One of Chicago’s most popular and viral summer events isn’t coming back for another season.
Friday Morning Swim Club, the unsanctioned meetup that drew thousands of people to Montrose Harbor each week all summer long, has announced the event is officially canceled this year.
Organizers Andrew Glatt and Nicole Novotny explained their decision in a video posted on Friday Morning Swim Club’s Instagram account, stating a deal couldn’t be reached with the city. The pair said it would cost $108,000 to secure a permit for the space, plus an additional $80,000 for lifeguards, security, portable toilets and more. Factoring in other business expenses, the club was looking at a quote of $250,000-$300,000 to run the event.
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General disinterest from the Chicago Park District was another reason for the cancellation, according to the organizers.
“All the suggestions, all the comments pointing to the easy solutions—they were met with unreasonable demands … Swim Club did not fit their mold and they were unable and unwilling to think outside the box,” Novotny said.
Born during the pandemic, Friday Morning Swim Club originally started as a social gathering among friends in 2021. But it soon grew to hundreds of participants. Last summer, thousands flocked to Montrose Harbor—an area that does not allow swimming—to jump into the waters of Lake Michigan with floats on Friday mornings, prompting concerns about safety. The club eventually had to call off the event before the end of the season after it came under scrutiny from the city.
As for the future of Friday Morning Swim Club, Glatt and Novotny didn’t say if there’s a possibility it might return, but they encouraged folks to keep the spirit alive.
“Just because the organized event is done, doesn't mean you should stop swimming,” Novotny said.