Some people are surprised to learn you can surf on the Great Lakes. Well, it’s true. When the wind is strong enough, sustained for long enough and coming from the right direction, we can experience surfable waves three, five or even 10 feet high. Where I live on Green Bay, those kinds of waves are usually too choppy to catch long rides. But over on the nearby “lake” side of Lake Michigan big waves can appear as rollers instead of breakers, making them better for kayak surfing. And of all my kayaks, my favorite for surfing the unique, tightly spaced waves of the Great Lakes is the Liquid Logic Remix XP10. In this video I explain why and show safety modifications I made.
For anyone considering trying kayak surfing on the Great Lakes, here are my primary words of advice:
- Use a kayak with flotation in the front and the back (not a standard recreational kayak). If your kayak has no flotation compartments or a watertight compartment only in the back, your only good rescue technique will be a swim to shore. Sea kayaks work for surfing, but I find shorter boats provide better performance in the waves. They’re easier to maneuver without getting pushed sideways by the wave.
- Use a heavy-duty neoprene spray skirt that won’t implode.
- Learn a reliable roll.
- Be prepared to swim. Always dress for the water temperature, which on the Great Lakes will almost always be colder than inland lakes and rivers.
- Wear a helmet. Even sandy bottoms can cause a nasty head injury if you get rolled.
- ALWAYS wear a life jacket, whether you’re kayak surfing 8-foot waves or paddling on a farm pond.
View more of my kayak videos at my Liquid Adventuring YouTube channel.
