Service to the Great Lakes DairyLand Surf Classic Aug 2012 This award is issued annually in recognition of service to the Great Lakes community. It was awarded to Bob Pratt for his tireless efforts to reduce the number of drownings on the Great Lakes.

Lifesaver Of The Year N.D.P.A. Feb 2012 On Aug. 28, 2011, Bob Pratt and one of his class participants, Nick Rymut, rescued a boy caught in a rip current on Lake Michigan.Rymut, a firefighter/paramedic for the Lockport Township Fire Department in Illinois, had just taken Pratt’s “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class, about 30 minutes prior to spotting the boy caught in the rip current. Rymut, who was surfing when he saw the boy, paddled out to rescue him.Pratt was on shore speaking with a lifeguard and police officers… Show more On Aug. 28, 2011, Bob Pratt and one of his class participants, Nick Rymut, rescued a boy caught in a rip current on Lake Michigan.Rymut, a firefighter/paramedic for the Lockport Township Fire Department in Illinois, had just taken Pratt’s “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” class, about 30 minutes prior to spotting the boy caught in the rip current. Rymut, who was surfing when he saw the boy, paddled out to rescue him.Pratt was on shore speaking with a lifeguard and police officers when he noticed the boy in danger and sprinted into the water to aide Rymut and coach him through the successful rescue.Pratt continues to promote public safety education through his organization, “The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project,” through which he teaches about Great Lakes rip current awareness, beach and water safety. In addition, he tracks Great Lakes drowning statistics, and teaches “Surfboard Rescue Techniques” classes along the coast of Lake Michigan. Pratt was invited to bring his “Surfboard Rescue Techniques Class” to 12 cities on the Great Lakes in 2011, which spreads crucial, lifesaving knowledge to lifeguards, police officers, fire fighters, water rescue teams, dive team members and the average beach goer.The Great Lakes have earned a reputation for their dangerous rip currents. Pratt explains that Lake Michigan waters often have “washing machine” surf filled with “flash rips,” which are nearly impossible to escape without some type of flotation device. In 2010, 74 people drowned in the Great Lakes, primarily due to rip currents. As of November 30, 2011, the Great Lakes claimed 85 lives.The Life Saver of the Year contest had nominees submit an essay explaining how they had saved one or more lives in a water related incident. Pratt received the most votes among 10 finalists on the NDPA’s Facebook page.Pratt will be honored for his heroic actions at the SN.D.P.A. symposium will be held March 7-10 in San Diego, California. Show less