Swimmer to Haul Ton of Bricks Across Lake St. Clair

Michigan native and long-distance swimmer Jim "The Shark" Dreyer plans to tow a ton of bricks 22 miles across Lake St. Clair Aug. 5 to support Habitat for Humanity's rebuilding efforts.

Dreyer, who turns 50 later in August and is known for swimming across all five Great Lakes, will start the swim at the Clinton River Boat Club near Algonac and finish at the Belle Isle Beach in Detroit. It will take an estimated 30 hours and will be done alone, without a support boat. He will have a GPS tracking device, allowing the public to track his position in the lake on his website. 

“I will pull two dinghies, each carrying 1,000 pounds of bricks, which I refer to as the ‘train of pain.’ My pain is symbolic of the economic pain felt by the city of Detroit and families all across the state of Michigan trying to keep their heads above water," Dreyer said in a news release. "However, instead of sinking with the weight of our burdens, I believe that we can pull together and be the bricks that rebuild lives, rebuild communities, and strengthen the foundation of this great state.” 

He has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Michigan to help fund building projects for as many as 75 affiliates through his Cornerstone Strength Swim Campaign. 

Engraved commemorative bricks, including those he will tow for the world-record swim, are being sold to support the building project of the purchaser’s choice, according to Habitat of Humanity. 

For more information or to track Dreyer’s progress during the swim, visit www.CornerstoneStrength.org.