9/4 Sunday

[nG]

NW winds, getting stronger into afternoon. If forecast does not change- I'll go to Miller Beach for some side-on action. mC will be straight on shore. who's with me?

[snowball]

If its strong i might hit it up

[kitingjames]

I'm in granted that it stays side onshore.

[johnm]

Currently out at central beach in Indiana. Wind is up and down but at least nw. Just seeing if anyone else is in the Indiana area and how they are doing

[skysurfr]

Obviously... I have to to go work... as soon as I get near the airport it's gonna howl....

-----------------------------

ALERT 1 - Rip Current Statement
A RIP CURRENT STATEMENT IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7:00AM CDT WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07

Event Start: Sunday, September 04, 2011 7:00 AM CDT

Event End: Wednesday, September 07, 2011 7:00 AM CDT

Back to Summary
RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT
THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING
Lakeshore Hazard Message
National Weather Service Chicago IL
432 AM CDT Sun Sep 4 2011

Lake IL-Cook-Lake IN-Porter-
432 AM CDT Sun Sep 4 2011

...Rip Current Risk Remains IN Effect Through Wednesday Morning...

• Risk Level...High.

• Waves...Building To 4 To 7 Ft Today...Then To 8 To 12 Ft On
Monday.

Precautionary/Preparedness Actions...

There Is A High Risk Of Rip Currents.

Rip Currents Are Powerful Channels Of Water Flowing Quickly Away
From Shore...Which Occur Most Often At Low Spots Or Breaks IN The
Sandbar And IN The Vicinity Of Structures Such As Groins...
Jetties And Piers. Heed The Advice Of Lifeguards And The Beach
Patrol. Pay Attention To Flags And Posted Signs.

If You Become Caught IN A Rip Current...Do Not Panic. Remain Calm
And Begin To Swim Parallel To Shore. Once You Are Away From The
Force Of The Rip Current...Begin To Swim Back To The Beach. Do
Not Attempt To Swim Directly Against A Rip Current. Even A Strong
Swimmer Can Become Exhausted Quickly.

&&

[skysurfr]

I also think there's some new advice concerning rip currents.....

"If you find yourself being pulled away from shore by a powerful rip current, what should you do? The traditional advice has been to swim parallel to the shore in order to get outside the current. But after an extensive study of these currents — by using instruments and floating in them himself — Jamie MacMahan has concluded that your odds are better if you stay still and just tread water." ...NYT

The rip usually only takes you past the breaking waves, where the water is less of a mess, from there... make a new plan... signal for help, swim in when out of the current, ..... don't waste energy fighting the current.

http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/200 ... ead-water/

If you swim parallel to the shore, he concludes, there’s a 50-percent chance you’ll end up be swimming into a stronger current. But if you just tread water, he says, there’s a 90 percent chance of being returned to shore within about three minutes.

[kitingjames]

Thanks for the new info Mike. Years ago I got caught up in a rip (not here in the lakes)and that's exactly what I did just threaded the water and waited for it to let go of me. I'm new to the area so I'm just curious, is it just me or every time we've had wind this summer there's been rip current warnings? Is this something to expect every time we have wind in the great lakes during the summer or does this change during the fall season?
Also, what's the advice when you get caught up in a current and you are attached to your kite? When the tide and wind are flowing in the same direction it makes it almost impossible to relaunch.

Cheers guys and be safe.

[seblue]

I am tryin to get the family to go. Miller will be where I go it is supposed to build and get stronger 7pm 20mph

[seblue]

Thanks Mike for the new info about rip currents

[snowball]

There was definatly rip currents at miller today. Random spots where the waves are going random directions and you can feel the current under you.

[snowball]

G why didnt you come? I miss u bro

[seblue]

Yea I felt the rip currents. My 10 meter kite had a bad center strut and my 15m was way too big.

My 2 kids and I went out with vests on and played in the waves. I would send one of my kids on a surfboard and let them go a 100' or so. I felt the currents on my legs as I was walking with one of my kids on the board. The air was so cold and staying in the water felt so warm.

[skysurfr]

Im glad to hear the kids had vests on. That beach is pretty famous for swallowing up adults as well as kids. The same applies to M-City.

You probably know this already, but lifevests don't float on air bubbles. They will only float you in good solid clear water. You'll pop up when the white water is done with you.

Glad to hear everyone had a safe fun day!

[V]

Ripped it up in glenn mi with rick, arch and pedro. It was a good day. Sunset brought in some serious wind! Hope everyone put 'em down before the big stuff came through...