Surfing Lake Superior Jan 05 2009 Grand Sable Dunes

Grand Sable Dunes, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, near Munising Michigan, January 05,2009. Temperature: Zero or below most of the day. Access to the dunes this time of year: Seasonal, 5 miles in on sled. Wave access: The only way to access the shore and the glassiest waves I've ever seen (brought on in part by ever forming surface ice acting much in the way a kelp bed would) is straight down "Log Slide", it's name being derived from it's former use back in the logging boom of the late 1800's. Log Slide is a 300 foot drop in the dune that logs were sent down to waiting schooners on Lake Superior. Nowadays it's part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, one of the most beautiful areas on Lake Superior and the midwest. A combination of many factors, brought in motion mainly by artic temperatures created one of the most memorable photo shoots I've ever experienced. Winter white created incredible constrast. The low winter sun added pastel reflections to passing clouds, in turn reflecting off the water, blocked from direct sunlight by the dune. Clean up conditions (which was not forecast) made it possible for surfers Billy McCoy and Dan Schuetter to even enter the water, with smaller waves making it easier to avoid getting pegged by forming slushballs, some the size of a sled. Even though it was around zero degrees, the ice mountains on the shore didn't have a chance to build up, which they can do in feet per hour in these frigid conditions. Grand Sable Dunes being frozen prevented me from getting footing to attempt the ascent, which I had my mind set on doing, but in the process, allowed me to get some birdseye shots that were just a thrill to witness. The stoke of Dan and Billy made this event happen, as I would have talked them outa surfing Log Slide and instead go for easier access and bigger sloppier waves at Hurricane River, 5 more miles in on sled. So, thanks guys. It was a blast!!!!!!! If you haven't gotten it already, go to The Surfer's Journal Store and get the Aug 2009 Issue. There is a 10 page feature on this expedition.
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