There’s still time to register for the 2014 Minocqua Island Swim Challenge, which will be held Saturday, June 21, in downtown Minocqua. More than 75 swimmers will compete in the one mile, open water swim. The event is presented by Ministry Health Care and organized by the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team. 

Swimmers start in the waist-deep water of Lake Minocqua at the beach in Torpy Park. The Island Swim Challenge is an out-and-back course. Participants will swim one-half mile to a buoy near Devine Island and back to the beach. There will be large buoys marking the course every 200 yards, with smaller buoys in between. 

The cost to enter is $35 and includes a commemorative T-shirt to the first 100 swimmers, along with a swim cap, goody bag and finish line food. 

Awards will be presented to overall male and female winners, and first, second and third place finishers in various age groups. 

The Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team handles course design and race safety as well as concession sales. The Lake Minocqua/Kawaguesaga Lake Protection Association members will be out in full force, helping with course safety and traffic control. Dozens of volunteer paddlers provide additional support in the water. 

The event benefits the Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team. The dive team is currently made up of 13 public safety divers committed to assisting communities in water-related emergencies. They provide immediate response in water-related emergencies throughout Oneida County’s 1,200 square miles, over 1,000 lakes and 74,000 acres of water.    

For additional information about the race or to register, visit minocquaswimchallenge.com; or stop by or call the chamber office at (715-356-5266) or Timber Bay Sport & Dive, Hwy. 51, Woodruff.