I made the Great Lakes to Florida move in 1976. The stoke of surfing with friends you just met on the Lakes can exist anywhere, too bad it doesn’t exist more places, more often. I may end up moving back to the Lakes area. A koan to ponder: What is flatter — Three weeks of flatness in Michigan or three weeks of flatness in Florida?
Subject:Hudson Bay
Date: 1999/05/27
Author: Craig
The scene on the Lakes is arguably the best anywhere, because every break is like “Cheers”, everyone knows your name and pretty much welcomes you! No crowds. This is better than what I have experienced almost anywhere else. We travel when we can’t surf here. When we can, we do it!
I head off to Grand Haven tomorrow where I am installing a surf cam for us great lakes surfers on the pier! If you were here in ’76 do you remember Aquadoc?
p.s. the answer to the flatness question has to be Florida, because Florida is not SUPPOSED to be flat, Michigan is! People don’t ask you if you can see across the ocean … people from the coasts have asked me if I can see across the lake all the time!
From: Kem
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Re: Chicago Surfscene!
Date: 20 Feb 1996
The best time of year to find waves on the great lakes is winter. When wind conditions are right, certain storms can brew shoulder to head high swell. That’s not to opften, though. I personally don’t know because I’ve never been there at the right time, but, I’ve seen photos and talked to locals. Twice while driving cross-country I’ve stopped at Lake Mich, but have been denied both times. If you’re lucky enough to catch that once a year swell, I hear Sheboygan, WI is the place to be. There’s a coast guard staion there that will look out the window and report for you.
The Sheyboygan spot is pretty far north from Chicago. Lots of rocky shores up that way. Don’t bother with Chicago — jettys have been designed to oppose wave motion from the south. Try Evanston to the north (Greenwood). And, if you’re back east that way, try the Michiana border.
Generally, the waves on the east side of Lake Mich are better formed than those on the west side. Be careful of hypothermia. Booties, hoods, etc. are a must. Fresh water waves are sharp, but lighter than salt water waves, so just be aware of differences. We have fun here when we can!
From: SL
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Re: surfing great lakes???
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 1997
It’s possible and feasible, though it’s hard to catch ideal conditions unless you’re livin’ on the beach! There’s been an active surfing community on Lake Michigan since the 60s. On the west side it’s centered around Sheboygan; on the east side it’s Grand Haven. But people do surf all around the lake. I’ve been to Sheboygan (every Labor Day they have a party and, with luck, a surf contest), met the people (super folks!), seen the spot (a beautiful little bay), seen great pics of times past…and seen the place flat as a lake for the two days I was there! So it goes!
There’s also a “crew” on Lake Ontario. Some friends and I have been surfing on Lake Superior, with mixed results. We’re mostly beginners, so that kinda determines the results right there :-) But also it’s been tricky finding breaks, catching the swell before it dies (3 hrs drive from Minneapolis to the Lake), and the water’s frickin’ COLD! Still, I’m totally stoked to be able to do it at all, and I’ve had a ball the last two seasons. Good luck, have fun!
From: JPN
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Damn snow in my eyes!
Date: 19 Nov 1995
G’day, eh: Last time I was out at Sandbanks, Lake Ontario, the waves were nice 5-6 footers, steep take-offs, fast rides, and the damn snow was nearly blinding me! Although most (if not all) of you cannot relate to this, I’m hoping there’s another tortured soul out there that can relate and can offer some advice (other than those extremely witty lines about staying in bed or moving to Hawaii). I’m thinking of some sort of goggle.
From: Craig
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Re: Surfing Lake Erie
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997
Try the Great Lakes Surfing Association, in Holland, MI. There are many spots in the Great Lakes (Lake Erie, too) and they tend to be good primarily in Spring and Fall. For specifics on locations in Lake Erie, try The Surf Report, #14. Also, you might want to let your friend know that a dry suit with a hood might be a good investment for spring surfing.
I’ve been surfing the Great Lakes for about 30 years!! Actually Lake Erie .. on the Canadian side near a place called FORT ERIE (not far from Buffalo) : Sherkston Beach, Elco Beach, Point Abino, ERIE BEACH!! near the Old Dance Hall! Lots of waves 4 to 6 ft…it doesn’t happen that often but when it does !!! Later : White Jelly Fungus
From: BlueSpark
Newsgroups: alt.surfing
Subject: Re: surfing lake michigan?
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 1996
I contacted my brother in Traverse City, MI — he’s a respected Lake Michigan waterman who told me that fall and winter swells in your area are often overhead and surfable (deep water swells will often exceed 15′). Contact your local branch/chapter of the Great Lakes Surfing Association for more info… also, you will need at least 4mm of rubber in the winter but you can trunk it in August. A spring suit should cover the rest of the summer. Check out the few local surf shops in Chicago. Most specialize in windsurfing, but you can pick up boards and info. there too. Show those fresh water boys what true stoke is!!! Let me know how it goes… ALOHA.
