In-person registration still available for Saturday's Long Bridge Swim

SANDPOINT — During the last Long Bridge Swim in 2019, Charles "Chuck" Milton became the oldest person to finish the 1.76-mile swim across Lake Pend Oreille at 90 years old.

Two years later and two years older, Milton is set to break his own record on Saturday when he hits the water for the 26th annual event.

"He's back," race director Jim Zuberbuhler said. "He was very disappointed last year that we didn't have the swim because it turns out he trained for a year to try and knock time off of his time."

The race starts at 9 a.m. Saturday at the south end of the Long Bridge. Online registration for the swim closed at midnight Thursday, but in-person registration is still available from 5:30-7 p.m. today at Sandpoint High School — early packet pick up will also take place at that time. The cost is $55 and it's the last chance to register for the swim. There is no race day registration.

Zuberbuhler said so far just over 500 people have signed up.

Regular packet pick up will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Saturday at SHS. A mandatory safety meeting for all swimmers follows at 8 a.m. and afterwards participants will be shuttled to the start line. On some buses masks will be optional and on the others masks will be required in order to make all swimmers feel comfortable, according to the Long Bridge Swim website.

Since 2010, the Long Bridge Swim has raised funds to support swim lessons for children and adults in the area. Through the Long Bridge Swim water safety program, the organization aims to make sure no kid in Bonner County gets past the third grade without learning how to swim.

For more information visit longbridgeswim.org.