Kayaks, inflated tubes and one unusually large swan lined Lighthouse Beach Sunday as beachgoers prepared to hit the water for the Port Huron Float Down.
The unsanctioned event draws thousands of people each year looking to float along the St. Clair River from Port Huron to Marysville, a trip that can take up to six hours by river float.
"Seeing the people and all the different floats keeps me coming back every year," said Frank Belcher, who attended the float down for his 12th year.
The relaxation of floating by houses and other floats while the river does all the hard work is a prime reason many of the Float Down's participants gave for returning.
It's a notable contrast for Don Lichtle and Daryl Williams, both of whom often go kayaking in rougher waters than the St. Clair River. They were joined by Williams' four sons, who were joining the Float Down for the first time, as well as "Benny," a skeleton prop that joined Williams in his own kayak.
"He's been hunting, he rode a quad one season, but this is his first Port Huron excursion," Lichtle said.
On the other side of the beach, Belcher prepared for the return of his own skeleton partner, Mr. Bones, a more experienced Kayaker than Benny who returned wielding flags celebrating beer and alcohol.
Both were dwarfed, however, by the giant crowned swan used by Jeff Noga and his friends. Big enough to hold six people, Noga said he found the swan on sale months ago and decided to buy it.
"In the past we all had our own floats," Noga said.
Also joining each of the floats was a collection of safety equipment: life jackets, paddles, rope and other necessities for hitting the water.
Every year the U.S. Coast Guard warns people of the dangers of the Port Huron Float Down, and every year that warning is mostly ignored. The river was closed to regular boat traffic Sunday, except for U.S. Coast Guard and other first responder vessels, which patrolled the river in case anyone was in need of an emergency rescue.
More: 'The risks are real': Coast Guard urges people not to participate in Sunday's Float Down
Lichtle said he takes safety seriously despite the relaxing nature of the event. During his last float down five years ago, he had to dive into the water to help someone who had fallen from their tube.
Shawn Holloway and his group had paddles ready and a bag containing their IDs and passports. In 2016 strong winds blew several participant to across the water into Canadian waters.
"I think my first year was the one after that happened," Holloway said. Nevertheless, he made sure to learn from others' mistakes.
Justin Westmiller, St. Clair County emergency management director, said as of 4 p.m. Sunday local law enforcement had to assist thousands of people who were blown into the beach by strong winds. He said there had been no major injuries, but the weather had not been favorable.
"This has not been a good day to go floating down the river, but people are still doing it," Westmiller said.
Despite the safety warnings several returning and new river floaters said they were excited to join everyone along the river.
"It's a great experience," said Sabrynna Offt, who participated in the river float for her second year. "You float down with your friends and loved ones and just relax. It's really fun."
Kaneko Yumika, a friend of Holloway's who is visiting from Japan, said it was her first time participating in the river float.
"This is my first time to swim and boat on the river, so that's exciting for me," Yumika said.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Crowds gather despite warnings for Port Huron Float Down
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