Ice Surfers

When you think of surfing, you probably imagine beautiful beaches, warm weather and some killer ocean waves. But there are surfers who live for winter weather — icy waters and subzero temperatures. Many fuel up their vehicles and travel to different cities, mostly along the East Coast and around the Great Lakes, to find the perfect conditions for ice surfing.

One of those brave souls is Allen Finau of Morehead City, North Carolina. The 48-year-old started surfing when he was just four years old and was introduced to the idea of ice surfing seven years ago in northern Michigan.

Finau started driving his ice surfer friends to different locations and would watch and photograph them while they were in the water. “There were some who would go out for one wave and come in,” says Finau. “And I could see the distress of the cold on their system and thought, ‘Oh, this is nuts!’”

Fast-forward three years, and Finau finally decided to put on his wetsuit, grab his surfboard (made out of petroleum-based polyurethane to make it light and strong) and try ice surfing himself in Lake Superior. “I was bored one day and decided to give it a go. Even though it’s freezing, the whole experience is exhilarating,” says Finau.

“Exhilarating” is probably a great way to describe riding the 6- to 10-foot waves that winter storms bring. The colder weather makes for perfect surfing conditions: stronger winds and waves that are night and day compared to the ones seen during the summer. Through ice surfing, die-hard surfers are able to extend their surf season and enjoy the sport for as long as possible.

When Finau says it’s freezing out when he ice surfs, he’s not joking. The coldest weather he’s surfed in was 0° F, where ice formed beyond the shore and came in like icebergs. It gets so cold that his long hair and big beard become frozen solid, weighing 30 pounds. “That’s when I have to get out of the water. My head gets too heavy.”

That’s why it’s important — if you are ice surfing — to have all the right gear to keep you safe and warm. This includes a quality wetsuit made out of a petroleum-based neoprene. Not only does it help keep the surfer warm when the body temperature drops trying to heat the layer of trapped water, it also gives the surfer the flexibility to maneuver on the board. Some suits have hoods for more protection, and many have double- or triple-stitched seams to keep the water out. A number of wetsuits are made without zippers to make it even harder for water to find its way inside.

Most ice surfers wear boots, also made out of neoprene, that provide warmth, durability and traction, and they wear rubber gloves that give them extra grip while keeping their hands warm and dry. Surfers often wear petroleum jelly on their faces to protect their skin from the cold weather.

Along with having the right gear, it’s also vital for ice surfers to have a warm car ready, jugs of heated water for icy hands and feet, and to be surrounded by the right people who can help in case of an emergency.

If you’re interested in ice surfing, there are a number of locations to try. Finau plans to surf Lake Michigan in Chicago this winter as well as areas in Minnesota. Many ice surfers also travel to popular spots such as Long Beach, New York, where people are usually seen lining up on shore ready to catch a gnarly wave; Jenness State Beach in Rye, New Hampshire, or anywhere along the 18 miles of New Hampshire coastline, including along the seawall in Hampton; southern Maine between the cities of York and Portland; and all across Alaska.

“For me, regular surfing is stylish and meant to make people happy,” says Finau. “While ice surfing is really living life to the fullest.”