PORT HURON, MI — Hundreds of people hit the St. Clair River on Sunday, Aug. 16, for the annual Port Huron Float Down, filling the water with tubes, kayaks and flotation devices of all shapes and sizes.
Among this year’s floaters were four friends who traveled a little farther than most to take part.
Freddie Dreyer, Willem Bestbier and Henk Lemmer came from Cape Town, South Africa, while Charl Steyn traveled from Johannesburg for their first Float Down. None had been to the area before.
“We came for this,” Dreyer said.
The four discovered the Float Down through social media and decided it was the kind of event worth making the trip for. They also visited Frankenmuth and Mackinac Island while in Michigan.
“Doing random stuff like this is what we do,” Dreyer said. “Go around and just pop in and check what’s going on, and get the vibe of the people.”
They were among hundreds who gathered under grayish skies at Lighthouse Beach before taking to the water on tubes, kayaks and other inflatables.
The unsanctioned annual tradition sends participants south along the river from Port Huron toward Chrysler Beach in Marysville. Unlike last year’s Float Down, when strong winds repeatedly pushed participants back toward shore, floaters Sunday were able to make their way into the river without struggle.
For Jessica Compton of Port Huron, Sunday marked her second Float Down — and the first for her 13-year-old son, Joey Compton.
Compton said she was supposed to work Sunday before a coworker switched her to on-call so she could participate.
“I love the Michigan water because there’s no sharks and it’s clean and it’s beautiful,” Compton said.
Her first Float Down also taught her to take the river seriously. Compton said she jumped into the water without a life jacket and hadn’t realized how strong the current was. This year, both she and her son came prepared with life jackets.
“We’re ready to be safe and have a good time,” she said.
Safety was also on the mind of longtime participants Bill Bradski of Port Huron and Jason Hills of Clyde, who were part of a group of about a dozen friends Sunday.
Bradski said the group uses double tubes, leaving an extra spot available if someone’s float fails along the way. He also wears his life jacket throughout the trip.
Curtis York of Marysville was celebrating his birthday with the group. York’s first Float Down was in 2016, when high winds and heavy rain sent about 1,500 participants into Canada. He has returned every year since. York said bad weather hasn’t stopped the group over the years, recalling Float Downs through rain, storms and even hail.
The U.S. Coast Guard has warned people against participating in the Float Down, citing safety concerns associated with the unsanctioned event. Boat traffic on the St. Clair River was restricted from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday as U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard crews and local law enforcement patrolled the river.
Rob Lutz, with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, said five auxiliary members were at Lighthouse Beach talking with participants about life jackets, staying near shore, avoiding alcohol and preparing for emergencies.
Despite the warnings, Dreyer and his friends were ready to see for themselves what had brought them from South Africa to Port Huron.
“We’re all from South Africa,” Dreyer said. “Nice to be here.”
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Hundreds take to St. Clair River for Float Down, even some from South Africa
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
