Tips for Safe Paddling on Lake Michigan

Paddling on the Great Lakes can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. Lake Michigan is a large and powerful body of water that should be approached with respect. All five of the Great Lakes are subject to sudden changes in the weather that can result in unexpected increases in wind speed and wave heights. The beach that you launched from in calm conditions can have dumping surf when you return a few hours later. However, with care, common sense, and training, you can safely paddle on Lake Michigan and enjoy all that this body of water has to offer. The following tips for paddling on Lake Michigan can help you to get off to a good start!

1. Get qualified instruction in paddle strokes, capsize recovery, and navigation.

Instructors are certified by the American Canoe Association (ACA) and the British Canoe Union (BCU). If you plan to paddle on the Great Lakes, look for an instructor who is certified by the ACA in Open Water Coastal Kayak. With the BCU you will want to find a Coach Level 3 or 4 Sea. Certification does not guarantee that the instructor will be the best teacher, but it does insure that the information and skills you are being taught are safe and appropriate for the type of paddling you will be doing.

2. Wear a USCG-approved personal floatation device (PFD) at all times while on the water.

The most common factor in boating fatalities is that the victim wasn't wearing a PFD. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to put on a PFD when conditions become rough or after you have capsized and are in the water. Choose a comfortable USCG Type III PFD and wear it all the time!

3. Use a kayak that is appropriate for the open waters of Lake Michigan.

For large bodies of water, you should be using a touring (sea) kayak that is at least 13.5 feet long and has secure floatation in the bow and stern (usually in the form of bulkheads and hatches). The cockpit should have a snug fit that will allow you to use your lower body to control the kayak. A rudder or skeg will aid in tracking in adverse wind and wave conditions.

4. Carry and know how to use appropriate safety gear.

• PFD - USCG Type III. Wear it at all times on the water!
• Paddle & Spare - Paddles can break or be lost on the water. Carry a spare.
• Sprayskirt - This is a necessity for keeping water out of the cockpit when the waves get bigger and choppier. A dry cockpit is more stable.
• Pump - Used to get water out of your kayak or someone else's kayak.
• Paddlefloat - Inflatable or rigid foam float placed on the end of your paddle to create an outrigger to stabilize the kayak while you re-enter by yourself.
• Signaling Devices - whistle, flares, emergency strobe, waterproof flashlight, VHF radio
• Compass - a deck-mounted marine compass is the easiest to use, but carrying a hand-held orienteering compass is a good safety back-up in case of fog or low visibility.
• Tow Belt - Used to tow tired, ill, or injured paddlers who cannot get to shore on their own.

5. Check the weather forecast and wave predictions before going out on the water. Use your own eyes and ears to verify those reports when you arrive at the put-in.

Weather reports are available from a variety of sources. The best information for paddling on Lake Michigan will be a NOAA near-shore marine forecast. You can get this information on the internet or by listening to a weather radio that carries the NOAA broadcasts. Many VHF radios also carry these weather channels. The near-shore marine forecast gives weather and wave information for the waters within 5 nautical miles of shore. However, it is still important to look at the conditions for yourself at the put-in since the border between land and water can create conditions unique to your location. (There are links to several sources for weather information on the "Resources for Paddlers" page of the Laacke & Joys website including links to the NOAA near-shore marine forecasts.)

6. Know the water temperature and dress for possible capsize and immersion.

The waters of Lake Michigan off the Wisconsin shoreline generally range from just above freezing to the low 70's during a warm summer. The prevailling westerly winds in our area have a tendency to blow all the warm surface water over to the other side of the lake. We get a constant resupply of colder water from below. As a result, wetsuits are a necessity for just about all the time between April and November. From December to March a drysuit is generally mandatory.You need to be wearing paddle clothing that is warm enough to protect you from hypothermia long enough to get you back into your kayak and safely underway. That means that beginning paddlers will probably want to dress a bit warmer than more experienced paddlers whose capsize recovery skills are more reliable.

7. Learn the "rules of the road" for your local waterways and stay out of the way of other boaters regardless of who has the "right of way."

Lake Michigan has other boat traffic that you as a kayaker need to be aware of. Sailboats, powerboats, freighters, high-speed ferries, tugboats, and jetskis all share the water with us. Take the time to check out the navigation regulations. However, while human-powered craft often have the technical right-of-way over other craft, I wouldn't want to stake my life on that rule. Kayaks are small and low to the water. They don't show up on radar, so it is best to assume that you have not been seen. You should try to stay out of the way of other boaters, especially large commercial ships. If you need to cross an area of boat traffic, keep your group together so other boaters don't have to zig zag around and through small groups of paddlers. Make yourself as visible as possible by using equipment in bright colors and by putting additional reflective tape on your kayak, paddle, and PFD.

8. Paddle with other skilled, experienced paddlers.

You should never depend on other paddlers to save your butt if you go out in conditions that are beyond your skill level. However, you can learn alot from paddling with more skilled paddlers, and they can provide a measure of safety as you carefully attempt to challenge yourself in slightly more difficult conditions.

Article by Sherri Mertz - ACA Open Water Coastal Kayak instructor