Holland-area ophthalmologist Dr. Bryan Huffman is once again taking to the open water—this time with two Great Lakes in his sights. For the fourth consecutive summer, Huffman is using long-distance swims to raise awareness and funds for swim lesson scholarships at Holland Aquatic Center (HAC).
Nicknamed “Bryan’s Big Swims,” his ambitious efforts include a planned 35-mile crossing of Lake Huron in July, followed by a 20-mile swim across Lake Superior in August. These back-to-back swims will place Dr. Huffman among a very small number of athletes who have successfully crossed these remote and challenging waters.
The Lake Huron swim is scheduled to take place between July 19 and July 27, starting in Port Sanilac, Michigan and ending in Port Franks, Ontario. Huffman expects the swim to take 20 to 24 hours and hopes to complete it in under a day. He will be supported by Captain Dave aboard Diversion, a Port Huron-based dive boat, along with a dedicated crew of volunteers including his wife Stacy, HAC Foundation president Tom Seiff, and fellow record-setting marathon swimmer Maggie Regan.
In late August, Dr. Huffman will attempt his next challenge: a 20-mile crossing of Lake Superior, from Two Harbors, Minnesota to Port Wing, Wisconsin, within a window of August 23 to August 31.
These swims are not just feats of endurance—they are acts of service. Over the past three years, Dr. Huffman has raised over $55,000 for HAC’s swim instruction scholarship fund. His efforts stem from a lifelong commitment to drowning prevention, which began when he witnessed a tragic and preventable drowning death as a college student volunteering in an emergency room. That moment continues to fuel his drive to help “waterproof” children in West Michigan.
Dr. Huffman’s previous accomplishments include completing the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, becoming the first Michigan resident to do so.
“These swims are not about personal achievement—they’re about impact,” said Dr. Huffman. “Our ultimate goal is to prevent countless tragedies by funding swim lessons for kids in West Michigan.”
Supporters can follow Huffman’s progress through a dedicated Facebook group, where he and Stacy provide real-time updates and encourage donations. Each post includes a link to donate directly to the scholarship fund, supporting HAC’s mission to ensure that all children—regardless of income—can access life-saving swim instruction.
About Holland Aquatic Center: HAC is a community-owned and operated recreational facility that opened in 1968. HAC empowers people to live healthier, more connected lives through a fun community space for swimming, diving, fitness and recreation. We offer a clean, safe, accessible environment for guests and families to invest in their health. For more information, visit hollandaquatic.org or call 616-393-7595.