Courtesy of Jim Dreyer, Michigan.

A race limited to 400 athletes to attempt an unprecedented swim between Michigan’s peninsulas across the Straits of Mackinac on August 11th 2019 is being organized by Jim Dreyer, Executive Director of the Mighty Mac Swim.

Dreyer, himself a veteran of multiple Straits of Mackinac crossings, stated the significance of 400 swimmers crossing the Straits en masse. “It was the Mighty Mac Swim which opened swimming the Straits of Mackinac to public participation back in 2007. At that time, we could not find more than 20 documented swims across the Straits. Then in our first event, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge, 50 crossed in a single day. In 2019, 400 Mighty Mac swimmers will once again pioneer its waters and become part of Straits-swimming lore.”

In recent years, the Mighty Mac Swim set its limit at 84 swimmers, but adding a 500-passenger ferry to the Mighty Mac Swim fleet prompted Dreyer to open the swim to the masses. “We will always have a safety fleet with the capacity to hold all of our swimmers. Once open to only a select few, working with Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry now allows us to safely open a challenging open water venue to the multitudes who venture for a true ‘bucket list’ experience.

The event is held as a competition, but whether or not you wish to race, everyone who meets the challenge of swimming across the Straits of Mackinac is indeed a champion. Furthermore, this epic swim follows the iconic Mackinac Bridge and the beauty of the area is stunning, making for an awe-inspiring experience.”

For more information on the Mighty Mac Swim, visit www.MightyMacSwim.com.

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