FOR RELEASE: June 29, 2007

 

For More Information:

James F. Lubner, Ph.D., Water Safety Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant – Milwaukee, (414) 227-3291
Gene Clark, MSCE, Coastal Engineering Specialist, Wisconsin Sea Grant – Superior, (715) 394-8472

Editors Note:  Graphics and more information are available at www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov and www.seagrant.wisc.edu/coastalhazards.

Swimming in the Great Lakes? Look Out for Rip Currents

MILWAUKEE (6/29/07) -- Whether wading off a beach or training for a triathlon, Great Lakes swimmers need to beware of hazardous rip currents. These narrow, fast-moving channels of water can be just as dangerous as those at ocean beaches, overpowering even the strongest swimmers.

“Rip currents are a significant concern for swimmers at Great Lakes beaches,” said University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Water Safety Specialist Jim Lubner. “They can occur in many places, when waves push water up on beaches. That water then flows back toward the lake, sometimes forming a strong current.”

Not even the strongest swimmers can successfully swim directly against the current, but escaping from the current is possible if one knows how, Lubner said.

“The key is to swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current, then swim at an angle away from the current and towards shore” he said. “The currents are relatively narrow streams of water moving straight away from shore. So swimming parallel to shore will get you out of the current quickly. Then you can swim towards shore.”

“The important thing is not to panic,” Lubner added. He also cautioned swimmers and boaters to remember that the cold waters of the Great Lakes can sap a person’s energy quickly.

The University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute annually provides Great Lakes public beaches with free informational posters and brochures about rip currents in both English and Spanish. For copies, contact Linda Campbell at (608) 263-3259 or linda@aqua.wisc.edu.

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Conceived in 1966, Sea Grant is a national network of 30 university-based programs of research, outreach, and education for enhancing the practical use and conservation of coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources to create a sustainable economy and environment. The National Sea Grant Network is a partnership of participating coastal states, private industry, and the National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

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all audio, images and video used with permission