Jim Dreyer will make a second attempt to become the first person to swim 82.5 miles across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Grand Haven, Michigan. 60-year-old adventurer will set off at 4:00 pm on Labor Day, September 4th.
By himself.
Out of eyesight of anyone.
Out of eyesight of the shore.
Without an escort boat.
Without an escort crew.
For up to an estimated 72 hours, alone.
Lake Michigan – The Silver Sequel marks the 25th anniversary of Dreyer’s first swim across Lake Michigan between Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan in 1998. 25 years later, Dreyer hopes plans to swim 25 miles further – and alone – in his second crossing of Lake Michigan.
Dreyer tried a previous attempt on August 1st that was aborted 10 miles east of Milwaukee due to worsening lake conditions. “I am not good at walking away from a goal before achieving it,” Dreyer said.
“While the safety net of having my professional support team with me on the water is definitely preferred, there are times, in certain conditions, where I stand a better chance on beating the elements alone without concerns related to the escort boat. There is only time for one more attempt this summer, and I do not want to risk the chance of what occurred last time happening again.
I’ve been in this position before. Swimming self-sufficiently, pulling the weight of my supplies and doing my own navigating, is how I was finally successful in swimming nearly 60 miles across Lake Superior in 2005.
While it is hard to imagine facing worst conditions than I did on Superior, this Lake Michigan swim will be more than 20 or 30 miles further, depending on currents. I cannot minimize the fact that this will be my longest swim ever. It could easily be over 90 miles and could even take 72 hours.”
Dreyer will pull a 10-foot dinghy from his waist to carry his supplies, weighing approximately 225 pounds. He will follow his GPS equipment to find his way across the lake to Michigan.
“Swimming self-sufficiently is a different type of quest than an escorted swim,” Dreyer said. “I have teamed up with Vuzix Smart Swim so I will be able to view my course and current location in a display right on my goggles. This cutting-edge technology is huge for navigating alone when shore is not visible in any direction for such a long period of time. I wish Smart Swim existed when I swam solo across Lake Superior.
Since I am alone, I will filter my own water and it is expected that I will lean over the side of the dinghy to feed myself, charge and change batteries, bail water, etc. However, I will not get in the dinghy to sleep. Sleeping would make it a stage swim. This event will be continuous as well as self-sufficient. If I were to camp out in the dinghy, it would be obvious on my tracking device.
Due to pulling the weight of my supplies, I will wear hand paddles to increase the surface area of my hands and get more traction by pulling more water with each stroke. This takes more energy, but I believe it will be worth it, especially if I am pulling weight against the current. I will need to power through it, and I have trained to be strong enough to do it for a long time.”
Dreyer emphasizes that he has taken all reasonable precautions. “I am well trained for this and have calculated my risks. I want to inspire others that one can control fear and achieve extraordinary goals through perseverance and fortitude. I do not want to encourage recklessness.
In an emergency, I could get in the dinghy and end the swim. I can send messages via satellite through my tracking device to my support team on both shores. They will have rescue boats ready, and my dinghy is equipped to show up on radar. Even though I am alone, my team will still play an invaluable role when it comes to safety. I will not tie up U.S. Coast Guard assets to rescue me.”
I can also self-rescue by rowing the dinghy. I will have oars along that could be used in an emergency. The oars will be bound together with a seal, and inspected before and after the swim to prove whether or not they were used.”
The swim benefits the Grand Haven Chapter and Western Lake Michigan (Milwaukee) Chapter of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Chief Petty Officers Association, supporting Lake Michigan Guardians, their families, and communities on both shores.
To track Dreyer’s progress across Lake Michigan in real time and to make tax-deductible donations to the USCG Chief Petty Officers Association, go online to www.JimTheSharkDreyer.com.
Photos courtesy of Jack McLain and Becky Dear.
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