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
To see a video trailer of the 2008 event, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xhF01Z8czQ
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
The fastest known time from shore to shore is 47:20.
2009 sponsors:
WORLD CLASS PRECISION PRODUCTS
Bayfield, WI Recently awarded Business of the Year by
the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board.
When: Saturday, August 8, 2009 –
7:20 am Race start, 7:25 am Community Start, 7:30 Relay start
Where: Start -
Finish -
south of Griggs Point
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 group swimmers
Entry:
$69 entry fee before July 9 ($79 after July 9) or $100 in pledges raised
Relay - $100 fee or $200 in pledges raised
Last day to enter is August 4, 2009. Unlike last year, we cannot accept walk-in entries!
Entry includes hooded sweatshirt (enter by July 9 to guarantee correct size), finish line food, 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.
Swimmers getting $100 or more in pledges should NOT register online, but rather call 715-779-5408 to get a pledge sheet.
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). Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See requirements under the picture of 2 women in kayaks below, or call Scott at 715-779-5408.
Reviews:
For an excellent review of our 2008 event, go to
http://openwaterchicago.wordpress.com/2008/08/10/swim-report-bayfield-wi-pointe-to-lapointe-2-miler-august-9-2008/
Welcome to Madeline Island, Mom!
Location:
Bayfield,
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 large buoys marking the course every 1/3 mile. 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. Note that all kayak/rowboat escorts must be approved by the race director. See requirements under the picture of 2 women in kayaks below, or call Scott at 715-779-5408.
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 the Grutzner home just south of 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. 7, 5-8 pm Packet pickup at the Bayfield Recreation Center,
140 S. Broad St., Bayfield, 715-779-5408. We encourage swimmers to pick up their packets on Friday night to reduce congestion on Saturday morning.
Saturday, Aug. 8
6:30-7:15 am Registration at the start. Escort and swimmer check-in
7:00 am Safety meeting and warm-ups
7:20 am Start of race event
7:25 Start of community swim
7:30 Ferry leaves Bayfield to Madeline Island-ideal for spectators
7:30 Start of relay swim
8:10 Approximate time of fastest race finishers
10:15 Cutoff time for all swimmers
10:30 Post-race 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 2/3 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.
The 2006 winner looks back on other finishers and Bayfield.
Race Event:
You should have some open water swim racing experience or 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 in waist deep water. The finish will bean in-water line at the end of a dock in 6' deep water, with a landing beach only a few yards away. It is a straight line from start to finish. There will be five large buoys marking the 1/3 mile points. Swimmers will be expected to judge the wind and currents of Lake Superior and keep their course close to the buoys.
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 and 66 degrees 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 Community 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. Race organizers must approve the boat and paddler! Some guidelines are as follows:
-Kayaks must be at least 15 feet long with double bulk heads and rudder or skeg.
-Paddlers MUST have PFD that fits. Pump, paddle float and wetsuit are highly recommended.
-Paddlers/rowers should have experience in the wind and waves in case of rough Lake Superior conditions.
-Call Scott at 715-779-5408 for more information or questions.
Wetsuits for the swimmers 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 and 66 degrees in the last 2 years 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 10:15 (2.75 hours).
Swimmers will be pulled from the water at this time.
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!
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.
Experienced Kayak Escorts Needed!
We need kayakers to escort the swimmers across the lake. Escorts will start with the first wave at 7:20 and be done by pullout time at 10:15. Kayakers get a t-shirt, food and a $25 gas card! Kayaker escorts should be properly equipped and experienced to deal with Lake Superios conditions, including:
-Kayaks must be at least 15 feet long with double bulk heads and rudder or skeg.
-Paddlers MUST have PFD that fits. Pump, paddle float and wetsuit are highly recommended.
-Paddlers/rowers should have experience in the wind and waves in case of rough Lake Superior conditions.
Swimmers - if you have a friend or know of someone who might want to help out, please have them contact Scott Armstrong at 715-779-5408.
2008 Swim Results
Race Winners:
Female: Karen Zemlin 47:31.4
Male: Shaun Morrow 50:02.8
*indicates community swimmer category, all others are competitive swimmer category
Females under 20
0:59:15.6--Hannah Ortscheid
1:09:49.6--Leigh Danner
1:20:17.8--Alexis Tri
Males under 20
1:01:26.9--Kyle Shea
1:01:42.5--Luke Gruhlke
1:05:35.6--Kase Micke
1:30:00.0--Tyler Sato
1:42:46.0--Jake Zalewski
did not finish--Michael Lemire
Females 20-29
0:56:43.0--Marissa Schmitz
1:06:09.0--Ginamaria Javurek
1:11:01.0--Katie Ley
1:15:26.1--*Kari Morrison
1:16:05.0--Viet-Hanh Nguyen
1:19:40.4--Maria Molinik
1:20:03.2--Grace Hogan
1:27:19.0--Mackenzie Sullivan
1:28:09.5--Amber Radue
1:51:03.2--Irene LaPlanche
2:07:39.6--Jodi Timmerman
2:26:10.5--Kristin Nelson
Males 20-29
1:03:23.0--Bill Bandzuch
1:04:50.7--Laddie Strok
1:09:44.2--Gustav Layman
1:10:04.9--Paul Miner
1:11:31.5--Peter Miner
1:13:42.6--Daniel O'Kane
1:23:22.3--Tyler Olson
Females 30-39
1:02:57.6--Maria MacGreggor
1:04:09.6--Cheryl Schroeder
1:08:19.6--Kathryn Jenkins
1:10:24.8--Kelly Lawton
1:15:46.0--Leanne Bronson
1:24:14.0--Kristin Palecek
1:26:00.2--Sabrena Yeazle
1:21:28.3--Lisa Larson
1:31:21.2--*Lissa Flemming
1:33:58.8--*Lesley Kadish
1:38:17.9--*Jennifer Graf
did not finish--Sandra Tobias-Kotyk
did not finish--Marcy Woods
Males 30-39
0:50:58.6--Mark Kujawski
0:55:31.8--*Kurt DeKiep
0:59:44.3--Derek Scheer
1:01:03.9--Michael Rogosheske
1:02:28.7--David Pipho
1:08:53.0--Chris Foley
1:10:51.0--Tone Coughlin
1:11:13.2--Thomas Woods
1:11:44.6--Kerri Persons
1:32:11.0--Caleb G. Lee
1:39:34.0--Kurtis Bock
1:49:07.2--*Daniel Gruhl
2:32:37.7--Bob Hockmeyer
did not start--James Longhurst
Females 40-49
0:47:31.4--Karen Zemlin
1:01:12.9--Suzann Mouw
1:02:44.3--Dawn Kittleson
1:07:49.8--Julie Van Cleave
1:09:17.0--Kris Kolenz
1:13:32.9--Betsy Sato (Grutzner)
1:14:59.3--Colleen Kinney
1:19:46.5--Kathryn Ramberg
1:20:26.2--Jennifer Bock
1:26:47.6--Heidi Martell
1:27:51.4--Julie Willmering
1:29:01.3--*Trish Keller
1:37:30.2--*Joni Brooks
1:42:49.7--Laura Fuhrman
1:47:44.7--Tracey Carey
1:50:53.9--*Catherine Tri
2:15:06.9--*Jody Stadler
2:17:50.0--*Michelle Shrider
2:28:03.7--Linda Hagen
did not finish--*Lisa Cregan
did not finish--*Julie Yeske
did not finish--*Marilu Belanger
did not finish--Cheryl Iverson
Males 40-49
0:50:02.8--Shaun Morrow
0:50:34.9--Montgomery Mouw
0:51:19.3--Rod Raymond
0:51:30.4--John Stien
0:52:56.6--Thomas Meier
0:53:00.3--Pete Shelquist
0:54:18.3--Brian Foyt
0:54:53.7--Rob Laubscher
0:56:40.8--Paul McLellan
0:56:45.8--Jeffrey Brown
1:00:44.5--Jerry Lourigan
1:04:29.2--Mark Roehrig
1:04:53.2--Bryan Custer
1:05:24.4--John Rudeen
1:08:43.7--John Carey
1:15:09.6--Stephan Hernan
1:19:30.4--Fritz Grutzner
1:25:27.4--Mike Kolsky
1:27:09.8--David Kittleson
1:32:40.2--Brad Heineck
1:33:02.9--Steve Birenberg
1:46:11.4--Eric Grutzner
1:49:05.2--Gary Cavanagh
1:51:58.0--*Keith Rapp
2:31:07.4--*Jim Marsh
did not finish--Dwayne Szot
did not finish--Mike Rackouski
Females 50-59
1:20:12.3--Sara Stoltman
1:21:36.3--Sue Nutty
1:31:22.6--Julie Light
1:35:56.8--Kathleen Palmborg
1:47:04.3--Susan Samuelson
2:10:55.1--Phyllis Smith
2:49:12.6--*Meg Krause
did not finish--CJ Hartman
Males 50-59
0:52:51.1--Dave George
1:00:01.1--Greg Shea
1:01:43.8--Rob Meyer
1:03:48.8--Howard Goldman
1:10:43.6--Jim Walsh
1:11:46.4--Niel Bonstrom
1:17:06.0--Jeff Sowl
1:17:22.7--Dave Martinson
1:20:50.0--Jim Ramsdell
1:26:54.4--*Timothy Potter
1:27:55.9--Jim Miner
1:34:08.5--Gary King
1:41:41.8--Mark Daniels
1:46:21.4--John Johannig
1:47:15.6--Phil Gredler
2:14:04.6--*Kevin Buzicky
2:26:14.0--Bob King
2:45:39.2--Geoff Cocky
finished--no time taken--Steve Bade
did not finish--Tim Chisholm
Males 60-69
1:22:47.6--Michael Bade
1:26:13.0--Clint Moen
1:30:10.8--*Alan Peterson
1:39:04.0--Donn Christiansen
1:39:32.6--Edward Steigerwaldt
1:40:54.6--Tim Faust
did not finish--*Ed Gruhl
Males 70+
1:54:35.8--Fred Salzmann
