Surfriding lake erie surf riding question (attempting to plan a trip)

[Nuklear6]

A good friend of mine ( and board member here) were talking this past sunday (on the beach) and we both agree we would like to plan a fresh water surf trip. Lake Erie would be the most convenient just due to location and ease of getting to. However quality of the riding spot would def affect the decision when choosing a place.

My question is WHERE? I know there is a crew that rides western NY (feel free to chime in, please!).

My second question is WHEN? I know surf on the great lakes is inconsistent at best. that being said there must be a time of year more likely to produce surf.

Please help us out. I plan to do this sooner then later. we will be be coming with a 4x4 van and a few 4x4 trucks/jeeps, so getting places off road is no problem.

thanks in advanced!

 

[Frosty]

Fall is typically the best time, but yes it's very inconsistant. if you are planning to come to lake erie (western new york) you want to watch for cold fronts coming through our area. Typically creating southwest winds. we usually do not know more than a few days in advance that we will get 20 - 25 mph SW winds or more (some times 35 - 40 mph), but when we do we see 4 - 6 foot waves, and some times 8 - 10.

Alternatively, you could go to the eastern end of lake ontario... closer. there you want strong west winds. there a place called sandy pondy... very long shallow beach brake, but big clean waves after that.

hope that helps...

 

[MADMAT]

What he said^^

Same in Cleveland.....great waves when they come....but 2 or 3 days notice at best.....and then the day can change at the last minute. Like NOAA might be calling for say 4-6's on a Wednesday but then you wake up Wednesday morning and they have been pushed back to Thursday.

Gotta live close and be ready to ride.

Korn started a facebook page for us......it really helps us all communicate quick/easy and update forecasts amongst the crew...

 

[Nuklear6]

Other then sandy pondy, what spots are best for consistency? When there aren't 4' + waves are there at least something small or is it normally dead flat? Do any of you have a spot you hit most weekend? Id love to plan it to follow someone on there normal riding routine. As i think it would be best to avoid any trouble. The small group of us that would be coming are all straight up, no knuckleheads!

 

[eeerieski]

just come to this: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/93370-2011-Lake-Erie-Freeride-Presented-by-TeamXtremeJetskiing.com

 

[Nuklear6]

just come to this: http://www.x-h2o.com/threads/93370-2011-Lake-Erie-Freeride-Presented-by-TeamXtremeJetskiing.com

Not able to go that weekend. Looking into more of a september thing for me.......

 

[Proformance1]

I also ride WNY on lake Erie but ride in Ontario alot also. I have ridden most spots from Cleveland OH, to Sandy Pond west end of Ontario and all I can say is you need a weather report and a guide, LOL "a local". Team Xtreme has guys or is affiliated with guys from all those spots. We have a great crew of guys that is expanding all the time. Pat MOTO360 just texted me yesterday, Western end of Ontario will be riped up today 5-7', subsiding to 3-5, then 4-6 all tonight. Last night we rode and had 5-7s here on Erie, they were decent in one spot great at another, then got choppy and washed out, then at 730 they spaced out better and we had the best ride of the night. The back part of the storms are also the best as the wind dies the waves start to space out more. Be prepared for CHOP. LOL

 

[djkorn1]

Cleveland

NE Winds bring the best waves to Cleveland, but we also get waves with N and NW. Mostly in late September/Early October , just look for northern winds at 15mph or more...and you'll have waves. You can use the weather.com 10day forecast for 44102....and hit madmat or I up...if there is big waves, we'll be out there.

btw...we ride at Edgewater park boaters beach and use Edgewater boat ramps (free)

 

[djkorn1]

 

[Frosty]

When there aren't 4' + waves are there at least something small or is it normally dead flat? Do any of you have a spot you hit most weekend?

there are days in the summer that start off dead flat, but quickly chop up. I rarely recall any totally flat days on lake erie. usually 1 - 2 foot chop - with plenty of large boat wakes. September/October are about the only somewhat predictable months for waves. That's the transition months heading into winter when cold fronts start to come through. Water at that time of year can be in the 60's (sept) and 50's (oct), with air temps that can be in the 40's (late oct).

Last october we had several killer days of chest to overhead waves... pulled some killer back flips before cracking my old ski in half.

 

[Nuklear6]

there are days in the summer that start off dead flat, but quickly chop up. I rarely recall any totally flat days on lake erie. usually 1 - 2 foot chop - with plenty of large boat wakes. September/October are about the only somewhat predictable months for waves. That's the transition months heading into winter when cold fronts start to come through. Water at that time of year can be in the 60's (sept) and 50's (oct), with air temps that can be in the 40's (late oct).

Last october we had several killer days of chest to overhead waves... pulled some killer back flips before cracking my old ski in half.

What spot/ spots do you normally go to on erie? i really wanna make this happen but have alot going on before oct. I def dont mind cold water but would rather not freeze when out of the water. Do you guys still ride regularly in october?

 

[SuziQ]

I miss the plumber’s video commentaries, lol

 

[Bobert540]

I would like to make this happen as I have been itching to do a freshwater surf trip for the past 2 years. Thanks for all of the info so far!