GVSU students ticketed after swimming across channel

Two Grand Valley State University students were ticketed for violating a Grand Haven city ordinance after swimming from the south pier to the north pier earlier this afternoon, said Lt. Renee Freeman of the Grand Haven Department of Public Safety. Emergency crews from the GHDPS and Coast Guard Station Grand Haven responded to the Grand River channel at 1:43 p.m. when they were alerted to a possible water rescue of two people swimming across the channel.

Becky Vargo

Grand Haven

Jun 8, 2011

It was red-flag conditions at the Grand Haven State Park on what was supposed to be one of the hottest days of the summer so far - a draw for many college and high school students just finishing school for the year.

The 22-year-old Holland man and the 20-year-old Saline man were met by police after their swim across the channel, while a crowd lining the south pier watched.

Freeman said both men made it safely across the channel, but were ticketed for violating the city ordinance which prohibits swimming in the channel (Section 18-61). The fine associated with the civil infraction is $50, she said.

Freeman cautioned people to remember the possible dangers of swimming in Lake Michigan “especially of jumping from the piers.”

“It is against the law to swim or jump into the channel and enforcement action will be taken accordingly,” she said. “We ask that persons visiting the beach be ever mindful of the water conditions by monitoring the posted warning flags at the state park.”