Lake Michigan's high volume of beaches puts swimmers at greater risk too. And sandbars, the sand that piles up parallel to the beach, give people the perception of relief, since they can touch the sand. But sandbars are dangerous, said Breederland, the educator with Michigan Sea Grant Extension. When people wade in the water and then choose to swim across the sandbars, farther and farther from the shore, they'll suddenly find themselves in water up to their neck, no longer able to touch the sand. And when large waves come unexpectedly, swimmers are at risk of drowning, Breederland said.