Eric Wunderlich, Olympian and five-times World Championships podium placer, will join swimmers and volunteers of all ages and abilities for the “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” swim in Daytona International Speedway’s iconic Lake Lloyd on Sunday, December 7, 2025, for the inaugural Swim Across America – Daytona open water swim.

A Florida resident, Wunderlich was one of the first swimmers to sign up for the December 7 fund-raiser. A former USA national teamsters and University of Michigan ace, he won an NCAA title in the 200-yard breaststroke, earned four Big Ten titles, competed in the 1996 home Olympics in Atlanta - racing in the final of the 200m breaststroke - claimed five World Championship medals, including three golds, and stood on five Pan Pacific Champs podiums, two of those moments golden.

Eric's passion for the cause has seen him participate in nearly every event the organisation has hosted since he joined the Swim Across America in 1996, wither as a swimmer, volunteer, as M.C., or in the role as an angel swimmer to support others in the water. Having lost family and friends to cancer, Eric is dedicated to giving back through the sport that has shaped his life. He said:

“I’m excited to have a third Swim Across America event in my home state and will be among the swimmers making waves at the inaugural Swim Across America – Daytona open water swim on December 7."

SAA takes up the story ... participants in the Dayton swim can choose from a one-mile swim (wetsuits recommended), or a fun 100m Dolphin Dash for swimmers of all ages. The event is part of the CLASH Endurance® Daytona Weekend. Proceeds from the Swim Across America - Daytona open water swim will benefit pediatric cancer research through Swim Across America and the NASCAR Foundation. To register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit the official website: swimacrossamerica.org/daytona.

The event offers participants the opportunity to swim in one of motorsports’ most iconic venues, combining the thrill of open water swimming with the festival-style excitement of CLASH Endurance, which also features events throughout the weekend including triathlons, duathlons, aquabike events, a 5K, kids’ triathlon, wellness expo and family activities. After the swim, top fundraising swimmers and teams will take the podium, just like race winners, celebrating their dedication to supporting critical pediatric cancer research and saving lives. 

For Swim Across America CEO Rob Butcher, a lifelong swimmer who qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2000, and who is a former executive with NASCAR, being able to hold a swim in Lake Lloyd at the Daytona International Speedway is a dream come true.  Butcher, known as the wetsuit CEO, said:

“Big moments can become inflection points that shape your values. Losing my mom to cancer in 2007, when I was working in the racing world, was that moment for me. Her cancer battle and a passion for making a difference drove me to Swim Across America. Supporting Swim Across America charity swims is my way of honoring her – and helping families everywhere have hope. I encourage everyone to make waves and fight cancer with us.”

While Swim Across America – Daytona is not a race, swimming in open water can be a challenge, just like the trials of a cancer diagnosis are challenging. 

On event day, one-mile swimmers are required to raise a minimum of $400, and participants under 18 are required to raise at least $200. Dolphin Dash swimmers may register for $50 with no fundraising minimum and are encouraged to fundraise if they wish.  Butcher noted:

“Pediatric cancer is notoriously underfunded, with only 4% of national funds going to pediatric cancer research. We aim to increase funding with the Daytona charity swim."

Nationally, Swim Across America has raised more than $120 million for cancer research since its founding in 1987 and has helped fund clinical trials that contributed to FDA-approved immunotherapies such as Keytruda, Opdivo, Yervoy and Tecentriq.

In the past year, Swim Across America funded a breakthrough clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering that showed that immunotherapy alone could successfully treat certain types of cancer.

The organisation also recently awarded first-of-their-kind gene editing innovation grants to the Alliance for Cancer Gene Therapy and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, advancing novel CRISPR gene and base editing techniques used in targeted therapies, immunotherapies and cellular therapies.

To learn more about Swim Across America – Daytona or to register to swim, volunteer or donate, visit swimacrossamerica.org/daytona.

About the organisations and events:

Swim Across America, Inc. (SAA) is dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming-related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, Swim Across America is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service. To learn more, visit swimacrossamerica.org/daytona or follow on Instagram @saaswim and Facebook at facebook.com/swimacrossamerica.

CLASH Endurance® is an innovative endurance event company led by athletes with a passion to provide exceptional race experiences at iconic speedways across the U.S. CLASH embraces inclusion and welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities, from elite professionals to first-time participants. The popular CLASH Endurance DAYTONA event is held at the Daytona International Speedway®, home of "The Great American Race"- the Daytona 500, and has been featured on NBC and Fox Sports 1/2.

Each February, the Daytona Beach Half Marathon & 5K takes athletes on a scenic tour of Daytona and its numerous landmarks and attractions. In addition, CLASH Endurance Miami in March continues to draw a decorated pro field, collegiate athletes from dozens of prestigious universities and weekend warriors for a challenging course at the historic Homestead-Miami Speedway®. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on Facebook at Facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on X at @NASCAR_FDN. For more information visit clashendurance.com.