Swim details 6.21.26
Bay Frog Open One-Mile Swim
The Bay Frog Open Swim is officially in the books, and what a day it was!
On Father’s Day, swimmers, families, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters gathered on Presque Isle Bay for a beautiful morning filled with great weather, strong energy, and an even stronger sense of community. From the first wave in the water to the final swimmers crossing the finish, the day was a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together with purpose.
We are proud to report the swim reached an overall revenue of $38,000. The peer-to-peer fundraising effort alone was over $16,300, with a tight race for the top three fundraising spots right up to the finish. Every dollar raised helps Uncommon Grit SEAL Foundation continue removing barriers to healing, stability, and connection for military, veterans, first responders, and their families.
One of the most meaningful moments of the day came after the swim, when Nashville songwriter Kelli Johnson performed a new song live for the first time—a collaboration with Operation Song to help tell the story of local veteran Kevin Ellwell. This powerful moment was made possible in part through swim fundraising and reflects one of the many ways Uncommon Grit SEAL Foundation helps remove barriers to healing, connection, and being heard.
Thank you to every swimmer, sponsor, donor, volunteer, and supporter who helped make this year’s Bay Frog Open Swim such a special day. Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2027 swim date, including the addition of a longer competitive swim in addition to the non-competitive one-mile.
📸 Thank you to Gibbens Creative for capturing the swim.
Listen to the final cut of the Operation Song collaboration between Kelli Johnson and Kevin Ellwell:
If you have questions or feedback about the swim, please email bearpaw@uncommongritfoundation.org.
You can still donate to the swim here:
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 sponsorS
Sponsorships allow us to hold the one-mile swim each year and to make it the high-quality event we all love. Thank you to:
