For respect for the family, friends and mourners, I hesitate to ask any more details. If there is a write up later on, this would be an informational to other kayakers, especially those starting out in the Upper MidWest U.S.A area. Note: If my memory serves me correct, a little over three years ago on a warm but very windy day in June, air temperature in the 70s, wind gust over 30 MPH), two kayakers also perished from hypothermia on Lake Michigan off of Door County on the Green Bay side. And the water is slightly warmer in Summer on the Green Bay side (large, enclosed bay). There was an article published in Sea Kayaker magazine about one year later, the following March. I believe John Andrew wrote this article or contributed to it. As a student in a Wilderness First Aid class then, I mentioned and discussed this article during the class (I was a student). I have also mentioned this to beginning kayakers; too many have expressed surprise or astonishment. Since this is in the local area (I live in Minnesota), the occurrence in a nearby area surprises them. Before I read the book (and continue to re-read) , Sea Kayaker In Deep Trouble, I, too, would had been surprised. I was one of those people who would easily swim in Lake Michigan in September (and did when I worked over at Door County). I was stunned when I read of the kayakers perishing three years ago, short story in the newspaper. I day sailed in that area in small Sunfish (board like sailboat) while much younger, and never once thought about hypothermia (water is warm enough for swimming, why would I worry). At least in my opinion, this is not dwelling on a tragedy, but rather educating the uninformed. If family, friends, or mourners read this posting and are upset, I apologize. From: "ralph diaz" <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com> > This was sure to jack up the cold water effect as the forward > motion would flush lots of cold water through his garments. What's important to note is that the surface temperature of the southern Great Lakes is rather warm these days - many folks wouldn't hesitate to jump in for a swim. http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/cwdata/lct/glsea.gif is a web site I check accasionally - it shows a graohical representation of the surface temps. Only Lake Superior looks cold. Dressing for extended submersion remains critical even if you can swim in a bathing suit in the same water. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Sep 18 2002 - 14:43:19 PDT
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