Photo: Five Lakes Surf Club | Digital Art: Stephanie Thwaites
Locals: Meet Giles Schlehuber
Founder, Five Lakes Surf Club
Story By: Sara Wesche
Giles Schlehuber didn’t grow up surfing, but once he found the waves, he never looked back. These days, he calls Holland, Michigan, home, just 14 minutes from the lake. He can tell you every red light between his house and his home break at Holland State Park. “It’s not the best wave,” he admits, “but when it works, I’m there, and that means I can surf more often.”
That rhythm is a big part of why he’s been able to surf 110 days this past season. Because here in the Midwest, it’s less about chasing perfect conditions and more about staying connected to where you are.
Photo: Five Lakes Surf Club
For Giles, that connection runs deep. His local surf spot might be Holland, but the one closest to his heart is a rocky, windblown stretch of Lake Huron across the street from his late grandmother’s home in the U.P. “It’s a terrible spot to surf,” he laughs. “But no one else has ever surfed it, and it’s mine.”
That personal connection—to place, to rhythm, to memory—is what defines Great Lakes surfing. It’s not about chasing perfect conditions. It’s about making the most of what’s right in front of you. And maybe becoming slightly obsessed with it.
That obsession inspired Giles to found Five Lakes Surf Club: a creative, community-rooted project that documents and preserves the unique surf culture of the Great Lakes. Five Lakes Surf Club, predominantly found on Instagram, has grown into a platform that celebrates home breaks, connects surfers across state lines, and helps newcomers find their footing on freshwater. Their reach touches every Great Lake shoreline, stretching across state lines and into Canada.
“The thing that always comes up in every conversation is how welcoming this scene is,” Giles says. “You show up at the water, and someone will walk right up and say ‘hey’. There’s no ego, no gatekeeping.”
That open-armed approach is one that Five Lakes Surf Club takes seriously. “Come to us,” Giles says. “If you’re new to surfing, if you’re curious, if you’re not sure where to start, Five Lakes is the place. We can help connect you. We have ties to almost every city in the Great Lakes where there’s surfing. And there’s a local legend in almost all of them—usually the friendliest person you’ll ever meet—who’s been shepherding the flock for decades. We can also connect you to local surf shops, they’re great.”
“People underestimate the lakes all the time,” Giles says. “They look at the water and assume it’s no big deal. But these are inland seas. Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are over 100 miles across at their furthest points. The waves can hit 20 feet. You need to take it seriously.”
That’s why education and access are so central to what Five Lakes does. Giles is passionate about documenting a culture, building community, and helping people connect to this place in a meaningful way, and it shows when you chat with him about it or read the posts.
“There’s more freshwater coastline here than both the East and West coasts combined,” Giles says. “There’s space for everyone. So let’s build something worth sharing.”
Five Lakes is growing intentionally. Giles has ideas for where it might go next; maybe a podcast, a video series, even a print zine someday. But for now, the focus is simple – keep showing up, tell real stories, and stay grounded in the community that makes it all possible.
For those looking to paddle out for the first time, his advice is straightforward:
“Rent gear first so you can try a good quality board before you buy. Invest in or borrow a good wetsuit; it makes all the difference. And talk to your local surf shop. There are several around the Great Lakes. They know their stuff, and they can help you get out there safely.”
That kind of local knowledge and support is exactly what Five Lakes is here for. Five Lakes exists to keep the community strong, the stories flowing, and the culture moving forward. It’s a reminder that the Midwest has its way of doing things—and it’s worth showing up for.
“This doesn’t have to be niche,” Giles says. “You can live in the Midwest and be a surfer. This can be your thing.”
After all, who says you can’t surf on a lake?
Follow Five Lakes Surf Club on Instagram @fivelakessurfclub
