Despite the harsh Canadian winter weather, Vesa Luomaranta embraces the cold by engaging in winter surfing, a unique activity that contrasts with traditional winter sports like hockey and skiing.
Luomaranta, the owner of Superior East Board Shop in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., explained to The Current host Matt Galloway that his passion for surfing and the thrill of riding waves in the winter motivate his unconventional choice.
While acknowledging that Canadian waters may not offer the warmth of tropical destinations like Oahu in Hawaii, Luomaranta emphasized that the country provides ample opportunities for winter surfing, albeit with the added challenge of snow and ice.
Benefits of Winter Surfing
Lake Superior remains Luomaranta’s preferred winter surfing spot, although other enthusiasts venture to locations such as Tofino, B.C., and the East Coast. Winter waves in Canada offer a unique experience compared to tropical waves, attracting surfers seeking the best that Canada has to offer.
Jess Dimis initially hesitated to surf in cold waters but found herself drawn to the sport after a friend encouraged her to try it. Despite the stark contrast between her first surfing experience in Costa Rica and her subsequent adventures off the coast of British Columbia, Dimis fell in love with surfing, eventually becoming a surfing instructor at Surf Sister School in Tofino.
Dean Petty, a former professional surfer, emphasized that surfing in cold conditions was integral to his upbringing. Despite now having the option to surf in tropical locales, his earliest surfing memories were in the North Atlantic, off the coast of Nova Scotia.
Petty, the founder of Camp Bueno Surf Sanctuary in Cow Bay, N.S., described the allure of surfing in cold waters, highlighting the sense of camaraderie within the smaller winter surfing community.
Both Petty and Luomaranta agreed that winter offers the best waves for surfing in Canada, with Luomaranta praising the power and spectacle of winter waves on Lake Superior.
However, surfing in frigid conditions necessitates safety precautions, with water temperatures dropping to around 3 degrees Celsius. Luomaranta stressed the importance of wearing a wetsuit for insulation, even recommending additional layers for extra warmth.
Despite the challenges of cold water surfing, enthusiasts like Dimis and Luomaranta encourage others to overcome their reservations and try the sport. Dimis, who now teaches surfing, finds joy in witnessing beginners experience the thrill of surfing for the first time.