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Surfing is not a crime. Surfrider follows up with Rex Flodstrom and Mitch McNeil of Surfrider Chicago Chapter to discuss the cities recent dispute about our surfing laws in Chicago. Interesting little video to watch on the issue. Check it.
1st Place for Shared Waves at the Rincon Invitational
The Great Lakes Team took 1st Place for “Shared Waves” this weekend at the 5th Annual Rincon Invitational! We had such a great time, surfing, talking story, and sharing the stoke all day. The Great Lakes Team was truly blessed with the sun shining and perfect point waves all day, not to mention Shaun Tomson asked three Great Lakers to join his team along with Peter Townend and Glenn Hening, founder of Surfrider Foundation, all legends in the surfing world. Such an incredible weekend! A big thanks to all those that made the Invitational possible for the Great Lakes! And a big thanks to the Lakes captain Ken Cole for putting the team together!
Photo by: Burton Hathaway
IS THIS REAL LIFE?
Waves like these only seem to come in our dreams. However there is that rare occasion where reality can overlap into our dreams, and our dreams can become a reality. You just have to notice the signals and be ready to go.
Here, Rusty Malkemes was prepared when the opportunity struck and began to ride that thin line between what is real and what is real good. Especially for a lake you cant surf on.
More on this after a word from our sponsors…
Photo by Mike Killion
IN THE NOW
Sometimes you just have to wake up at 2am to meet your buds for a 4 hour drive for waves. Sometimes your surf straps snap on the highway going 70mph in 30knot+ winds. Sometimes nothing happens to the boards. Sometimes you show up and it looks smaller than expected. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes, well most of the time, you have fun irregardless because there’s only four of you out. And you haven’t seen another soul all day. Sometimes you just have to go. Living in the now, fully commited.
Sometimes that was today.
Photos by Mike Killion
Rex Flodstrom Sentenced 20 Hours Community Service For Surfing
It’s been a long day so far, some of us only running on fumes. Rex has been bombarded with interviews from multiple TV news stations as well as the radio throughout the day. The first one up for his hearing this morning, Rex was sentanced to 20 hours of community service, allowing him to have a clean record from this incident. Although most of us see this as a farfetched amount of hours for just surfing, it is a slap on the wrist in comparison to what the city of Chicago could have gladly handed out.
After the court hearing, surfers including James Pribram & Rex, followed by the masses in the media, headed over to Montrose Beach for a paddle out in support of Rex and surfing in Chicago. Although it wasn’t a huge turnout, there were still a few stoked individuals willing to jump in the icy waters to show they care! Despite the absence of the king of surfing, Kelly Slater, previously tweeting about making an appearance, had other obligations to attend to. We’re hoping that we can get Kelly to make a trip out here in the near future to shred some waves.
To see more on this, feel free to google “Rex Flodstrom” and read the numerous reports, mainly stating the same information. And while your there, peep Rex’s artwork, he’s got some mad painting skills and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you wanted to buy some of his work!
Rex Flodstrom in Court Today for Surfing Oak St. Beach, Chicago
We know you’ve all seen the same story across all the press - we wanted to catch up with Rex on a little more personal note, via text and see how he was handling it all. Today Rex will meet the city of Chicago and determine his charges for surfing at Oak St. Beach last month. We wish him the best of luck and hope to continue the growth of surfing in the windy city!
January 17th, 2012 - Lake Michigan
It was snowing, wind blowing, air in the 20s. Water in the 30s. Southend slides on Lake Michigan in January.
Here is a short clip of Mike Killion, mainly known for his photo work, trying to get known for his horrible surfing in just another GoPro lake surf video. Hope you guys enjoy!
LEFTovers on Lake Ontario
As the majority of our swells here on the Great Lakes generate out of Canada and creep down into the states making waves on our lakes, it’s always great to see the system spread out against all five. Here we have some fine left handers reel off on Lake Ontario. Looks like a solid day of winter surf for these guys!
Photos by Darryl Spreen
Winter Has Hit The Great Lakes
Finally, some decent waves hitting the lakes. And we thought winter would never come. But now that it’s here, it’d kinda be nice if it went away. Winter brings waves, but also a lot of ice and cold temps.
Bringing hot water to pour down your suit is always a good idea. It helps set you back to normal, if not, gains you an extra 30-40 mins in the frigid temps. Here’s a good example shown by photographer Cole Slutsky while filming for his upcoming film, Preconceived Noceans.
To stay up to date on the project, follow Coles work here:
Winter Wonderland
Ever wonder what winter looks like for the guys that surf Lake Erie? You know how people say a photo is worth a thousand words? Well if that’s the case, this video speaks millions! Epic winter conditions make it brutal. The core-est of the core.
