While some individuals may opt to remain indoors during the cold and snowy Canadian winter, Vesa Luomaranta chooses to embrace the chilly weather in a unique way.
Instead of engaging in traditional winter activities like pond hockey or skiing, Luomaranta pursues surfing as his winter pastime.
When asked why he surfs in winter, Luomaranta, the proprietor of Superior East Board Shop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., expressed his passion for surfing and the love he has for the waves.
Although the waves in Canada may not offer the warmth found on the north coast of Oahu in Hawaii, Luomaranta believes there are ample opportunities to ride winter waves in Canada, albeit amidst snow and ice.
Reasons for Winter Surfing
While Lake Superior is Luomaranta’s preferred surfing spot, other surfers venture to locations such as Tofino, B.C., and the East Coast for their cold-water surfing experiences. Winter waves in Canada are distinct from their tropical counterparts, offering a unique and rewarding surfing challenge.
Jess Dimis initially had reservations about surfing in cold waters but was encouraged by a friend to give it a try. Her transformative experience off the coast of British Columbia, contrasting with her earlier surfing in Costa Rica, led her to become a dedicated surfer and eventually a surfing instructor at Surf Sister School in Tofino.
Former professional surfer Dean Petty, whose surfing roots are in the North Atlantic waters off Nova Scotia, views cold-water surfing as an integral part of his upbringing. Despite now having the opportunity to surf in warmer destinations, Petty finds a certain allure in riding the winter waves of Canada.
“There’s a sense of nostalgia and challenge in facing the elements,” remarked Petty, the founder of Camp Bueno Surf Sanctuary in Cow Bay, N.S.
Both Petty and Luomaranta concur that winter presents the best surfing conditions in Canada, with powerful waves crashing onto the shores during this season.
“The winter northwest winds create massive waves that are a sight to behold,” Luomaranta described the spectacle of winter waves on Lake Superior. “The sound of the water hitting is truly awe-inspiring.”
However, navigating frigid waves requires adherence to safety precautions. Water temperatures drop to around 3°C, varying depending on the specific location on the lake, according to Luomaranta.
Wearing a wetsuit is essential for cold-water surfing, as it helps mitigate the cold, although additional layers underneath may be necessary for added warmth