Aug. 7 swim, when a team of Navy SEALs will be joined by fellow veterans, first responders and others in a swim across the Hudson to lower Manhattan.

"In the military, one of the things we do is we salute our fallen by doing exercises," says Navy Seal Bill Brown. "Then the next thing is to do the test swim to make sure they are competent and ready to go in the water with us."

The swim is a fundraiser for veterans and first responders affected by the pandemic