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Monday, July 23, 2012

About Town

Lake Michigan Is Not For the Faint of Heart

As her husband and son prepare to sail in one of the longest freshwater sailing races in the world, our columnist comes face to face with the power and potential danger of the lake

Evanston beachgoers are all too aware that Lake Michigan is one fierce body of water. Riptides close the beaches, weather systems change in an instant, and conditions prompt many to compare Lake Michigan to an ocean. In fact, one young man recently made a trip from Hawaii to windsurf 56 miles across the lake while members of his chase crew succumbed to seasickness. Lake Michigan is not for the faint of heart. A week or so ago, I sat at the Dempster Street Sailing Beach, watching my oldest son and his friends enjoy a perfect summer day out on the water. The sun was hot and the breeze was strong...perfect conditions for a bunch of teenagers to enjoy some kayaking and sailing. However, when the boys took their vessels beyond the point at …

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