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Swim for Grand Traverse Bay

Sat August 9, 2025
Countdown to Swim Day

Description

Celebrate clean, healthy water in Grand Traverse Bay with a unique open water swim event on Saturday, August 9, 2025, to benefit The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, a non-profit that works to protect the bay and its 1,000-square-mile watershed.

The location of the sixth 2-mile bay swim begins has yet to be determined. 

Whether you’re a serious swimmer looking for a timed event, a triathlete wanting to practice in open water, a recreational swimmer setting a personal goal for your swimming, or someone passionate about water quality and making a difference locally, the Swim for Grand Traverse Bay is an exciting, challenging, and fun celebration of clean and healthy water in our region.  

The Swim for Grand Traverse Bay is a fundraiser for The Watershed Center, a nonprofit that advocates for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay and acts to protect and preserve the bay's watershed. Each swimmer is responsible for raising at least $150, though no fundraising experience is required - we'll support you on your fundraising journey with tools, templates, and tips.

Place

The event begins and ends at Greilickville Harbor Park in Elmwood Township. Participants and spectators are asked to park in the Brewery Creek parking lot (behind Subway) on the west side of M-22 across from the park. Support paddlers can drop their kayak at the park before parking their vehicle across the street. A shuttle will be provided between the parking lot and the park throughout the event.

Course

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Packet Pick-Up

Swimmers and support paddlers can pick up their Swim packets on Friday, August 8, 2025 from 4-6pm. 
Alternatively, packets can also be picked up the day of the event (Saturday, August 9, 2025) beginning at 6am at the start line.
If you pick up your packet on Friday, you will still need to check in Saturday morning to get your number!

Schedule

The Swim starts at 8am, with check-in beginning at 7am and a mandatory safety briefing at 7:45am. All swimmers and support paddlers must check in at the pavilion at Greilickville Harbor Park even if you already picked up your event packet. Event organizers will write your swimmer number on the back of your hand and your shoulder, if visible.

Depending on the number of swimmers, there may be more than one start group, including one for unescorted, experienced open water swimmers and another for those with support paddlers.

Event Cut-Off: 10:00am/2 Hours from start
Swimmers that have not completed the course within 2 hours of the start will be escorted out of the water.

Safety

We work with the U.S. Coast Guard; Michigan Department of Natural Resources; and Leelanau County Emergency Management, Marine Patrol, Law Enforcement, and Fire/EMS to ensure safety from start to finish. Motorized safety boats will monitor the entire course, and lifeguards and medical personnel will be on site.

Our experienced Safety Squad will ensure swimmer safety along the course. They act as spotters for designated swimmers and support swimmers along the course in obtaining evacuation or medical assistance from a rescue boat. Swimmers are also encouraged to have a support kayaker accompany them, traveling just out of paddle's length to remain close enough to immediately assist in the event of an emergency.

A mandatory safety meeting will take place at 7:45am for all participants, including swimmers, paddlers, and support personnel. Swimmers must wear the numbered swim cap provided, have their race number on their hand, and follow all announced safety rules without exception.

Wet Suits & Additional Gear

Wet suits or technical suits are allowed, as well as other swimming gear such as snorkels, fins, and kickboards. Swimmers using a wet suit or other swimming gear must inform the event organizers when you check in the day of the event. Swimmers wearing wet suits are still eligible for swim prizes, but those using additional gear do not qualify for timed prizes (fundraising prizes still apply).

Fundraising Minimum Deadline

All swimmers are required to fundraise or donate a minimum of $150 to their fundraiser by August 8th. If you are under this amount your credit card on file will be charged on the morning of August 9th for the difference. For example if you raise $120, your card will be charged $30.

While the required fundraising minimum is due August 8th, your fundraiser will stay open until race day if you'd like to continue fundraising over the required minimum.

Weather

August temperatures in northern Michigan average a high in the mid to upper 70s, with lows in the high 50s to low 60s. Expect water temperatures to be in the upper 60s to low 70s depending on how warm of a summer we have had.

Every effort will be made to hold the Swim on the date and time it is scheduled. We will swim ran or shine. In the event of inclement weather such as lightning or a serious storm, the event may be postponed up to 2 hours in hopes the weather will pass. However, if the bad weather does not pass and swimmer safety comes into question, the event will be cancelled. If that is the case, there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers with no exceptions. You agree to this weather policy when you register for the event.

Parking

The Brewery Creek parking lot on the west side of M-22 across from Greilickville Harbor Park will be open for event parking. You may drop swimmers and paddlers off at the park, then park across the street and use one of the designated crosswalks to return to the park. Please do not park in the spaces designated for vehicles with boat trailers. We will have parking attendants to direct you.

PLEASE give yourself additional travel time on race day. We are aware of the construction on Grandview Parkway in downtown Traverse City. This is an ongoing project with frequent traffic shifts and changes. For the most up to date information please check here closer to race day.

Timing

Although the Swim is not a sanctioned event, timing services are provided. Awards will be given in wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories to the top male and female swimmers in various age groups. Swimmers can also access their results after the event.

Swim Contact Info

If you have any questions about this swim, click the button below.

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