Contact:
Shelli DiFranco
The Watershed Center
sdifranco@gtbay.org
231.935.1514 ext. 5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPEN WATER SWIM EVENTS IN GRAND TRAVERSE BAY SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

HALF-MILE KIDS SWIM SET FOR AUGUST 9; 2-MILE SWIM SET FOR AUGUST 10

TRAVERSE CITY, Michigan – July 22, 2019 – Celebrate clean, healthy water in Grand Traverse Bay with the Kids Swim for Grand Traverse Bay on Friday, August 9 and the Swim for Grand Traverse Bay on Saturday, August 10. Both events benefit The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay and you can get involved by participating or volunteering.

Registrations for the fourth annual Swim for Grand Traverse Bay and the second annual Kids Swim for Grand Traverse Bay are currently open and will remain open until the races begin. Packet pick-up for the Kids Swim will be Friday, August 9 from 3-5:30 p.m. at West End Beach. Packet pick-up for the Swim will be on Friday, August 9 from 3-7 p.m at Volleyball Beach. 

“The Swim for Grand Traverse Bay events are great because it gets community members into the water we work to protect,” said Christine Crissman, Executive Director of The Watershed Center. “Our hope is that the spirit of the event and the experience of swimming in the bay will show people the importance of fishable, drinkable, swimmable water and inspire new advocates for our efforts.”

These events would not be possible without the work of volunteers. “If you take pride in our water and want to help us put on a fun and successful event, consider donating your time,” said Crissman.

Volunteers will be treated to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, August 10. Interested parties can sign up online. Volunteer opportunities include:

• • Safety Squad: Serving on the safety squad is a great opportunity for an experienced open water paddler (kayak, SUP, or surf ski). Volunteers will monitor the field of swimmers and individual support kayakers, assist with swimmer counts along the course, and create additional visibility in the bay. Mandatory safety briefings will be held before each event.
  • General Volunteers: A small crew is needed to help with pre-race set up and organization, packet pickup, and event clean-up.

• Photographers: Individuals with photography skills are needed to take photos at the events. We ask that you use your own camera and spend a few hours at the event. Images will be published online and in print, for public relations and in fundraising materials, but not for profit. 

• Buoy Set Up & Retrieval: Help set & retrieve the course buoys on Friday, August 9 and on Saturday, August 10. Equipment and coordinates are set, and we just need a boat and the expertise to get them in the water. 

In addition to these volunteer opportunities, The Watershed Center is also in need of certified lifeguards for both events to ensure the safety of our swimmers and support paddlers. Certified lifeguards will receive $50 per event and a free ticket to the pancake breakfast on August 10. Help support our swimmers and clean water in the Grand Traverse Bay. 

For more information, visit www.swimforgtbay.com.

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The Watershed Center is a non-profit organization that advocates for clean water in Grand Traverse Bay and acts to protect and preserve its 1,000-square mile watershed, which covers portions of Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, and Kalkaska counties. Learn more at www.gtbay.org.