CLEVELAND, Ohio — Strong northeast winds whipped up waves on Lake Erie Friday, drawing eight surfers to Edgewater Beach in Cleveland to ride the three- to six-foot swells forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The surfers, sporting full-body wetsuits and brightly colored surfboards, stand out like a spring flowers against monochrome winter shoreline of Lake Erie.
The scene might surprise those unfamiliar with Great Lakes surfing, but fall and winter are prime time for the sport on Lake Erie. Strong north winds during the colder months create surfable conditions, while summer lifeguards restrict surfing at the beach.
Lake Erie presents a unique challenge for surfers accustomed to ocean breaks. The waves don’t form with the same consistency as ocean swells, creating unpredictable conditions that can frustrate beginners.
“It’s quite hard to learn here. It’s messy, but it’s cool,” said Chris Seaman, a University Heights resident who learned to surf in Sydney. “You go to an ocean and it’s a clean wave over and over again. Here, it’s always changing.”
Sumaya Haider of Cleveland walked across the beach toward the surf Friday, balancing a pink and yellow surfboard atop her head and wearing a thick 6.5mm wetsuit for warmth from the cold lake waters.
Water temperatures off Cleveland are currently 39ºF.
She picked up surfing in 2024 and learned on Lake Erie. Haider agreed that learning to surf on Lake Erie can be tough, but still tries to get out on the water whenever she can. She has since traveled to other states to catch waves.
“I’m more of a surf explorer,” Haider said, before wading back into the frigid water of Lake Erie.
She paddled out into the choppy, opaque water before pausing for the perfect wave. Turning her board, she caught one and rode it back to the shoreline.