HOLLAND, Michigan – Dr. Bryan Huffman, a local ophthalmologist, completed a grueling 16.5 hours in the so-called Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Why? To raise money for scholarships for swimming lessons at the Holland Aquatic Center.
For Dr. Huffman, it’s more than just swimming.
“I felt like there had to be a bigger purpose than just my swimming,” he said.
Dr. Huffman swims so that children can swim who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
“Currently it is limited to people who cannot afford swimming lessons, so they can apply for a scholarship,” he noted.
Like the famous fish who says, “Just keep swimming,” Dr. Huffman’s goal is to eventually offer completely free swimming lessons to the children of West Michigan.
Since the initiative began last year, Dr. Huffman has raised nearly $50,000 to win the Triple Crown of open water swimming, which includes the English Channel, the Catalina Channel and the 20 Bridges Swim.
It’s unbelievable: “I am the only person from the state of Michigan to ever win the Triple Crown,” said Dr. Huffman.
Dr. Huffman’s road to the Triple Crown began in October 2022 when he successfully swam the English Channel. In 2023, he claimed his second “crown” by swimming around Manhattan Island in the 20 Bridges Swim. Finally, he secured his victory by recently swimming the Catalina Channel.
However, he faced some obstacles on the final leg of the Triple Crown.
Dr. Huffman explained: “The captain on the boat said this was the worst weather they had had for swimming in over a year.”
But for Dr. Huffman, it’s all worth it – for the children and for himself.
“The reward is finishing. That’s something not many people do or can say they do,” he said.
Although Dr. Huffman enjoys long-distance swimming, it is the children who motivate him. “The main reason for these swim meets is to raise money for swimming lessons for children in West Michigan,” he said. “I fund my swim meets myself, so all the money goes to swimming lessons for children.”
Dr. Huffman plans to continue training and raise money for swimming lessons by ultimately conquering all five Great Lakes.
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