A few months ago, two local women created a social media account, inviting the community to “float” with them on nearby shores. With unexpected surprise, they accumulated a sizable following… and with that the Lake Michigan Float Club was born. This local meetup quickly began a space for girlhood to thrive—girls and women of various ages are invited to crack open a crisp sparkling water and float the day away.
How the Float Began
Alaina Dokter and Alyssa Stoker, both West Michigan locals, conceptualized the idea of a float club last summer. “It all began when we were floating at the beach with some friends and thought, ‘This is so fun, why don’t we just invite anyone and make an account?’” After putting up a social media page, the followers started pouring in. “We gained like 700 followers overnight!” Alaina revealed. The account has 2,670 followers, and counting.
The first event took place in Muskegon. The turnout was impressive so an upcoming date was quickly set for June 24 at Tunnel Park here in Holland. According to the club’s organizers, “People have been reaching out from all over Michigan—Ann Arbor, Petoskey, Charlevoix—asking us to bring Float Club to their towns. It’s been wild. Tonight we’ve got girls from the Silver Lake and Muskegon areas. People are actually driving in for this.”
They explained that due to personal responsibilities and schedules they cannot expand to other sides of the state at this time, but they are committed to hosting the club at various local beaches to ensure that people from those areas have the chance to participate.
The whole idea behind the club is to create “free, fun events where people can meet each other—no pressure, no cost, just summer fun.”
The group is actually sponsored by name brands such as Poppi and Halfday. While organizing the event, Alaina reached out to each company to share her vision—and they responded by sending hundreds of cans to share.
A Place for Girlhood to Thrive
This startup appealed to a very specific demographic. Alaina explained it’s mainly “college-age women, but we’ve had people of all ages come—even parents contact us asking if they can bring their kids."
"It’s super welcoming—we don’t restrict anyone, Alaina said. "I even brought my mom! Whoever wants to float is welcome!”
An attendee, Delaney Decker, described her connection to the group: “I found out about Float Club through Alaina—we’ve been friends since high school and through mutual friends. I kept seeing her posts on Instagram and thought, ‘That looks so fun, why am I not going to this?’” She mentioned that her favorite element of the group is its social touchpoint: “People you wouldn’t normally cross paths with… I love that it brings people together, because most of the time everyone’s just on their phones or hanging out with the same few friends. This is a chance to branch out. And especially at our age, these kinds of connections—whether they’re friendships or even professional—really matter. It’s just such a great community.”
Two local moms explained, “I was checking the photos on social media to see if there were any other older people coming—or if it was really just young girls—but we decided to come anyway. We actually brought our teenagers with us, so it’s a nice balance across age groups. It’s not just for one type of person—anyone can join in and have fun.”
Fostering Coastal Connections in a Digital Age
Beneath the warm summer rays, atop drifting floats, screens fade into the background—replaced by laughter, eye contact, and easy conversation. Strangers become fast friends, and the day slips by in a haze of sunlight and shared joy. This informal, community interaction is quietly revolutionary; there’s an unspoken sense of calm—the kind that comes from feeling connected to others and to nature at the same time.
It’s undeniable that we are living in an era revolving around digital entertainment—connections are made through a screen and rarely do plans “make it out of the groupchat.” But here, we see a refreshing return to in-person interaction.
The ease of showing up with just a float and an open mind has lowered social barriers, especially for younger people who may crave connection, but are unsure where to find it.
What This Means for West Michigan
Social capital is the backbone of small towns—the quiet force that turns neighbors into friends and gatherings into lasting communities. Yet outside of work or school, it’s often hard to find spaces to connect (and we usually avoid these spaces altogether). We pre-order our coffee to curb socializing with the barista, choose the self-checkout line at the grocery to avoid contact with a staff member, and shop online for our clothes to steer clear of the crowds.
That’s why social circles like the Lake Michigan Float Club matter—they help nurture the kind of community where connection, belonging, and joy can truly thrive. The Float Club offers just that: a ripple effect of real relationships, built through something as simple as showing up with a float and an open mind.
This may have started as a casual beach hangout, but in a time of constant connection and quiet loneliness, Float Club has become something more: a joyful, grassroots reminder that the best communities are the ones we “float” into naturally.
Looking to Float?
Tips for First Timers:
• Bring your float (any shape goes!)
• Pack drinks, snacks, sunscreen
• Follow the club on Instagram for dates/locations
• Come as you are—everyone’s welcome
Sierra Ozolins is a West Michigan native, currently a student at Hope College. As an athlete, she is passionate about fitness—from running to weightlifting. With a interest for politics and lifestyle, she is intrigued how local culture, community, and everyday events shape the world around her—often with an iced coffee in hand and her dog by her side.
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