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| - | [[:explain_great_lakes_winds|Understanding Great Lakes Winds]] | + | See also: |
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| + | * [[:explain_great_lakes_winds|Understanding]][[:explain_great_lakes_winds| Great Lakes Winds]] | ||
| + | * [[:the_great_lakes|]] | ||
| ===== THE GREAT LAKES: THE FORGOTTEN COAST ===== | ===== THE GREAT LAKES: THE FORGOTTEN COAST ===== | ||
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| By Joe Bidawid December 3, 2012 | By Joe Bidawid December 3, 2012 | ||
| - | //Excerpts from: [[https://www.thekiteboarder.com/2012/12/03/the-great-lakes-the-forgotten-coast/|article in thekiteboarder.com]] - this all comes from an article about kite boarding on the Great Lakes. But there is good information here for surfskiers to pay attention to and ultimately check out for as yet unexplored surfski downwinders.// | + | //Excerpts from: <del>[[https://www.thekiteboarder.com/2012/12/03/the-great-lakes-the-forgotten-coast/|article in thekiteboarder.com]] </del> (original online link seems to be gone, [[https://web.archive.org/web/20130110010259/http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2012/12/the-great-lakes-the-forgotten-coast/|archived copy]] in the Wayback Machine Internet Archive) - this all comes from an article about kite boarding on the Great Lakes. But there is good information here for surfskiers to pay attention to and ultimately check out for as yet unexplored surfski downwinders.// |
| - | Within an hour drive from my home are eight wave riding spots, two thermal wind spots that crank with clockwork reliability, and two long jetties that provide butter-flat riding conditions. In a normal year more than half of my kiteboarding sessions are in waves that range in height from waist to well overhead. On bluebird days some of my local spots can rival riding any ocean break or open ocean downwinder. | + | Within an hour drive from my home are eight wave riding spots, two thermal wind spots that crank with clockwork reliability, and two long jetties that provide butter-flat riding conditions. In a normal year more than half of my kiteboarding sessions are in waves that range in height from waist to well overhead. On bluebird days some of my local spots can rival riding any ocean break or open ocean downwinder. (//Ed. Duluth area paddlers have discovered that there are many days at the Southwest end of [[:lake_superior|]] that provide open ocean quality downwinding//) |
| When I stand on the endless sandy beach, I cannot see the other side. If it wasn’t for the lack of the strong sulfuric ocean smell, it would be easy to forget that you are standing on the shore of Lake Michigan, which features more coastline than the state of California. Around the Great Lakes water system spread over eight different states and two Canadian Provinces you will find countless coastal towns that boast some or all of the attributes my own hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan, has to offer. Simply put, the Great Lakes is the real deal. | When I stand on the endless sandy beach, I cannot see the other side. If it wasn’t for the lack of the strong sulfuric ocean smell, it would be easy to forget that you are standing on the shore of Lake Michigan, which features more coastline than the state of California. Around the Great Lakes water system spread over eight different states and two Canadian Provinces you will find countless coastal towns that boast some or all of the attributes my own hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan, has to offer. Simply put, the Great Lakes is the real deal. | ||
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| {{:locales:greatlakes:ryan-new-buffalo-2007-mike-killion.jpg?direct&500x333|ryan-new-buffalo-2007-mike-killion.jpg}} | {{:locales:greatlakes:ryan-new-buffalo-2007-mike-killion.jpg?direct&500x333|ryan-new-buffalo-2007-mike-killion.jpg}} | ||
| - | Photo Mike Killion/Third Coast Surf Shop | + | Photo Mike Killion/[[https://thirdcoastsurfshop.com/|Third Coast Surf Shop]] |
| While Great Lakes waves are infrequent and of lower quality than ocean waves, I have come to cherish the elements, the camaraderie, and drama-free scene. When a fall tempest roars on Lake Michigan and its gale force winds whip up mountains of wind swell, there is no place on earth I would rather be. Unless you have been here to experience it, it will always appear to be a stretch. | While Great Lakes waves are infrequent and of lower quality than ocean waves, I have come to cherish the elements, the camaraderie, and drama-free scene. When a fall tempest roars on Lake Michigan and its gale force winds whip up mountains of wind swell, there is no place on earth I would rather be. Unless you have been here to experience it, it will always appear to be a stretch. | ||
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| To the experienced kiteboarder, riding Great Lakes waves is an undeniable passion that is part extreme sport and part science. This is largely due to the harsh elements associated with the weather systems that create our waves and the labor of love associated with forecasting the best conditions. | To the experienced kiteboarder, riding Great Lakes waves is an undeniable passion that is part extreme sport and part science. This is largely due to the harsh elements associated with the weather systems that create our waves and the labor of love associated with forecasting the best conditions. | ||
| - | Winds in the region are predominantly frontal. Most of the riding is during spring, summer, and fall between the months of March and November. Water temperatures can range between 45-60º during spring and fall and can reach the low 70s during summer’s peak. | + | Winds in the region are predominantly frontal. Most of the riding is during spring, summer, and fall between the months of March and November. Water temperatures can range between 45-60º during spring and fall and can reach the low 70s during summer’s peak. (Ed. //Careful about the water temperatures - this can be [[:lake_superior#safety|tricky on the Great Lakes]]// ) |
| {{:locales:greatlakes:bomb3.jpg?direct&500x326|bomb3.jpg}} | {{:locales:greatlakes:bomb3.jpg?direct&500x326|bomb3.jpg}} | ||
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| - | Grand Haven, a town of just over 100,000 residents, is considered a small town by Midwest standards. Dubbed Coast Guard City USA by an act of Congress in 1998, Grand Haven receives over one million visitors per year. With its mile-long white sandy beach and hallmark lighthouse, Good Morning America named Grand Haven State Beach one of the top five beaches in the US. How does an inland beach on a lake make this list? Consider that most of the 300 miles of Michigan’s shoreline of Lake Michigan is comprised of white sand. | + | Grand Haven, a town of just over 100,000 residents, is considered a small town by Midwest standards. **Dubbed Coast Guard City USA** by an act of Congress in 1998, Grand Haven receives over one million visitors per year. With its mile-long white sandy beach and hallmark lighthouse, Good Morning America **named Grand Haven State Beach one of the top five beaches in the US**. How does an inland beach on a lake make this list? Consider that most of the 300 miles of Michigan’s **shoreline of Lake Michigan is** comprised of **white sand**. |
| {{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/greatlakes/bryanelkus_265984.jpg?direct&500x333|bryanelkus_265984.jpg}} | {{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/greatlakes/bryanelkus_265984.jpg?direct&500x333|bryanelkus_265984.jpg}} | ||
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| The world’s largest fresh water sand dunes line the shore towering as high as 400 feet above water. More importantly, Grand Haven has one of the best sandbars in the Great Lakes created by the discharge from the Grand River, one of the largest in the Great Lakes system. Its quarter-mile long rock jetties offer clean and protected wave riding conditions. | The world’s largest fresh water sand dunes line the shore towering as high as 400 feet above water. More importantly, Grand Haven has one of the best sandbars in the Great Lakes created by the discharge from the Grand River, one of the largest in the Great Lakes system. Its quarter-mile long rock jetties offer clean and protected wave riding conditions. | ||
| - | The wind fetch on strong southerlies is over 150 miles long. In sustained 20-knot conditions, the outer sandbar at Ferrysburg can easily generate overhead waves. On northerlies, the wind fetch is over 200 miles. As the northerly swell wraps around the southern Jetty, the lines at Grand Haven state park can resemble a mini Rincon. | + | The wind fetch on strong southerlies is over 150 miles long. In sustained 20-knot conditions, the outer sandbar at Ferrysburg can easily generate overhead waves. On northerlies, the wind fetch is over 200 miles. As the northerly swell wraps around the southern Jetty, the lines at Grand Haven state park can resemble a mini Rincon. (Ed. //See [[:the_great_lakes#lake_michigan1|Lake Michigan]]//) |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| - | Great Lake wave riding is an extreme sport largely due to the extreme elements involved. The stronger the winds, the larger the waves. Our strongest winds are usually during late fall cold fronts where water temperature plummets into the low 50s or high 40s. Wind chill is also an extreme danger. If you can imagine an epic outer reef swell in Maui, now try to imagine kiting in the middle of the ocean storm that generated those waves and you will be one step closer to understanding our waves | + | Great Lake wave riding is an extreme sport largely due to the extreme elements involved. The stronger the winds, the larger the waves. Our strongest winds are usually during late fall cold fronts where water temperature plummets into the low 50s or high 40s. Wind chill is also an extreme danger. If you can imagine an epic outer reef swell in Maui, now try to imagine kiting in the middle of the ocean storm that generated those waves and you will be one step closer to understanding our waves. |
| - | </WRAP>. | + | </WRAP> |
| ==== Rogue Waves (Seiches) ==== | ==== Rogue Waves (Seiches) ==== | ||
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| While a tsunami or seismic sea wave is generated by underwater earthquake or volcanic activity, Chicago’s 1954 seiche was caused by a line of thunderstorms racing southwest across Lake Michigan at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The cold downdrafts of air flowing out of the thunderstorms caused a rapid rise in air pressure that pushed a massive bulge of lake surface water toward the southeastern shore. This surge of water then reflected back to the Chicago shore as a large tsunami-like wave. | While a tsunami or seismic sea wave is generated by underwater earthquake or volcanic activity, Chicago’s 1954 seiche was caused by a line of thunderstorms racing southwest across Lake Michigan at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The cold downdrafts of air flowing out of the thunderstorms caused a rapid rise in air pressure that pushed a massive bulge of lake surface water toward the southeastern shore. This surge of water then reflected back to the Chicago shore as a large tsunami-like wave. | ||
| - | (//Ed. There can be some confusion between large waves with different causes [[https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/meteotsunami.html#:~:text=Meteotsunamis are large waves caused,associated with seismically generated tsunamis.|Meteotsunamis]] (built and pushed by storms) and [[https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html|Seiches]] (rebound waves that bounce/reflect back from a strong surge in different direction)//) | + | (//Ed. There can be some confusion between large waves with different causes [[https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/meteotsunami.html#:~:text=Meteotsunamis are large waves caused,associated with seismically generated tsunamis.|Meteotsunamis]] (built and pushed by storms) and [[https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html|Seiches]] (rebound waves that bounce/reflect back from a strong surge in different direction)//) // |
| - | + | - [[https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIzrvgVStgp/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==|Instagram]]//</WRAP> | |
| - | </WRAP> | + | |
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| - | While Lake Michigan is arguably the epicenter of Great Lakes wave riding, the other four lakes can each hold court. Lake Huron is home to over 20 riding spots. Two of them are legendary. Tawas State Park is located in arguably one of the busiest riding spots in the Midwest, where it is not uncommon to find 50-100 kiters on the weekends. The large sandbar offers great learning conditions while the open water offers good wave riding. | + | While Lake Michigan is arguably the epicenter of Great Lakes wave riding, the other four lakes can each hold court. Lake Huron is home to over 20 riding spots. Two of them are legendary. **[[:east_north_central_usa#locales|Tawas Point State Park ]]**is located in arguably one of the busiest riding spots in the Midwest, where it is not uncommon to find 50-100 kiters on the weekends. The large sandbar offers great learning conditions while the open water offers good wave riding. |
| - | Southern thermals dominate most of the summer. Local fixture Jimbo Olfzewski once told me that he rode 22 days in a row in July with most of those days in board shorts. Across the lake on the Canadian side of Lake Huron, a small rock-bottom bay is home to Kettle Point. Kettle Point offers traditional wave riding conditions with a good day dishing out overhead A-frame surf. | + | Southern thermals dominate most of the summer. Local fixture Jimbo Olfzewski once told me that he rode 22 days in a row in July with most of those days in board shorts. Across the lake **on the Canadian side of Lake Huron**, a small rock-bottom bay is home to **Kettle Point**. Kettle Point offers traditional wave riding conditions with a good day dishing out overhead A-frame surf. |
| - | Here, when all the stars are aligned, the surf can reach mythical proportions. One of my favorite sessions of the year is always at Kettle Point on the first big north of the year, typically in early August. Ceremonially, this is my season opener for the wave riding season. Tim Blanchard will typically call it the previous evening and an early morning road trip will have us there by 9:00 am as we drive on the beach all the way to water’s edge. These early fall sessions, while fickle, provide a rare chance to ride warm-water waves on the Great Lakes. | + | Here, when all the stars are aligned, the surf can reach mythical proportions. One of my favorite sessions of the year is always at Kettle Point on the first big north of the year, typically in early August. Ceremonially, this is my season opener for the wave riding season. Tim Blanchard will typically call it the previous evening and an early morning road trip will have us there by 9:00 am as we drive on the beach all the way to water’s edge. These early fall sessions, while fickle, provide a rare chance to ride warm-water waves on the Great Lakes. (Ed. //See [[:the_great_lakes#lake_huron1|Lake Huron]]//) |
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| Both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a relative east-west orientation and are similar in size with a north-south fetch of approximately 50 miles and a west-east fetch of approximately 200 miles. At each lake’s eastern shore there are numerous wave riding spots with long sandy beaches and clear water. Since the best conditions are generally during spring and fall, riders usually bypass the bustling summer beach crowds. | Both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie have a relative east-west orientation and are similar in size with a north-south fetch of approximately 50 miles and a west-east fetch of approximately 200 miles. At each lake’s eastern shore there are numerous wave riding spots with long sandy beaches and clear water. Since the best conditions are generally during spring and fall, riders usually bypass the bustling summer beach crowds. | ||
| - | It’s no secret that Lake Erie’s greater Buffalo area on both sides of the border is home to some of the best kiteboarding conditions on the Great Lakes. On the Canadian side, Sherkston Beach is a long-established haven for kiteboarders, surfers, and boogie boarders. On the US side, Angola Beach offers a combination of great learning conditions and, at times, ridable waves. | + | It’s no secret that **Lake Erie’s greater Buffalo area on both sides of the border** is home to some of the best kiteboarding conditions on the Great Lakes. On the Canadian side, **Sherkston Beach** is a long-established haven for kiteboarders, surfers, and boogie boarders. On the US side, **Angola Beach **offers a combination of great learning conditions and, at times, ridable waves. (Ed. //See [[:the_great_lakes#lake_erie1|Lake Erie]]//) |
| - | On the northeastern shores of Lake Ontario, when a beach break called Sandbanks fires, surfers, windsurfers, and kiteborders from the provinces of Ontario, Ottawa, and Quebec point their inner compass towards this legendary spot. Sandbanks, one of our busiest wave riding areas, is also a very busy tourist attraction during the summer months, but since the best riding conditions are during spring and fall, riders generally show up to large empty beaches. | + | On the northeastern shores of **Lake Ontario**, when a **beach break called Sandbanks** fires, surfers, windsurfers, and kiteborders from the provinces of Ontario, Ottawa, and Quebec point their inner compass towards this legendary spot. Sandbanks, one of our busiest wave riding areas, is also a very busy tourist attraction during the summer months, but since the best riding conditions are during spring and fall, riders generally show up to large empty beaches. |
| - | On a busy weekend, it is not uncommon to find 100 riders here with a well-defined lineup of windsurfers and kiteboarders. The wave periods at Sandbanks are some of the longest in the Great Lakes, providing a more traditional wave riding experience and also allowing a forgiving playground for the wave riding novice. | + | On a busy weekend, it is not uncommon to find 100 riders here with a well-defined lineup of windsurfers and kiteboarders. The wave periods at Sandbanks are some of the longest in the Great Lakes, providing a more traditional wave riding experience and also allowing a forgiving playground for the wave riding novice. (Ed. //See [[:the_great_lakes#lake_ontario1|Lake Ontario]]//) |
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| - | On Lake Superior, owing to its remoteness and notoriously dangerous seas, wave riding here remains the obscure passion of a few souls who prefer not to disclose any relevant details. This is considered the region’s last frontier. (//Ed. see [[:lake_superior|]]// ) | + | On Lake Superior, owing to its remoteness and notoriously dangerous seas, wave riding here remains the obscure passion of a few souls who prefer not to disclose any relevant details. This is considered the region’s last frontier. (Ed. - //Obscurity no longer completely true. **see [[:lake_superior|]]**// ) |
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