Surfs Up on Lake Superior…around fall 1998, some friends from Florida were driving to Thunder Bay from Toronto, saw really good waves rolling in at “switchbacks”in Terrace Bay. Masi and Miika surfed all afternoon in thin spring suits. Told us the tale and we were super stoked! This was the first time we had heard of surfing on Lake Superior. We moved back to Thunder Bay in 2003, started up this surf company to promote surfing and provide quality surf products for the Great Lakes surfing enthusiasts.

In the beginning there was very few of us, but now the surf community is vibrant and growing. The vibe is great, everyone is always stoked to be surfing or talking about it. Newcomers and beginners are always welcome.

History
We were first introduced and tried surfing in southern Florida around 1987, with local friends on borrowed short boards. Learning curve and progress was slow. To paddle out, duck dive and sit on board was a challenge. But, with a bunch of tips and “paddle hard dude!” from friends Kai & Rob Nieminen and Jani Arponen we managed to catch a wave once in awhile.

First wave…still remember first wave I actually rode. Evening session, Lake Worth Pier with Jani, glassy chest high waves, getting dark, silhouettes of palm trees and car lights on the beach. Drop in on nice left, first with one knee down, shaky, then stand up, crouched and start to catch speed down the line, a sketchy bottom turn, up and down again, white wash closes in around me and I ride it to the beach. I was pumped!

First Surfboard…1994, in Florida got an old 6’4 Channel Islands Thruster from a friend for $50. It was really beat up and needed major repairs. Got some fiberglass cloth, resin and Q-cell filler and after a week the board was ready to ride.

Surfs Up…Really started surfing at each possible opportunity around 1996 on the west coast. Starting with a surf trip to San Diego CA. All vacations involved surfing and many weekend surf trips to Vancouver Island, N. Cali, Oregon and Washington. Since then, at least a few trips a year to exotic surf locations, including many sessions in Hawaii, Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, BVIs and up and down east and west coast of Canada and USA.