GRAND HAVEN, Mich. — An ultra swimmer is embarking on a new attempt to cross Lake Michigan from Michigan to Wisconsin, just weeks after a GPS mishap interrupted his previous journey after 60 miles.
Jim Dreyer set off around 6 p.m. on Monday from Grand Haven, aiming to swim at least 80 miles to Milwaukee. The daunting journey is expected to take over 72 hours without sleep.
At 61, Dreyer is towing a small inflatable boat filled with essential supplies.
“Sorry for the last-minute notice, but chaos is often part of this open water swimming game,” Dreyer noted before his departure. His progress can be monitored through online updates.
Known as "The Shark," Dreyer successfully crossed Lake Michigan in 1998, starting in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and finishing in Ludington, Michigan. However, he has faced challenges in three subsequent attempts since 2023.
His latest endeavor began on August 6. The following day, he temporarily halted his swim to purchase fresh batteries for his GPS device, which he accidentally lost in the lake. Left with only a compass, he attempted to navigate west but ended up swimming north, wasting valuable time as inclement weather loomed. His support crew ultimately pulled him out of the water on August 8.
“What a blow!” Dreyer expressed regarding the setback.
