First Person with Disabilities Attempts to Cross Great Lakes on a SUP

UNION PIER, Michigan - In the Summer of 2021, Supconnect's 2020 Man of the Year Mike Shoreman unsuccessfully attempted to become the first person with a disability to cross Lake Ontario, paddleboarding from Rochester to Toronto. This summer however, Mike is upping the stakes and is aiming to become the first person with a disability to cross all five Great Lakes on a stand up paddle board – all in one summer!

This is the first time anyone with disabilities has ever attempted to cross the Great Lakes – and to up the difficulty – he is doing it all in one summer - challenging the stereotypes of persons with disabilities showing what they are capable of accomplishing when their communities believe in them. This effort is also a fundraiser for Youth Mental Wellness.

On Tuesday June 28th, Mike Shoreman will attempt to become the first athlete with disabilities to cross Lake Michigan. This attempt follows his successful 28-hour on June 13 crossing of Lake Huon and his May 29 crossing of Lake Erie – both of which made history. Mike is the first athlete with disabilities to cross the Great Lakes – and second disabled paddleboarder to ever cross from the USA into Canada (he was the first when he crossed Lake Erie).

Mike will depart Union Pier, MI on June 28 and is expected to land in Chicago, IL on June 29. Mike is estimating it will take 30 hours to cross the 44.1 Miles/ 71 Kilometers. This is the third of five crossings of the Great Lakes he is undertaking this summer - all as a fundraiser for Youth Mental Wellness.

Mike Shoreman. | Photo via: Mike Shoreman

More About Mike

Mike was among the very top in International Paddleboarding (with a Paddleboarding company on the Toronto waterfront) when he suddenly lost his mobility from a sudden neurological condition - Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a shingles variant, which attacked his ear, paralyzed and collapsed the right side of his face, and dealt him very serious mobility, vision, speech, taste and hearing problems. Since then he has re-trained his brain to walk and paddleboard again.

To learn a bit more about the historic crossings taking place this summer visit Jack.org. 

Upcoming Future Crossing Dates:

Lake Superior - July 17th - July 20th - Orienta, WI to Two Harbors, MN
Lake Ontario - August 10th - August 17th - Niagara, USA to Toronto, ON

(Please note date range, put in place so that Mike can proceed on the best days to accommodate winds, currents and weather.)

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