Jake Bresette catches waves in Lake Michigan near Ozaukee County this fall.
SURF’S UP
on Lake Michigan
Tommy Shimenetto can often be found enjoying a day of winter surfing in Lake Michigan.
24
wnrmag.com
TYLER RICKENBACH/ANKUUR STUDIOS
CHELSEA SCHWABE
While many may try to stay cozy indoors during winter in Wisconsin, several brave souls are making the pilgrimage to Lake Michigan. Inspired by nearly one quadrillion gallons of freshwater and sealed in winter wetsuits, a unique group of surfers is catching waves in 36-degree waters.
There are no worries of sharks, stingrays or jellyfish here, and the waters are far less crowded than some better-known surf destinations. Lake Michigan surfers searching for the next big wave get excited by the promise of winter storms that arrive thanks to low-pressure systems. These wind-producing weather patterns cause cold air and strong winds to skip across warmer water, creating larger waves. The larger the temperature difference between air and water, the larger the swell — a surfer’s paradise. Wisconsin boasts 800 miles of Great Lakes coastline that offers a variety of surf spots, with the best time to hit the water in spring, fall and winter, according to local surfers. When surfing in freshwater, there’s less buoyancy than saltwater and more drag. You’ll typically see surfers here using boards that are larger and more buoyant than their saltwater counterparts. Much like in warmer surf destinations, some reefs even create barrel waves for surfers to drop in on. From camping on an island and then hitting the waves in the morning to wading out near downtown Milwaukee, it’s an experience one can only get here. Hang 10 and hear from surfers finding their adventure along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
ANDREW FELLER
#OUTWIGO
