Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Eight years ago, Rickie Geyer, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. An estimated 70,000 children and adults worldwide have the disease.

Rickie’s father, Ric decided he would not let the disease control his son’s life. In response, he organized an annual 14.2-mile charity swim across Lake St. Clair to raise funds for Rickie’s Medical Trust Fund and the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic at the University of Michigan’s Mott Hospital.

With the support of his fellow swimming friends at the Detroit Athletic Club, Ric and team have raised over US$50,000 in the past seven years.

The 14.2-mile point-to-point cross-lake swim starts at the old club off Harsens Island and finishes at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

This year’s adventure is set for July 30th, rain or shine. Every open water swim has its own set of nautical challenges. “We are hoping to avoid the rain, lightning, and hail that has characterized swims in years prior. With this lake crossing, we’ll voyage as one group, boats idling right besides us as we attempt to stick together and move as one unit,” explains Fares Ksebati.

For more information, visit here (myswimpro.com).

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