In popular culture, surfing on the coasts of Southern California and Florida has been glamorized through television shows like “Baywatch,” “90210,” “The O.C.,” and “Siesta Key.” However, many may not be aware of the thriving surfing community along the “third coast” of the United States – the Great Lakes region.
Surfer David Benjamin, who co-founded the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, shared his motivation for starting the project after facing perilous situations while surfing on Lake Michigan. Despite nearly drowning in a wipeout, Benjamin’s winter wetsuit saved him by providing enough buoyancy to stay afloat and reach safety.
The Great Lakes, comprising the largest group of freshwater lakes globally, span across eight states and account for a significant portion of the world’s freshwater volume. The region experiences a humid continental climate, leading to diverse weather patterns in cities like Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Milwaukee, including cold Arctic systems, tropical influences, and lake-effect snow.
Surfing on the Great Lakes necessitates a unique combination of factors, primarily strong winds. Unlike traditional warm water surfing, the Great Lakes rely on wind patterns to generate quality waves. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Benz highlighted the region’s favorable wave-producing conditions due to its location and shape, especially during colder seasons when low-pressure systems deepen, intensifying wind speeds and wave activity.
While summer months see less wind and wave action due to the northward shift of the jet stream, fall, winter, and spring bring stronger winds and enhanced wave formation. The Great Lakes’ strategic position in the Northern Hemisphere allows for frequent storm activity, sustaining extended periods of wind that create ideal surfing conditions compared to other freshwater bodies worldwide.
Adam Shepperdley, Fremon Wolfe, and Darryl Spreen ventured out onto Lake Ontario in December 2012, seeking to catch a few waves after a fresh snowfall in Toronto. These daredevils braved the icy waters, demonstrating their passion for surfing in unexpected locations. They epitomize a growing trend of surfers seeking thrills in unconventional settings, defying the norms of traditional surfing locales closer to the equator.
In regions like Michigan, Ohio, and New York, where high-wind events are not uncommon, surfing takes on a perilous edge. The elements become a ticking time bomb, as surfers navigate choppy waters buffeted by fierce onshore winds and intermittent waves. Unlike the vast expanses of the ocean, freshwater lakes present unique challenges – surfers must grapple with the difficulty of staying afloat in these unforgiving conditions. To counteract these forces, surfers opt for wider and thicker surfboards, providing greater stability and buoyancy in the turbulent waters, as reported by Surfer Today.
The cold adds another layer of danger to the already treacherous experience. In winter, when the water remains open, temperatures hover just above freezing, while the biting air chills to even lower levels. Surviving in such frigid conditions necessitates the use of proper equipment, ensuring that surfers can endure the harsh realities of these icy waters, as emphasized by experts in the field.
Benjamin, a prominent figure in the surfing community, sheds light on the sobering statistics of water-related incidents in the Great Lakes region. His organization, the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, meticulously tracks the alarming number of drownings that have occurred in these vast bodies of water, with over 1,300 fatalities since 2010 and 71 deaths recorded in the most recent year. Lake Michigan emerges as a particularly perilous location, claiming 39 lives in a single year, a stark reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Even seasoned swimmers are not immune to the perils of these turbulent waters, as Benjamin himself attests to a near-death experience that shook him to the core. Despite decades of ocean swimming and SCUBA diving expertise, he found himself in a harrowing predicament that serves as a cautionary tale for all water enthusiasts. Panic, he warns, is the first harbinger of drowning, overriding even the most extensive training and experience. In moments of crisis, the natural instinct to fight for survival can lead to rapid exhaustion, exacerbating the already dire circumstances.
Benjamin’s advocacy for a simple yet effective approach to water emergencies – flip, float, and follow – underscores the importance of maintaining composure in the face of adversity. This mantra serves as a lifeline for those caught in perilous situations, offering a clear path to survival amidst the chaos of the waves.
Surfing culture in the Great Lakes region has a rich history, with intrepid surfers carving out their own niche in
