5 Ways to Prepare for Surf Season on the Great Lakes

With surf season approaching on the Great Lakes, you may be spending a lot more time checking the surf reports for incoming lake swells. But, given our, shall we say, unique surf season, there are a number of ways you can prepare yourself so that you’re ready to face the elements, linked into the changing conditions on the lakes, and fully equipped to catch as many fall and winter waves as possible when the surf starts rolling onto our freshwater shores. So, how do you prepare yourself and your quiver for the upcoming season? It’s easy. All you need to do is follow a few of the steps outlined below, get yourself ready, and spend the rest of your time getting stoked. Here we go:

1. Grab a Wetsuit, Booties, Gloves and a Hood

If you’ve never surfed on the lakes before in the fall or winter months, just be aware of one thing: the water can get pretty cold. Ice cold, in fact. This means that you will need a wetsuit to even consider stepping into the water. Different water temperatures call for different suits. If you’re planning to surf in early fall, you can most likely get away with a 4/3 mm suit (check water temperatures by month). If you’re planning on pushing your season into the winter months, you’ll need to up your game to a 5/4 mm or 6/5 mm to keep your body toasty while the icy waves rush past you. Without one, you’ll be quickly blitzing back to your car and driving towards the nearest Tim Hortons for a hot coffee. 

While you’re at it, check out some booties, gloves and hoods. Though these aren’t necessary during the fall (depending on the temperature), they will become more and more necessary the further into the season you get, as lake temperatures will continue to drop. Take it from me, the best way to keep yourself warm in cold water is to keep your extremities warm. So, do yourself a favour and keep covered, and extend your sessions! More in our cold water wetsuit guide.

2. Get the Right Wax

As the temperatures in the lake start to decrease, the effectiveness of your summer surf wax will start to decrease as well. This is because surf waxes are designed for specific water temperatures, which means that your warm water wax won't fly during the surf season. That’s because warm water wax tends to become hard once the cold water hits it, so you won’t have much (if any) grip when you’re trying to shred those winter waves. Keep your eyes peeled on the water temperatures when you check for incoming swells. Then go out and grab yourself a new stick of the cold water stuff. It’s cheap, and it smells good, too.

3. Repair Any Dings on Your Board

The weeks and months leading up to surf season are also a good time to check your board(s) out to see if they’ve sustained any damage over the previous year of surfing. You definitely don’t want to start hitting the surf season hard, and then realize too late that your board has a huge gash in it. Doing a quick once over of your quiver will save you time, and ultimately money later, as you will be able to repair any major problems before they get worse. If you’re handy and know how to fix surfboards, then do it yourself on a weekend with a beer by your side. If you’re like me and would probably mess up the repair job, take it to a local ding repair shop. Either way, get those dings taken care of before the waves start crashing in.

While you’re at it, make sure all of your other equipment, such as leashes, fins, roof racks, straps, etc., are all in good working order. You don’t want to be scrambling to replace components when you’re trying to head out to the beach.

4. Learn to Read the Forecast

Lake waves are made by wind, not distant ocean swell, so learning to read the wind is the single best way to score more sessions. Find out which wind directions work for your local spots, bookmark the nearby buoys and get in the habit of checking marine forecasts. Start with our guide on how to read a Great Lakes surf forecast.

5. Get Your Surf Legs Back on a Surfskate

A surfskate lets you practice your turns, stance and pumping on land, so you're not rusty when the first fall swell hits. Add some paddling and core work and you'll last longer in the water. See our guide to choosing a Carver.

So, if you’re getting stoked for surf season on the Great Lakes, get yourself prepared early so that you can make the most of every swell. Grab yourself a new wetsuit if needed, scoop up the proper wax and ensure your quiver is ready to go. Then brush up on the forecast and get your legs ready on a surfskate. See you out on the waves.

When does surf season start on the Great Lakes?

Usually in September, when the first fall storms roll through, and it runs through April or May. The best stretch is October to December. More in the Great Lakes Surfing FAQ and our lake guides.

Lake guides: Michigan · Superior · Huron · Erie · Ontario · Great Lakes Surfing FAQ

Words by Trent Ogilvie. Photographs by Lucas Murnaghan.

Trent Ogilvie is a published writer, award-winning photographer, business development professional, entrepreneur and adventurer. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a specialization in English Literature and a minor in Professional Writing. Aside from his extensive explorations in Canada, Trent has also surfed throughout Central America, traversed through the turquoise seas and islands of the Caribbean, and explored the tropical jungles of South East Asia. He’s also seen a crocodile or two along the way. Find him on Instagram.