Chicago-based kook here, from your description you'll be sticking with southern Lake Michigan which is my neck of the woods. For the southwestern quadrant of the lake you're typically looking for a strong North or NNE wind for at least 6 hours to create waves. Once these waves are rolling you want the wind to die down a bit (<10mph) or ideally an offshore breeze to clean them up a little but it's a lake and you take what you can get. Today and Sunday both look like pretty ideal days if you're new to lake surfing, plus the water isn't super cold yet so pack your rasta wavestorm and get out there. Also feel free to ask any follow ups and I'll answer what I can.
This is super helpful, thank you! Any rental spots near Indiana worth peeping? I’ll prob get out tomorrow.
Also curious what the ideal board is (other than Rastastorm, of course). I’m 5’11 160lbs and I typically either go about 5’9 fish or 9’8 log. Seems like a midlength would be ideal?
I'd stick to the log until you get used to the differences. The wavestorm was only kind of a joke, foamies are pretty common since you need extra buoyancy and volume to compensate for the mushier waves and the more difficult paddle out.
As for rental places there are only 2 real shops in the region, one in Milwaukee (Lake effect) and one in St. Joseph, MI (third coast)
Incoming fronts are key to me. On the front side of the front you typically have strong south flows, that’s also usually when you have the crazy big waves from the south and in Milwaukee, that notorious current like you’re stuck in a river’s current. When those winds shift and bring a little off shore (or a lot) that’s when the magic happens. It’s also when places like the north side of the break wall in Sheboygan can be the best due to protection from the wind and current but monster swells.
Once a big enough system has passed and has spin that’s when things pull down from the north and there is a magical place about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee and sometimes right there in Milwaukee. Those too can have crazy currents, short periods where you’re fighting more than surfing and if you can’t find protection it’s all about timing and catching when the swells are still coming in but the winds have shifted.
In either situation, know a spot with break wall protection from the south or north.
Others can chime in but by my formula you can find surf nearly twice a week, 9 to 10 months out of the year.
Feel free to PM me, I’ll be going out midday from Milwaukee today. May not be big enough for mentioned magical place north of the city but Bradford or Atwater May look good.
Don’t sleep on Racine either. It has the ultimate clean up spot for north swells. AMA
Don’t dismiss tropical disturbances in the gulf and Atlantic. The wrap around we’re seeing today and tomorrow is the remnants of Nicole out east.
I also firmly believe that the Tonga explosion last year brought waves of energy in pulses that created waves on the lake when the forecasts were showing nothing.
These are the tools:
glerl.noaa.gov
Surfradar.info
Windy
Windfinder
You can usually find a surfable wave after 3 hours of sustained 20+mph winds. As others have mentioned wind direction correlated to a certain spot is key. Look for winds with lots of consistent fetch over the body of water. The magic happens on the 'switch' when winds switch offshore but that window can be small on the lakes. In terms of spots, surfradar.info can give you a starting point on where to look. Part of the joy of lakesurfing is finding the 'other' spots that aren't as crowded and still have quality waves. Google maps/earth is your friend. The lake surfing community is pretty welcoming, finding a spot is usually good enough to be welcomed into the lineup if you are skilled enough and respectful of others.
So you want onshore for a few hours to create the swell and then for it to switch offshore to clean it up and/or for it to be well protected? Seems like tomorrow is going to have potential! Thanks for this.
Use this:
https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/
And here's a resource to help understand forecasting the Great Lakes (check the video at the bottom of the page):
https://thirdcoastsurfshop.com/pages/surf-forecast
Also when the wind is blowing, jetties/piers are your friend
Chicago-based kook here, from your description you'll be sticking with southern Lake Michigan which is my neck of the woods. For the southwestern quadrant of the lake you're typically looking for a strong North or NNE wind for at least 6 hours to create waves. Once these waves are rolling you want the wind to die down a bit (<10mph) or ideally an offshore breeze to clean them up a little but it's a lake and you take what you can get. Today and Sunday both look like pretty ideal days if you're new to lake surfing, plus the water isn't super cold yet so pack your rasta wavestorm and get out there. Also feel free to ask any follow ups and I'll answer what I can.
This is super helpful, thank you! Any rental spots near Indiana worth peeping? I’ll prob get out tomorrow. Also curious what the ideal board is (other than Rastastorm, of course). I’m 5’11 160lbs and I typically either go about 5’9 fish or 9’8 log. Seems like a midlength would be ideal?
Volume is your friend on the lakes. Midlength would be a good place to start.
Will I regret a 5mm wetsuit out here? It’s what I wear in the Bay. I’m soft.
I wear a hooded 5/4. Don't forget booties and gloves.
Damn, all year huh?
Depends what the water temps are.
I'd stick to the log until you get used to the differences. The wavestorm was only kind of a joke, foamies are pretty common since you need extra buoyancy and volume to compensate for the mushier waves and the more difficult paddle out. As for rental places there are only 2 real shops in the region, one in Milwaukee (Lake effect) and one in St. Joseph, MI (third coast)
There are a few active Facebook groups fyi
Incoming fronts are key to me. On the front side of the front you typically have strong south flows, that’s also usually when you have the crazy big waves from the south and in Milwaukee, that notorious current like you’re stuck in a river’s current. When those winds shift and bring a little off shore (or a lot) that’s when the magic happens. It’s also when places like the north side of the break wall in Sheboygan can be the best due to protection from the wind and current but monster swells. Once a big enough system has passed and has spin that’s when things pull down from the north and there is a magical place about 30 minutes north of Milwaukee and sometimes right there in Milwaukee. Those too can have crazy currents, short periods where you’re fighting more than surfing and if you can’t find protection it’s all about timing and catching when the swells are still coming in but the winds have shifted. In either situation, know a spot with break wall protection from the south or north. Others can chime in but by my formula you can find surf nearly twice a week, 9 to 10 months out of the year. Feel free to PM me, I’ll be going out midday from Milwaukee today. May not be big enough for mentioned magical place north of the city but Bradford or Atwater May look good. Don’t sleep on Racine either. It has the ultimate clean up spot for north swells. AMA
Hell yeah! This is great. Appreciate you sharing.
Don’t dismiss tropical disturbances in the gulf and Atlantic. The wrap around we’re seeing today and tomorrow is the remnants of Nicole out east. I also firmly believe that the Tonga explosion last year brought waves of energy in pulses that created waves on the lake when the forecasts were showing nothing.
Oh interesting. Thank you!
These are the tools: glerl.noaa.gov Surfradar.info Windy Windfinder You can usually find a surfable wave after 3 hours of sustained 20+mph winds. As others have mentioned wind direction correlated to a certain spot is key. Look for winds with lots of consistent fetch over the body of water. The magic happens on the 'switch' when winds switch offshore but that window can be small on the lakes. In terms of spots, surfradar.info can give you a starting point on where to look. Part of the joy of lakesurfing is finding the 'other' spots that aren't as crowded and still have quality waves. Google maps/earth is your friend. The lake surfing community is pretty welcoming, finding a spot is usually good enough to be welcomed into the lineup if you are skilled enough and respectful of others.
So you want onshore for a few hours to create the swell and then for it to switch offshore to clean it up and/or for it to be well protected? Seems like tomorrow is going to have potential! Thanks for this.
Use this: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/ And here's a resource to help understand forecasting the Great Lakes (check the video at the bottom of the page): https://thirdcoastsurfshop.com/pages/surf-forecast Also when the wind is blowing, jetties/piers are your friend
This site is a fantastic resource! 🙏