Superior Swims

Meet Tom and Karen: Your Lake Superior Swim Friends

SuperiorSwims.org is cheerfully brought to you by Tom and Karen—with over 35 years of marriage and more than two decades spent navigating waves and big water adventures. Self-funded and in the spirit of fun, they’re embarking on this project to sprinkle a bit of encouragement and know-how for swimmers and their support teams who want to dream big in marathon swimming. SuperiorSwims.org offers a warm welcome and a friendly nudge to all who wish to make a splash in the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Karen Zemlin

• Experienced marathon swimmer and Triple Crown holder
• Known for training and pioneering routes in Lake Superior
• Member of the Minnesota Swimming Hall of Fame
• 2025 Yudovin Award for Most Adventurous Swim
• 2019-2024: fastest woman over 50 to cross the English Channel
• Expert in technical mechanics and mental resilience in ultra-marathon swimming
• Website support crew – content, design and editing

Tom Zemlin

While he hung up his own goggles decades ago, Tom has become an indispensable fixture as a premier support lead and navigator. He has supported logistics for Karen’s swims on the world stage and pioneering events in freshwater lakes; overseeing everything from safety protocols to precise open-water navigation. On land, Tom applies that same standard and attention to detail to building and maintaining the Superior Swims platform, ensuring a seamless experience for athletes seeking resources and connection. His expertise, as both a veteran crew chief and a website developer, makes Tom a vital force in supporting and documenting the Lake Superior marathon swimming scene.