Surfing On Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes of North America and during the winter is a main spot for wave-catchers ride year-round in what is one of the world’s most unlikely surfing scenes. Unlike the ocean, there are no noticeable tides or substantial currents in Lake Superior. Its waves are hard to predict.
When snow piles up in the forest and waves pop off the lake is a signal the start of the cold-weather surfing season. Thick wet suits, gloves, hoods, booties and petroleum jelly smudged on exposed skin all form a protective shell against the crushing cold.
Riders face waves as tall as 20 feet.
The shore at Stoney Point.
The cars over there in this picture with heaters on are crucial fixtures to keeping surfers warm between sets. John Hatcher heads toward the water.
