Photo credit: Aleksander Joshua Mileusnic
By Peter Lyons Hall
GREENWOOD LAKE, NY — A remarkable combination of athletic endurance, community spirit, and charitable giving will take place this summer when endurance athlete and coach Aleksander Joshua Mileusnic (“Aleks”) attempts what is believed to be the first complete swim circumnavigation of Greenwood Lake, at 10AM on July 1, 2026.
The challenge will cover nearly 11.5 miles (18K) around the lake, beginning and ending at Cove Castle Restaurant at the southern end of the New York half of Greenwood Lake. The swim is expected to take approximately eight continuous hours, testing Aleks’s physical and mental endurance while raising awareness and funds for NYU Langone Hospital.
The inspiration behind the event is Wyatt Lopez, known throughout the community and on social media as “Warrior Wyatt.” The two-year-old Warwick resident recently underwent a life-saving heart transplant at NYU Langone Hospital. His journey has inspired supporters throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond, making him a symbol of courage, perseverance, and hope.
“Warrior Wyatt’s story touched me deeply,” said Aleks. “This swim is an opportunity to honor his strength while supporting the incredible medical professionals who gave him a second chance at life.”
Supporters will be invited to pledge donations for every mile completed during the swim, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting NYU Langone Hospital and its ongoing work caring for children facing complex cardiac conditions.
Aleks is uniquely suited for the challenge. “He is a rare blend of endurance athlete and performing artist, he has completed more than ten marathon and ultra-marathon swimming events. His accomplishments include multiple 10-kilometer races at the London Aquatics Centre, the demanding USwim 15K, and the notoriously challenging Big Brutal Swim. His personal outlook is rooted in discipline, resilience, and respect for open water,” said Bobby Pereira, Cove Castle owner.
In addition to his athletic pursuits, Aleks is the founder of Cold Water Method, an open-water swimming and cold-exposure coaching community that helps individuals build physical robustness and mental strength. Through group programs and one-on-one coaching, he works with swimmers of all experience levels, helping them develop confidence, improve technique, and embrace the benefits of cold-water immersion.
The Greenwood Lake swim also serves as an important milestone in Aleks’s preparation for an ambitious future goal—an attempt to swim the English Channel in the fall of 2026, one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding open-water challenges. Dozens of swimmers have attempted the treacherous 20.9 mile trip. The first successful attempt was by Paul Boyton, wearing a rubber survival suit designed for passengers of sinking ships, on May 28, 1875. But it was Matthew Webb who made the first ever unaided crossing, swimming from England to France on August 25 that same year.
Following the swim, the community will have another opportunity to celebrate when Aleks performs live at Cove Castle Restaurant on July 8 alongside acclaimed musician Garrett Gardner. Aleks, who performed on Britain’s Got Talent in 2018, is a singer known for his smooth, swing-jazz covers of popular songs. During his time on BGT, he successfully rearranged well-known tracks like “Seven Nation Army” and “No Diggity,” reaching the semi-finals. The event will bring together supporters, residents, and visitors to recognize both the athletic achievement and the charitable impact of the fundraiser.
The swim is being made possible through the support of Cove Castle owner Bob Pereira, Great Gorge Golf Club and Greg Stoeckle, Greenwood Lake Experience and Marina and Elena Dykstra, Michalski-Ottens Law Firm and attorneys Bryan and Olivia Ottens. Event planning and coordination support is being provided by Ben Rohrs.
For more information about Aleks and his journey, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMDX0bbZDlo
As Aleks prepares to enter the waters of Greenwood Lake, organizers hope the community will rally behind a cause that celebrates courage, compassion, and the power of determination—both in the water and in the lives of children like Warrior Wyatt. To make a donation to this unusual fund-raising event, click on https://covecastleny.com.
