Laps for Life

A Distance Swim Fundraiser for a Cause Close to the Heart

The Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise is proud to announce the 5th Annual Laps for Life Fundraiser, a distance swim benefiting two causes close to our hearts: Swim with Mike and the humanitarian projects of the Westlake Village Sunrise Rotary Club.

Our Past President, Jim Wisdom, will once again take to the pool on April 11, 2026 continuing a powerful personal journey of resilience, gratitude, and service.

Swim With Mike provides financial resources for the advanced education of physically challenged athletes to overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential. Over the past 42 years, the nonprofit has raised approximately $28,000,000 and provided scholarship assistance to 271 scholarship recipients at 142 universities nationwide since Swim With Mike’s inception.

“I feel a special personal connection to the SWM Foundation due to my own serious accident as a teenager in which I fell from an avocado tree and broke my neck (fracture dislocation of C-2, C-3 and C-4). However, I was extremely fortunate that I was not paralyzed in the accident. The SWM Foundation’s mission is to change the lives of student athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness by providing scholarships, creating community and instilling hope and purpose. My own accident many years ago is a constant reminder to me that life is fragile, and to give back to those who are less fortunate. SWM is growing nationally and internationally, and their main sponsor is Jersey Mike’s Subs. Jersey Mike’s has raised a two million dollars for SWM since its inception, and they have agreed to run commercials for a week in Jan. 2026 to help promote awareness of SWM. “

– Jim Wisdom

We hope that you support this fundraising campaign by donating below. President Jim has set a personal goal of 325 laps with a financial goal of $6,000 for this event and will be personally donating $.50 per lap to these meaningful causes. His wife got rid of most of his swimming awards, so he could really use the support.