2011 Drownings Reach 68

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  September 12, 2011

Contact:

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Class Organizer & Media Relations

708-903-0166

dpaulben@hotmail.com;

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/

2011 Great Lakes Drownings Reach 68

GREAT LAKES, USA – According to The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, in 2011 there have been 68 drownings in the Great Lakes.  Rip currents can be a leading cause of death. 

A crisis point

“The Great Lakes drowning situation continues to reach a crisis point,” said Bob Beaton, president Great Lakes Surfing Association.  “Over the years we have had many life threatening incidents even on small-wave days.  Once the August/September winds pick up, we really have our hands full out there.”

According to Beaton, water safety activists need to continue to develop lifesaving methods with the number one priority – getting flotation devices to the victims because it takes less than one minute for a swimmer in distress to become fully submerged.

What’s at the source of all theses drownings?

“There are several issues going on,” said Bob Pratt, Class Instructor for The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.  “The three biggest factors are ignorance, bravado, and inattention by parents.  Knowledge is power, and we need a huge education effort across several spheres.”

Pratt has been collecting drowning data since 2007 and formed “The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to promote water safety and rip current awareness. Its fifth “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class of 2011 will be hosted Sunday, September 18 in Whiting, IN.

Rip currents demonizing beaches

“Rip current drownings are demonizing the beaches of the Great Lakes,” said Larry Bordine, Beach Nut Surf Shop owner. “The Great Lakes are very dangerous to those who don't understand them. Understanding rip currents can make the lakes safer for everyone by either avoiding rips or knowing how to escape from them.”

“Of the 68 drownings, none were in Frankfort, Michigan where they never close the pier or beaches and encourage surfing,” Bordine added.  “Each year there are several undocumented surfboard rescues.  When a surfer rescues a swimmer it usually goes unnoticed, but if a swimmer drowns it makes the headlines.”

Surfers make a difference

“I know surfers make a difference in saving lives, and we can always learn more,” said Vince Deur, Surfrider Foundation Lake Michigan Chapter. “Every warm beach day when we have waves, my heart flutters because I feel like somebody is going to get into trouble.”

“Inexperienced swimmers may head towards rip currents because it's where waves seem the calmest,” added Deur.  “If ever caught in a rip current, the natural instinct is to swim straight for the shore and tire yourself out.  This could be tragic.  Instead swim parallel to the shore.”

Deur has been surfing the Great Lakes for 30 years, is an expert at surviving potentially deadly rip currents, and is also with the Grand Haven Water Safety Task Force. 

Education is imperative

“It’s imperative that more people around the Great Lakes gain knowledge and experience on drownings and rescues,” said Mike Killion, Great Lakes Surfer magazine founder and CEO.  “It's sad that people may die on the same day we find joy and fun riding the Great Lakes.”

According to Killion, rip currents are a surfer’s friend and can be a swimmer’s nightmare.  Rip currents can carry surfers out past the breaking waves to the line up without wasting much energy, while rip currents can exhaust inexperienced swimmers to death. 

An unfortunate reality

“Drownings in the Great Lakes are an unfortunate reality that may never be completely eradicated,” said Ben McNeil, Wet Mitten Surf Shop co-owner. “The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project’s class presents a very creative and practical solution to bring down the number of drownings.”

“I’ve been in rip currents numerous times in different bodies of water,” added McNeil. “Being caught in a rip current is a scary experience that can be deadly if you don't know how to respond.  From a very early age, I learned to respect the power of the water.”

###

NEXT SURF RESCUE CLASS – Whiting, IN Sun., 9/18

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/09/surf-rescue-class-whiting-in-sun-918.html

MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-info-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/partnerships-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

In the News – Overall Media Coverage:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/overall-media-coverage.html

2011Great Lakes Drownings   

(68 as of 09/11/11)

(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)

LAKE MICHIGAN:

1.                  Sat.    1/1       Michael Hilling           19-M   Chicago                       Retrieving object

2.                  Wed.  2/2       Peter Davis                  60-M   Chicago                       Unknown

3.                  Mon.  2/14     Casey Palmer              23-M   Milwaukee                  Walk on ice

4.                  Fri.     4/8       Sarah Goenne              61-M   Chicago                       Fall from dock

5.                  Mon.  4/11     Jane Doe                     13-F     Kenosha                      Pier Jump

6.                  Sun.   5/22     Terrell Burton              19-M   St. Joe                         Pier jump

7.                  Wed.  6/8       Jorge Martinez            55-M   Chicago                       swimming

8.                  Sun.   6/19     John Doe                     5-M     Chicago                       Fall from pier

9.                  Fri.     6/29     Steven Link                 42-M   Sheboygan WI                        Step-off

10.              Sat.    7/2       Timothy Judge            44-M   Muskegon                   Scuba

11.              Sun.   7/3       Tyon McNeil               5-M    Covert                         Unknown

12.              Mon. 7/4       Chris Szmajlo              29-M   Chicago                       Boating

13.              Fri.     7/15     Jane Doe                    ?-F       Racine                         Unknown

14.              Fri.     7/15     Mark Tuthill                47-M   Portage                        Step off

15.              Sun.   7/17     Marche Wilburn          6-F       Gary Ind.                    Unknown

16.              Sun.   7/17     Mark Morley               51-M   Charlevoix                   Sailing

17.              Sun.   7/17     Suzanne Bickel           41-F     Charlevoix                   Sailing

18.              Wed   7/27     Sharon Walsh              69-F     Chicago                       unknown

19.              Mon.  8/1       Javier Rivera               19-M   Chicago                       Swimming

20.              Tues.  8/2       Chandra Aravind        33-M   Chicago                       Boating

21.              Wed.  8/3       Delilah Hope Perez     13-F     Pentwater                    rip current

22.              Sun.   8/7       Martin Perez                8-M     Mich. City                   rip current

23.              Tues.  8/9       Daniel Reed                46-M   Saugatuck                   rip current

24.              Tues.  8/9       Bradley Stoner            22-M   Saugatuck                   rip current

25.              Wed.   8/10     Brett Vanetten                       20-M   Gary                            rip current

26.              Thur.  8/18     Dolsey Squires            41-F     Northport Beach         possible rip current

27.              Sat.    8/27     Willie Bogan               11-M   Racine                         rip current

28.              Sat.    8/27     Pawel Lesney              33-M   Gary IN                       rip current

29.              Sat.    8/27     Tristan Shambee          14-M   Wilmette                     rip current

30.              Sun.   8/28     Robert Klepacki          44-M   Hagar                          rip current

31.              Sun.   8/28     Rayan Sami Bokhari   22-M   Porter                          rip current

32.              Fri.     9/01     John Doe                     30-M   Kruse Park,MuskegonRip current

33.              Sun.   9/04     Wojciech Sadowski    25-M   New Buffalo               Rip Current

34.              Thur.  9/08     Phebe Hall                   54-F     Holland                       Unknown

LAKE ERIE

35.              Sun.   5/22     Donald Morrow          55-M   East Harbor                 Fall from dock (etoh)

36.              Tues.  6/14     Susan Zatek                55-F     Monroe                        Fishing

37.              Tues.  6/28     Zachary Wadding       18-M   Ripley N.Y.                 Rip Current

38.              Tues.  6/28     Joselito Irizarry           30-M   Edgewater                   Pier Jump

39.              Sun.   7/3       Daniel Abel                 53-M   Kelley’s Isle                Boating

40.              Thur. 7/20     Herman Teichroeb       24-M   Port Burwell                Swimming

41.              Tues. 7/26     Aiden Nicoll               7-M     Presque Isle                 rip current

42.              Wed. 7/27     John Doe                     27-M   Presque Isle                 Swimming from boat

43.              Sat.    7/30     Paul Spanitz                37-M   Grosse Ile                    unknown

44.              Sun.   7/31     John Doe                     ??-M    Kelleys Island             Swimming from boat

45.              Sun.   7/31     Darylle Phoeur            17-M   Avon Lake                  Rip Current

46.              Tues.  8/23     Antron Davis              25-M   Cleveland                    unknown

LAKE SUPERIOR:

47.              Tues.  6/7       Kevin Dammen           20-M   Apostle Islands           Kayaking

48.              Mon.  7/11     Monty Lyons              42-M   Duluth                         unknown

LAKE ONTARIO:

49.              Tues.  1/4       Porter Simpson            7-M     Niagara on the Lake    Unknown

50.              Sat.    2/6       John Doe                     ?-M      Toronto                       Unknown

51.              Sat.    6/25     John Doe                     30’s-M Toronto                       Unknown

52.              Sat.    7/2       Jane Doe                     50’s-F  Toronto                       Unknown

53.              Sun.   7/17     Visu Vimalan              48-M   Trenton Ont.               Rip Current

54.              Sun.   7/17     John Doe                     35-M   Toronto                       Swim from boat

55.              Sun.   7/17     John Doe                     29-M   Wasaga                        Beach Ont. PWC

56.              Tues. 7/19     Uche Chuks’               13-F     Hamilton Ont.             swimming from dock

57.              Tues. 7/26     Shaylean Richards      32-F     Fair Haven                  rip current

58.              Mon.  8/1       John Doe                     49-M   Sandbanks                   rip current

59.              Sat.    8/20     John Doe                     25-M   Rochester                    unknown

60.              Sun.   9/06     John Doe                     14-M   Orilla, Ont.                  Unknown

LAKE HURON:

61.              Sat.    2/26     Robert Quesnelle        40-M   Georgian Bay              Snowmobiling

62.              Mon.  4/18     James McComb II       20-M   Port Austin                  Wash from pier

63.              Sun.   7/24     Jason McLeod             20-M   Port Franks                  Swimming

64.              Sun.   7/24     Ragna Bersenas           67-F     Georgian Bay              Swimming

65.              Sun.   7/31     Jan Raczychi               49-F     Tobermory                   Scuba

66.              Mon.  8/1       Donald Dorey             42-M   Long Point                  unknown

67.              Thurs. 8/11     Jason McDonough      36-M   Sauble Beach              unknown

LAKE ST. CLAIR:

68.              Sat.    4/23     Hassen Randel                        37-M   Black Creek                Fishing (boat)

One Lake Michigan case pending; He did drown and survived. As of 8/8/2011, he still might be in hospital in serious to critical condition. Not sure? Hope he’s recovering well.

69.              Mon.  8-1       Mark Urness                53-M   Frankfort                     rip current (CPR)

2010 Great Lakes Drownings   

(74 as of 09/05/10)

Note: An asterisk identifies a “would be rescuer”.

LAKE MICHIGAN:

1.      Tues           1/26     Mauricio Guaylias                   27-M   Chicago                       Unknown

2.      Tues           3/2      Richard Wieting,                     53-M   Montrose (Chi.)           Unknown

3.      Sun            4/25     Ryan Lightfoot                       28-M   Petoskey                      Canoeing   

4.      Sun            4/25     Clifford Denay                       27-M   Petoskey                      Canoeing 

5.      Tues           4/18     John Doe                                     -M   Zion                             Unknown

6.      Thurs         5/27     Katlyn LeClaire                      13-F     Escanaba                     step -off

7.      Sat             5/29     Kelvin Motsinger                    9-M    Green Bay                    Unknown       

8.      Wed          6/09     Sofia Khan                              9-F       Holland WI                 kayaking

9.      Wed          6/9       DeVale Thompson                  16-M   Whiting                       Pier jump

10.  Sat             6/19     Vidyasagar Kapoor                 30-M   Chicago                       Unknown

11.  Tues           6/22     Antoine Miller                         21-M   Waukegan                   swimming

12.  Fri              6/25     Paris Bankhead                       20-M   Ill Beach St. Park        swimming

13.  Sun            7/4       Destiny Bahena                       9-F       Ind. Dunes                  rip current*

14.  Sun            7/4       William Lott                            25-M   Silver Lk. St. Park       rip current

15.  Sun            7/11     Perla Solis                               6-F      Covert Park                 unknown

16.  Fri              7/16     Jordy Graves                           17-M   South Haven               rip current

17.  Sat             7/17     James Savage                          55-M   Garfield Twp              swimming

18.  Fri              7/23     Mark Scheuer                          49-M   Grand Haven              rip current*

19.  Sun            7/25     Alfonso Quintero                    26-M   St. Joe                         rip current

20.  Sun            7/25     Jeremiah Green                       12-M   Racine                         unknown

21.  Sun            7/25     Lindsay Bilka                          17-F     Muskegon MI             rip current

22.  Mon           7/26     Kristopher Kane                      19-M   Sheboygan WI                        rip current

23.  Thur           8/5       Richard Drake                         67-M   Covert Park                 rip current

24.  Thur           8/5       Arther Walker                         71-M   Covert Park                 rip current

25.  Fri              8/6       Patrick Reymann                     63-M   Harbor Springs            kayaking

26.  Sun            8/8       Cody Prentiss                          15-M   Calumet Park              unknown

27.  Wed          8/11     Roman Bravo                          19-M   Ill. Beach St Park        unknown

28.  Sat             8/14     Anthony Goldsmith                44-M   Ludington MI             rip current

29.  Sun            8/15     Enrica Lorenz                          27-F     Muskegon MI             rip current

30.  Mon           8/16     Ethan Seitzer                           10-M   Berrien County           rip current

31.  Mon           8/16     Dolsey Lynn Squires               41-F     Gr. Traverse Bay         rip current

32.  Thur           8/19     Richard Habermas                  76-M   Grand haven               rip current

33.  Sun            8/22     Lorenzo Greer                         17-M   Mich. City IN             rip current

34.  Sun            8/22     Scott Hoover                           14-M   Mich. City IN             rip current

35.  Fri              9/3       Timothy Horvath                    26-M   Lincoln Twp MI          rip current

36.  Mon           9/3       Anupam Bhattacharjee           26-M   Ludington MI             pier wash-off

37.  Sun            9/13     Daniel Logsdon                      23-M   Warren Dunes             unknown

38.  Sat             9/18     Timothy Spiller                       49-M   Ludington                   fall from pier

LAKE ERIE

39.  Mon           6/28     Andrew Mooney         21-M   Long Beach ONT                   rip current

40.  Tues           7/6       Louis Barba                 16-M   Sterling St. Park MI                swimming

41.  Thurs         7/8       Anthony Alexander    17-M   Mentor OH                             rip current

42.  Sun            7/11     Chris Alkerton                        18-M   Rock Point      ONT                swimming

43.  Wed          7/14     Victor Arce Jr.                        30-M   Westfield        NY                  swimming

44.  Tues           7/27     Edwin Acosta             41-M   Cleveland        OH                  swim/boat

45.  Sun            8/8       Nate Polosito              14-M   Westfield        OH                  rip current

46.  Mon           8/16     Marco Butler               18-M   Rock Point      ONT                rip current

47.  Thur           8/19     John Doe                     40s-M  Erie                  PA                   unknown

48.  Thur           8/19     John Doe                     53-M   Sherkston        ONT                rip current

49.  Mon           8/23     Cynthia Riediger         53-F     Pelee Island     ONT                rip current*

50.  Mon           9/6       Harallamb Tasi            24-M   Monroe MI                              swimming       

51.  Fri              9/11     Marshal Sharpe           58-M   Hamilton ONT                        fishing

52.  Sun            10/10   Mohammed Aljiboori 19-M   Cleveland OH                         Unknown

LAKE SUPERIOR:

53.  Sat             7/3       Marvin Charette          18-M   Red Cliff                                 Unknown

54.  Wed          7/21     Rod Nilsestuen           62-M  Picnic Rocks                           rip current

55.  Thur           8/5       Elias Jenkins                15-M   Presque Isle                             rip current

56.  Thur           8/5       Alex Schuiteman         16-M   Presque Isle                             rip current

57.  Thur           8/5       Douglas Smith                        50-M   Grand Marais                          rip current

58.  Thur           8/5       Eric Smith                   16-M   Grand Marais                          rip current

59.  Fri              8/27     Devante Billups          18-M  Picnic Rocks                           swimming

LAKE ONTARIO:

60.  Mon           3/29     Jill Williams                 85-F     Sodus N.Y.                             Unknown

61.  Fri              5/28     Edward McMillon      20-M   Rochester NY                         Pier Jump

62.  Wed          6/09     John Doe                     23-M   Pt. Dalhousie                           fall from pier

63.  Fri              7/22     Justin Callahan            29-M   Brighton ONT                         kayaking

64.  Wed          7/28     Mehmet Yilmaz          22-M   Irondequoit Bay                      swim/boat

65.  Fri              8/6       Richard Woodall         77-M   Ellisburg ONT                         fishing

66.  Thur           9/2       Michael Steger            36-M   Olcott NY                               fishing

LAKE HURON:

67.  Sun            4/16     Lawrence Burack        61-M   Saginaw Bay                           Fishing

68.  Tues           6/29     Douglas Rucinskas      5-M     Bayfield ONT                         rip current

69.  Tues           6/29     Andrew Rucinskas      48-M   Bayfield ONT                         rip current*

70.  Sun            7/25     George Georgion Jr     16-M   Lexington MI                          rip current

71.  Tues           7/27     Joseph Lathan             18-M   Conneaut OH                          pier jump

72.  Sun            8/15     John Doe                     10-M   Georgan Bay                           canoeing

73.  Mon           8/16     Oksana Milovanovic   16-F     Kincardine ONT                     rip current

74.  Thurs         8/19     John Doe                     24-M   Sauble Beach ONT                 unknown

Surf Rescue Class - Whiting, IN Sun., 9/18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  September 12, 2011

Contact:

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Class Organizer & Media Relations

708-903-0166

dpaulben@hotmail.com;

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/

Surf Rescue class scheduled for Sunday in Whiting, IN

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project will be hosting its fifth “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class Sunday, September 18, 2011, in Whiting, IN.

The “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class is FREE and OPEN to the public.  Feel free to invite your friends, family, and water enthusiasts (Surfers, SUP’ers, Kayakers, Professional Water Rescue Personnel) for an informative water safety class and a fun day at the beach.

“As a Chicagoan, I'm glad to see a surf rescue class come to nearby Whiting,” said Mitch McNeil, Surfrider Chicago vice chair.  “Public awareness is a never ending campaign, especially when you consider Chicago as a magnet for a steady stream of transplants, most of whom have never encountered the Lake with all of its wonderful, and terrible, potential.”

In 2010, 74 people drowned in the Great Lakes primarily due to rip currents.  As of September 11, 2011, there have been 68 Great Lakes drownings.  The “Surf Rescue” class is about saving lives and rip current awareness.    If we have a warm fall, some people may continue to swim in the Great Lakes into late September/early October. 

“Rip current drownings are demonizing the beaches of the Great Lakes,” said Larry Bordine, Beach Nut Surf Shop owner.  “The Great Lakes are very dangerous to those who don't understand them.  Understanding rip currents can make the lakes safer for everyone by either avoiding rips or knowing how to escape from them.”

“Training surfers and the general public how to understand the surf conditions and how to recognize and help a struggling swimmer benefits everyone in the community.”

The fifth “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class will be hosted Sunday, September 18, at the Mary E. Bercik Memorial Pavilion, 119th & Front Street, Whiting, IN.  There will be a Meet-n-Greet at 9:30 a.m.; Classroom Session for assessing surf conditions, rip current education, beach safety, rescue techniques, 10:00 a.m.; and a Water Session to practice hands-on surf rescue techniques at 11:15 a.m.

“This training was originally geared for surfers and professional water rescue personnel, but the class has so much valuable water safety information it has been opened up to the general public,” said Bob Pratt, Surf Rescue Class Instructor and current fire marshal in East Lansing, MI.

“There are hardly any lifeguards at beaches anymore,” Pratt added. “Most drownings occur during moderate wave action (two-foot to six-foot), and every beach goer has to be vigilant with their friends and families.”

###

MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-info-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/partnerships-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

In the News – Overall Media Coverage:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/overall-media-coverage.html

Drownings Reach 62 & Rip Alert Labor Day Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  August 30, 2011

Contact:

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

·         Dave Benjamin, Class Organizer & Media Relations

708-903-0166; dpaulben@hotmail.com; http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/

·         Bob Pratt, Class Instructor & Water Safety Expert

517-256-4600

Deadliest Weekend - Great Lakes Drownings Reach 62

Labor Day Weekend Rip Current Alerts!

GREAT LAKES, USA – Last weekend was the deadliest rip current weekend in 2011.  Five people drowned in Lake Michigan, bringing its total to 31.  Overall, Great Lakes drownings has reached 62.

The Latest drowning victim

Valparaiso University student, Rayan Sami A Bokhari, is the 62nd person to drown in the Great Lakes in 2011.  Bokhari, and eight friends, all VU students, had arrived at Porter Beach after being turned away from Indiana Dunes State Park because swimming was restricted due to high waves and rip currents.  His body was recovered Monday afternoon after he went missing at Porter Beach.

Ryan Gerard, the owner of Third Coast Surf Shop in New Buffalo and St. Joseph, MI was at the beach at the time of the incident.

“We witnessed the recovery efforts and his friends frantically searching from the beach. It was sad, but there was nothing anyone could do once his head dipped under the last time,” said Ryan Gerard.  “Nobody knew where he was.  Talk about a helpless feeling.”

To Wilmette, IL resident, Steve Fuchs, Great Lakes drownings are hard to understand because he’s a surfer that recently moved from Los Angeles.  The west coast does not see these drowning numbers because of ocean lifeguards and public awareness about the surf conditions.

 “It's a major issue around the Great Lakes,” said Steve Fuchs. “I had no idea.  It is borderline bizarre.” 

“Lake Michigan is not dangerous if you are prepared to handle the conditions.  Many surfers dream for huge waves, wind, and the conditions that the general public is not prepared to handle,” Fuchs added.  “The Great Lakes need to be treated like the third coast of the United States. At times the waves and currents feel exactly like beaches in California.

According to Fuchs, educating Great Lakes communities about the wide range of quickly changing water conditions, rip current awareness, and coordination with the existing civic support infrastructure and schools, is a key component to saving lives, preventing community hysteria, and learning to protect and enjoy each weather and wave personality of the Great Lakes.

RIP CURRENTS ALERT

With Labor Day Weekend approaching, The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is issuing Lake Michigan Rip Current Alerts for the entire weekend. 

Whenever there are winds over the Great Lakes, there are waves.  Wherever there are waves, there are rip currents.  South / southwest winds are forecasted to blow all day Friday and strong north / northeast winds are forecasted to blow Saturday through Monday. 

What to do if caught in a rip.

If you're caught in a rip current, don't panic or swim against the current.  Flip, float, and follow the current to assess which way the current is pulling you. Then swim parallel or diagonally to shore until you are out of the current.

Drowning statistics below:

2011Great Lakes Drownings

(62 as of 08/29/11)

(Info provided by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project)

LAKE MICHIGAN:

1.                  Sat     1/1       Michael Hilling           19-M   Chicago                       Retrieving object

2.                  Wed   2/2       Peter Davis                  60-M   Chicago                       Unknown

3.                  Mon   2/14     Casey Palmer              23-M   Milwaukee                  Walk on ice

4.                  Fri      4/8       Sarah Goenne              61-M   Chicago                       Fall from dock

5.                  Mon   4/11     Jane Doe                     13-F     Kenosha                      Pier Jump

6.                  Sun    5/22     Terrell Burton              19-M   St. Joe                         Pier jump

7.                  Wed   6/8       Jorge Martinez            55-M   Chicago                       swimming

8.                  Sun    6/19     John Doe                     5-M     Chicago                       Fall from pier

9.                  Fri      6/29     Steven Link                 42-M   Sheboygan WI                        Step-off

10.              Sat     7/2       Timothy Judge            44-M   Muskegon                   Scuba

11.              Sun    7/3       Tyon McNeil               5-M    Covert                         Unknown

12.              Mon. 7/4       Chris Szmajlo              29-M   Chicago                       Boating

13.              Fri.     7/15     Jane Doe                    ?-F       Racine                         Unknown

14.              Fri.     7/15     Mark Tuthill                47-M   Portage                        Step off

15.              Sun    7/17     Marche Wilburn          6-F       Gary Ind.                    Unknown

16.              Sun    7/17     Mark Morley               51-M   Charlevoix                   Sailing

17.              Sun    7/17     Suzanne Bickel           41-F     Charlevoix                   Sailing

18.              Wed   7/27     Sharon Walsh              69-F     Chicago                       unknown

19.              Mon   8/1       Javier Rivera               19-M   Chicago                       Swimming

20.              Tues   8/2       Chandra Aravind        33-M   Chicago                       Boating

21.              Wed   8/3       Delilah Hope Perez     13-F     Pentwater                    rip current

22.              Sun    8/7       Martin Perez                8-M     Mich. City                   rip current

23.              Tues   8/9       Daniel Reed                46-M   Saugatuck                   rip current

24.              Tues   8/9       Bradley Stoner            22-M   Saugatuck                   rip current

25.              Wed    8/10     Brett Vanetten                       20-M   Gary                            rip current

26.              Thur   8/18     Dolsey Squires            41-F     Northport Beach         possible rip current

27.              Sat     8/27     Willie Bogan               11-M   Racine                         rip current

28.              Sat     8/27     Pawel Lesney              33-M   Gary IN                       rip current

29.              Sat     8/27     Tristan Shambee          14-M   Wilmette                     rip current

30.              Sun    8/28     Robert Klepacki          44        Hagar                          rip current

31.              Sun    8/28     Rayan Sami Bokhari   22        Porter                          rip current

LAKE ERIE

32.              Sun    5/22     Donald Morrow          55-M   East Harbor                 Fall from dock (etoh)

33.              Tues   6/14     Susan Zatek                55-F     Monroe                        Fishing

34.              Tues   6/28     Zachary Wadding       18-M   Ripley N.Y.                 Rip Current

35.              Tues   6/28     Joselito Irizarry           30-M   Edgewater                   Pier Jump

36.              Sun    7/3       Daniel Abel                 53-M   Kelley’s Isle                Boating

37.              Thur. 7/20     Herman Teichroeb       24-M   Port Burwell                Swimming

38.              Tues. 7/26     Aiden Nicoll               7-M     Presque Isle                 rip current

39.              Wed. 7/27     John Doe                     27-M   Presque Isle                 Swimming from boat

40.              Sun    7/31     John Doe                     ??-M    Kelleys Island             Swimming from boat

41.              Sun    7/31     Darylle Phoeur            17-M   Avon Lake                  Rip Current

42.              Tues   8/23     Antron Davis              25-M   Cleveland                    unknown

LAKE SUPERIOR:

43.              Tues   6/7       Kevin Dammen           20-M   Apostle Islands           Kayaking

44.              Mon   7/11     Monty Lyons              42-M   Duluth                         unknown

LAKE ONTARIO:

45.              Tues   1/4       Porter Simpson            7-M     Niagara on the Lake    Unknown

46.              Sat     2/6       John Doe                     ?-M      Toronto                       Unknown

47.              Sat     6/25     John Doe                     30’s-M Toronto                       Unknown

48.              Sat     7/2       Jane Doe                     50’s-F  Toronto                       Unknown

49.              Sun    7/17     Visu Vimalan              48-M   Trenton Ont.               Rip Current

50.              Sun    7/17     John Doe                     35-M   Toronto                       Swim from boat

51.              Sun    7/17     John Doe                     29-M   Wasaga                        Beach Ont. PWC

52.              Tues   7/19     Uche Chuks’               13-F     Hamilton Ont.             swimming from dock

53.              Tues   7/26     Shaylean Richards      32-F     Fair Haven                  rip current

54.              Mon   8/1       John Doe                     49-M   Sandbanks                   rip current

55.              Sat     8/20     John Doe                     25-M   Rochester                    unknown

LAKE HURON:

56.              Sat     2/26     Robert Quesnelle        40-M   Georgian Bay              Snowmobiling

57.              Mon   4/18     James McComb II       20-M   Port Austin                  Wash from pier

58.              Sun    7/24     Jason McLeod             20-M   Port Franks                  Swimming

59.              Sun    7/31     Jan Raczychi               49-F     Tobermory                   Scuba

60.              Mon   8/1       Donald Dorey             42-M   Long Point                  unknown

61.              Thurs  8/11     Jason McDonough      36-M   Sauble Beach              unknown

LAKE ST. CLAIR:

62.              Sat     4/23     Hassen Randel                        37-M   Black Creek                Fishing (boat)

One Lake Michigan case pending: He did drown and survived. As of 8/8/2011, he still might be in hospital in serious to critical condition. Not sure? Hope he’s recovering well.

63.              Mon   8-1       Mark Urness                53-M   Frankfort                     rip current (CPR)

###

MORE INFORMATION about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/more-info-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH – List of Businesses and Organizations is at:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/partnerships-great-lakes-surf-rescue.html

In the News – Overall Media Coverage:

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2011/08/overall-media-coverage.html

TAGS:  Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, Rip Current, Surf, Surfing, Rescue, drowning, Third Coast, Water Safety,