Bayfield, WI 54814
(715)779-5408
A 2-mile open water swim race across beautiful and mighty Lake Superior from Bayfield to Madeline Island, WI
Swimming to the island has been a storied feat around the
Bayfield area for decades. Starting with the Ojibwa, individuals
of all levels of athletic skill have swum across the channel to
LaPointe on
In 2006, the Friends of the Recreation
In 2007, 57 swimmers participated in both a community swim and race raising over $7000.
We look forward to 2008 and the continued expansion of the event.
The fastest known time from shore to shore is 47:20. 
When: Saturday, August 9, 2008 – NOTE NEW START TIMES!
7:20 am Race start, 7:35 am Community Start, 7:50 Relay start
Where: Start -
Finish -
Course: A straight 2 mile distance across
the big lake in open water
Purpose: To swim fast, have fun and raise money for the Bayfield
*Prizes for most pledges raised and fastest age swimmers
Entry:
$55 entry fee, or $100 in pledges raised
(relay $100 fee or $200 in pledges raised)
Entry includes hooded sweatshirt (enter by July 9 to guarantee), lunch, swim cap, "green bag" with goodies, and the ferry ride back to Bayfield
Register by visiting: http://www.midwestevents.us/event/72 or calling the Bayfield Rec Center Directly at (715)779-5408.
Wetsuit strongly encouraged for Race Event (see details in Race Event below)
Wetsuit required for Community Event
Community event swimmers should arrange for their
own non-motorized escort (kayak or rowboat)
Not sure you can swim 2 miles?
Wear fins and swim in the community event,
or find some teammates and a boat to form a relay team!
Location:
in northernmost WI. Bayfield is the gateway to the pristine beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with its camping, kayaking, trails, sea caves, and beaches. 
Web sites with more information on
Bayfield and Madeline Island, WI:
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce www.bayfield.org
Madeline Island Ferry Line www.madferry.com
Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce www.madelineisland.com
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore www.nps.gov/apis/
Course Info:
The start will be in waist deep water. The finish will be an in-water line between two buoys in waist deep water. It is a straight line from start to finish. There will be a large buoy marking the half mile marks. For safety reasons, swimmers will be expected to swim along the marked course, and may be steered by escort vessels if they get too far off track.
The sponsors of this event will provide kayak escorts for the
competitive race. Swimmers in the community event are asked
to provide their own escort.
This event will be registered and approved by the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Auxiliary boats will monitor and patrol the event in addition to race officials and escorts.
The swimming course follows the same route of the winter ice road, from the beach at the end of Washington Ave. in Bayfield, straight across to Griggs Landing on Madeline Island. This course parallels the route of the Madeline Island Ferry, finishing approximately 3/4 mile north of the ferry dock.
The ferry affords excellent viewing for spectators.
Swimmers starting the race in Bayfield.
Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 8 Packet pickup at the Bayfield Recreation Center,
140 S. Broad St., Bayfield, 715-779-5408
Saturday, Aug. 9
6:30-7:15 am Registration at the start. Escort and swimmer check-in
PLEASE NOTE EARLIER RACE TIMES THIS YEAR!
7:00 am Safety meeting and warm-ups
7:20 am Start of race event
7:30 Ferry leaves Bayfield to Madeline Island-ideal for race spectators
7:35 Start of community swim
7:50 Start of relay swim
8:10 Approximate time of fastest race finishers
8:30 Ferry leaves Bayfield to Madeline Island-ideal for community swim spectators
10:15 Cutoff time for all swimmers
10:00 Post-race lunch at the finish line
Free to all swimmers, escorts, and volunteers.
$10 for spectators. Spaghetti, salad, and bread
10:30 Awards and prizes
Spectator Info:
On the left is Oly- the town barber who dreamed up this event.
Watching with him is Eric Ott, the record holder of the
fastest known time across the channel. (47:20)
The swim course parallels the path of the Madeline Island Ferry
for most of the 2 miles. Spectators can watch the start of the
race, then take the ferry over to the island and get a view of the race as it spreads out across the lake. The ferry landing dock on Madeline is about 3/4 mile from the finish. Event organizers will offer some van transportation from the ferry dock to the finish line so that spectators can watch the end of the race, but we encourage fit spectators to walk. While extremely fast swimmers (under 50:00) might actually beat the ferry over, we will do our best to get their friends and loved ones to the finish line in time to see them finish!!
For more information, prices, and schedules for the ferry,
go to the Madeline Island Ferry Line web site at
www.madferry.com or call 715-742-2051.
Race Event:
You should be able to swim a mile in under 45:00 in a pool to
swim in the race event. If you cannot do this, please enter the
Community Event. The start will be a mass start on the
beach with an immediate entry into the water. The finish will be
an in-water line between two buoys in waist deep water. It is a straight line from start to finish. There will be three large buoys marking the half-mile points. Swimmers will be expected to judge the wind and currents of Lake Superior and keep their course close to the half-mile bouys.
Wetsuits are strongly recommended - shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will likely be 55-65 degrees (68 degrees last year in ideal conditions).
No artificial swimming aids (fins, snorkels, flotation devices) will be allowed in the race event, except wetsuits. Voluntarily touching a boat or receiving items handed to them by a boat will result in disqualification.
Community Event:
The community swim is not a race, but will be timed for the
swimmer's interest. Swimmers in this event should feel confident in their ability to swim 2 miles in open water.
All Swimmers must have their own escort (ideally non-motorized such as a kayak or rowboat) in this event. This should be provided by the swimmer, but race organizers may be able to provide escorts (call for availability).
Wetsuits will be required- shorties and bibs will likely be adequate but a full suit is recommended. Water temperatures on Lake Superior can vary greatly with wind direction and prior day's weather. The water temperature range will likely be 55-65 degrees (68 degrees last year in ideal conditions).
Swimming aids are allowed, including fins. Swimmers may rest on and get help from their escorts, but towing is not encouraged. A relay team from a surfboard or rowboat is allowed.
Cut off time for the community swim is 10:45 (2.5 hours).
Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
Relay event:
A team of up to 4 swimmers may swim the course as a relay. The team may switch from a motorboat, surfboard, or other craft by tagging each other. There are no rules concerning how long or often each swimmer must swim, only that they must physically tag each other. This event is ideal for swimmers that feel 2 miles is too much solo. Wetsuits will not be required for relay swimmers that are using a boat. The relay team must provide their own watercraft (motorized OK) to switch on and off from. Please check with the
race director about your craft.
RESULTS 2007 |
