Tough Times for Marathon Swimmer Off Course in Lake Michigan
Jim Dreyer Gives Up 80-Mile Swim After Losing GPS and Going Off Course
Veteran marathon swimmer, Jim Dreyer, has many accolades to his name, but an 80-mile (128-kilometer) swim attempt across Lake Michigan took an unexpected turn last week. Dreyer, aged 60, popularly known as ‘The Shark,’ halted his quest on the third day after losing his GPS due to battery failure and straying significantly off course.
A Daunting Task Takes a Wrong Turn
On Thursday last week, Dreyer was extracted from the water after he had covered 60 miles (96 kilometers). He had launched his mission on Tuesday from Grand Haven, intending to reach Wisconsin shores. Without a functioning GPS, Dreyer was left reliant on a wrist compass and his perception of the sky and waves for direction.
A support boat eventually caught up with him, breaking the unwelcome news that he had been swimming north all day, putting him off course. “What a blow! I should have been in the home stretch, well into Wisconsin waters with about 23 miles (37 kilometers) to go. Instead, I had 47 miles (75 kilometers) to go, and the weather window would soon close,” expressed a disappointed Dreyer recounting the incident. The weather forecast predicted towering 9-foot (2.7-meter) waves in the days ahead.
The Challenge of Endurance
As the day wore on, fatigue took its toll on Dreyer, with the marathon swimmer admitting his “brain was mush” and he began experiencing hallucinations. He envisioned a steel wall he could put his hand through and phantom cargo ships. He estimated it would take a few more days of relentless swimming to reach Milwaukee, given his current situation and the weather forecast. Expressing his team’s concerns, he stated, “We all knew that success was now a long shot and the need for rescue was likely if I continued.”
A seasoned swimmer, Dreyer completed a crossing of Lake Michigan back in 1998, starting from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and ending at Ludington, Michigan. However, he has tried to repeat this achievement thrice since last summer, all of which have unfortunately ended without success.
An Unexpected Twist
During the ill-fated swim, Dreyer was towing an inflatable boat filled with food, supplies, and crucial navigation devices. On the second day, he paused to replace the AA batteries in his GPS unit. However, amid the process, he lost the bag carrying the batteries. “It was an accident, but it was my fault,” he admitted, showing his frustration at the predicament. “This is a tough pill to swallow.”
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
