The Great Lake Swim is like no other swim in history.  On many levels, Jamie Patrick's next adventure breaks the boundaries of what was previously thought possible.  The distance of this swim is equivalent to nearly halfway to the international space station.  At 75 miles, it will be further than any still water swim that has been completed to date. With water temperatures in the high 60’s and no current to aid Jamie’s progress, this swim has elements that are beyond anything that has ever been attempted.  The Great Lake Swim will be done in the purest form of open water swimming - a swimsuit, a cap and a pair of goggles.   Many have asked how The Great Lake Swim compares to Diana Nyad's recent swim from Cuba to Florida.  Simply put - each swim is different.   Much of Jamie's passion in creating a swim of this magnitude has been inspired by Diana.  

 

Guided by a team of 14 crew members,  Jamie has created a truly EPIC adventure, a true TEST of the human will.  He has chosen one of the greatest lakes on the planet  to live his dream - LAKE MICHIGAN. His journey will begin on the shores of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Jamie will enter the water, and will swim 55+ hours NONSTOP never exiting the water until he reaches the iconic downtown waterfront of Chicago, Illinois.  A bit of a maverick in the open water swimming world, Jamie has often done things "against the grain."  For the Great Lake Swim, against the grain is not an option.  Jamie will follow the set of rules outlined by the marathon swimming community (Marathon Swimmers Forum). These rules are based on Matthew Webb's first crossing of the English Channel in 1873. There is a synchronicity in this year, as 1873 was the year Jamie's great grandfather started their family business in downtown San Francisco.  Sometimes stars align in ways we don't understand.  The magnitude of this swim reaches beyond a personal achievement - this will ultimately set the mark for Living Life At Water Level. Combining distance, temperature and mental strength, there is no doubt that The Great Lake Swim will surpass what has previously been thought possible.

 

The sport of marathon swimming is one of the most pure tests of mind, body and spirit.  It requires extreme physical and mental strength as the swimmer tackles obstacles in the foreign environment of water - some expected (but no less difficult), and many that are unforeseen.  The athlete is alone for the majority of the swim, accompanied only by a few support people.  It is usually a very private journey between the swimmer and his or her crew.  It is rarely, if ever, a spectator sport.  A key element in a swim of this magnitude, is having an "official obeserver" who is completely impartial and independant of the crew.  Their role is to verify  that the swimmer has legitimately completed the swim according to the pre-established set of rules.    During the entire Great Lake Swim, there will be an independant observer documenting Jamie's journey.

 

Because of the strategic partnership between Ridgeline Entertainment, SmackDab and Facebook, The Great Lake Swim will be the most transparent sporting event in history. Viewers will be able to follow, engage with and truly experience Jamie’s epic swim every stroke of the way.  The new SmackDab platform, designed and created by one of Facebook’s chief architects will allow millions of viewers to interact with The Great Lake Swim in a way that has never before been possible. 

 

Philosopher George Berkeley once asked "If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"  This question need not be asked.  Jamie, together with Ridgeline Entertainment, is yelling “Timber”.  The Great Lake Swim will be LIVE from the first stroke in Milwaukee to the final steps onto the beach in Chicago.  Yell "TIMBER" with us and follow Jamie’s inspirational adventure.