Swimming to Save Lives

PHOTOS COURTESY DR. BRYAN HUFFMAN

During the quiet, uncertain months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Bryan Huffman, an ophthalmologist at Sight Eye Clinic in Holland, decided to take up an old hobby. As the world slowed down, he saw an opportunity to dive back into what was once a source of excitement and enjoyment as a high school swimmer for Hudsonville. After a couple times out in the open water, he began training in earnest for a long-held aspiration: to swim the English Channel, one of the most challenging open-water swims in the world.

“I remember the first time I swam across Lake Macatawa,” Dr. Huffman recalls. “It was late August 2020, and I had one of my kids accompany me in a kayak.”

Dr. Huffman’s commitment grew, and he set his sights on turning his dream of swimming the English Channel into a reality. Securing a spot for October 2022, he knew the timing wasn’t ideal. “October is notorious for its rough conditions,” he said. “But I was determined. It was about proving to myself that I could do it.”

His successful swim from Dover to Calais, despite the strong currents and cold water, was a testament to his perseverance. “I expected it to be tough, but the reality was even more challenging,” he says. “The currents were so strong that my 22-mile course turned into 37 miles.”

Inspired by Vicki Keith, the first woman to swim all five Great Lakes while raising $1.2 million for a swim program for disabled kids, Dr. Huffman has decided to use his swimming feats to raise awareness and funds for swimming lessons. “If Vicki could raise that amount in 1988, I knew we could make a significant impact here in West Michigan,” he said.

Dr. Huffman’s passion for swimming was also deeply personal, stemming from a traumatic experience during his undergraduate years. While volunteering at the University of Michigan Hospital, he witnessed the aftermath of a tragic drowning. “I was waiting for my next task when an attending physician asked for my help,” he recalls. “We walked down the hall, and he told me about an eight-year-old boy who had drowned. Seeing the grief of his family as they identified his body was a moment that changed my life. I realized then that I wanted to become a doctor and help prevent such tragedies.”

According to Huffman, studies show that just one swimming lesson can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent in children ages 1-4. Also, drowning is the leading cause of death for children in this age group and the second leading cause for those aged 5-15.

Dr. Huffman directs all funds raised to the Holland Aquatic Center Foundation, ensuring that every dollar goes toward providing swim lessons for children. “Water safety is critical,” he emphasized.

Dr. Huffman also participates regularly in the Hopson Memorial Swim, an annual event honoring the late Nick Hopson, who tragically drowned while swimming the Cook Strait. “Nick’s story is both inspiring and heartbreaking,” Dr. Huffman said. “He was a passionate swimmer and a good friend to many in our group. We swim from Holland to Saugatuck to honor his memory.”

In June 2024, Dr. Huffman completed a formidable swim across Lake Erie, from Dunkirk, New York, to Port Colborne, Ontario. “The conditions were challenging,” said Dr. Huffman. “We started at 2 a.m. with five-foot waves. By the time we finished, I had been swimming for nearly 24 hours.” It was grueling, but the support and the cause kept him going.

Looking ahead, Dr. Huffman has ambitious plans. “My goal is to swim three more Great Lakes—Ontario, Huron, and Superior—and then attempt Lake Michigan again,” he said. He’s also participated in the Seven Bridges Swim around Manhattan and at the time of printing, was training for a swim in the Pacific Ocean near Catalina Island off the coast of California.

Dr. Huffman’s journey is supported by the Holland Aquatic Center Masters Group and swim coach Mike Daley, who also donates his earnings to fund swim lessons. “Mike has been instrumental in my training,” Dr. Huffman said.

For Dr. Huffman, the journey is far from over. With every stroke, he aims to make a difference, one swim at a time. “Water is a powerful force. Here in West Michigan, surrounded by water, it’s crucial that every child learns to swim. It’s a life skill that can prevent tragedies.”

For more information on how to support Dr. Huffman’s mission and donate to the Holland Aquatic Center Foundation website: https://hollandaquatic.org/