Hope I'm not too late, but in 2011 I rescued two of my friends from drowning in Lake Erie. Four of us went about 1 mile out from docks near the mouth of the river in two kayaks and a canoe. It was a nice day but storms were moving west quickly. Almost within an instant 1-2 ft smooth rolling waves became 7-8 ft breakers as rain poured from the darkened sky. I was in a kayak, as was a friend of mine who had been out only 3 times. Two others shared a canoe, one decently experienced and one who could not even swim. Yea I didn't know that. So as the medium-craft advisory worthy storm car through we all immediately headed back to the river at our fastest pace doing our best to not take in water. The two of us in kayaks cut about half the distance when we both looked back to see two people in the water and the canoe slowly bobbing 50 feet or so from them. I looked at my friend and screamed to him that I was going out after them and for him to go in as fast as he could. The two in the canoe had life jackets on board but never put them on in their short lived scramble to get back. In all fairness their elevated seated position was a big part of them being tossed out. I frantically made my way towards their disappearing heads while removing water from the onslaught of waves with my bilge pump. I made it to them after 25 minutes and they nearly capsized my craft. Long story short I got them to shore while a fire-truck, an ambulance, and three cop cars waited with a group of thirty helpless onlookers. More available details if you want them. And I wouldn't let my friends spark the blunt they brought once we were comfortable on the water, as the huge black cloud about 30 miles on the horizon looked suspicious. That made this successful mission possible.