So how in the hell did I get the crazy idea to surf Lake Superior? I’ll provide a little background. Surfing has been an activity I have been wanting to learn since I was a kid. I'm not sure where the desire came from. Maybe it is my love to be on the water or maybe it was being a huge fan of the Beach Boys when I was younger, listening to them sing all of those songs about surfing. But, it's always been on my bucket list.
Living in the Midwest, there really isn't an ocean close and I never had the opportunity the few times I have been on the coast. I never imagined my first time learning would be on frigid Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Over the past few months I found out surfing the big lake was a thing. I was intrigued and started my research. Apparently, it's bigger than I realized. The University of Minnesota Duluth actually has a surfing program. When the conditions are right, Lake Superior draws surfers from all over. I figured this would be a one-of-a-kind unique experience! Plus, sounded like a amazing challenge!
My journey to learn to surf started a couple months back when I was up in Duluth. I make my way through their frequently for work and my fiancée, Norissa, and I love visiting the North Shore. Through my research I came across a coffee and surf shop in Duluth. I figured that was a good place to start and ask some questions. The Back Alley it's called. I'll have to say, it's about everything I expected a surf shop that serves coffee and some handmade items and art to be. If you get up to Duluth, I highly suggest stopping in and grabbing a coffee. Jerry, the owner is very friendly and hospitable and it's such a great vibe in there! Tucked right next to Ursa Minor Brewing, on West Superior St. You can't miss the sign!
Talking with Jerry over a delicious maple latte, he filled me in on what I all needed, as I started taking numerous mental notes. First thing was forecasting the weather. He recommended an app to download to track wind speed and direction. There needs to be enough wind blowing from the correct direction to produce large enough waves to surf on. At least 20 knots from the NE is what produces the best waves in that area.
Next, was the gear. The wetsuit and surfboard. The more we talked, I decided I would probably go with a thicker one with a hood, a 6/5 mm (6mm in the torso and 5mm in the arms and legs). That, paired with 7 mm neoprene gloves and booties. Spring, Fall, and Winter surfing would be no issue! I may get a little warm in the summer. The best and most frequent conditions conducive for surfing are in fall, spring, and winter up there.
Next was the board. being a beginner, he recommended starting out on around a 8-9' longboard because they are a little easier to catch a wave and balance on, and have more volume to them. Thankfully, Jerry rents boards. Still working on finding one I want to purchase.
So, now when I get my gear, I just go out? Jerry did recommend going out and playing in smaller waves to get the feel, which I will get to later. It's always smart to have someone out there with you for safety, but when the waves are actually big enough, there will be a handful a people out there anyways, plus Norissa is always anxious to get up to the lake. With this sport, you are a slave to the weather conditions!
Like how all proper training should start, I started watching YouTube videos on technique and etiquette, so I would have a half-ass idea what I was doing. I'm also fairly comfortable in and around the water, being certified in ice water rescue and swift water rescue through the fire department. I'm not too intimated by the water, but do not want to ruin someone else's surf experience by my inexperience!
Fast forward a few weeks. I knew I was coming back up to Duluth for work. I planned to get up there early before I has to start work and purchase my wetsuit. I was checking the forecast everyday before that and crossing my fingers that the conditions would be favorable get on the water for a quick taste! Fingers crossed! That morning the winds were out of the NE at around 10 knots. Not quite strong enough to produce good surfable waves. No worries, I at least wanted to get my wetsuit and would go from there.
I was slightly anxious and excited on my way up. I knew there may be an opportunity to get out for my first time. As I made it to Duluth, I swung past Park Point Beach, which runs from the South Pier a ways south east. It was the closest of the popular surf spots up there. The waves were rolling in at around a couple feet, some a little larger. I thought, damn, this is going to be cold! I made my way to The Back Alley to get a coffee and my wetsuit. When I came in, I was warmly greeted by Jerry, thankfully he remembered me!
After I finished my coffee (another maple latte) and took care of purchasing and donning my wetsuit, I was ready! Jerry mentioned these waves would be great to go play around in and really get the feel of balancing on the board and paddling around through the waves. He was kind enough to lend me a board for the morning. I loaded the freshly waxed board in my truck and was on my back to Park Point Beach! On my way I was filled with excitement, trying to remember the tips Jerry gave me and all the tips I picked up on YouTube.
I made it to the desolate parking lot, there were a couple people out walking the beach. 34 degrees with the wind around 10 knots from the NE, just as the sun was making an appearance through some light clouds. I pulled the hood on my head, grabbed the board and walked out to the edge of the water. Ice chunks covered in sand still littered the extensive shoreline. Waves were rolling in and the sound provided a zen-like calm. I carefully donned my gloves, strapped the leash on my right ankle and was off!
Board under my arm, I trudged into the frigid Lake Superior water. I was amazed with how well the wetsuit insulated me and how warm I actually was. Making my way out, I got the board in the water, hopped on my belly and started paddling out through the waves. A couple points I jumped off my board and was still able to touch around 50 yards out.
The 8'4" board I had was a bit wobbly at first, but I quickly found my center point and balance. I got myself turned around and tried to sit on it with my legs dangling in down in the water. Again, it took a little bit to find my balance. After screwing around falling off and paddling around, I figured it was time to try and catch a wave. I was well aware the conditions were not ideal, and paired with my first time inexperience being on the board, I was not expecting much.
I got myself turned around facing the beach, continuing to look back and wait for a wave I might at least be able to get a bit of a belly ride in on. I let multiple waves roll under me to get the feel. Needless to say my attempts were not very successful. Timing and speed are crucial, especially the last couple strong paddle strokes before you catch the wave. After multiple attempts, that included me falling off multiple times, I was finally able to have a wave pick me up for a few seconds on my belly before dropping me. I figured that was a success!
After screwing around in the water for close to a half an hour, I was exhausted and my arms were trashed. I knew it was going to be a workout, as I was out there figuring things out like balancing, paddling, and not trying to fall off! After sitting on an ice chunk collecting my thoughts on the shore and taking in the beauty and peacefulness of the lake and beach, I made my way back to the truck.
I will say doffing the wetsuit was almost as much of a workout as playing around in the water was! The only thing I had on underneath it were a thin pair of socks I wore under my booties. After I finally got one shoulder off then the other, I was finally able to get it around my waist where wrapped a towel around and proceed to clumsily pull my legs out of the rest of the suit, falling and resting against my truck multiple times. Good thing I was the only one in the parking lot at the time. It would have been quite comical to onlookers watching me struggle trying to get my legs out while keeping the towel secured around my waste!
Back to return my surfboard. Jerry had met me outside when I pulled in. I was grinning ear to ear and proceeded to tell him about my experience. We made our way inside and I was able to ask him a few more questions and debriefed about my experience a little more. I changed into my work clothes and was on my way. A huge thanks to Jerry at The Back Alley for his tips, knowledge, hospitality, and helping get me all set up! I left with a great deal of confidence, satisfaction, and a determination to get up there soon to hopefully pop up on a wave for the first time! To be continued...
-Aaron
Comments
Post a Comment