This wave can be fickle. It works on a wind/swell direction that most people would never think about as a possibility, and it can get pretty good.

The photo was from earlier this year, before they started dredging. Now, we are waiting to see what it looks like after they have completely re-shaped the sand. Just waiting for that next swell.

We couldn't be more grateful to be what we are doing. We are truly appreciative of all of your support.

From all of us at Third Coast Surf Shop, may you and yours have an incredible Thanksgiving!

9'6 Bing "NR Slim"

9'8 Jacobs Tom Wegener "Model A"

9'10 Bing "Silver Spoon"

6'6 Jon Wegener "Peanut" Alaia

Lake surfers in several communities honored our late friend Magilla Schaus last weekend with group paddle outs on four different lakes, held simultaneously, and each done in it's own way.

Oscar, local shredder and funny guy. He was stoked when we left a new board for him last year.

Introducing Burly Surfboards - hand crafted by Justin Bruursema in Holland, Michigan.

I had seen a couple boards Justin had shaped and they looked good, so I asked him for a closer look. He brought a few down to the Shop and we decided that we would give it a go - build a couple longboards and see what happens.

He came back down a few weeks later with two really nice looking logs; a 9'0 and a 9'2 with nice colored resin, solid epoxy over polyurethane glass work, and two matching fins. Best of all, maybe, is the price we are able to offer them at: $649.

Where can you get a locally shaped, solid longboard for that price anymore? These should sell quickly.

We are blowing out some surfboards and SUPs at the Shop. Heading into the offseason, we're looking to pare down a little and start to think about bringing new stuff in for spring.

The Great Lakes surfing community lost one of it's greatest ambassodors yesterday. Magilla Schaus, a lifetime resident of Buffalo, New York and incredible surfer, photographer, firefighter, friend, husband and father, passed away from cancer.

A stalwart in the eastern Lakes surfing community and beyond, Magilla started surfing on Lakes Erie and Ontario in the 1960's. His warmth and compassion spread to all who knew him, and his stoke for life, even while sick, will never be forgotten.

This photo of Magilla was taken in May 2008 by Mike Killion while in New York for the ESA's Northeastern regional.

May he rest in peace.

Erin and I took the dog and boards up to Sheboygan for Saturday's south swell and had a good old time.

Jim and Lester, the Eastern Surfing Associations' Great Lakes Sistrict directors, decided to hold the annual Bill Lemmons Memorial Contest up there because it hadn't worked out on the South End yet. A big south push overnight filled into Sheboygan all day Saturday as winds turned offshore and groomed the long, soft lines really nicely. As usual, the Elbow held dozens of folks scratching for the bigger sets and happily sharing waves together. What was interesting to me is that no one was surfing the inside.

The Elbow wave is big and soft, ideal for an 11' or 12' log and full on trim mode. Larry, Teek, and some of the other guys have it dialed in on their big boards. But what happens on the inside intrigues me. What was a soft burger on the outer bars quickly becomes a fast, steep curl on the inside - a perfect hot doggin' wave. The right one lines up and peels off quickly before the stretch becomes too much and it chuts down. But man, what a fun zipper while it lasts. The alaia and 9'6 Slim Noserider both went well.

The boys congregated on the cliff in the afternoon to run the contest, drink beers, enjoy the incredibly unseasonable weather, and share each other's company. I didn't see or hear anyone complaining about the crowds - in fact, I think most people enjoy that part of it (minus a couple bitter locals).

What a great town.

You might be interested in one of these if you want to surf when it's cold...

The West 6/5/4mm Hooded Lotus is made with a limestone-based neoprene. It's soft, supple, flexible, and most importantly - warm. We have a full stock in house right now waiting to see some water time.

Details on the West 6/5/4 can be found here.

Surf Photographer Yassine Ouhilal took a small crew to the real frozen tundra and came away with some great film.

We know a little something about surfing in similarly cold conditions. Now, if we could only surf in our mummy suits as well as these guys...

Happy Halloween

Captain Jack

Ryan

Surfers Dave Rastavich and Chris Del Moro have taken on a mission to help stop Japanese whaling and help "express the surfing world's desire to surf with cetaceans in an ocean that is clean, clear, and protected."

Why should we, as inland, freshwater surfers care? Because we all share this planet and it's the right thing to do. Plus, what surfer wouldn't want to experience the incredible journey at sea these guys are undertaking?

Do the right thing; sign the petition. And check out the Transparent Sea website for more info.