Ultra swimmer abandons attempt to cross Lake Michigan again

GRAND HAVEN, Michigan — An ultra swimmer nicknamed The Shark was back on land on Wednesday, showing no signs of giving up. another quest to cross Lake Michigan after 40 hours in the water.

A online tracker showed Jim Dreyer returning to Grand Haven, Michigan, where he began his planned 80-mile swim to Wisconsin on Monday night.

He posted on Facebook that he was safe.

“There were only two good hours in this 40 hour swim. If you looked at the tracker I promise I was not drunk,” Dreyer wrote. “We are talking after a sleep marathon. Thank you all for your support, your love and prayers.”

Dreyer, 61, has attempted to swim across Lake Michigan four times since 2023, including an effort just a few weeks ago, but so far that has not been possible due to conditions on the lake or other factors.

This week, he was not only swimming in one of the Great Lakes, but also towing a small inflatable boat filled with supplies.

Dreyer first made his mark when he crossed Lake Michigan in 1998, starting in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and ending in Ludington, Michigan.

In August, the lake conditions and hallucinations forced him to abandon on the third day. Dreyer lost the batteries of his GPS device and swam far off course.

“What a blow!” he said.