Swim for Grand Traverse Bay
Celebrate clean, healthy water in Grand Traverse Bay with a unique open water swim event on Saturday, August 8, 2026, to benefit The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, a non-profit that works to protect the bay and its 1,000-square-mile watershed. 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.
Course Information
We'll be announcing our event location soon!
Packet Pick-Up
Swimmers and support paddlers can pick up their Swim packets on Friday, August 7, 2026 from 3-6pm. Alternatively, packets can be picked up the day of the event (Saturday, August 9, 2025) from 7-7:35am at the start line. If you pick up your packet on Friday, you will still need to check in Saturday morning to get your race cap and 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 start line 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. 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).
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.
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.
Fundraising Minimum & Deadline
All swimmers are required to fundraise or donate a minimum of $150 to their fundraiser by August 6, 2026. If you are under this amount your credit card on file will be charged on the morning of August 7 for the difference. For example if you raise $120, your card will be charged $30. While the required fundraising minimum is due August 6, your fundraiser will stay open until August 9 if you'd like to continue fundraising over the required minimum.
