Request to Amend Pier Jumping Bill 4699 for Surfer Access

Attachment 6

Grand Haven Surfing

   Surfing at Grand Haven began in 1955, but it wasn’t until 1970 and the advent of the shorter boards that piers were used for lake access.  The shorter boards were easier to maneuver, but more difficult to paddle out.  

   Waves in the lake come in 4-5 second intervals, unlike ocean waves with 16-20 second intervals.  Thus, a lake surfer has four times the amount of waves to paddle out through than ocean surfers, making piers a fatigue-saving convenience.