It has been some time since I posted on here… Well, after a pandemic, 2 elections, a back injury, sending 2 off kids to college, I am back, and committed to posting and getting the listserv back up and running. I am sure endless amounts of stuff has happed to everyone in the past 5 years as well. But the lake is still awesome and amazing!

Let’s commit to getting out on the lake and paddling safely.

We have a google group wilmettekayakclub@googlegroups.com. Here people can post when going out, and we can get groups together. You can also post questions to the group.

If you are on the listserv, and would like to stay on, send me an email at wilmettekayakclub@gmail.com. If you would like to join, send an email, and I will add you onto the list. You must have a boat at Gillson, or be able to get your boat to Gillson.

At the very bottom of the site (on a phone) or on the side bar (on a computer) and here, I have links to the Wilmette Weather Buoy, the NOAA weather forecast, Lake Michigan water temperatures, and the North Shore Yacht Club weather cam page, where you can see what the lake looks like in real time.

A few pictures from today:

Safe paddling,

Rachel

It has been nice to get out in small groups.

It always surprises me how different conditions are every time I am out on the water. Sometimes, even in the same paddle, the conditions will rapidly change.

Be sure to check the weather, winds, water temperatures, and forecasts before heading out. See the weather and buoy links on the side of the web page or on the bottom of the mobile version.

It was kind of a strange holiday weekend with social distancing and no fireworks, but was able to get out kayaking both Saturday and Sunday.

So different! Saturday had 1-3 foot waves with an occasional 4-5 footer. Today was nice and calm. We were able to make it out to the bell!

Hope you had a nice holiday! Looking forward to some group paddles. We will get the listserv going, and plan to go out in small groups.

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Well, kayaking season is upon us, but not quite what we imagined. Until we move into Phase 3, you can only kayak in groups of 2.

I don’t generally get my boat down to the beach until the water warms up.

Water temps today are 56 at the shore, up from 54 yesterday, so they are going up, but still COLD. This means you should kayak with a wetsuit.

You can go back to read my old posts, but a few reminders about paddling in cold water:

1. A good rule of thumb– if the air temperature plus the water temperature is less than 120 degrees F, you should definitely wear a wet suit.
2. The 50-50 rules: One of the 50-50 rules states that without protective clothing and a PFD, you only have a 50-50 chance of being able to swim 50 yards in 50-degree water. It depends a lot on the swimmer’s body composition, physical condition and age, but it certainly helps explain why people often drown very close to shore in cold water.
3. Water temperature: 60°F and up hypothermia risk: low; Appropriate clothing: clothing for the weather
   Water temperature: 55-59°F hypothermia risk: moderate; Appropriate clothing: wetsuit or drysuit
   Water temperature: 45-54°F hypothermia risk: high; Appropriate clothing: drysuit recommended
   Water temperature: below 45°F hypothermia risk: extreme; Appropriate clothing: drysuit strongly recommended

Looking forward to getting out on the lake, and hopefully, paddling in small socially distanced groups when we move to Phase 3!

I will check to see if they are strictly adhering to the July 1 date of getting your boats to the beach…

Stay safe!

Another gorgeous paddle today!  We went to the bell.

With the Air and Water Show going on downtown, there wound up being a lot of power boats from the north heading downtown.

Initially the water was flat, but then got churned up with boat wakes.

We got off the water by the time the rain hit.  Another great day!

Hope to get out again soon!

The weather was perfect!  The water temperature was perfect!  The lake was flat!  The winds were low, and from the east…

…Conditions were perfect for a paddle to the Wilmette weather buoy!

It was about 4.7 miles NE of Gillson Beach.  We used a GPS app on my Apple Watch, and found it!

Overall, a great paddle and a great day!

Enjoy the pictures below:

 

Despite the ominous weather, I got my boat to the beach and got out on the water.

The water was unbelievably flat!

You forget what it feels like to use those muscles that you haven’t used for over 8 months!

Got in a quick paddle before the thunder…. but it got me excited about lots of paddling for the season!

See you on the water!!!

As water temperatures are (finally) warming up, it is time for the season to begin!

Many of us have our boats down at the beach or will be getting our boats down to the beach soon.

Water temperatures are in the upper 60’s at the shore.

The new beach house and parking lot turned out great!

We’ll be doing some organized paddles, starting soon.  If you are not on our listserv, and want to be, email wilmettekayakclub@gmail.com.

Remember, that boats must be at the beach by July 1, in order to keep your kayak spot.

Watch the weather, and use the links on the side (or at the bottom of the mobile site) for weather, wave heights, and water temperatures.

Safe paddling!  Looking forward to seeing everyone on the water!!

Beautiful days like today make me excited about the upcoming paddling season!

I was at the beach a few days ago and saw that the construction for the new parking lot and beach house are coming along.

I just spoke with someone at the Lakeview Center who said they are planning on having the parking lots open by opening day May 11.

Here is a picture from April 7.

When we do begin to paddle, please remember there are links on the R hand side of this web page to the Wilmette Buoy, Lake Michigan Water Temperatures, NOAA and Weather Underground, Wilmette Sailing Beach Conditions, and a Loyola University camera that looks out onto Lake Michigan.

Currently water temps are 47 degrees at the shore and 37 degrees at the Chicago crib.

Here are my COLD WEATHER reminders:

1. A good rule of thumb– if the air temperature plus the water temperature is less than 120 degrees F, you should wear a wet suit.
2. The 50-50 rules: One of the 50-50 rules states that without protective clothing and a PFD, you only have a 50-50 chance of being able to swim 50 yards in 50-degree water. It depends a lot on the swimmer’s body composition, physical condition and age, but it certainly helps explain why people often drown very close to shore in cold water.
3. Water temperature: 60°F and up hypothermia risk: low; Appropriate clothing: clothing for the weather
   Water temperature: 55-59°F hypothermia risk: moderate; Appropriate clothing: wetsuit or drysuit
   Water temperature: 45-54°F hypothermia risk: high; Appropriate clothing: drysuit recommended
   Water temperature: below 45°F hypothermia risk: extreme; Appropriate clothing: drysuit strongly recommended

Here is link to an article and video about a cold water rescue…  Very scary, but good reminder.  Paddle with a partner, a radio, and a plan.  Dress for immersion.  Always wear a PFD!

Be safe, and see you on the water soon!

 

The lake was like glass this AM!  So beautiful.

It was nice to get on the water early.  We paddled up the shore to Glencoe and back before too many jet skis were out.

We will try to get some organized paddles in over the next few weeks.

Use the listserv at wilmettekayakclub@googlegroups.com to send an email when you are available.

If you keep your boat at Gilson and are not on our listserv, send an email to wilmettekayakclub@gmail.com, and I can add you to the list.