Chicago is on fire

Greenwood Beach, one of the prime wave riding spots near Chicago (Photo by Wavehog Chicago)

The guys in Chicago are having a killer fall season so far, with over 8 days of solid riding this month. Lake Michigan can deliver some epic conditions from the end of September until almost thanksgiving, and it's looking like this year will be a good one. The Lake may not have big predators, but has plenty of things to be scared about: frigid waters, strong currents, gusty winds and man-made obstacles that will chew your gear up. Definitely not for the faint of heart. 

Finally a westerly

I was there from one til 3:30... Gusty!

Nice sesh at the Hatch yesterday. 4.7, 85 L. It was gusty but the 4.7 worked just fine, the sweet spot for the 85 L is between 4.7 and 4.2, the rig felt perfect for the conditions. But still I was slogging in the lulls. Hit a couple jumps, rode some nice swell... Good day!

Afternoon at the Hatch 

The river in gentle cycle

The Fall is here

Sick session today at Rooster! The forecast was spot on, it blasted from early morning until around three. When I got there in the morning it was blowing E at 35. Rigged 4.2 and 85 L and got blown off the water. Rigged 3.7 and that was the ticket. East winds on the Gorge are tricky, and i keep saying that. You have to always be sailing as close hauled as you can or you end up way downwind, and down current. Anyway, by 2 it came down to about 30, maybe upper 20s, so I rigged the 4.2 again and got one more hour of pure fun.
In other news, the Fall season in Chicago is firing up and the guys there are hoping for a double sesh this weekend. Today they had crazy conditions at Michigan City, with side shore winds in the 30s and  massive swell. During this time of the year it is not rare to see three days in a row of wind in the 20s and waves in the teens, all you have to do is have the bowels to go out! Trust me, Lake Michigan in the Fall is no picnic. Well done Seeker and Little Bird!

Rooster Rock on a beautiful Fall day

Little Bird (Brian) tearing it up on Michigan City (Picture by Andrew, Wavehog Chicago)