Lake Michigan: 1, Me: 0

cujo · 08-30-2009, 09:25 PM

OK....I tried hitting Lake MIchigan today at Lake street, predicted 7-10 foot waves, small craft advisory (sign #1).

I showed up around 1:00, no other jet ski's at all (sign #2....popular jet ski beach, Sunday afternoon and no jet skis). Maybe 10 or so people surfing. The lake looked nasty. And by nasty, I mean, wow I couldn't wait. A Gary policeman showed up as I was gearing up to check me out and warn me about going out (sign #3). I told him I would be fine.

Well, I lasted about 5 minutes. I could not get past the breakers....I could get over one, maybe two, and then all my forward momentum was lost and I would get clobbered by the next wave.

As I tried to go over a wave I was easy on the throttle trying not to get too much air, but I would end up coming straight down and wasn't able to get going in time to get over the next wave. I got my a$$ handed to me. How can waves keep you under water for so long when you are wearing a friggen life vest? After five minutes of trying I basically washed up on shore, short of breath and my legs almost unable to hold me up.

I limped back to the launch, tail between my legs. The surfers surely got a good laugh.

I think I could do better. I have ridden surf before, but not this big, and I have never had to ride straight off the beach (note to self: big difference between "rollers" and "breakers". Where I have rode surf before (Racine, WI) there is a break wall that creates a huge calm area to hide behind, and get your legs under you.

As I was leaving, about three skis showed up in the back of pickups. If those were any of you, mad props if you able to ride today.

I am down, but not defeated.

figair · 08-30-2009, 10:38 PM

I wanted to make it today. but could'nt. Maybe next week. Hopefully it will be better.

blaster800 · 08-30-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujo

OK....I tried hitting Lake MIchigan today at Lake street, predicted 7-10 foot waves, small craft advisory (sign #1).

I showed up around 1:00, no other jet ski's at all (sign #2....popular jet ski beach, Sunday afternoon and no jet skis). Maybe 10 or so people surfing. The lake looked nasty. And by nasty, I mean, wow I couldn't wait. A Gary policeman showed up as I was gearing up to check me out and warn me about going out (sign #3). I told him I would be fine.

Well, I lasted about 5 minutes. I could not get past the breakers....I could get over one, maybe two, and then all my forward momentum was lost and I would get clobbered by the next wave.

As I tried to go over a wave I was easy on the throttle trying not to get too much air, but I would end up coming straight down and wasn't able to get going in time to get over the next wave. I got my a$$ handed to me. How can waves keep you under water for so long when you are wearing a friggen life vest? After five minutes of trying I basically washed up on shore, short of breath and my legs almost unable to hold me up.

I limped back to the launch, tail between my legs. The surfers surely got a good laugh.

I think I could do better. I have ridden surf before, but not this big, and I have never had to ride straight off the beach (note to self: big difference between "rollers" and "breakers". Where I have rode surf before (Racine, WI) there is a break wall that creates a huge calm area to hide behind, and get your legs under you.

As I was leaving, about three skis showed up in the back of pickups. If those were any of you, mad props if you able to ride today.

I am down, but not defeated.

#1 I hope you wore a helmet?? #2 its not real sharp to be in lake MI 7-10's by yourself , much less with NO previous experience . At least a partner can keep your head above water if something bad were to happen,... did you have a tow rope ? I'll gamble to say............. NOT !.. well at least your not hurt after that ordeal, be careful and prepared next time FWIW

STINE675 · 08-30-2009, 11:57 PM

lake michigan 4 us 0 we were riding those same monster waves here in wisconsin and one wave took 3 of us out at the same time. it was funny after the white wash cleared there was 3 of scrambling to get back up and get back at it. that wave nailed us.......couldn't escape the monster curl

cujo · 08-31-2009, 12:04 AM

blaster, I was wearing a helmet, and you're right I should have at least been riding with someone.....

R Hudson · 08-31-2009, 12:05 AM

Yep. the curl was nutz at times today!

I swallowed a LOT of lake today

cujo, next time I'm sure you'll know better. Glad you made it back in ok. It could have been much worse!

ALSWEL · 08-31-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cujo

OK....I tried hitting Lake MIchigan today at Lake street, predicted 7-10 foot waves, small craft advisory (sign #1).

Well, I lasted about 5 minutes. I could not get past the breakers....I could get over one, maybe two, and then all my forward momentum was lost and I would get clobbered by the next wave.

I think I could do better. I have ridden surf before, but not this big, and I have never had to ride straight off the beach (note to self: big difference between "rollers" and "breakers".

I am down, but not defeated.

First, I am glad you are ok. I think you are nuts for going out alone.

These are the same conditions we had Saturday or very close. Getting out was almost impossible for my X2. Riding back and forth searching for a 'window' to get out past the breakers took 5-10 minutes. By the time you get out you are so tired.

We were there for about 4 hours. My last run I finally started to get the hang of it. I'm sure, with a fellow rider or Two, you would have had the time to do the same.

Like you I am not defeated, I plan on riding out there until its too clod not to. We post up when we go so come out with us if you can.

fastlife23 · 08-31-2009, 12:54 AM

cujo next time hit alswel or me up so you dont go by yourself we are always ready to ride. Like Jeremy said we had similar conditions on saturday it was freaking nuts. By the end of the day i just couldnt take it anymore and just threw in the towel because i had to jump at least 5 breakers to get out. Thing is they are so tight between each other i would be landing and the wave would be crashing on top of me it was just wearing me down something fierce

fox river pwc · 08-31-2009, 11:30 AM

You HAVE to have partnerS - more than one, preferably - a plan, and handsignals to ride in surf like that. Take it from a "seasoned" rider who almost drowned last year, while other seasoned riders, who hadn't gotten their skis in the water yet (cuz I was too impatient to wait and took a stupid chance), could do nothing but watch. I don't care how good of a rider one is, sh it happens (your ski gets away from you, your ski breaks, etc...), and you're at the mercy of mother nature at that point - and it's not a good feeling.

fox river pwc · 08-31-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STINE675

lake michigan 4 us 0 we were riding those same monster waves here in wisconsin and one wave took 3 of us out at the same time. it was funny after the white wash cleared there was 3 of scrambling to get back up and get back at it. that wave nailed us.......couldn't escape the monster curl

Very true, mike. But because we followed our pre-discussed rules, none of us were ever in serious danger, or had reason to panic...