FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 6, 2012

Contact:

Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Dave Benjamin, Executive Director and Public Relations

708-903-0166

Sur Rescue Project’s executive wins

Great Lakes Community Service Award

GREAT LAKES, USA – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP) is proud to announce that Bob Pratt has been selected as the 2012 “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic (aka “D-Land”) in Sheboygan, WI.

 “The award is designed to reward individuals that selflessly give to the surfing sport and lifestyle – To those who give more to surfing than they take,” said Larry “Longboard” Williams, Dairyland Surf Classic co-organizer.  “It’s for those who are known throughout the Great Lakes surf community for their positive attitude and contributions to freshwater surfing.”

According to Williams, the award is only given once in a surfer’s lifetime as a way of saying thank you for bringing happiness to so many in the community. Pratt will receive the award Saturday, September 2, at the Dairyland Surf Classic’s awards banquet.

“Wow. What an honor,” said Bob Pratt, GLSRP executive director.  “I'm speechless... And thank you!”

“D-Land is the largest gathering of freshwater surfers in the world,” said co-organizer Lee “Waterflea” Williams. “The main focus has always been the gathering of surfers from all the Great Lakes to share stories, photos and celebrate the passion we all share and love. Most of us have surfed many breaks around the world but this, the Great Lakes, is what we call home.”

ABOUT DAIRYLAND SURF CLASSIC

The Dairyland Surf Classic was created to share the "stoke" and "Aloha Spirit" of surfing the Great Lakes. It’s known as "the gathering of the Tribes" this event is known not only around the Lakes but throughout the U.S. Each year it honors people who make a difference on the Great Lakes. It’s also a hosts Standup Paddle (SUP) competitions, three person relays, professional paddle events and an market opportunity for participants to buy, sell, swap and trade gear.

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The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is about saving lives. It is a nonprofit corporation that is a Chapter of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), the 2011 “Lifesaver of the Year” award winner, presenter at the NDPA’s 11^th Annual Symposium, and the 2012 winner of the “Outstanding Service to the Great Lakes Community” award presented by the Dairyland Surf Classic, Sheboygan, WI. The GLSRP tracks drowning statistics, teaches “Water Safety Surf Rescue” classes, and leads the “Third Coast Ocean Force” rip current awareness campaign on the Great Lakes. 

Frankfort, MI Surf Rescue Class Reps Great Lakes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 9, 2011

Contacts:

Lesley Perkins, The Betsie Bay Inn, 231-352-8090

Larry Bordine, Beach Nut Surf Shop, 231-357-0339

Bob Pratt, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, 517-256-4600

Dave Benjamin, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Media Relations, 708-903-0166

Frankfort Surf Rescue Class

Representing the Great Lakes at San Diego Symposium

And “Lifesaver of the Year” Award finalist

FRANKFORT, MI – The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project’s "Surfboard Rescue Techniques" class hosted July 17 by the Betsie Bay Inn and Beach Nut Surf Shop in Frankfort will be presenting its class at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s 11^th Annual Symposium, March 7 – 10, 2012 in San Diego, California. The Surf Rescue Project’s, Bob Pratt, is also a ‘Top 10 Finalist’ for the NDPA’s “Lifesaver of the Year” Award.

“This class was absolutely necessary,” said Leslie Perkins, Betsie Bay Inn owner. “Many young people do not know what a rip current is or how strong rips can be.  Rips can occur in a split second and many people on the beach watching don’t know what to do to help.”

In 2010 Beach Nut Surf Shop owner, Larry Bordine, personally assisted six swimmers out of rip currents with his surfboard at Frankfort’s beaches.  In one case he assisted a father and daughter to shore. 

“The father was extremely tired and barely treading water while his daughter was going under,” said Bordine.  “It could have been tragic.”  According to Bordine, many of the lake surfers in Frankfort have made similar rescues at unguarded beaches. 

“This class was an excellent opportunity to increase water safety awareness and minimize beach accidents,” said Bordine.  “When this class helps one swimmer in distress, it helps the whole community.”

PRESENTING AT NDPA SYMPOSIUM

“Presenting allows us to bring the issues unique to the Great Lakes to a national forum,” said Bob Pratt, Surf Rescue Class Instructor.  “Our rip currents are different; they are caused by short fetch windswells, and our piers are solid structures that exacerbate the rip current problem.”

The Great Lakes have a short swimming season (typically three months), yet has a high number of drownings each year (87 in 2011; 74 in 2010; a two-year total of 161).

“Addressing these challenges at the symposium may result in greater interest by researchers and may also result in expanded funding,” Pratt added.  “The ultimate goal is and will always be the prevention of drowning by increased education and a culture of respect for the power of the Lakes.”

“We will showcase the broad range of efforts taking place in the Great Lakes region. While the region may be struggling economically, volunteer and non-profit groups have stepped in to fill voids caused by a lack of lifeguards and cuts to public safety and education.”

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project believes its class can serve as a national model bringing diverse groups of people together (the general public, surfers, law enforcement, and water rescue professionals) with the common goal of saving lives. 

The class teaches participants how to recognize the danger of the surf environment; understand rip currents (i.e. how, where, and why rip currents occur); how to survive rips; to know the “Signs of Drowning”; and how to use a surfboard or other flotation device to rescue a person in distress or in a rip current.

The first “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class for 2012 is slated for Chicago in June in coordination with National Rip Current Awareness week (full summer calendar coming soon).

NDPA “LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR” AWARD

 The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project's, Bob Pratt, has made the "Top 10 Finalist" list for the National Drowning Prevention Alliance's "Lifesaver of the Year" Award.  Voting for the winner will be on FaceBook Jan. 4 to 31, 2012.  Click on the link below now to read the Lifesaver nomination and then click on the "Thumbs Up" image if you would like to cast your VOTE to support saving lives on the Great Lakes!  [NOTE: You can vote once every day until the 31st.]

 http://apps.facebook.com/lifesaveroftheyear/contests/144881/voteable_entries/37669564.  

87 GREAT LAKES DROWNINGS IN 2011 – A TWO-YEAR TOTAL OF 161

“It was a tragic year on the Great Lakes,” said Bob Pratt, Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project CEO.  “Eighty-seven lives lost are unacceptable.  In two-thousand-twelve we will be working hard to reduce these numbers through our water safety and surf rescue classes,” Pratt added.  “Knowledge is power, and we’re leading a huge education effort across the Great Lakes.”

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project hosted five “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” classes last summer in Michigan and Indiana.  There are currently 14 classes slated for summer 2012.  The first “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class for 2012 is slated for Chicago the weekend of June 2-3 in coordination with National Rip Current Awareness week.  (Details coming soon)

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTION ALLIANCE

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance is a volunteer-driven 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization founded in 2004. NDPA members are dedicated to preventing drowning for all age groups in all bodies of water through public education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. The public is invited to join by visiting www.ndpa.org.    

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

http://david-benjamin.blogspot.com/2012/01/about-great-lakes-surf-rescue-project.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