Great Lakes wind chasers

[XLR8]

No need to give exact spots, but I'd like to hear from those who have been chasing surf this past week.  Seems like a guy with a gas card and no schedule could really have had a great week, surfing every day since last Saturday.

I have to pay for gas and have a scheduled life so I have been limited.

But I did get out both Sat and Sun on the south winds here midway up the west shore of lower Michigan near New Era.  I was hoping to surf the NW wind Monday after work a little south of Grand Haven but a couple of things went wrong at work.

Yesterday after work I had a great session at a popular pier and was the only one out.  It was on the build for this morning but was easily waist plus and really clean.

Today should be even better but I am working.....may get out afterwards.  I would have loved to travel to the Upper Peninsula or even Wisconsin but that was too much time and money. 

I love chasing fall surf around here.

[endlessfight]

nice man! good to hear you're getting some. been a windy last 10 days. ive only got two sessions in the last couple weeks but last friday (the one i made the thread on) were really good conditions.
we've been getting skunked a lot. theres been waves and swell; just so windy and messy you wont want to go out. nothing here that will protect it as much; and i dont have the flexibility to take off work and drive 3 hours to lake erie.

today im gonna hit a spot thats more protected that works on a straight South. i surfed it last tuesday for the fist time and it was great. jacks up like a reef break almost; real fast wave with a thick lip. just something different then i'm used too.

we had huge surf on monday but it was like 8 feet and so blown out. it was still macking when i went to bed; woke up at 630 for work and it was nearly flat. how it can die down that much in like 7 hours just baffles me. welcome to lake surfing.

[NoSaltSuper]

Hoping to sneak out for a long lunch at Waukegan!  But, we'll see....

[endlessfight]

lake huron north buoy showing waves are 6ft @ 7 seconds right now. water temp is still 53. not bad!!

if you can find somewhere that works on a south you are stoked.

[XLR8]

I have a place that works on a south and I am stoked!  Had a great session this afternoon even though the swell wasn't as good as the forecast suggested.  Nice, shoulder high lefts.  This south will continue for the next day.  Looks like it could then onshore before.I get out of work tomorrow though. 

[XLR8]

Had a friend send me this photo from a session earlier this week.  Waves always feel bigger in real life and then I see the photos.....oh well...

[Stand Up Pittsburgh]

Would love to try Lake Erie. Does anybody have any spots near Erie, PA? What wind conditions do I need to look for? The 2 hour drive would be worth it.

[gr8laker]

Lakes have been fun lately.  I've had two sessions on Huron and two sessions on Erie in the last few weeks, and this afternoon I will just drive across to the west side of Toronto for some 2-3 foot swell - finally some East winds at home.  I'm self employed, and try to take advantage of the freedom as much as possible.  What is this gas card you speak of, and where does one get such a card?  

Would love to try Lake Erie. Does anybody have any spots near Erie, PA? What wind conditions do I need to look for? The 2 hour drive would be worth it.

Any solid winds West to North West looks pretty great for that spot.  You can probably surf on a good NE too.  That whole peninsula right at Erie, PA, looks cool, might give you some options.  Can't say I know the south shore at all though. 

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/glcfs/glcfs.php?lake=l&ext=wv&type=F&hr=01

Watch this site for wave predictions.  It will give you a general idea what magnitude winds give you the swell size you want.  It looks ahead four days to speculate on what's coming.  Ideal Lake conditions for any spot are when the conditions are big and then begin dying down and cleaning up.  Some particular spots you can find will give you wind shelter, clean up the swell (some piers do this nicely).  You can even find some point breaks on the lakes.  Fire me a PM if you want an opinion on a swell you see coming in.

[Stand Up Pittsburgh]

Thanks for the website, it will become my number one book mark. Also thanks for the advice on wind direction.