Apostle Island swimmers finish their quest

RED CLIFF, Wisc. - A group of Northwestern Wisconsin men have set out on a quest to swim to all of the Apostle Islands.  It has been a 3 year journey and for 2 of them, that challenge is now complete.  FOX 21 was there and captured the moment as they swam their last island.

"We are going to go out to Rocky Island and we are going to swim from Rocky to Otter," said Tim Faust of Bayfield.  The last of the 22 Apostle Islands on their list.  “This is it!” said Faust.  "It’s been 3 years so it's a long journey," said Scott Armstrong of Washburn.  A 12 to 15 mile boat ride took us to Rocky Island.  "It’s getting a little rougher than we thought," said Armstrong.  But a little rough water doesn't stop these 4 men.  Scott Armstrong of Washburn along with Tim Faust, Dwayne Szot and Dave Martinson all of Bayfield are ready to dive into Lake Superior.  They are the Apostle Island swimmers.  "It’s a really tangible way to experience the Apostle Islands and I think that's really cool," said Armstrong.

The air temperature is 50 degrees, the water temperature?  "Let me see what it says here, it says 58 degrees, yep, 58 degrees," said Faust.  "That’s alright with me but if he doesn't get in the water, I’m throwing him in," said Szot.  So they suit up and take the plunge.  "We get off, we get in, we go, you just put your head down and do it," said Faust."  "It’s great!" said Martinson.  They re–group on Rocky Island before they set off on their swim to Otter Island.  "It’s a long ways away but it you are patient and you keep swimming, it gets closer and closer," said Armstrong.  They peacefully glide through the largest fresh water lake in the world.  "It’s like no other kind of swimming, when you swim, you are swimming in the waves, you are swimming in the fog, you are swimming in the rain and that enriches the experience so much," said Szot. 

The guys are swimming 3 quarters of a mile in the rough, frigid waters of Lake Superior and this is one of their easier swims.  "It’s no big deal but when we first started, a mile was a big deal, just swimming to Basswood Island," said Szot.  "Some of the 2, 3 miler swims are a lot longer and a lot harder but this was pretty wavy," said Armstrong.  But they finish the swim.  “That’s it! Whoo!” said Faust.  Mission accomplished.  “Yee haw!” said Armstrong.  "Oh it was great, you know I’m slow but when you get older, the name of the game is endurance and perseverance," said Faust.  At 64, Faust is the oldest member of the group.  "I feel that's an accomplishment to swim all 22, this was a shorter island but we had some 3 milers and nobody's done it," said Faust.

Finishing the swim to this island marks a milestone for Faust and Armstrong, their journey is complete.  Szot has just one more island to swim, Martinson, a few more.  "This has been great; a lot of fun and experiencing the water when you are in it as opposed to on it is a totally different experience," said Martinson.  It’s an experience of a lifetime.  They do it for the challenge, the adventure and in the end, the accomplishment.  "All of that and more, yeah," said Faust.  "It’s quite something, it's quite a memory," said Szot.