Yes, you can surf on the great lakes, and at any time of year, but youre more likely to get the right blustery conditions to do so in fall. The vibrancy and beauty of lake michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past fill. October to april is prime surfing season peaking during autumn or fall. Southwest michigan is a fourseason paradise with lake michigan and a countryside peppered with scenic rivers, inland lakes and verdant hills. Ryan of third coast surf shop surfing lake michigan photo by nowicki though it is believed that great lakes breakers were first surfed nearly. The best surfing on lake michigan is in the fall and winter, when most of us are bundled up in sweaters and sipping hot cocoa. Imagine being able to enjoy various surfing activities with family and friends near lake michigan on a hot summer day. History glsa today projects surf sessions contacts membership links. The five interconnected great lakes superior, ontario, michigan, erie and huron are impressive enough taken singly. Experience the great lakes on one epic road trip lonely planet. The best of those is found at a place called stony point, where the deep water and unimpeded winds create the largest waves in the area. Think books with ties to michigan ellen piligian, special to the detroit free press published 6. Aug 01, 2018 imagine being able to enjoy various surfing activities with family and friends near lake michigan on a hot summer day. An insiders guide to monster waves along north americas fresh coast p.
Very well done breakdown and explanation of both surfing in general and as it relates specifically to the great lakes. Lake michigan is the third largest of the great lakes and the sixth largest lake in the world. It might surprise a lot of people, but the great lakes can offer up some amazing surfing experiences. Jul 17, 2015 the biggest waves, 6 to 7feethighmay only come a few times a year on the great lakes, often in the fall when wet suits are an absolute.
No other school in michigan comes close to the knowledge and experience of glks professional instructors. There are countless areas where shore or surf fishing can be done. The book provides great tips and information on equipment, technique, etiquette, and local surf spots. Containing six quadrillion gallons of water and more than 10,900 miles of shoreline about 3,200 miles are in michigan, the great lakes are one of the largest fresh. Buffalonian magilla schaus, president of the wyldewood surf club, recently sent me a copy of a delightful little book, surfing the great lakes. Little did i know, others around the great lakes were interested in surfing, too. You can see more surfing photos on michigan in pictures and also on northern michigan surf on facebook and in the surfing slideshow from the. Surf lessons will give you a great foundation, and teach you important safety guidelines. An insiders guide to monster waves along north americas fresh coast. The shores of these inland seas can rival any coastline. Especially when one surfer a california transplant describes the beating he was taking at grand haven, michigan. People have been surfing off lake michigan for many years and some hearty souls surf the coldest and deepest of the great lakes, lake superior. This is a sport that works for most ages and diehard surfers say once you catch your first wave youre hooked for life. An insiders guide to monster waves along north americas fresh coast by p.
Surfing in michigan thrives amid changing weather, equipment. This book contains color pictures and stories of those who surf on the the great lakeslake superior, lake michigan, lake huron, lake erie and lake ontario. To the experienced kiteboarder, riding great lakes waves is an undeniable passion that is. Surfing on the great lakes is more popular than ever. In terms of consistency and quality, i would say lake michigan is best, said gerard. Thats the type of environment that the great lakes surf festival hopes to. New interactive map highlights great lakes shipwrecks and. Perhaps the best parts of surfing the great lakes are the numerous photos of lake surf. First great lakes surfer was a gi returning from hawaii with a longboard in 1945, but surfing really started to grow on the eastern shore of lake michigan and northeastern shore of lake erie from 196364. Clair shores, rides his hydrofoil on lake michigan during the 2nd annual great lakes surf festival on aug. Reviews like the ones i reference are why you will find a brotherhood of surfers on the lakes, and a fight waiting to happen in the water on the coasts.
Features buoy data including wind speed, wind direction, wave height, wave direction, and dominant period for american buoys and wind speed, direction, wave height and period for canadian buoys when. Michiganders get a late autumn surfing opportunity with. The usas third coast has been surfed regularly since the 1960s. Bordered by illinois, indiana, michigan, and wisconsin it is the only one of the great lakes that lies completely within the borders of the united states. The word taming might seem out of place in reference to lake surfing. Over recent years, more and more people are discovering the adventure of surfing these inland seas. Artem abakumov, surfing sandys swell in hammond, indiana. The surface water temperature when much great lakes surfing occurs averages between 0 and 5 c 32 and 41 f. Lake superior alone is more than three hundred miles from east to west. See more ideas about great lakes, surfing and water safety. See more ideas about great lakes, surfing and lake michigan. Books are in stock if you want me to keep these cams posted, buy my logbook, please just email me at chris at to view a map of the great lakes with towns and ports click here. A happy marriage of open road and open water, of blacktop and blue swells, a looping tour of the great lakes beginning and ending in chicago can take hit the road around the great lakes region on a roundtrip from chicago that sees five states, four of the lakes and the birthplaces of two music legends.
With 10,900 miles of coastline, its the sheer size of the great lakes which makes them surfable and nonlocals are often surprised and shocked to hear it can get so good. Heres how to surf the great lakes, americas third coast michigan. The great lakes surfing association formed in 1966 in grand haven, michigan. Lots of nice stories from folks who have surfed the region for many years.
Canadian science writer wayne grady has written a great book about the great lakes. Dec 20, 2016 surfing in frozen water is more difficult in lake michigan and other great lakes because fresh water begins to freeze at just 32 degrees fahrenheit. To the experienced kiteboarder, riding great lakes waves is an undeniable passion that is part extreme sport and part science. If you are looking to get involved in surfing the great lakes, this is a great place to start. But this book is hilarious, and because i am a great lakes surfer i could relate to almost all of the stories. Great lakes kiteboarding great lakes surf shop 2 3517 nine mack dr. They comprise lakes superior, michigan, huron, erie, and ontario. Clair shores, rides his hydrofoil on lake michigan during the 2nd annual great lakes surf festival on. But they arent and this book makes crystal clear that great lakes surfing.
Great lakes kiteboarding was the first kiteboarding school in michigan. The residents of duluth, minnesota can attest to the excellent surfing found on the great lakes, as the city has about a dozen decent places to hit the water close by. I am mainly a photographer who back during my time in college getting a my degree in photography i was studying and working multiple jobs and then one day also had the great idea that the great lakes surf. For some michiganders, the fall storm season is the time to hunker down. Sep 03, 2001 after i saw this story of two surfers traveling the world searching for the perfect wave, i was stoked. Get out on the waves and experience the adventure of great lake surfing. The surfinglakes app gives you quick access to the most useful nws and noaa information to help you forecast waves on all of the great lakes. Heres how to surf the great lakes, americas third coast. Surfing the great lakes documents the waves and corebycore any measure surfers of the region in lighthearted but encyclopedic fashion. Clearly the pulse from hurricane sandy was more house cat than bengal tiger, but theres more to the story of surfing on the great lakes than snapshots from a single swell. The sheer size of the great lakes is what makes surfing on them possible. Clair shores mi 48080 5863596951 fall winter hours. We have been sailing for over twelve years, kiting since 1999 and teaching since 2001.
With 10,900 miles of coastline, its the sheer size of the great lakes which makes them surfable and nonlocals are often surprised and shocked to hear it can. Taken as a whole, the great lakes form the largest body of fresh water in the world. First great lakes surfer was a gi returning from hawaii with a longboard in 1945, but surfing really started to grow on the eastern shore of lake michigan. The best surfing on lake michigan is in the fall and winter, when most of us are bundled up. Learn to surf on lake michigan with ella skrocki, one of the great lakes most. I do not read much science, but this book taught me a lot while giving me lots of joy. I found it sitting there on my fathers desk, and guessed it to just be some sort of joke. Our goal is to provide the highest quality equipment to the discerned paddler. Id recommend it to anyone planning to spend some time in or around the great lakes. The great lakes travel guide what to do in the great.
These guys surfed in lake michigan and turned into human. The syracuse and the cedarville are among 1,500 shipwrecks submerged in michigan waters, making up onequarter of the estimated 6,000 wrecks found throughout the. Galeforce winds fueled huge waves on the northern great lakes today. Ok, this book does lack pictures that would give the reader a better feel for what the great lakes can produce. Any great lake can be surfed but lake michigan is considered most consistent, a great characteristic for surfing, according to ryan gerard, owner of third coast surf shop in st.
Michiganders get a late autumn surfing opportunity with lake. The symbol indicates that the site has been having trouble, has closed, or is down for the winter. Brian lefeve, owner of great lakes surf shop in st. Dec 08, 2016 in early november of 2016, a strong cold front pushed down from canada producing sustained 40mph winds, whiteout snow squalls and barreling fresh water waves on lake michigan. Before you head north up hwy 23 to the university town of ann arbor, where you can fill up on experimental art, vegan cuisine and radical politics, make a detour to luna pier, a modest resort town just over the michigan state line. I am mainly a photographer who back during my time in college getting a my degree in photography i was studying and working multiple jobs and then one day also had the great idea that the great lakes surf scene needed a new place for community to connect. Oct 22, 2019 galeforce winds fueled huge waves on the northern great lakes today.
The biggest waves, 6 to 7feethighmay only come a few times a year on the great lakes, often in the fall when wet suits are an absolute. After i saw this story of two surfers traveling the world searching for the perfect wave, i was stoked. Ryan gerard of third coast surf shop spotlights michigans surfing lifestyle and shares his tips for. Great lakes surfski is dedicated to the promotion of surfski paddling, fitness paddling, racing and touring within the great lakes region. The natural history of a changing region, by wayne grady, 2007. Great lakes great books michigan reading association.
The complaints about the book not having any monster wave photos are laughable. Surfing in frozen water is more difficult in lake michigan and other great lakes because fresh water begins to freeze at just 32 degrees fahrenheit. Surfing on lakes superior, michigan, huron, erie and ontario is as. Michigan pier jumping bill 4699 surfer access amendment request approved. This is a sport that works for most ages and diehard surfers say once you catch your first wave. The brown county library offers books on surfing and shipping on the great lakes. Dec 03, 2017 think books with ties to michigan ellen piligian, special to the detroit free press published 6. Perhaps the best parts of surfing the great lakes are the numerous photos of.
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