I relocated to Minneapolis recently and am looking for a crew to share forecasting tips and rides to Stoney Point and other spots along the north shore of Minnesota. I know there’s some Facebook groups out there but I’d rather not create a FB account just for this purpose.

I’ve got a very fuel efficient car with roof racks able to accommodate your logs, and am generally able to drive if I’ve got passengers willing.

Anyone going?

Hey everyone!

I’m new to surfing this season, so I wanted to ask some experienced riders a few questions. All answers are appreciated!

First: I’m looking to get a board to river surf, but I’m unsure of what exactly I should be looking for. Ideally, I would like to get a good deal on my first board (likely kijiji or Facebook marketplace), so going to a surf shop for direction isn’t an option. I have reached out to a few people with WakeSkates, but they advised against using a WakeSkate for river surfing. What should I be looking for both as a beginner to surfing (I’m big into skating and snowboarding, and I’ve been wakeboarding a few times) and as someone who’s looking to primarily river surf?

Height - 5’ 10” Weight - 180

Second: what else should I be looking at purchasing ? I know I will need a wet suit, but again, not my area of expertise. If anyone has any tips for shopping for the accessories I’ll need, they would be much appreciated.

Third: how can I expect to find the transition from someone who is primarily a snowboarder, to getting onto the waves? I know they’re completely different, but I was hoping to hear from someone who’s gone through this transition, and can give some pointers as to how riding techniques are different and how they’re similar.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

Cheers,

Update: Here's what I've found out in the past month and thought maybe it would be helpful to anyone in the future who wants to get into Wisconsin surfing, especially since there is not much online. Sorry if I sound like a complete kook, feel free to correct me on stuff or add anything (if there's even anyone from wi on this sub anymore).

• There are two surf shops in Wisconsin: EOS in Sheboygan and Lake Effect in Milwaukee
  • EOS does private and semi private group lessons and Lake Effect just does group lessons on certain Saturdays
  • The group lesson with Lake Effect was really fun and a great taste of surfing but my private lesson with EOS felt more like actual surfing especially since there were actual waves to surf that day
  • Both places' owners and instructors were pretty talkative, friendly, and helpful.
  • Both places rent out wetsuits and surfboards
• Predicting waves
  • NOAA and magicseaweed
  • You want a strong wind either going north or south parallel to the beach you want to surf at and not head on like east or west
  • 2ft+ waves are good enough I think for starting out and for the summer
  • Labor Day to New Years is suppose to be the best time for waves with summer being the flat season. In the past month there has been about 1 day per week with waves.
• Surf Spots
  • Sheboygan: North Beach (seems like the biggest spot in Wisconsin in terms of waves and surfers)
  • Milwaukee: Atwater and Bradford Beach
  • Racine: Apparently Wind Point is supposed to be a spot but the beach right by the lighthouse is pretty much gone at this point so I'm not sure where in wind point. I saw one person last year at the Zoo beach. I've never seen anyone at North Beach.

Is anyone surfing in Chicago this weekend or is it too cold? I’ve done a little surfing in NJ but would love to start here

I'm a Michigan native transplanted to San Diego for college. Picked up surfing over here and have really gotten hooked...wondering if there's any way to get a couple frigid sessions in when I'm back home for the holidays.

Anyway, I know the Great Lakes *can* produce solid surf and it looks like a totally unique experience surfing in the middle of winter. I obviously don't have a board or a thick enough wetsuit or anything back home and don't live especially close to any of the lakes with waves (SE Michigan). So, is there anybody in the Great Lakes surf scene who'd be interested in like...trading surf trips?

I'm hoping to find someone who can hook me up with a board and wetsuit (fine with renting too, but assuming surf shops are hard to come by) and ideally a couch to crash on and some guidance. In exchange, you'd of course be welcome to come out to SD and stay at my place, borrow boards, wetsuit, etc.

Bit of a wild idea and definitely pretty short notice (looking for sometime in the second half of December...) but figured it was worth a shot! Let me know if interested.

Hey gang, I'm a surfer that just moved to Chicago. I checked out the parks district website to see the permitted beaches for surfing, and noticed it hadn't been updated in almost 10 years. Are they still sticklers about which beaches you're allowed to surf at, or have they grown a bit more lax over the years? Thanks

Just struck out at finding waves in the south end for the first time. I was hoping for some mush and got laked. Any restaurants west of Michigan City along the shore worth stopping and eating my sadness away?

Hey all, life-long Atlantic coast surfer here. I'm hoping to get a freshwater session or two in this year. I'm hoping to do a quick weekend trip somewhere, if some swell lines up, and I'll be coming from NJ. In the little bit of research that I've done, It looks like maybe Eerie, PA or Stoney Point near Henderson, NY would be the quickest/easiest for me to get to. Are these spots worth checking out? What's the most reliable site to get a swell forecast from? Is there camping near either of these spots? Do you have other places to recommend instead? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for your help in advance!

Hey guys, from Chicagoland area, no experience surfing but love the water and spend most weekends at Weko Beach or Grand Mere Park in Michigan in the summers. Wanting to spend some time in the water this winter.

I'm on the fence as to whether get a longboard for surfing or a SUP. I like the idea of surfing more and seems more fun, however I feel like I'd probably get more use of of a SUP, especially in the summer.

So here's my questions, what's a good price for a decent first longboard and where could I find one? Is it true a longboard is the only way to get up as a beginner? Is it possible to "surf" on a SUP?

Basically just looking for some guidance on whether to get a surfboard or a SUP and also what's a decent price for a quality but beginner board and where can I buy them? There's almost nothing on Craigslist or offerup

Hey guys. I got into surfing about 5 years ago but I have only been out when I travel somewhere warm (I live near Toronto). I bought a cheap used SUP a while ago just for using at my parents cottage now and again,and I'm hoping to try surfing around home. I understand that the conditions aren't ideal here and It might be tough to get good enough weather but I figured I would try. I don't have tons of money so I'm basically wondering if there's any places around here or online that sell discount wetsuits.

Eventually I'm hoping to get a board as well, but since I already have a SUP I'm going to try to grab the wetsuit first and get a board when I'm in a better place financially.

Any input would be awesome, even if the answer is a no you can't get a wetsuit cheap and I have to wait a few years to get into Great Lakes surf.

I know this is a long shot, but I'm visiting Chicago this weekend to visit my sister. I'm also considering moving there for my graduate degree. I took one peek at MSW and I freaked out at the sight of 4-6ft on Saturday at North Avenue Beach, which is about 5 minutes from where I'm staying. First of all, I don't know the spots well enough to know if this is even doable at this break. Also, I know the water is super cold and I only have a 3/2mm, but I have a board. Are there any kind, compassionate Chicago surfers who are going out on Saturday and would want to take a fellow kook along? Would need a wetsuit if at all possible. This is asking a lot but I'm so fucking surf starved that I figure it can't hurt to ask. Being landlocked sucks.

wheres everyone scoring this weekend? hoping for some chest/shoulder in cleveland!

Just a little report up here in Toronto. Currently looking at about 3+ foot waves on the shoreline from Rouge to Ajax. Temps are fairly cold but if you've got the gear it looks like a fun afternoon.

We've made a free social app for the extreme sports community and we would love to have some feedback! If you're willing please head over to http://sportsbuds.me for more info. Thanks in advance - James

I'm going to hit up ashbridges today or marie Curtis park if the traffic is too shitty to go all the way to Toronto.

SE swell

Anybody going out? I'll be heading out of Milwaukee in the early AM around toward the other side of lake Michigan to score. Looks like a nice swell!