Half a dozen first-time surfers grab their boards from the back of a VW bus and make their way toward the beach. Ryan Gerard, owner of Third Coast Surf Shop in New Buffalo, Michigan, takes them through their paces on the sand. He positions their bodies face-down on the boards, shows them how to paddle their arms, demonstrates a smooth leap into a squat — and finally demonstrates how to stand up, with knees bent and arms out for balance.
Once the surfers have finished their land-based instruction, they grab their boards, ready to test their skills in the water. It’s a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in Oahu. But Third Coast teaches surfing in Michigan.
Even locals are surprised to learn that surfing thrives in the Midwest, but the Great Lakes have enjoyed a loyal following of surfers for at least 40 years. Some speculate that Native Americans once surfed the Great Lakes, but modern surfing really took off in the 1960s, inspired by the Beach Boys and the California surfing craze. Since then, Lake Michigan’s moderate but steady waves have drawn enthusiasts in ever-growing numbers, some surfing even in winter. The lake has also drawn scores of surfing wannabes, who prefer to wipe out on the forgiving, soft sand of Lake Michigan, rather than the sharp coral commonplace in Hawaii.
Third Coast Surf Shop rents and sells all the gear local surfers need from its New Buffalo store. It also offers 1-1/2-hour group lessons for visitors as young as 7.