Dee Wilkins, aquatics coordinator for the Carpenter Center, is planning a trip to Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay. He will be taking a ferry to the isle that holds the infamous prison nicknamed "The Rock," and once there, will jump off the boat and swim back a mile and a half in temperatures as low as 58 degrees in water loaded with sharks.

Wilkins and friend John Fero of Indiana have entered the "Shark Fest Swim" and will be leaving for the event the first of July. "I am doing this for the free t-shirt," said a humorous Wilkins when questioned why he wanted to attempt such a dangerous feat. "I love to swim, and I have competed in several lake tri-athalons, but I have never had the opportunity to swim one in the ocean. I am looking forward to the challenge very much."

Wilkins- who lives in Bowling Green with four-year-old son Austin- has been working for the Carpenter Center since its 1998 beginning. He started as the aquatics supervisor and has moved to the deep end, heading up all activities that require a bathing suit.

He's also the coach of the highly-successful Russellville Country Club swim team and also coaches the SKY swim team at the Carpenter Center..

Wilkins swam four years for Western Kentucky University. He now swims three times a day, 10 miles a week. He has always loved the water and says he feels more comfortable in than out.