Bradshaw Completes Swim Around Island
By Eric Fish

Kathy Bradshaw is accompanied by her uncle, Bill Sykes, in a kayak during her swim around Mackinac Island Saturday, August 11. She completed the 8.2 miles in under five hours.

Following an 8.2 mile swim on Saturday, August 11, that spanned almost five hours around Mackinac Island, Kathy Bradshaw exited the water to see people lining each side of the Star Line dock.

"When I stood up out of the water at the end, they all cheered for me," said Ms. Bradshaw, 34. "Some were taking pictures and video. I remember thinking that that was the kind of moment that made all of the difficulties and cold water worthwhile."

Ms. Bradshaw completed her swim around Mackinac Island in perfect weather conditions. Sunny skies and minimal winds made it ideal weather for such an adventure. Other than an occasional boat wake to deal with, Ms. Bradshaw said she didn't have to deal with any currents or challenging waves.

What she did have to deal with, however, was cold water. Aheated pool usually maintains a temperature of around 80 degrees, she said, but she was prepared for temperatures in the 50s.

"The water temperature was the most difficult factor," she said, and to combat it, she wore a sleeveless wetsuit.

"There were times I wondered if I was going to make it," she said, "so I tried not to think about the cold and just kept going. Fortunately, when I reached the west side of the Island, the water was warmer."

To keep things happy, she wore a pink swim cap with the words "Will Swim for Fudge" scribbled on it.

"I never knew how beautiful Lake Huron was," she observed. "It was so clear and clean. The rock formations on the bottom of the lake were amazing, like swimming through a cave, a giant aquarium, or a coral reef."

Ms. Bradshaw said she often saw people stopping along the shoreline to watch or see what was going on.

"I tried to wave at them once but my fingers were so cold I couldn't move them," she said. "But the largest group of people gathered at the finish of the swim."

Although Ms. Bradshaw said that she didn't start to feel the physical effects of the swim for an hour following its completion, she felt relief immediately, and especially appreciated the compliments and encouragement from the bystanders.

"It was a great feeling," she said. "Everyone, both tourists and locals alike, were so nice and encouraging and helpful. Overall, it was an amazing experience."