straits of mackinac

Yes. Exactly from the Bridge View park in St. Ignace to the lighthouse park in Mackinaw City (with subtle degrees of difference). We all agreed we would attempt to cross under the bridge with the eastward current somewhere in the shipping lane. The first swimmer out swam a perfect line, crossing under the bridge just after the shipping lane and hugging the bridge all the way to the lighthouse park. The last swimmer out crossed under at the start of the ship lane and, doing too much savoring of the moment, got pushed pretty far east, maybe 1/4 or 1/2 mile and then swam against current back to the lighthouse park. One swimmer went maybe 1/4 to 1/2 mile west to start her swim and then claims she was pushed much of the way to the finish. True about the fun. As soon as we took our first strokes, we knew the water was warm enough to stay all day, so currents, wakes and waves were really exhilarating and made the swim feel like it went by too fast. We would love to try again on a calm cold water day to experience that as well. It would be a more frantic swim, I'm sure, as some of us might be racing against the fear of hypothermia. Anyhow, love to talk about it now that we've done it. Deep down, I'm a shameless self-promoter too if given half a chance.

we went from the NW corner to the SE corner. So from the Bridge View park in St. Ignace to the lighthouse park in Mackinaw City, approximately? Where did you cross under the bridge? Did currents push you much? I'd love to hear more details about the swim! Sounds like fun. I was up there the weekend of July 4 and the water was still cold then. I tried swimming in Lake Huron, but it was just too cold. The water must have really warmed up during July.

Wow! that sounds really wonderful! I crossed over the bridge on July 29 on my way to the Negaunee-Ishpeming teal lake swim. The water in the straits looked so gorgeous, I thought about just swimming accross. I've never seen it look quite so nice there. A swimming buddy and i would really like to do this sometime. I have a bunch questions. How fast are you guys? How fast could your slowest swimmer do 5 or so miles in a row? How much did this cost? How much would it cost if you got there and you cancelled? (Say, the water was 54 degrees a with 6 foot waves) Is there any way I could sign up to do this with you guys? Mick

Costs: The permit and rental of marine radio was nominal. The big cost will be the power boat and kayaks unless you know people who will do this cause it's someone's birthday or fund raiser. In our case the whole week was a 50th birthday party for one of the swimmers and everyone stayed at the Straits State Park in St. Ignace. Very nice park right on the water. So our costs were same as if we were throwing a party for friends, family, swimmers and boaters. Speed: Everyone locally will tell you it's a five mile swim because of pride of the 5 mile bridge. The land protrudes under the bridge and the swim is 4.1 miles if done in a normal straight line. Then others will tell you it's a 5-7 mile swim because of the currents. The five of us swam in 3-5 foot cross waves and the cross current seemed strong to me but the fastest swimmer, the birthday girl, swam straight and true and was finished in 2 hours 10 minutes. I believe her normal pool mile is 25 minutes. The next two swimmers were out in about 2 hours 30 min and the final ones were out in a little over 3 hours. The last two would probably be doing 32 minute pool miles but did let the currents carry them so they were swimming pretty much against current for at least the last third of the swim. But we weren't racing, and I, for one, was really savoring this swim cause of the warm water and cause of a year of build up and, oh yeah, the leg cramps and nausea made me somewhat rudderless for a while. But it was so thrilling for a first timer like me, there was no pain, short of total shut down, that would could have ruined the fun. If the opportunity came again, we would do it again. But as you can see, it's a big commitment from each kayaker and a boater so I'm not sure how often this opportunity will present. Other swims that only require kayakers are more likely, such as non-ship channel crossings. But the coming together of such support and desire contributes to making this crossing so special.

That cross current is a killer to add to the swim !

In 1952 I took the ferrie across the straits, before they built the bridge. It was a pretty nasty trip. Good luck in your swim. the day this guy swam it was 61 degrees. www.biketcba.org/.../April07.pdf The straits are 4.1 miles to cross. I hate to see anyone recognized for doing or completeing a swim when they wear a wet suit. To me that is just a float. What recognition are you so concerned about? Getting a paragraph in the county bike club newsletter?