by Jessica Kieras
Seth Baetzold has been a regular participant at the 36 mile END-WET race since 2019, has completed some well-known solo swims (Catalina, Length of Tahoe) and was the first to swim from Stillwater to Hastings along the Saint Croix River in 2022. After a busy season, during which he completed Infinity Man, END-WET, Lake Minnetonka, and Catalina, he decided to add one more swim: a crossing of Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota on September 14, 2024.
Lake Mille Lacs is in Central Minnesota, has a surface area of 207 square miles, but is only 20-42 feet deep. It is a large, round lake, with many possible routes near the classic ultramarathon distance of around 30 km. In 2019, Karen Zemlin swam the furthest crossing distance of 32.2 km, from Isle to Garrison. Seth told me that others have swum this same route as undocumented, personal challenges.
A long fetch and the circular shape of the lake means large waves can form, regardless of wind direction. Multiple sources say that waves can reach five to six feet when the wind picks up, making route direction, starting and finishing points strategically important. Seth and his team discussed several possible routes (including Karen Zemlin’s) and finally settled upon the south to north route from Cove Bay the Wealthwood after weather reports predicted a strong south wind. While the weather was the final determining factor, Seth had other reasons for venturing onto the road less traveled. “Despite the 3 miles less distance, the new route shows there are many ways to do a long distance swim in a body of water”. We discussed the freedom of the open water and the creativity it allows. “The start and end can be whatever you want, and what your imagination provides!” he wrote to me. “Each will also provide different scenic beauty!”
Some have suggested that doing your own thing, versus completing established routes could be seen as less competitive, since established routes allow for comparison among swimmers completing the same route. I asked Seth what he thought of this perspective.
“I like the variety of choices for open water swimming,” he replied, noting he made up the start and end points for his Saint Croix River swim along with the Mille Lacs swim. “I also enjoy other swims that have been established which I can share with others. The dichotomy of pioneering new paths along with sharing your experiences of well beaten paths is what I love about marathon swimming!”
Seth says he was able to attempt and complete this swim because of his “hard working, knowledgeable, and amazing crew members”. The team consisted of Nick Tamble, Michael Miller, Loralee Pasley and Casey McGrath. From the sound of it, it wasn’t an easy day to be on the water, with winds building to 10-11 mph and creating short, steep waves that made the water very difficult to navigate with a kayak. After Loralee boarded the boat, the team opted to have Seth follow the boat directly, rather than putting a new kayaker in the water.
It takes an experienced and level-headed team to be able to manage decisions like this and difficult conditions in the context of a marathon swim. Seth told me that getting closer with other people is one of the things he likes most about this sport. “They are responsible for your safety, thus there is a lot of trust. But we crack jokes, plan for the swims, and react on the fly to the changes in weather and conditions. What a good way to meet people!”
He originally met Nick at Lake Johana during an ice swimming event, where Nick was cutting a hole in the ice for swimmers to take dips in the middle of the Minnesota winter. Nick introduced him to Loralee, who organizes ice swims in Lake Superior. Casey and Michael were both part of a relay Seth participated in that crossed Lake Superior in 2023. Both Michael and Nick had crewed on other swims for Seth, making the team a cohesive bunch that played a crucial role in helping Seth finish his crossing.
Seth finished the 27.8 km swim in a quick time of 8:47:41, pending MSF ratification.
