Category: Blog

Dan Schetter called on a stormy Thursday night. “Ella, you guys gotta get up here!”

The legend had a new, fancy set of cameras on him for the weekend swell in Marquette, and needed a positive partner to paddle out with. Enter Ella. Thinking it’d be a fun opportunity, we jumped into the Ice Beard show, even though Ella lacks a full beard. Vice dropped the ball and didn’t include our names (or Allen: @tongan_icebeard) in the piece, but we got a super fun session and a trip to Lake Superior to hang with Dan and Allen, the most full-of-life, hilarious pair in the North Woods and hella great surf companions too. Thanks for having us along, legends!

 

ELLA: “We’re kind of a wild bunch here on the Great Lakes.”

Listen to our quick, fun interview with Dan Wanschura of Interlochen Public Radio while we wrangled ourselves into neoprene for a strike mission into the wind on a less-than-ideal, stormy October day at the Pier.

Read the story or take a listen!

Hear about our favorite post-surf spots to grab grub with David Boylan of Lick the Plate.

 

Written by Lucinda Hahn, this fabulous piece in the New York Times captures a trip to Northern Michigan so beautifully, and even features a visit to Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak. 

…”Less gentle was the frigid water, which wouldn’t warm to swimsuit-worthy temperatures until July. I waded in to my knees, feeling my calves turn numb as a pro athlete’s in an ice bath. A more appealing way to enjoy the lake appeared when three standup paddle boarders glided by, silent as swans. Surfers, too, can be seen catching waves year round…”

Take a read!

 

“The Skrockis welcome people from around the world into a close-knit surfing community in the tiny Lake Michigan village of Empire, just like they’ve always belonged.”

Written by our dear friend and absolutely fluid writer Emily Hopcian, with photos by equally loved & talented Beth Price Photography, ‘Freshwater Family’ encompasses the history of Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, and how our passion for freshwater & love for community has shaped our business, as well as our family.

Enjoy. And THANK YOU. Read ‘Freshwater Family’

The Weird Waves Podcast popped in the shop and sat down with Ella Skrocki to talk Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak, females in the water, and all things surf, safety, and enjoyment.