Fifty years ago Wednesday, a 17-year-old Erie native became the first person to successfully swim across Lake Erie.
On August 20, 1975, Patrick Budny swam from Long Point, Ontario, Canada, to Beach 10 at Presque Isle State Park, which is now known as Bundy Beach.
Presque Isle Downs and Casino license renewed for five more years
Bundy accomplished the 23-mile feat in 26 hours. However, he actually swam 31 miles because of strong lake currents that day.
Budny is now a plastic surgeon in Montgomery, Alabama…