Sleeping Bear Surf

Barrel Beryl in Love - A Grand Celebration of Life
2022-11-05 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Detroit) | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
She was held and surrounded by such a profound, infinite love from us all. As her final breath filled us, the skies opened, rain fell, and Mother Earth wept too.

Her spirit lives on amidst the elements; zoom-vrooming through the wind, frolicking in the waves, boogying amidst the trees, and spreading her warmth through the flames of an eternal fire. She has brightened the shine of the moon, the sun, and the stars. Her dazzling light will continue to guide us, always.

Join us Saturday, November 5th ~ A day dedicated to the grand celebration of an extraordinary life, and the vibrant, childlike spirit of Beryl Skrocki.

We hope to see you from 12:00 – 5:00pm onward for a full day of remembrance, music, joy, and laughter.
Location: Find us in the heart of Empire, right in front of Sleeping Bear Surf; we are closing off the street between Lake Street and La Rue, where a grand tent will stand in its place.
Sleeping Bear Surf will be open as the Beryl experience, a sanctuary, for you to feel her everlasting presence, impact, and get a glimpse into her extraordinary life, a life walked with love, and joy.

Details:
12:00 – 1:00 Blake Elliott will be serenading us with her beautiful music while we gather, squeeze on the Skrocki family, and take a walk through the Beryl Sanctuary
1:00 – 3:00 Welcome poem by Anne-Marie Oomen followed by Remembrances of Beryl, with music by Zack Peterson transitioning us through speakers
3:00 – 5:00 “Scrumdilyumbo” food by Mel & Fel will be served during which time all will have the opportunity to share a story at the mic, record it verbally, or write it on a memory card for the Skrocki family to cherish.
5:00 Reading of Berylisms by children Ella, Reiss & Annabel & Closing Poem with Norm Wheeler and Anne-Marie Oomen
5:30 Continued Celebration at the Empire Public Beach [Lighthouse] – We will gather at the beach for a sunset cheers with champagne from our friends at Mawby Vineyards. If Lake Michigan allows, there will also most definitely be a plunge for those brave enough to take to a cold, refreshing cleansing. Bring your swimmin’suit!

7:00 Due to the crisp air & forecasted wind, the informal celebration will continue back at the fancy heated tent, where we will encourage music and story to continue if all are feelin’, “mow-down” on Mama’s favorite comfort food, and a big’ bonfire will be blazin’ in the greenspace next to the shop.
In Beryl style, we will keep the party going until we all decide it is time to slumber. She was never one to miss out on a single moment.

There will be snacks, sweets, and a slew of beverages including King Orchards hot cider, “barley pops” by Lake Ann Brewery and famous Friendly Tavern root beer available throughout the day.
Please RSVP to Beryl’s Grand Celebration of Life

Join the family Sunday at 12:00pm for a saunter across the dune in Beryl’s honor. Starting at the Treet Farm, ending at the Empire Bluff Trail (~3 miles roundtrip). One of Beryl’s favorite “expotitions”!

We hope to see you then, to celebrate a woman whose impact is impossible to put into words. We hope this day can help showcase her absolutely unique, high-vibration energy, that lives on so strongly here on Earth.

Freshwater Friday: Movie Night
2022-08-12 19:30 - 22:00, 2022-07-22 19:30 - 22:00 | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
After a two year hiatus, we’re bringing back a classic Sleeping Bear Surf tradition!
Join us for movie night under the MilkyWay, with popcorn too!
Here are the deets:

7:30pm – we’ll be down at the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse for our weekly Friday night gathering on the wall! Bring a dish to pass and a beverage, or just show up! Look for Jenny (our 1972 electric blue Chevy Cheyenne)!
Dash up to the shop post-sunset!
9:00pm – we’ll keep the party going at the shop!
We’ll have the big screen set up in the green space next to the shop. Bring a chair, a blanket, and a buddy!
What’s showing? Expect anything from classic surf flicks to inspiring new surf-based films. We’ll be determining the flick as the date nears and updating here.
The evening will also be dedicated to the wicked-awesome groms who will be completing Junior Waterman Camp the afternoon prior to movie night. Therefore we will have an awards ceremony and camp recap kicking off the night.
P.S.
The streets of Empire are pretty enticing to cruise around on skateboards after dark… 😉

August Full Moon Paddle
2022-08-11 20:00 - 22:00 | MI
Join us for a night on the water under the big, bright, full moon!
While August can be hit or miss in regard to finding flat water on the big lake, the water will be cozy warm which often calls for plunges under the stars. Oh yeah.
RSVP Now
What to know:
The sun sets on August 11th at 8:54pm and the moon will rise at 9:18pm.
An earlier evening paddle that will allow for return to our vehicles closer to 10pm.
Date: Thursday, August 11th
Location: North Bar Lake
Time: Arrive to location at 8:00pm to get your gear ready.

There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing at 8:20pm and we’ll hit the water around 8:30.

While this event relies heavily on the cooperation of the weather, we may choose to reschedule the gathering for one day prior or one day later from the scheduled date to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our participants.
What to bring:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice

Board / Boat
Paddle
Life jacket
Leash (for SUPs)

Working Headlamp
Light to put at the front of your watercraft
Drinking water
Swimwear *if you plan to get wet*
Fleece and/or neoprene to stay warm (bring extra fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy!
A Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Pass – You may purchase at the Park Headquarters

RSVP Now

June Full Moon Paddle
2022-06-14 21:00 - 22:30 | MI
Join us tomorrow night on the water under the big, bright, full moon!
It’s going to be a late one, and an epic one! June brings the Strawberry Moon, a Supermoon! Prepare for some magic, weather permitting. Seeing the moon rise from the water is a spectacle you don’t want to miss.
What to know:
The sun sets on June 14th at 9:29pm and the moon will rise at 10:22pm.
This gives us the perfect opportunity to enjoy an hour long evening paddle under the light of dusk before we watch the moon rise above the horizon to guide our way home.
Date: Tuesday, June 14th
Location: Little Platte Lake! We will be meeting at the Little Platte Lake DNR Boat Ramp.

Time: Arrive to location at 9:00pm to get your gear ready.

There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing at 9:15pm.
We will intend to launch by 9:30pm

Weather: Clear skies and nearly 80 degrees through 10pm. Perfect.
What to bring:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice

Board / Boat
Paddle
Life jacket
Leash (for SUPs)

Working Headlamp
Light to put at the front of your watercraft
Drinking water
Swimwear *if you plan to get wet*
Fleece and/or neoprene to stay warm (bring extra fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy!

RSVP Now

Surfboard Swap & Board Repair Party
2022-06-04 11:00 - 16:00 | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
We’re kickin’ off the season with an ol’ fashioned surf swap, and board repair party amidst the famous Empire Asparagus Festival! Woot! Free too, duh!

Surf Swap
Finding old boards amidst your spring cleanin’ that you’re itching to ditch? Or searching for a used board to kick off your summer surf love affair? This is an awesome opportunity to bring board(s) you want to sell, or to get your hands on a used board.
For all boards sold at the swap we are encouraging donations to directly benefit the Matt Rieck Scholarship Fund to give an underprivileged grom the opportunity to participate in Jr. Waterman Camp this upcoming July or August. For boards sold over $200 we are suggesting a $20 donation, while board sales under $150 we are suggesting a $10 donation.

Board Repair Party
If your board is busted but not ready to part ways with you yet, bring ‘er over and we will supply repair accoutrements! If you haven’t done your own repair before or just want to make it beauteous this is a great opportunity to get some guidance and ensure your board is water tight for that next session! We will have the ever-talented Otto Bengsch of Bengsch Surfboards joining us to provide his expertise and sharing some tips and tricks for proper board repair.
For all boards brought to the swap or repair party you’ll be granted FREE entry to the Empire Asparagus Festival! Great beer, good music, and deep fried asparagus are all just right next door! It’s going to be a great day to hang on Front Street!

Check out the full Asparagus Festival schedule of events here: https://empirechamber.com/event/asparagus-festival/

Can’t make it Saturday but want to drop your board? No sweat! Give us a call and we’ll set up a time to get your board safely into the shop for Saturday’s swap.

Community Skate Night!
2022-05-28 20:00 - 21:00 | Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: Glen Haven Trailhead, 5114 Glen Haven Rd, Glen Arbor, 49636
Kickin’ off our first community skate night Saturday, May 28th at 8pm!

We’re pretty fortunate to have one of the most epic flatland/mellow downhill paved trails in Northern Michigan right here in our backyard.
Bring your board, your helmet (highly encouraged), and your good energy and join us on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail for a mellow night on the ‘crete.

Meet us at the Glen Haven Trailhead for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail. We’ll be pushin’ as far as the group pleases, with our goal being to reach the base of the dune (2.1miles), and push on back for sunset!

See you there folks!

P.S.

Remember your park pass!

Earth Day Beach Clean Up
2022-04-22 17:30 - 19:30 | North Bar Lake, 44.8399° N, 86.0635° W, Empire, MI, United States
Join us for an evening of action in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at North Bar Lake.
While North Bar is one of the most pristine inland lakes in the area, it is also prone to an abundance of trash. North Bar has a fluctuating outlet, and in the past few years it has failed to connect to Lake Michigan entirely, therefore during rough days on the big lake, plastics make their way over the sand into the outlet and trap themselves in the reeds around the inland lake.
As the heart of the lakeshore, North Bar Lake is home to a beautiful, fragile ecosystem – inhabited by various fish species, birds, turtles, and mammals. Plastic pollution is a threat to that vital ecosystem.
Join us at 5:30pm to hear from a Biologist with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Service about the importance of the ecosystem within North Bar Lake and stick around to pay tribute by doing a deep clean!
In partnership with the Northern Michigan Surfrider Chapter, FLOW, Friends of Sleeping Bear, Beth Price Photography and supported by Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate, and S’well. We will have heaps of awesome information, inspiration, and connections to make all on April 22nd at North Bar Lake. Come hang and let’s do some spring cleanin’!
What to bring:

A National Park Pass for parking at North Bar Lake parking lot & access to the Park — Can be purchased at the National Park Headquarters in Empire.
Gloves! It may be a bit chilly but also gloves are great cleanup companions! Hand sanitizer will be available on site as well.
Bag or Bucket! Old coffee sacks or plastic bags? A big bucket? Bring it! We will have bags and buckets on hand, but in the case of high attendance yours might be needed!

Where to meet:
The eastern edge of North Bar Lake! Park your vehicle, or your bike, and walk on down to the lake! We will be set up with a tent at the end of the walkway. You can’t miss us!
A sign in sheet, bags and buckets will be at the tent. Arrive by 5:30pm to hear from organizers and a biologist with the National Park!
Remember not to forget your park pass!

BONUS: All participants will receive a coupon for 15% off to Shop Online or In Store at Sleeping Bear Surf!

RSVP to get event updates, to ensure you get don’t miss out on discount codes and more!
Want to participate but can’t make it to North Bar? Share a photo of your backyard cleanup with the hashtag #sbsurfspringclean and we’ll send you the discount code!
