August Meetup-Dave Benjamin and the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project!

Our meetup in August will be on a Monday this month at the Atlantic!
This month we will be bringing in Dave Benjamin of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project.

Dave Benjamin is a winter surfer and the Co-Founder of the The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a nonprofit committed to reducing the number of Great Lakes drownings through training, public preparedness, and public awareness. On December 26th, 2010, Dave survived a near-death experience while surfing in Lake Michigan. That incident changed his life and he made a lifelong promise to educate others on water safety. Dave’s Benjamin’s keynote presentation teaches leadership lessons based on his unique perspective from the water.

The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation that is about saving lives!
The GLSPR:

1. Tracks the Great Lakes drowning statistics (1,331+ drownings since 2010)
2. Performs “Great Lakes Water Safety” presentations and trainings (Over 1,150 in 7 of the 8 Great Lakes states since 2011)
3. Works with family and friends of Great Lakes drowning victims to advocate water safety.
4. Performs In-service Training for Open Water Surf Lifeguards and First Responders
5. Leads the Great Lakes Water Safety Public Relations and Media Relations Campaigns
6. Leads many Great Lakes Water Safety “Special Projects”, which often span multiple years.

It has been a number of years since we have heard this presentation and it is long overdue.

42 Great Lakes Drownings to date in 2025
19 of those in Lake Michigan
(+7 Critical, Unknown, or Missing)
1,376 Great Lakes Drownings since 2010
How can you avoid being a statistic?

7:00- Meet and Greet (buy food and drink!)
7:30- Meeting
~8:00- Presentation