Driving Force Fitness

Cold, Cold Water...

By Andrew Nash

This time of year in Michigan, one of the last things on most people’s minds is going out in the water, let alone, surfing. The water and air temperatures are frigid, the wind is unforgiving, and you might even have to hike through snow to get to the beach. However, this is the best time of year to surf the Great Lakes. Winter storms whip up the lakes and provide some fun waves. With a bit of experience, a thick wetsuit, and an unquenchable thirst for surf, this time of year can be a blast.

But maybe, I’m getting ahead of myself. People sometimes laugh at the thought of surfing on a lake. It can’t be done, right? Wrong! Lake conditions can produce swells that might even make someone who surfs the ocean jealous. If you don’t believe me, just check out some of the footage on YouTube. You can surf the Great Lakes in eight states and one province: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario. In the coming months I’ll post some pictures of Lake Michigan, so stay tuned!

Maybe surfing isn’t your thing. We have many water sports and activities to choose from and they can be an enjoyable part of our exercise regimen. Swimming, both indoors and outdoors, is an excellent way to stay in shape. Scuba diving, waterskiing, wakeboarding, skimboarding, and kayaking are a few others. Do you have a fear of water, or trouble swimming? Do you want to learn how to surf? Do you want to read about various water-related topics? Check back soon!

Andrew Nash