PHOTOS: Belle Isle Swim Club calmly continues while Chicago cancels

Every Friday morning, between 7am and 9am, a joyful group gathers at a beach on Belle Isle to make the most of the waters. Some swim, some splash, some just wade and float. With coffee supplied by Corktown’s James Oliver Coffee, the club started in July this year and has been known to draw up to 70 people on a busy day.

The ritual was a summer favorite nationally this year, with Chicago’s version canceled for the rest of the season after it swelled beyond expectations and met with park district issues. The Belle Isle mornings are much calmer affairs and, with eco-therapy stepping into focus during the pandemic, it’s no surprise the crew are all smiles.

Many studies are looking further into the relationship between encountering water and boosting mental health, with a global study concluding that “when people engage in aquatic exercise, primarily in a group setting, that engagement has a positive effect on improving people’s moods and their psychological wellbeing, decreasing depressive moods and feelings of anxiety”. 

We sent along photographer Nick Hagen to see why folks are rising early to be a part of the fun here.

Editors Note: Founder of the Belle Isle Swim Club, Lauren Boyle, is the niece of Issue Media Group’s co-founder, Brian Boyle. 

All Photos by Nick Hagen.