Catching waves in the freezing waters of Lake Superior
Freezing temperatures and high winds would prompt few to call ‘surf’s up’ before barrelling into the icy waves of Minnesota.
But in Stony Point which dips into the western tip of Lake Superior, now’s said to be the perfect time – provided the lake isn’t entirely frozen over.
A die-hard batch of icicle-dripping surfers are seen riding Lake Superior’s winter waves this week while astonishingly braving below-freezing temperatures that accompany white ice and snow-padded beaches.
Northwest winds produced 3-foot waves at Stony Point, Minnesota on Thursday bringing out winter surfers despite frigid temps that like this man, froze icicles to his beard and hood
The peak season for surfing Lake Superior is said to be now with January to March said to offer the most frequent and ‘cleanest’ surf
A man originally from California who called himself ‘Hollywood’ put in a two-hour surf session despite the icy wind which to him aided his surf
Those who braved the frozen waves did their best to stay warm by moving, though their specially designed wet suits, complete with hoods, gloves and boots, tremendously helped as well
Replacing sand for snow, the surfer trudges across a white powdered beach cuffed on the edges with thick ice
Here in northern Minnesota, where winter temperatures can often be at or below zero-degrees Fahrenheit, the peak season for surfing is now with January to March said to offer the most frequent and ‘cleanest’ surf.
It’s especially good if there’s a winter storm.
On Friday the city of Duluth, just south of Stony Point, woke up to temperatures around -15F (-26C) thanks to an arctic-blown chill with winds traveling up to 12mph.
To surfers that means stronger waves.
Matt Nelson of Two Harbors, MN who said he only began surfing last spring was one of them on Thursday.
A man happily lounges on an ice chair at the ice sculpture area in Rice Park in Stony Point where temperatures easily dipped on Friday below zero-degrees
In January of 2009 these two surfers similarly braved icy air, water and beards at Stony Point where they said the water was warmer than the below-freezing air
Markus Barasch, an avid surfer from Wisconsin, snapped a photo of his jagged facial hair and wet suit while describing a 30-degree below windchill
Ice is seen covering this surfer’s head and back while protected by his wetsuit that provided a soft heat-retaining armor
Surfers are seen bobbing around in the surf on one January ‘beach day’ that saw temperatures around 20F
Also nearby, a former-California man who only identified himself as ‘Hollywood’ also put in about two-hours sloshing in and out of the waves.
When he came out, the water had easily frozen into blunt icicles dripping from his hood and facial hair.
But far from any blue lips or skin, their faces appeared rosy, alive, accompanying their bright eyes which scoured for their next big wave.
Attribution: Nina Golgowski, Mail Online
