Mike Shoreman, disabled paddle boarder crossing the Great Lakes this summer in support of youth mental health!

Mike Shoreman’s Jack.org DIY Fundraiser

Beginning in May, Mike embarked on his ambitious crossing of all five Great Lakes! For the first time, the Great Lakes will be crossed all in one summer by a person with a disability, challenging the stereotypes and stigma around disability and mental health.

In 2018 Mike lost his paddle boarding business, his independence, and his identity when he developed a sudden neurological condition. Spending the next year retraining his brain to walk, he was told he would never paddleboard again. As a result, Mike experienced loss, sadness, and grief pushing him into a mental health crisis. After receiving treatment and coming to terms with his new life, he began the road to mental and physical recovery.

One month after he was told he would never paddleboard again and weeks after he stopped using a cane, Mike got on a board against the odds.

Inspired by the great Vicki Keith and her remarkable great lakes crossings of 1988, Mike Shorman and his team have created Canada's Great Lakes Crossing to raise awareness for youth mental health and show young Canadians that they have a caring community on their side.

Your courage and dedication are incredibly admirable and we are so thrilled and grateful to have you in our corner, Mike. We believe in you!

To donate to Mike’s epic fundraiser for Jack.org, please visit jack.org/5GreatLakes.

donate now

The 2022 Great Lakes Crossing Schedule

Lake Erie - May 27th - May 30th
Sturgeon Point, NY to Crystal Beach, ON

Lake Huron - June 11th - June 18th
Harbor Beach, MI to Goderich, ON

Lake Superior - July 04th - July 05th
Orienta, WI to Two Harbors, MN

Lake Michigan - July 25th - July 30th
Union Pier, MI to Chicago, IL

Lake Ontario - August 10th - August 17th
New York, USA to Toronto, ON
(Harbourfront Centre)