Swimmers get ready for Teal Lake Swim

Swimmers are gearing up for the Teal Lake Swim next Saturday.

The event helps raise money for UPDON, the Upper Peninsula Diabetes Outreach Network, which provides numerous services to people with diabetes throughout the UP.

“They have a diabetes camp for children; they help people who can’t pay for their supplies. They do a lot of education, helping people to choose wisely in the grocery store and learn about diabetes, and they monitor hospitals and physician practices to make sure they’re getting good care,” said Mike Grossman, who helped found the Teal Lake Swim.

Each swimmer is required to pay $75 but can donate more if they want. Several sponsors are supporting the event, including the Western Marquette County Health Foundation and Active Physical Therapy. The swim is 2.2 miles long, from the Negaunee end of Teal Lake to the Ishpeming end.

“If you like to swim, it’s a lot of fun, but even if you don’t like to swim and you make it, and you live here in the Upper Peninsula, every time you drive by Teal Lake you’re going to say, ‘I did that lake,’ and there aren’t a whole lot of people who can say that,” Grossman added.

Swimmers can register up to the day of the swim online here.  Heats begin at 8:30 a.m. for beginner swimmers and 9:00 for advanced swimmers.