The Shark Is Trying To Cross Lake Michigan Again
Jim Dreyer, who has nicknamed himself The Shark, has now attempted to cross Lake Michigan four times since 2023, and while hopes were high that his most recent attempt would see success, Dreyer had no such luck. He made his fourth attempt on Monday, September 2, by September 4 he posted to social media that his most recent try had ended in failure.
The 1998 Attempt
The Shark first crossed Lake Michigan in 1998, to great success. He swam 65 miles between Two Rivers, Wisconsin and Ludington, Michigan. He was the first to complete this amazing feat, and this impressive accomplishment earned him a reputation for breaking records.
He did it in just under 40 hours. In the now more than 20 years since that first swim, Jim has been steadily increasing the dangers and distances of his water exploits.
Self-Sufficient Swimming
During the 1998 swim, The Shark was accompanied by a dinghy that carried his supplies across Lake Michigan and helped him navigate if necessary. Shortly afterward, Jim decided he wanted to start practicing “self-sufficient” swimming.
This method requires Jim to tow a boat with all of his supplies, feeding himself, replacing batteries, and making any essential repairs to complete his swim.
His first self-sufficient foray took place in 2003. He crossed the length of Lake Michigan in 18 different stages. Though continuous, he was able to take breaks and check in with his emergency crew.
He’s A Brick… Boat
Only a couple of years later, in 2005, The Shark ditched Lake Michigan and swam alone across Lake Superior. Upping the stakes, Jim towed a ton of bricks while swimming across Lake St. Clair, which got his name and face on television, when he made an appearance on Stan Lee’s Superhumans on the History Channel.
2023
All was quiet for ten years, until The Shark turned 60 in 2023, shortly after the 25th anniversary of his first Lake Michigan crossing. He determined that he would do it again, only this time, he would do it alone, self-sufficiently.
He planned out his route, which would be an estimated 82 miles and 72 hours this time. Sadly, he has been beset by problems ever since and has been unable to complete the swim.
The Shark made his first attempt at a second Lake Michigan crossing in 2023. That first time, he had a support crew on hand, but the boat kept getting swept off-course due to violent currents. Jim had to quit after just 12 miles.
To solve that problem, Jim decided to make his second attempt a self-sufficient one, and he started pulling his own boat of supplies, weighing approximately 220 pounds. With a rope around his waist, he set out. Sadly, waves reaching eight feet high ripped his boat apart at the seams, and he had to quit at the 27 mile mark.
The August Disappointment
When The Shark made his third attempt to cross Lake Michigan, in early August, he left from Grand Haven, Wisconsin, made great time, and was two days into the swim. But, he had issues with the batteries in his GPS. He wound up heading in the wrong direction, pulling him off-course, and his rescue boat had to pull him in.
“What a blow!” He told reporters after he was returned safely to shore.
We still don’t know exactly what happened during his most recent September attempt. Regardless, we doubt he plans on giving up any time soon.
Sources: Associated Press, Facebook
