Photo: Sara Wesche | Digital Composition: Mike Rendel
Yes, You Can Surf Here, Too
A Non-Surfer’s Afternoon at the Great Lakes Surf Festival
Story By: Sara Wesche
The previous Saturday was hot, 90 degrees with full sun and not a cloud in the sky. So it seems fitting that on Saturday, August 9, the day of the 7th Annual Great Lakes Surf Festival at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon, Michigan, the sky was overcast. The breeze was cool, and it felt like a fall day.
But the weather didn’t stop the good times at the surf fest. As one rider quoted, “We roll with the weather,” which truly captures the Great Lakes Surf Festival vibe. I think “rolling with the weather” is the unofficial Midwest motto. Despite the overcast weather and the need for wetsuits, the waves were kicking out of the west and serving up awesome sets for experienced surfers as well as those learning to surf for the first time. It was Midwest grit on display, seeing how people truly embrace whatever is thrown at us and make the best of it.
Photos: Sara Wesche
Let me start by saying I’m not a surfer, and no one in my family surfs. I bring this perspective to you as an observer. I had no idea how broad this world was here on the Great Lakes until we started Midwest Vertical, and I began following accounts on Instagram associated with Great Lakes surfing. It revealed something about our region that I find most remarkable – the breadth of activities we can do here within a short drive. Once you scratch under the surface, you see a booming culture of humans who have fully embraced these lakes in a different way – and they want you to try it, too.
They live for the bad weather days. Like sailors, they want the wind.
As an observer, here’s what makes Great Lakes surfers truly awesome: They live for the bad weather days. Like sailors, they want the wind. But they also seem to thrive in those cold fall days when the autumn storms kick up some of the best waves in between the heat of summer and the ice of winter.
The Great Lakes Surf Festival is like a family gathering with art and culture. Gear shops dot the beach, ready to outfit you with everything you need for your surf adventure. The people behind the local shops, or Ella at Sleeping Bear Surf in Empire, Michigan, like Andy at EOS Surf Shop in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, are the torchbearers of the sport. Yes, I’ll come for a lesson… soon.
There has always been a strong connection between the visual arts and surfing, going back 3,000 years to Peru, where some of the world’s first historians carved reliefs of surfers. The Great Lakes Surf Fest celebrates this connection with two art exhibits. The first is a display of the best surf photographs of the year, where attendees can vote for their number one pick. The winning photographer is awarded.
The festival’s flagship art project is the annual Surfboard ART, which involves local and regional businesses decorating 4-foot surfboard cutouts. These are then auctioned off at the festival, with all proceeds going to a charity chosen by the surfboard art director.
The Surf Fest also features live music, raffle prizes, food trucks, a yoga session, and surf lessons for all ages throughout the day.
About the Great Lakes Surf Festival
The Great Lakes Surf Festival is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to educating and training the public to improve their water-related board sports capabilities, knowledge of the Great Lakes, water safety, and water access. Founded by Joe and Tammy Bidawid, the festival builds on the rich history of Great Lakes surf events, such as the revered Dairyland Surf Classic.
As the Bidawids explain, “The goal of our festival is to bring people together, and most of the water activities focus on fun for all ages and a safe family atmosphere. Imagine a late summer day on an amazing beach, doing what you love and surrounded by so many like-minded people from all over the Great Lakes who share the same passion. This is our goal.”
Conclusion: Riding the Waves of Community
As the day drew to a close, the true essence of the Great Lakes Surf Festival became clear. Beyond the thrill of catching waves or the pride in mastering a new skill, the heart of this event lies in its ability to bring people together. From seasoned surfers to curious onlookers like myself, the festival created a space where a shared passion for the Great Lakes united strangers as friends.
It reminds us that whether we’re riding the waves or cheering from the shore, we’re all part of something bigger. Together, we embrace the unique challenges and joys of the Midwest outdoors, forging connections that run as deep as the waters we cherish.
About the Author
Sara Wesche, a proud Michigander, grew up chasing adventures from Lake Michigan’s shores to the ski hills ‘Up North.’ After years in corporate marketing leadership, she’s spent nearly a decade as a freelance marketing strategist and writer. Sara is a member of the Forbes Communications Council, a founding member of Grand Rapids Professional Women for Good, and a mountain biking coach for the Grand Rapids Dirt Dawgs. As Editor and Co-Founder of Midwest Vertical Journal, she uses journalistic storytelling to bring the Midwest’s legends, locals, and landscapes to life.
