{"product_id":"introduction-to-surfing-and-forecasting-the-great-lakes","title":"Introduction to Surfing and Forecasting the Great Lakes","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .ko-clinic { font-family: inherit; color: #1E2D34; line-height: 1.65; text-align: left !important; width: 100%; max-width: 100%; }\n  .ko-clinic * { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left !important; }\n  .ko-clinic p { font-size: 15px; color: #5A7A86; line-height: 1.75; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: left !important; }\n  .ko-clinic p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n  .ko-clinic strong { color: #1E2D34; }\n  .ko-clinic em { color: #1E2D34; font-style: normal; font-weight: 600; }\n\n  .ko-stats {\n    display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr); gap: 10px;\n    margin: 24px 0; padding: 16px 0;\n    border-top: 1px solid #E5E9EB; border-bottom: 1px solid #E5E9EB;\n  }\n  .ko-stat { text-align: center !important; }\n  .ko-stat-val { font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; color: #0B1D26; 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Two full days in the surf. \u003cem\u003eLearn to read the conditions, pick the break, and paddle into real Great Lakes waves.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe Niagara Peninsula is one of the best surf zones in Ontario. In the fall, prevailing winds shift from southwest to east — and the unique geography of the Great Lakes means there's almost always somewhere to surf. This clinic teaches you to find it, read it, and ride it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-img\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/9608\/1443\/files\/0D5A4742.jpg?v=1719847593\" alt=\"Sea kayak surfing on the Great Lakes\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-stats\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-val\"\u003e3 days\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-label\"\u003eDuration\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-val\"\u003e1:4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-label\"\u003eRatio\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-val\"\u003eNiagara\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-label\"\u003eRegion\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-val\"\u003eDynamic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"ko-stat-label\"\u003eExposure\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eItinerary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-cards\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card-name\"\u003eDay 1 — Wave Forecasting\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card-desc\"\u003eEvening session, 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM. We use weather forecast data to plan the two surf days — break selection, wind direction, swell period, and timing.\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cul class=\"ko-card-skills\"\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eReading wind forecasts for Great Lakes surf potential\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eUnderstanding fetch, wind duration, and how they build waves\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eBreak selection — matching conditions to locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003ePlanning safe access, parking, and logistics for surf days\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n    \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card-name\"\u003eDays 2 \u0026amp; 3 — Sea Kayak Surfing\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card-desc\"\u003eFull days, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Once the plan is set, we head to the break and surf. Location is conditions-dependent — that's the point.\u003c\/div\u003e\n      \u003cul class=\"ko-card-skills\"\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eLaunching and landing through surf — timing, angle, commitment\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eCatching waves — paddle strokes, positioning, and wave selection\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eWave dynamics — behaviour, identification, and reading sets\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eChoosing safe areas to play and knowing when to move on\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eBrace and recovery in breaking waves\u003c\/li\u003e\n        \u003cli\u003eSurf zone rescues — capsizes happen, speed matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-img\"\u003e\n    \u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/9608\/1443\/files\/8ce23dad-352a-42ef-b9e3-d6544d6d13c6.jpg?v=1719847680\" alt=\"Kayak surfing on the Great Lakes\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eIncluded\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cul class=\"ko-list ko-check\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEvening forecasting session + two full days of coached surfing at 1:4 ratio\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePublished curriculum — consistent quality regardless of instructor\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eConditions-based site selection — we go where the surf is\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eRequired Gear\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eParticipants must bring their own equipment for this clinic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cul class=\"ko-list ko-dash\"\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSea kayak with two bulkheads\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHelmet\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePump, whistle, and 15m floating rope\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePFD (mandatory)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePaddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSunscreen, water, and snacks\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-card-note\" style=\"margin-top: 10px;\"\u003eParticipants are responsible for parking permits\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-prereq\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrerequisite:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid bracing, confident wet exits, and reliable rescues. Previous experience in dynamic water strongly recommended. Not sure? Get in touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-next\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere this goes next:\u003c\/strong\u003e This is one of the most advanced skill environments in the series. Pair it with Explorer for navigation and incident management, or step into Level 2 and Level 3 certification with coaches who already know your abilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch3\u003eQuestions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq\"\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails open\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eWhy do I need my own gear for this one?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq-a\"\u003eSurfing is hard on equipment and you need a boat you're comfortable in. A borrowed kayak in breaking waves isn't the place to get acquainted. If you need help sourcing gear, get in touch.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eWhere exactly do we surf?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq-a\"\u003eLocation is conditions-dependent — that's built into the course. The evening forecasting session determines where we go based on wind, swell, and break quality. The Niagara Peninsula and surrounding Great Lakes shoreline offer multiple options.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eIs this ocean-style surfing?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq-a\"\u003eGreat Lakes surf is wind-generated — shorter period and punchier than ocean swell. It's real surf with real consequences, but the wave behaviour is different. The forecasting component teaches you to understand those differences.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eWhat if conditions are flat?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq-a\"\u003eThe forecasting evening exists specifically to avoid this. We pick surf days based on real weather data. In the rare event conditions don't cooperate, we adapt — there's always dynamic water work to be done.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n    \u003cdetails\u003e\n      \u003csummary\u003eDo I need previous surf experience?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"ko-faq-a\"\u003eNo surf experience required — that's what the introduction is for. You do need to be comfortable in rough water with solid bracing and reliable rescues. If you've only paddled flat water, start with the Tobermory weekend clinics first.\u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"ko-land\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eWe acknowledge that the land on which we gather (known as Fort Erie) is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Attiwonderonk, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and Mississauga. We are grateful for the knowledge shared with us by the Indigenous peoples of what is now known as Canada as well as the circumpolar region of the Northern Hemisphere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kayak Ontario","offers":[{"title":"Oct 24 - 25","offer_id":44396240732359,"sku":"","price":359.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"None","offer_id":46184806056135,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0042\/9608\/1443\/files\/SFGL.jpg?v=1719847580","url":"https:\/\/www.kayak-ontario.com\/products\/introduction-to-surfing-and-forecasting-the-great-lakes","provider":"Kayak Ontario","version":"1.0","type":"link"}