July 21, 2008
Water Ski Shows Canceled
No-wake zones around lakes and waterways throughout the Midwest have water ski teams, and other water sport enthusiasts stuck on dry land. Ski teams from Madison, Wisconsin to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin have had to find new lakes to practice on or use dry land to work on routines. Unfortunately, many of their shows have been canceled for nearly the whole summer.
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Rip Currents and the Great Lakes
A new National Weather Service warning will go in effect this year to warn beachgoers of rip currents in the Great Lakes. The currents can push or pull swimmers into deep water, and it can be next to impossible to make it back to shore. The warnings come on the heels of a young boy who drowned off the Indiana Dunes, an area known for its strong currents. Two other areas of concern are a 50-mile stretch of Lake Erie between Cleveland and Huron, Ohio and a beach located in Duluth Harbor on Lake Superior. Close to 100 people drown from rip currents per year.
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July 3, 2008
Party Cove and the U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard will be assisting the Missouri Water Patrol over the Fourth of July holiday at the Lake of the Ozarks. There are expected to be 20,000-30,000 thousand boats on the waterway this weekend, with close to 3,000...
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July 1, 2008
State Boating Laws
With recent boating accidents and deaths on Geneva Lake, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, now is the time to review your state boating laws and regulations. With 4th of July upon us, please remember to use... Continue reading "State Boating Laws"
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June 2, 2008
Recreational Water Illness
According to the CDC, Recreational Water Illnesses are on the rise. The rate of infection has doubled in the last ten years. Recreational Water Illness is any illness or infection caused by organisms that contaminate lakes, streams, rivers and oceans,... Continue reading "Recreational Water Illness"
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May 8, 2008
Water Skiers Want Their Own Lake
Farm fields in Ohio may soon be flooded to create a "water ski only" lake. A group of water ski enthusiasts want to create the lake in Portage County, Ohio. The lake would be over 100 acres in size, and... Continue reading "Water Skiers Want Their Own Lake"
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April 1, 2008
Wakesurfing
With spring and summer approaching you may see more people wakesurfing on local lakes. This sport is slowly catching on, but takes the right equipment to make it work. Please remember NEVER to wakesurf behind an outboard, stern drive... Continue reading "Wakesurfing"
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March 18, 2008
Boundary Waters Portage (Video)
If you have ever spent time in the Boundary Waters you know what it is like to portage your gear and canoe. It can be a challenge, even with the best weather conditions. If you are planning a trip... Continue reading "Boundary Waters Portage (Video)"
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February 27, 2008
Remove Ice Fishing Shelters
The DNR in Minnesota wants to remind people that dark houses, fish houses and shelters must be off the ice of inland waters no later than midnight Friday, Feb. 29, in the southern two-thirds of the state, and March 15... Continue reading "Remove Ice Fishing Shelters"
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February 14, 2008
Iceboat Race Video
Watch iceboats race on Lake Mendota, Wisconsin in this video.... Continue reading "Iceboat Race Video"
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January 31, 2008
Pond Hockey Championships
Do you play hockey on a pond or lake in the winter? Well, if you do you should keep up with two events geared towards pond hockey enthusiasts. The U.S. Pond Hockey Championship and the World Pond Hockey Championship.... Continue reading "Pond Hockey Championships"
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January 22, 2008
Winter on the Lake
People usually associate a day at the lake with warm summer days. But, many people’s fondest memories of lakes actually occur during the winter. From playing hockey to surfing, lakes around the country play an important role in winter recreation.... Continue reading "Winter on the Lake"
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January 18, 2008
Snowkiting Video
Snowkiting and Kiteskiing are sports that have taken off in popularity in recent years around the Midwest. Frozen lakes are used to catch winds much like kitesurfing in the summer. Watch this video from Swede Lake in Minnesota to... Continue reading "Snowkiting Video"
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January 10, 2008
Iceboating Video
With winter upon us, iceboating is back around the country. Take a ride on Lake Wingra in Madison, Wisconsin via a Nite Iceboat in this video.... Continue reading "Iceboating Video"
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January 3, 2008
Water Skiing in the Winter
Some brave souls in Michigan mark the New Year by water skiing. The New Year's Day ski dates to the late 1970s, when members of the West Michigan Water Ski Association were looking for a way to enjoy skiing in... Continue reading "Water Skiing in the Winter"
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December 5, 2007
North Dakota's Lakes
State Game and Fish officials in North Dakota want to remind people that it is not safe to venture out on lakes or rivers in the state, yet. Temperatures may be below freeing but ice is just now beginning to... Continue reading "North Dakota's Lakes"
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November 30, 2007
Aeration Systems
The DNR in Wisconsin wants to alert people that a number of lakes in Barron and Polk counties will have aeration systems operating this winter. The aeration systems cause areas of the lakes to remain ice-free. The lakes include: Antler,... Continue reading "Aeration Systems"
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November 2, 2007
Great Boundary Waters Resource
If you are looking for more information on specific lakes within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness this site is a great resource. It contains lake tables, maps and commentary on almost every lake within the wilderness. From Trout Lake,... Continue reading "Great Boundary Waters Resource"
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July 31, 2007
Cryptosporidium
Health officials in Iowa are warning anyone spending a day at an eastern Iowa lake or river this summer to avoid swallowing the water. A water-borne parasite called Cryptosporidium is making people sick throughout that part of the state. The... Continue reading "Cryptosporidium"
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July 25, 2007
Fishing Tournaments Under Fire
Minnesota's DNR will begin imposing the highest fees in the nation on fishing tournament organizers. They'll range from $120 to $1,000 depending on the number of participants and whether fish are taken offsite to be weighed. The permits had been... Continue reading "Fishing Tournaments Under Fire"
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June 13, 2007
What is Swimmer's Itch?
Swimmer’s itch is an immune reaction occurring in the skin that has been infected by waterborne parasites. Symptoms, which include itchy, raised papules, commonly occur within hours of infection and do not generally last more than a week. The trematodes... Continue reading "What is Swimmer's Itch?"
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May 25, 2007
The Best Camping in Minnesota
From the Boundary Waters to Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, follow one man's journey to the best camping and campsites in Minnesota.... Continue reading "The Best Camping in Minnesota"
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May 11, 2007
Sylvania Wildeness Video
Learn more about canoeing in this unspoiled wilderness, that has been compared to a "mini" Boundary Waters.... Continue reading "Sylvania Wildeness Video"
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May 1, 2007
Spring Thaw, Lake Superior
Sea kayaking the spring thaw on Lake Superior.... Continue reading "Spring Thaw, Lake Superior"
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March 20, 2007
Paddle Lake Michigan
Spring arrives on Lake Michigan... Continue reading "Paddle Lake Michigan"
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March 13, 2007
Lake Columbia
Want to paddle in winter without leaving the midwest? Travel to Lake Columbia near Portage, Wisconsin. This is the winter destination of any paddle fanatic. Thanks to a billion-watt coal-fired power plant, its waters are heated up to 85... Continue reading "Lake Columbia"
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February 20, 2007
Lake Superior Surf Video
Great Lakes surfing is slowly gaining ground on the "third" coast in various midwest states. Some people have never even surfed in an ocean, so freshwater surfing is all that they know.... Continue reading "Lake Superior Surf Video"
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January 31, 2007
Kiteboarding Video
Kiteboarding is becoming more popular around the country and the world. Many lakes around the country have kiteboarders flocking to the shores in summer and winter. With the cold weather and recent strong winds many lakes are now prime... Continue reading "Kiteboarding Video"
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January 19, 2007
Wake Surfing
Sure, you can surf the waves on the Great lakes. But, now thanks to wake surfing you can surf any lake in which a wake can be created. Watch this video from Lake Champlain to learn more.... Continue reading "Wake Surfing"
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December 6, 2006
Boundary Waters Video
Ever wonder what the Boundary Waters are like? Follow a journey into this remote region in this video.... Continue reading "Boundary Waters Video"
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November 28, 2006
Lake Superior Surf Video
Surf season on Lake Superior has begun.... Continue reading "Lake Superior Surf Video"
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October 25, 2006
Kiteboarding on Lake Huron
Kiteboarding is a sport that is showing up on more lakes throughout the midwest, during winter and summer months.... Continue reading "Kiteboarding on Lake Huron"
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October 17, 2006
Surfing the Great Lakes
Video proof that Great Lakes surfing is not a myth.... Continue reading "Surfing the Great Lakes"
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August 9, 2006
Tube Kiting
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has banned a new form of extreme water sport called tube kiting from its recreation lakes in New Hampshire as well as in other New England states. The agency instituted the ban at its 31... Continue reading "Tube Kiting"
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July 12, 2006
Kite Tubes
For the second time in five days, a lake in Michigan recorded a water accident involving kite tubes. Chelsey Omilian, 15, of Lake Orion was recovering in Crittenton Hospital after an accident involving a kite tube, an inflatable device used...Link to this article | Comments (0)
June 29, 2006
Water Safety
Tips for having a safe time around the water, July 4th, and all summer long. 1) Never swim alone. Always have a "buddy" and keep an eye on each other. Parents should always watch their kids even if a lifeguard... Continue reading "Water Safety"
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June 13, 2006
Learn to Swim
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), drowning claims the lives of more than 4,000 people each year, and children four years of age and younger have the highest death rate due to drowning. By establishing and practicing simple water... Continue reading "Learn to Swim"
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June 2, 2006
Lake Monroe, Lake Lemon
Lake Monroe and Lake Lemon in Indiana, two public lakes that permit swimming, hosted nearly a million and a half visitors last season. With hundreds of people swimming in both lakes every day, the water is in need of testing.... Continue reading "Lake Monroe, Lake Lemon"
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May 26, 2006
Chicago Beaches
Wondering if it is safe to swim on Chicago beaches? Check the flags. Chicago is the first municipality in Illinois to keep Lake Michigan beaches open for swimming until the level of E. coli bacteria climbs above 1,000 colonies... Continue reading "Chicago Beaches"
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April 10, 2006
Water Safety
Creeks are running and lakes are open throughout the Midwest, but there's danger in the spring thaw. Here's what happens to someone who plunges into cold water, according to the U.S. Coast Guard: • The initial shock produces a gasp... Continue reading "Water Safety"
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April 4, 2006
Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lakes
With more than 160,000 acres on Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes to oversee, and an average of 3 million visitors a year to those lakes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Park Rangers have a big responsibility. More than a... Continue reading "Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lakes"
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February 20, 2006
Snowkiting
The new sport of Snowkiting has taken off on lakes around the world. This sport combines high-powered kites with snowboards or skis, and gives the rider a chance to race at high speeds or jump obstacles in their way....Link to this article | Comments (0)
February 3, 2006
Ice
With the unseasonably warm temperatures in the Midwest, ice thicknesses on lakes, ponds and streams vary from open water to 14 inches or more in the northern parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. On lakes in the southern half of...Link to this article | Comments (0)
December 17, 2005
Winter Safety
The DNR in many Midwestern states have been sending warnings to ice anglers, snowmobilers, skiers and kite-boarders. They advise the use of caution when going onto any lake covered or partially covered with ice, especially those that have operating aeration... Continue reading "Winter Safety"
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November 19, 2005
Surfing the Great Lakes
Surfing the Great Lakes, bring your wet suit. Other than a lack of salinity in the Great Lakes, the main difference between lake surf and ocean surf is wave formation. Lake waves are generated by high winds blowing in one... Continue reading "Surfing the Great Lakes"
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October 25, 2005
Sailing and Boating
All quarter-of-a-million motorboat users in Virginia may have to pass a boating-safety course before heading onto the water under a proposal the state game department is considering. The course, which would require General Assembly approval, would be similar to the... Continue reading "Sailing and Boating"
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October 18, 2005
Surfing
Excerpt from Surfing the Great Lakes, "Surfing on Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario is as multi-dimensional as the lakes themselves. Part extreme sport, part science, part therapy, it remains a five-decade-old anomaly. Not only because of the stigma...Link to this article | Comments (1)
October 6, 2005
Water Ski
The International Water Ski Federation officially crowned Jaret Llewellyn of Innisfail, Alta., the men's 2005 World Cup jump champion. Llewellyn tabulated 752.5 points on the circuit in the jump event which included two victories. He finished ahead of arch rival...Link to this article | Comments (0)
August 22, 2005
Man Saved
A ferry rescued a man clinging to a seat cushion in Lake Michigan nearly two hours after his boat capsized almost 20 miles from shore Sunday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard....Link to this article | Comments (0)