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A West Michigan doctor is gearing up for an extraordinary challenge as he prepares to swim across Lake Michigan to raise funds for a local aquatic center. In an incredible act of kindness and humanity, Dr. Bryan Huffman will be swimming 51 miles across the lake.

Doctor Incredibles’ remarkable feat

Dr. Huffman is a fitness enthusiast himself, having done multiple marathons prior to this. He is looking to begin the marathon from Rawley Point, Wisconsin and finish in Ludington and anticipates it will take about a month.

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We want to get swim lessons for kids,” said Dr. Huffman. “We live here in West Michigan, there’s water everywhere. As a kid growing up here, you can’t avoid being exposed to water somewhere.”

Huffman, a well-respected figure in the region, has set his sights on this daunting swim to bring attention to the importance of aquatic facilities and their impact on the community. By taking on this remarkable feat, he aims to inspire others and rally support for the construction and development of the Holland Aquatic Center.

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Swimming Towards a Greater Cause

Huffman’s decision to undertake this momentous swim stems from his deep understanding of the positive impact that aquatic centers can have on the community. He is fundraising for the aquatic center to make it accessible to all the children in the community and teach them an important skill.

The manager at Holland Aquatic Center too echoed Huffman’s thoughts and said “teaching swimming lessons is really the heart of what we’ve done here for decades.”

And so doing that for everyone, regardless of again, financial situation, or what they’re where they might be coming from, we want to be able to serve all people.

Hundreds of kids could get swimming lessons because of what people like to call “Bryan’s Big Swim”.

Huffman is no stranger to endurance events, having previously completed marathons and triathlons. However, this particular swim presents an entirely different level of difficulty, given the vastness and unpredictable nature of the lake.

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In October, I swam the English Channel, we went to England to go do this swim. It’s about 22 miles across. It’s a tough swim. It’s 12 hours and 19 minutes.

While this swim won’t be any easier, he’s excited to take on the challenge.

The goal of this one really is to just try to raise money to make a difference here for West Michigan and hopefully get drowning out of the top 10 causes of death for kids in West Michigan,” said Dr. Huffman.

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As the day of the swim approaches, anticipation and excitement continue to build. Huffman’s determination, coupled with the outpouring of support from the community, sets the stage for a significant milestone in the journey towards realizing the aquatic center. His strokes across Lake Michigan will symbolize a strong and determined community.

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