I hope everyone got a chance to get out this weekend!  The weather was incredible!  This was the earliest that I have ever gotten my kayak down to the beach!

But, always this time of year, I have to send my reminders about cold water temperatures.

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 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

Someone said to me on Sunday, “I went in the water with my wetsuit, neoprene booties and gloves – I tried about five times and I could not swim for more than 40 sec.”

The water temperatures are just about 60 degrees now, but with the cooler temperatures this week, the water temperatures may go down.

A reminder that on the R hand side of the website and at the bottom of the mobile site, I have included several links.  You will find a link to the Wilmette Buoy, the NOAA site, Weather Underground, Lake Michigan water temperatures, Wilmette sailing beach conditions, and Loyola University’s web cam (showing real-time lake conditions).

You can click on each of these in this post for the links, as well.

Remember that lake conditions can change rapidly.  Be prepared ahead of time by researching, but always be prepared for changing conditions.  On Monday at 8:15 AM the lake was glass with a light southeastern breeze.  About 2/3 of the way down to Dempster, we could feel the wind coming from our backs.  The wind had shifted to the North.  It made paddling back a lot more challenging!

Let’s keep the listserv active!!!  If you keep your boat at Gillson (or have a launch pass) and want to be on the listserv, email me at wilmettekayakclub@gmail.com.

When you are going out or want to kayak with someone, send an email to wilmettekayakclub@googlegroups.com.  The email will go to the whole group.  You can reply all or reply individually.

When the season gets going, we will try to have more regular group outings.  This summer we are hoping to get a group together to get to the Wilmette Buoy.  We will also try to have a few safety sessions, practicing launching and landing in all conditions, wet exits, T-rescues, and rolling.

I will get out my camera and post pictures next time I am out.  I spent this time playing with an App on my Apple Watch.  Anyone who is looking for a tracking App for the Apple Watch that does not need an iPhone (if you have LTE service), I found Waterspeed. It was great!  It tracked our route, distance, and speed, but it used most of my watch battery with just 2 1/2 hours of paddling.  I just upgraded the App, and I think it now tracks weather and wind speeds too.

Looking forward to a great paddling season!

Rachel

 

Just a reminder that Gillson Beach renewal contracts are due February 19, 2018!

Do not forget to get those in by 5 PM on the 19th or you risk losing your kayak spot.

The beach opens May 12th!  It will be here before we know it!

Looking forward to an awesome (and safe) paddling season!

In case you did not get out enough this summer, we have gotten a second chance at paddling with all of this warm weather!  And the water temps are still in the 70’s!

Looks like there is still some good weather in the forecast!

4 of us went out on Saturday.  It was beautiful.  I’m posting a few pictures.

Also, a reminder that the buoys were taken down in Wilmette.  Several motor boats have been driving WAY too close to the shore.  Be on the lookout for them, be aware, stay safe!

Safe paddling!

It is amazing how much and how quickly the lake changes from day to day and hour to hour!

It is a good reminder that you should always be paddling with your PFD!  And, especially when wavy, sea kayakers should wear their skirts.  If you have a recreational boat without bulk heads, be very careful when paddling in waves.  If your boat fills up with water, the T-rescue will likely not work.

Understanding primary and secondary stability will help to know what conditions your kayak is meant to be in.

• Primary Stability refers to the kayak’s initial feeling of steadiness. A kayak with good primary stability like the ones with flat hull will feel stable and solid, making it a good kayak for beginners.
• Secondary Stability refers to the kayak’s ability to stay stable even when tipped, which is good for rough water conditions. This ability makes it easy for users to traverse choppy waters safely.

Regardless of what kind of boat you have, hope you have been enjoying this season.  Please always watch the weather and paddle safely!

Here are some pictures from a few recent paddles.

 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Be safe and happy paddling!

We had a beautiful paddle to the bell today!  The water was flat with little wind, but we still could not see the wreck.  We headed to a few other buoys before going back to shore.  …We will get out to the Wilmette weather buoy one of these days!

I just got a new underwater/waterproof camera, so I’ll start posting pictures again.

The water is warming up, so we should practice T-rescues, wet exits, and rolling for those who have sea kayaks.

I just added a few new weather links on the R hand side of the website.  In addition to a better Wilmette weather buoy link, I added a link to Loyola University’s Crown Center Web Cam.  It gives a good picture of the shoreline, since the Wilmette weather buoy pictures are about 3-4 miles off shore.

You must have your boat down to the beach by today, July 1, or you risk losing your spot for next year.

I met a few new people on the beach today.  Hopefully, we can get the listserv more active!  If you keep your boat at Gillson Beach and are interested in joining our listserv, please click this link.

Anyone already on the listserv, can post to the group by sending an email here.

And an update on Tracy Lynn Martin, the woman circumnavigating the great lakes– she has finished paddling Lake Michigan, and is now up on Lake Superior!

Here’s to an awesome paddling season!  See you on the water!

Hi everyone,

The sailing beach opens Saturday, May 13!  So excited for another paddling season!

I know the weather outside now is miserable, but in the next few days/weeks it will warm up.    …BUT early in the season, it is time for my yearly reminder about cold weather paddling!  This time of year you need to dress for the water!

I have links to the Wilmette Buoy (which is not being updated regularly yet, but will be in the season), NOAA, Weather Underground, and Lake Michigan water temperatures on the R hand side of the website.  Water temps are currently in the high 40’s.  That is cold!

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 Fahrenheit, 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

Once the season gets started, we will have group paddles, practices sessions (T-rescues, wet exits, rolling practice), and this year we hope to have a BBQ!  If interest, we can do some regular paddles (Tuesday AM paddles or Thursday evening paddles).

Remember to bring boats down to the beach by July 1, or you will lose your spot.  Several spots opened up this year due to people not bringing their boats down in time!

Traci Lynn Martin is still on her circumnavigation journey around the Great Lakes.  She will be coming through Wilmette sometime in the next several weeks.  She is in contact with one of our members, and will be staying at his house while passing through the area.  Depending on when she comes, what time it is, how long she can stay, how tired she is, etc we may try to get a group together, so watch your email!  Here is a link to a site with a map of where she is and her Twitter account.

A reminder that anyone who keeps their boat on the beach at Gillson or has a launch pass, can sign up for our listserv.  Please email me at wilmettekayakclub@gmail.com to be added to the list!  You can also subscribe to this website to get updates when new posts come out.

Looking forward to a great paddling season!!!  See you on the water!

 

 

I am not sure if you have heard, but there is a woman who is going to circumnavigate the Great Lakes.  She plans to do 8600 miles in 265 days.

Traci Lynn Martin is a competitive kayaker.  She started off in Port Huron on March 13.  She will be in the Chicago area in May.

Here is a link to her website.

We will post more info when we hear more.

It was an gorgeous day yesterday!  We made it to the bell, and captured a few pictures!