Swimming on the Tide at the Annual Fourth of July Freedom Swim

They will be swimming on the tide starting at around noon tomorrow from the Charlotte Harbor side of the Peace River towards Fishermen's Village where the annual Freedom Swim terminates.   The Freedom Swim, an annual event sparked twenty-one years ago by three Punta Gorda friends, Frank Desguin and Mike Haymans, along with the late Sandy MacGibbon, is now a quintessential Punta Gorda happening.

Actually anyone daring enough to get in the Peace and swim, float, paddle or whatever to safely get across the river can join in.  There will be safety boats in Harbor to watch over the bizarre parade of humans and in many cases their pets to celebrate the 4th Punta Gorda style.  It's an event not to miss and great to watch from Fishermen's Village as the brave climb out of the Peace onto the dock outside of Harpoon Harry's.

Michael Hayman's who has been running the event will be broadcasting pre-recorded information about the event from 11 a.m. on 1580 a.m.   For more history on the event which hundreds of locals and nearbys participate in see http://www.youbelonginpuntagordablog.com/2009/06/lets-all-jump-in-peace-river-hey-its.html