Jim Dreyer's Lake Michigan swim ends day later

MILWAUKEE - A day after Jim Dreyer set out to swim across Lake Michigan, he returned to shore on Tuesday night, Sept. 5. 

FOX6 News was told the team was watching the weather closely and sent a boat to inform Dreyer before he started heading back to shore on Tuesday night.

It was Dreyer's second attempt of the summer. This time, the Michigan man was going it alone, with no escort boat following him, instead pulling a dingy.

He set out on Labor Day.

Jim Dreyer

"There’s a lot of wind, and I’m going to see a lot of wind," said Dreyer. "It’s going to be a rough ride. You have time to think about absolutely everything."

Dreyer attempted the 82-and-a-half-mile swim alone with no escort boat, pulling 225 pounds behind him.

Jim Dreyer

"If you let yourself think about the situation you’re in and how it could turn ugly, you could really downward spiral," said Dreyer.

He wore special goggles to help guide the way and had the ability to call for help if needed.

Dreyer's no stranger to the grueling journey.

Jim Dreyer

This swim came 25 years after a successful trip further north that was 25 miles shorter.

"It’s like being on another planet when you can’t see land in any direction, and you know you’re not going to see it for a long time," said Dreyer.

Bradford Beach was packed on Monday with onlookers cheering him on.

"Is he crazy? Is he just that athletic?" said Sandy Kashou. "There is some motivation coming from him. I’m not really sure, but I hope he makes it."

"This will be a way for me to look back at my career and put a really good cap on it," said Dreyer. "That doesn’t mean I’m done, but what a way to celebrate my 25-year anniversary."

Jim Dreyer

His own crews were on both sides of the lake monitoring his progress. He also had oars to row.