2008 Woodie Awards
Surfs U.P.
NMU students take on Lake Superior
Curt Kemp
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Sports
When the fall season comes around, NMU skiers and snowboarders realize that the winter months are closing in fast, and the anticipation begins.
But, for an increasingly larger amount of local skiers and snowboarders, the fall season also means that it's time to surf Lake Superior.
Tuesday night, 40 NMU students and community members did just that, when they headed to Sunset Point on Presque Isle, manned with surfboards and wetsuits, for an event co-sponsored by the NMU Skate and Snowboard club and Casualties.
"The idea today is just to give people the opportunity to learn about Lake Superior surfing," Casualties co-owner Andy Jones said. "A lot of people don't realize the opportunities that we have, especially this time of the year."
Jones explained that when the winds shift to the North during the fall, the waves on Lake Superior can get pretty big in certain places, and that Presque Isle, is one of those spots. He added that, given the right equipment, the chilly Lake Superior waters aren't a problem.
"We just wanted to give everyone a chance to use the equipment, to get comfortable with the wet suits, and show people that the water is in fact warm when you've got a good wet suit on," Jones said.
With calm winds and a warm night, Tuesday night's event allowed beginners to get on a board and not have to worry about being thrashed by big waves - and, for an extra perk, everyone at the event had a U.P. sunset in the background. Jones said that, during the event, nearly three dozen people got on surfboards for the first time.
"We're hoping to see it grow," Jones said. "Casualties has had a lot of influence over the snowboarding community over the last eight years, and we're kind of building on that group of people as potential surfers."
NMU Skate and Snowboard Club President Eric Schleicher said that, to put on events like this the student group needed the help of Casualties, and added that Casualties has been more than helpful.
But, for an increasingly larger amount of local skiers and snowboarders, the fall season also means that it's time to surf Lake Superior.
Tuesday night, 40 NMU students and community members did just that, when they headed to Sunset Point on Presque Isle, manned with surfboards and wetsuits, for an event co-sponsored by the NMU Skate and Snowboard club and Casualties.
"The idea today is just to give people the opportunity to learn about Lake Superior surfing," Casualties co-owner Andy Jones said. "A lot of people don't realize the opportunities that we have, especially this time of the year."
Jones explained that when the winds shift to the North during the fall, the waves on Lake Superior can get pretty big in certain places, and that Presque Isle, is one of those spots. He added that, given the right equipment, the chilly Lake Superior waters aren't a problem.
"We just wanted to give everyone a chance to use the equipment, to get comfortable with the wet suits, and show people that the water is in fact warm when you've got a good wet suit on," Jones said.
With calm winds and a warm night, Tuesday night's event allowed beginners to get on a board and not have to worry about being thrashed by big waves - and, for an extra perk, everyone at the event had a U.P. sunset in the background. Jones said that, during the event, nearly three dozen people got on surfboards for the first time.
"We're hoping to see it grow," Jones said. "Casualties has had a lot of influence over the snowboarding community over the last eight years, and we're kind of building on that group of people as potential surfers."
NMU Skate and Snowboard Club President Eric Schleicher said that, to put on events like this the student group needed the help of Casualties, and added that Casualties has been more than helpful.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Matt K.
posted 10/02/08 @ 2:47 AM EST
All I have to say is get into this if you have the money. I'm so pissed at myself for not getting into it while I was going to NMU. NMU is so close to the lake and it's a great way to get in shape before winter hibernation. (Continued…)
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