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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 4, 2007)

Dreyer's Dire Straits
Jim Dreyer Attempts to Swim 50 Miles Crossing the Straits of Mackinac
 

(St. Ignace, Michigan)  Great Lakes Swimmer Jim Dreyer announced today his plans to swim 50 miles crossing the Straits of Mackinac, in celebration of the Mackinac Bridge’s 50th anniversary. It will take 12 consecutive crossings of the often-turbulent straits that connect lakes Michigan and Huron to log that distance. If successful, he will break the distance record he set for the Straits of Mackinac in 2006 when he swam 40 miles. Dreyer plans to begin and finish his quest at the foot of the Mackinac Bridge in Mackinaw City, Michigan, during the most favorable projected period of weather between September 5th and the 9th. Dreyer’s website (www.SwimJimSwim.org) will announce the starting date and time once it is known.

Dreyer’s personal contribution to the Mackinac Bridge’s 50th anniversary celebration, entitled the Mighty Mac 50/50, will have him swimming in the shadow of the famous landmark completed in 1957 to span the Straits of Mackinac, and connect Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. His swim comes on the heels of yesterday’s historic Mighty Mac 50th Anniversary Swim. In that event, Dreyer assembled a team of 50 swimmers to celebrate the Bridge’s golden anniversary by swimming across the 4-mile Straits of Mackinac, in conjunction with the annual Labor Day Bridge Run & Walk. Both events are fundraisers for Mentor Michigan, an umbrella organization to further the mission of nearly 200 member youth-mentoring organizations across the state of Michigan.

“A lot of history is being attempted in celebration of this 50th milestone for the engineering marvel that is the Mackinac Bridge,” Dreyer said. “Prior to 50 swimmers entering the water all at once on Labor Day, there had not been 50 swimmers in history who have crossed the Straits of Mackinac … and of course, no one has ever swum 50 miles here in these currents, as I hope to do.” Dreyer added, “While it’s a thrill to capture a moment in time and be a part of history, the best part is that it is the kids who will lead us for the next 50 years that are really benefiting from all of this!”

Drawing from the experience of last summer’s 40-mile / 50-hour record swim in these straits , Dreyer is mindful that the ever-changing intensity of the cross currents can become overwhelming. After battling a current that was much more powerful than expected for 50 hours, he found himself hospitalized. “I was having heart issues triggered by nutritional miscalculations, I was hypothermic, and I really did a number on my left shoulder. While I believe I will be successful in this attempt to swim 50 miles, I may be a little more relaxed with my ‘never quit’ mantra this one time if the currents get as dangerous as they were last year. I have too much at stake with my Swim to the Seaway event coming up next year.”

In April, Dreyer announced that starting in June of 2008 he will attempt to swim the entire 1300-mile length of the Great Lakes basin between Duluth, Minnesota and Cape Vincent, New York. He will be self-sufficient in his quest, towing the weight of his supplies on a journey estimated to take four months. Swim to the Seaway is planned to be the subject of a documentary film or multi-part mini series.

Contributions to support Mentor Michigan in honor of Jim Dreyer’s Mighty Mac 50/50 may be made online at Dreyer’s website (www.SwimJimSwim.org).
 


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