Author: Scott Guhlstorf
GARY, IN - Did anyone hear about the 30-foot waves on Lake Michigan last October?
If you followed the headlines, you might have expected walls of water towering over our shoreline. News outlets near and far picked up the forecast, and suddenly our lake had the world’s attention.
The drama of watching kite surfers on Lake Michigan can’t be underestimated. Here, two kite surfers converge and work to maintain distance in challenging conditions. Photo Credit: Tommy Gonzales
But as a local surfer and kiteboarder who was out there, what I experienced was a little different: waves closer to 10 to 14 feet near the shore. Still impressive. Still powerful. And plenty big enough to get your heart racing.
Those of us who surf here sometimes chuckle at the headlines. Forecasts for the open lake don’t necessarily describe the waves breaking at the beach, where wind direction, water depth, and the shape of the shoreline help determine what we actually ride. The distinction can get lost when a dramatic number becomes the story.
And believe me, the waves we had were a story all their own.
What It Feels Like to Ride the Lake
Kite Boarder in Miller Beach rides the surf. Photo Credit: Tommy Gonzales
With gale-force winds driving the water, these waves carried serious power. When you caught one, you could feel it immediately—the acceleration, the force beneath your feet, the focus required to stay with it.
For a surfer or kiteboarder, that’s an adrenaline rush and a real test of skill. Conditions like these demand experience, preparation, and respect for the lake.
After more than 40 years of chasing wave events here, I still feel that pull. The wind shifts, the lake starts building, and I want to know what’s happening at the beach.
Yes, You Can Surf Here
A group of kite surfers sets up at Lake Street Beach in Gary, a well known spot for surfing when the wind is right. Photo Credit: Peggy Vanhala
Frequent sightings of hydrofoils happen in Miller Beach on days with waves or calm waters. Photo: Exowaters
Through social media and conversations about these storms, I’ve noticed more people discovering something our local surfing community has known for years: Lake Michigan has surf.
For some, that’s still a surprise. Surfing brings to mind salt water, palm trees, and warm beaches. Here, we have freshwater, cold wind, thick wetsuits, and a willingness to be ready when the conditions come together.
Could surfing become something people seek out when they visit our beach communities Yes! For those of us already part of this subculture, it has been for a long time.
There’s a community here built around watching the weather, learning the breaks, sharing stories, and showing up. The growing curiosity gives more people a chance to discover a side of Lake Michigan they may never have imagined.
Bloom Where You’re Planted
Maybe the appeal is the unexpected. Maybe it’s the feeling of discovery, or the challenge of heading into cold water to do something most people associate with a tropical coast. For me, it’s also home.
“Bloom where you’re planted” feels especially fitting here. You learn to appreciate what’s in front of you, pay attention to its possibilities, and embrace something you once might have thought impossible.
That’s what surfing Lake Michigan has given me for more than four decades: adventure, community, and a reason to keep looking toward the water.
I hope more people come to discover this side of our beach communities—whether that means watching the surfers from shore or learning with experienced local guidance when conditions are suitable.
This lake still amazes me. I have a feeling it always will.
About the Author
Scott Guhlstorf is a lifelong Lake Michigan surfer and kiteboarder whose love of the water began at age five in downstate Illinois. Over 55 years, that passion has grown from waterskiing to surfing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding—and become a way of life shared with his family.
A former advertising creative director, Scott now lives near the water in Michigan City and runs ExoWaters, short for “Exotic Waters.” Through custom boards, kites, wetsuits, hydrofoils, and decades of experience, he helps others discover extraordinary adventures in unexpected places. For Scott, time on the lake brings joy, perspective, and connection—a passion he loves sharing with others.
The Visit Miller Beach Blog is made possible by a Legacy Foundation, Press Forward Grant.