Editor’s notice: A separate picture essay showcasing extra scenes from the Great Lake Plunge accompanies this story.
Nearly 250 swimmers took half Sunday within the Great Lake Plunge, an annual open-water race that kicks off from Dempster Street Beach and consists of competitions of 1, 2 and 4 kilometers.
“We are just with a bunch of local swimmers who enjoy open-water swimming,” mentioned Dave Stumpf, one of many organizers of the occasion, which began in 2015. More than 100 swimmers — from age 9 to 78 — have been Evanston residents. Others got here from Wisconsin and Indiana, and there was one swimmer from Mexico.
“We could not be happier with the weather conditions we got today,” mentioned organizer Kendra Robinson. Lake Michigan was about 74 levels. Some swam for the enjoyable of it; others have been aggressive. They all have been timed by GPS chips.
Twenty-four lifeguards have been stationed throughout the large round course on paddle boards and kayaks to look at swimmers and supply resting spots. Two fireplace division boats have been on the prepared, together with jet ski rescuers.
The occasion raises cash for organizations to show younger folks the right way to swim, and in addition for the coaching of Evanston lifeguards, mentioned Robinson.