Grand Haven "Surf City"
Modern Grand Haven Surfing
Grand Haven Surfing Today
Technology
has changed how, where and when they surf. Surfboard materials, design and
innovation has created an ever increasing array of lighter,
more maneuverable and durable, which benefited the long board which has returned
with great popularity. Surfboard shapers / builders have set up shop on
the lakes to provide boards designed specially for the lakes. Wet suit
improvements have made winter surfing almost as practical and comfortable as the
warmer months. Self-heating wetsuits are on the horizon.
The Internet has opened up a whole new window to surf forecasting
whereby a surfer can access wind and wave data off mid-lake weather buoys.
Grand Haven has beach cams on both the north and south shores so surfers can see
for themselves exactly how the waves are breaking. Surfers can view remote
coastal areas previously unexplored for good surf with detailed geo-satellite
images They can meet, trade information and post pictures on the on-line surf
forums. Cell phones and accompanying images allow surfers to give
real time on-the-spot surf reports to fellow surfers.
Regardless of technology, surfers at Grand Haven and elsewhere on
the lakes still have the same enthusiasm and spirit for surfing, caring
for the lake's environment and for shoreline safety, as they always have, and
will most likely do so into the future.
“The Great Lakes are really freshwater seas, there’s something about being able to surf in your home area that makes all those flat spells worth the wait.” Dave Irwin 1987
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