Participants in the Swim Teal Lake Benefit for Diabetes Short-n-Sweet event swim away from the beach in Negaunee toward a buoy about a third of a mile from shore, then turn around and head back to the beach on Saturday. (Journal photo by Renee Prusi)

NEGAUNEE –Swimmers can take a dip in Teal Lake at the end of this month while also raising money for diabetes treatment.

According to a press release, the first swim occurred in 2004 when Dr. Michael Grossman enlisted the help of Bell Hospital and the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network in planning a 2.25 mile swim across Teal Lake in Negaunee.

The first nineteen years have been a great success, the organization said, and have raised more than $200,000 in total.

The donations are used by the U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network to strengthen diabetes care and support across the U.P. through a variety of other projects. More details about UPDON can be found at www.diabetesinmichigan.org.

Hundreds of swimmers have ventured across the lake in this challenge, assisted by an equal amount of volunteer kayakers who have helped to guide them.

Past guest speakers have included: Olympic gold medal winner, Peter Vanderkaay at the 2005 and 2013 events, Mark Spitz in 2009, Janet Evans in 2010, Coralie Simmons in 2011, Dr. Natalie Strand in 2014, and Gary Hall Jr. in 2017.

If you enjoy swimming, organizers say the time is right to begin your training for the l Swim Teal Lake: Benefit for Diabetes on July 29, 2023.

This year’s race will consist of the traditional 2.25 mile swim across Teal Lake and a short ¼ mile swim. The “Short-n-Sweet” swim will be a 1/4 mile swim and open to all ages! It will be a great introduction to open water swimming. The “Short-n-Sweet” swim will begin at 8:30 am with the 2.25-mile Beginner to start at 9 a.m. and the 2.25-mile Competitive at 9:30 am. Register on-line by July 29, 2022, or the morning of the swim.

Organizers ask that you register at least one half hour before your heat begins. All races will start on Negaunee’s Teal Lake Beach. The “Short-n-Sweet” will begin and end on the Negaunee side while the long races will end at Ishpeming’s beach at Al Quaal.

There is a registration fee of $75 for the Beginner and Competitive swims and a registration fee of $20 for the “Short-n-Sweet” swim. There are a limited number of scholarships available to cover the cost of registration. If you are interested in a scholarship, please email Kristen at cambensyk@upcap.org.

Anyone with questions, or who would like to volunteer to kayak at this year’s event can call or text Kristen at (906) 273-1120 or cambensyk@upcap.org.