Women's tanks are here!

Hey girls! Check out the razorback tanks! We will have the website up and running soon, and you can order online. Or, swing into Sharkless Boardsports in South Haven to pick one up in person.

Tarp Surfing

So it's summer, and if there's no surf, that's cool because tarp surfing is the new bomb diggity! I found this on Justin's blog burlysurfboards.blogspot.com. Gotta love it!

Back Home

I just typed up this comment on Third Coast Surf Shop's blog this morning and wanted to share it with the SAMA community. This time of year can be hard on surfers around here, it's hot and waveless often. The warm weather urges us to the beach and we seem to find all too often waveless beaches. It can be enough to make even the most optimistic of lake surfers want to sell the house and pack up for a life on the east or west coast where surf is more prevalent.

Here is Ryan's post, titled "Rainy Day."

Sometimes I think about moving to the ocean so I can surf every day. How realistic that is, or likely, I'm not sure...but I think about it. I was born in South Bend, Indiana, but could have just as easily been born in California. How would things have been different?

I learned how to surf on Lake Michigan and I am still surfing with the guys who taught me 12 years later. I now own a surf shop. I get to talk and think about surfing every day, but I don't get to surf every day. I am a surfer living in what most believe to be a surfless place.

My wife and I could sell all of our stuff and move to the small lot we have on the ocean. On another continent. I would be able to surf every day. But what would I be leaving behind?

Those things keep me here - including the surf. I may not get to surf every day, but when I do, it is often special. We travel to other places to surf, stay connected via friends and connections on the coasts, and surf our brains out when there are waves.

But I do think about it, especially when in the midst of a two week flat spell. Not surfing for two weeks can be hard...but, maybe the "grass is always greener"?

For now, we'll watch the maps and models for the next blip of swell, and hope that it happens. When it does, it can make waiting two weeks totally worth it. And suddenly, thoughts of moving to the coast to surf every day wash away with that last wave.

Shoot...we need waves.

Here was my comment:

I just returned from a month long surf and kite trip on the Pacific Northwest Coast. I surfed as much as possible. I discovered great waves, and new friends. I also found something I knew was there all along. My love for the lakes, no matter how much I get sick of the fickle wind swell got stronger. Sounds weird, but I realized again that we have such diversity in our coasts, warm beaches, rugged cold coast lines, you just have to be willing to travel a little bit, but the journey is part of the experience that makes is so special. And I firmly believe that once you have been a part of this surf community it never leaves you. You are drawn back to the quality experience of surfing fun waves in a sharkless ocean with old and new friends. Not saying I don't love a trip to a wave washed coast during the doldrums of summer or iced up season of winter, but every time I go I am even more thankful for my home. Sure we would all be better surfers if we lived somewhere else and got to surf more often, but I will argue that our love surfing might diminish a bit. I could go on and on about how special our waves are but in reality, they are just waves and that is what keeps us here. That experience of surfing at home, and as we all know there's no place like home Dorthy. See all you hogs in freshies soon. Ryan's photo sums it up.

New Samanian Arrives

Boden James Braymer, newest addition to the Samanation. He was only two days old and already went to the beach.

SAMA Banner Arrives!

Here is the first SAMA banner, photo credit to Matt Cooper on a true SAMA mission water sampling in UP working on water quality in the Great Lakes. SAMAnation!

Aussie Trip in August??

SAMA Nation:

If anyone is interested in taking a trip to Australia in August, let me know ASAP!!! I found a killer deal on Delta and American for around $900 from Indianapolis to Sydney most anytime in August. Send me an email at mseufert@usa.net if you're interested. At this price, it's not gonna last too long, that's why credit cards exist. This trip is usually like $1500 from LA.

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/cheap-flights/indianapolis-indiana-ind-to-sydney-australia-syd/?source=nl_type_awd_departure&value=2010-05-26+00%3A00%3A00&r=&h=d9aac7a6e7797a456759e9a3f35103c2&n=4935270&u=CF79352C02&argschk=1#1481681


BTW, not to pimp this website, but airfarewatchdog.com you can get unadvertised cheap flights from your home city emailed to you.


Mike Seufert (Indiana All-Star)

EPIC WEEKEND

Just thought I'd post a few pics from our epic May weekend. Brewing beer, kiteboarding, and lots of sunshine, pretty hard to beat.

Coming Together

If you haven't heard of Ben Wilson yet then this little teaser should give a glimpse into what's possible for a surfer / kiter. Ben is an Aussie that has been living the dream for a few years kiting and surfing epic waves around the world. Oh ya, and he's got a really cool name too!

Ben Wilson section from "Coming Together" from BENWILSONVISION on Vimeo.

Surfrider Foundation Lake Michigan Chapter Hoodies!

These are real nice! I almost thought I had too many hoodies until I put this one on. At that moment I knew it would become one of my favorites! Make sure you come to our fundraiser party on May 14th 6pm at Mulligans Hollow in Grand Haven. You can pick one up at the party. Bring your cash and your stoke! This is one you don't want to miss.
Or, you can order them online just click on the title of this post to access the link.

Surfrider Foundation Lake Michigan Chapter Fundraiser Party

Brothers and Sisters of Freshwater Intergalactic Oneness!

Please join us for an epic night of supporting your local Surfrider Foundation Lake Michigan Chapter. We fight for your public access to surf spots, we go to bat for you with the law, and most of all we support clean water initiatives here in Lake Michigan. Come show us your support! Bring your surf gear for swap, and your famous Great Lakes Surfer stoke!

Surfers, Kiters, Skimmers, Lovers of the Lake, hey even Bodyboarders, come on out!

Friday, May 14 – 6-12pm – Mulligans Hollow Ski Bowl Lodge, Grand Haven.

Food by Rios, Music by Roosevelt Diggs - Drinks Provided - Surf Swap - Surf Flick - All Around Super Rad