Sleeping Bear Surf

Lakeshore Cleanup!
2024-04-27 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | Platte Point Beach, 44.730616, -86.155296
Join The Cleanup Club and Sleeping Bear Surf for a cleanup at the Platte River Mouth amidst the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, at as we work together to protect our Great Lakes from plastic pollution in celebration of Earth Month!

Every year 22+ million pounds of plastic pollution enters our Great
Lakes, with an estimated 11 million of that ending up in Lake Michigan. Woah.

With thousands upon thousands of visitors to Platte River and Platte Point each summer, many of whom indulge in on the water fiesta, the plastic pollution amidst the park is in desperate need of attention!

That’s why we need your help! Let’s work together to help protect our beautiful freshwater ecosystem!

As the main artery amidst the lakeshore, Platte River 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. Every item that winds up amidst that beautiful River is bound for the big lake and beyond.

Let’s tackle the Point and stop the stream of rubbish before it enters Lake Michigan and scattered all about.

See you Saturday, April 27th for an inspiring morning of action in the Park.

WHAT TO KNOW:

Our goal is to cleanup the lakeshore while having fun!
Everyone & anyone is welcome!
All cleanup materials will be provided.
All trash we collect will be weighed, counted and categorized with the help of volunteers for Great Lakes plastic pollution research & advocacy efforts.

WHAT TO BRING:

A SBD National Park Pass or bring a couple bucks for Lake Township to park at Platte Point Beach
A buddy! Anything is always so much more swell with a friend in tow!
A reusable water bottle so you can stay hydrated with provided water refills without the single-use plastic!

DO NOT BRING:

Pets!

We love our fluffy friends soooo much, but pets will NOT be allowed as the Piping Plovers are back for the summer at Platte River Point! Please keep your dog friends at home for this event!

WHERE TO MEET:

The end of Lake Michigan Road, at the Platte River Beach Parking Lot on the right hand side.

Arrive by 10:00am to hear from Hannah of The Cleanup Club!

The Cleanup Club is a Michigan based 501c3 nonprofit founded by environmental activist & artist, Hannah Tizedes, dedicated to protecting our communities & Great Lakes from plastic pollution while having fun through cleanups & creativity! We are so very excited to host them for a cleanup amidst our backyard!

BONUS: All participants will receive a coupon for 20% off to Shop In Store at Sleeping Bear Surf!

Beryl Days: Celebrating 20 Years of Sleeping Bear Surf
2024-06-28 18:00 - 2024-06-30 12:00 | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
Sleeping Bear Surf was established from, and survives upon, a foundation of joy. Our mama, Beryl, yearned to share the magic of her backyard, and the unparalleled joy of playing in waves, with all who walked through her door. Her contagious laughter has carried Sleeping Bear Surf through two decades, fostering a mission of human to human, and human to big lake, connection. Now, as we step into our 20th year, it will be joy that carries us, too. Enter, the first ever “Beryl Days” – a shindig with joy & Beryl’s childlike energy as the centerpiece of the weekend! Join us as we hoot & holler, giggle & squeal, play & party our way onward, into the next 20!

Paddle-outs are a long standing tradition in the surf community – a beautiful tribute to the life & legacy of a leader.
Historically, the act of gathering in a circle in the arms of the lake symbolizes how the water brings people together. Beryl’s mission was deeply rooted in connecting people to the power of the Lakes & fostering community through joyous freshwater play.
Friday, we paddle out and come together – for Beryl.
If you feel moved to join us, be ready to hit the water at the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse at 6:30pm.

What to Bring:
~ Any non-motorized, human-powered craft
~ Leashes for all Surf craft & SUPs
~ PFDs for all paddlers on SUPs or in boats
~ A natural offering if you so wish (SBS will be providing flowers)

You do not need to paddle out to participate in this gathering – please feel free to join us along the shore if you so choose becaaaause…
Onwards into the Night:

We will be hosting an extra special Wine & Cheese on the wall – a classic, casual gathering of good folk, new friends & old that happens weekly, every Friday night, per our 15+ year tradition. All are welcome, always.
What to Know:
~ It’s a tailgate, potluck style! Bring a dish or drink offering to share!
If you are unable, holy moly don’t sweat it and we will be so tickled that you have joined us!
Only bring a contribution if your capacity allows and your heart calls you to do so!

A full day of silly-fun games & activities for the whole family – from seasoned watermen to little groms. Rally a relay team, practice your stone skippin’, perfect your sand castle buildin’, your cherry pit spittin’, and old school moves on a skate board.

1:00pm Dig Time!
Led by local sand castle extraordinaire Adam Scarborough – yes, this is one of his masterpieces!

What to Know:
Join us on the beach for a fun, hands-in-the-sand build-off centered around creativity, community, & classic fun!
~ All ages and levels are encouraged to partake!
~ You may bring any tools to craft your creation! No power tools please ; )
~ We will have some sand castle building toys etc on site too for anyone to use as they desire!
There will be a treasure awarded for the most extraordinary sand creation!

Join stone-thrower extraordinaire Mike King for the “Below Amateur Stone Skipping Competition”; a high-vibe, low-key, and equally super-duper-serious stone skipping competition to share in the simple and joyous art of bouncing rocks across water!

What to Know:
This is an every man for themselves battle at the beach!
~ You will have six consecutive throws each
~ The participant with the highest number of skips in one throw wins
~ There will be a tie breaker if we do come to a tie
~ Skips will be counted with cell phone slow-mo & to the best of our abilities

What to Bring:
~ Your prized super-skippin’ stones! (Stones can not be artificial or meddled with!)
You will have 6 throws, plus a potential tie breaker of 3 throws, as well as a warm up period. We recommend bringing, or finding at least 10 stones. Mike is already carrying his treasured stones around in a satchel – this is serious business.
Disclaimer: Please rock hunt responsibly – stones may not be taken from within the National Lakeshore. : )

KICK OFF TIME 2:00pm SHARP with Ella & Mike
This is going to be a silly-high-vibe, extremely ridiculous, laughter-inducing bracket-style relay race to remember!
We recommend teams of five although you could partake with less, doubling up on segments of the race.

Alright, here’s the breakdown:
1 sack race / 2 bear crawl & barrel rolling / 3 paddling a surfboard / 4 swimming / 5 running

What to Know:
~ This event is designed for the child at heart but is open to all ages
~ All teams will be stacked in brackets and put head to head with one other team.
The winner will then move on to compete with the winner of the corresponding bracket and so forth.
~ As it comes down to two teams, there will be a final challenge to bring the winner across the finish line!
~ We are encouraging pre-registration so we can build out brackets!
If you would like to show up day-of without registering, please do so at 1:30pm ” )

What to Bring:
~ Your game face!!!
~ Wear attire that can get wet! This is, of course, a Sleeping Bear Surf event! There may be suprises!
~ You should therefore also bring a change of clothes so you can stick around the rest of the evening!
Sponsored by Sleeping Bear Surf

Bring out all your pre-loved, dusty, beauteous or beat up sarf gear!
Boards, suits, fins, board bags… we’re down with it as long as you think it is worthy of finding a new home!
You may drop off your goods day of the event, or Friday (11:00am – 5:00pm) the day prior. We’ll give you a fancy shmancy price tag for you to set the price and then your gear will be placed outside next to the shop, alley side, through 5:00pm to sell, swap, trade – whatever you fancy.
If your goods find a new home you get to pocket 90% of the sale! The remaining 10% goes to support the shop.

The alley way will be closed off and ready for shred! This event is designed to let creativity & classic fun rip wild on boards!
Pig* style games judged by attendees (with the support of our team!) :
Hippy jump Comp / Slalom / Quarter pipe / Limbo / Manual Comp

Sponsored by SBS & Sector 9 Skateboards

Big fun for the whole family (big kids too)!
Tie-Dye booth, face painting, yard games, pin the pig on the surfboard, and more!

Music kicks off at 4:00pm! 4 incredible acts, with inspiring speakers, stories & a special screening in between!
We feel so unbelievably lucky to have such remarkable artists joining us for the evening. This is going to be quite the night of musical magic.
Enjoy a soul-filled, finger pickin’ set from local legend Patrick Neimisto, be serenaded by the sugar-sweet voice of Allie Kessel, sway & groove to the Skinny Limbs and boogie down to The Go Rounds!!
Holy moly we are soo excited.
Patrick Niemisto

Allie Kessel

The Skinny Limbs

The Go Rounds

9:30am Beach Yoga with Jessica Shelton of Sleeping Bear Yoga

10:00am Beach Cleanup with Hannah Tizedes at The Cleanup Club to give a little back to this unbelievably special place!

11:00am Enjoy a Sunday “Sip n’ Dip” – a Community Plunge and Goodies from our friends at The Mill

Reserve your site now at Backyard Burdickville.com!

July Full Moon Paddle!
2024-07-20 20:30 - 22:30 | MI
Join us Saturday, July 2oth for a magical night on the water under the big, bright, full moon ~ a tradition we our proud to continue to hold in honor of the Full Moon Paddle queen herself; our precious Mama, Beryl; as she shines down on us from the stars ~
This Moon is called the Buck SuperMoon after our “four legged friends” as the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time of the year.

RSVP NOW : )
What to know:
The sun sets on July 20th at 9:23pm and the moon will begin to rise at 9:29pm.
Date: Saturday, July 20th
Location: The Platte River! Very rarely do we get to enjoy the bustling river in the summer months – so paddling in the night, as the crowds clear, is quite extraordinary. More so, we have quite the treat ahead of us – the Firefly population is back in a magical way in Michigan! We’re hoping for quite the show. Let’s go relish in the beauty of bioluminescence.

Drop your Gear: At Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot across from Riverside Canoe Rental (Recommended time: 8/8:15pm)
Drop your Vehicle: At the Platte Point Parking Area at the very end of Lake Michigan Rd. (~10 minute drive round trip)
Hitch a Ride: Back to Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot – Jenny, the Shop Rig, will be making one trip to haul humans back from the Point at 8:20pm.

This will be a Point A to Point B paddle and therefore we encourage you to have a buddy meet you, or we will help coordinate ride shares to ensure all are able to leave a car at our final destination or get a ride back to start upon our arrival!
Time: Be ready to launch at the water’s edge by 8:45pm!

Leave a half hour prior, or after, to do car drops or pickups : )
There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing at 8:45pm before we enter the water.
Anticipate two hours on the water : )

Weather: Partttly cloudy, 70 Degrees, and a breeze from the SW
What to bring:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice

Board / Boat
Paddle
Life jacket (per Coast Guard regulation, PFDs must be on the bodies of all kayak & canoe paddlers, and either worn or strapped to all SUPs)
Leash (for all SUPs)

Functioning Headlamp
Light / Lantern 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 an extra cozy fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy!
A Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Pass! Or $5 for Lake Township Parking
A snack or beverage to pass if you wish to hang around at Platte Point to cheers and cheer under the moon at the conclusion of our paddle.

August Full Moon Paddle
2024-08-19 20:30 - 22:30 | MI
Join us Monday, August 19th for a magical night on the water under the big, bright, full moon ~ a tradition we our proud to continue to hold in honor of the Full Moon Paddle queen herself; our precious Mama, Beryl; as she shines down on us from the stars ~
The Sturgeon Moon is named after one of the oldest and most primitive fish species, therefore some astrologers believe that this moon spiritually signifies strength and resilience.
Tonight, August 19th, we are taking a once-in-a-blue-m0on opportunity to enjoy the full moon in solitude and we are encouraging you all to do the same. <3
While we will not be hosting an in-person group paddle tonight, we hope you will take our recommendations and set off on a quiet adventure, or a paddle with some new friends!
Here are two fun options for you!

Paddle A: Point A to B Paddle *grab a buddy or make a friend & drop a car or a bike*: The Lower Platte River

Drop your Gear: At Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot across from Riverside Canoe Rental (Recommended time: 8:15pm)
Drop your Vehicle: At the Platte Point Parking Area at the very end of Lake Michigan Rd. (~10 minute drive round trip)
Hitch a Ride: Back to Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot

This will be a Point A to Point B paddle and therefore we encourage you to have a buddy meet you to leave a car at your final destination or get a ride back to start upon your arrival!
Time: We recommend launching by 8:45pm to enjoy the colors of sunset from the water, and to watch the moon rise over Loon Lake ~9:35pm & guide your way down the river toward Platte Point. Anticipate two hours on the water.

Paddle B. Out and Back Paddle: An Inland Lake Near You!
The wind is blowing from the North/northeast toward the southwest, The moon will be rising in East/SouthEast.
Find an inland lake put-in spot on the map near you that allows you to paddle north, into the wind which then you could drift back with the wind on your return. Always do the hard part first. The moon will start to rise over the horizon at 9:02pm, but you likely won’t be able to see it from the water until it comes over the trees around ~9:35pm. We recommend getting on the water to watch the sunset, and allowing yourself to paddle, parooze, and indulge in the wildlife, lightning bugs, peace & solace until the moon lights your way home.
Pro tip: Hug the northeast shoreline on your paddle up-wind
Give us a call if you would like some support finding a protected paddle put-in near you as we would love to help curate a beautiful evening for you.

What to know:
The sun sets on August 19th at 8:43pm and the moon will begin to rise at 9:02pm – Often the moon won’t be visible from the water until ~30 minutes after moon-rise. Be patient, and keep looking southeast : )

What to Bring:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice

Board / Boat
Paddle

Life Jacket (per Coast Guard regulation, PFDs must be on the bodies of all kayak & canoe paddlers, and either worn or strapped to all SUPs)
Leash (for all SUPs, prone boards, surfboards)
Light / Lantern to put at the front of your watercraft

and/or Functioning Headlamp

Drinking water (or tea!)
Fleece and/or neoprene to stay warm (bring an extra cozy fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy! Or many!

Paddle with Purpose: A Platte River Cleanup
2024-09-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Platte River Picnic Area, 5038 Platte River Trail, Honor, MI, 49640, United States
Introducing our Paddle with Purpose series – a paddle and pickup on the water! We started our season pickin’ up the Platte, and we’re ending the season with a pickup on the Platte!

Join The Cleanup Club and Sleeping Bear Surf for a cleanup on the Platte River amidst the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, as we work together to protect our Great Lakes from plastic pollution!

Every year 22+ million pounds of plastic pollution enters our Great Lakes, with an estimated 11 million of that ending up in Lake Michigan. Woah. With thousands upon thousands of visitors to the Platte River each summer, many of whom indulge in on the water fiesta, the plastic pollution amidst the park is in desperate need of attention after such high-traffic this summer season!
As the main artery amidst the lakeshore, Platte River 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. Every item that winds up amidst that beautiful River is bound for the big lake and beyond.
Let’s tackle the Platte and stop the stream of rubbish before it enters Lake Michigan and scattered all about.

WHAT TO KNOW:
1. Our goal is to cleanup the riverbed while having fun!
2. Everyone & anyone is welcome – some paddling experience required. If you would rather not paddle, come meet us at the Picnic area & then enjoy a cleanup along the bank or down at Platte Point!
3. This will be a Point A to Point B paddle and therefore we encourage you to have a buddy meet you, or we will help coordinate ride shares to ensure all are able to leave a car at our final destination or get a ride back to start upon our arrival!
4. All cleanup materials will be provided
5. All trash we collect will be weighed, counted and categorized with the help of volunteers for Great Lakes plastic pollution research & advocacy efforts to help curb policy!

Date: Saturday, September 14th from 10:00am to Noon
Location: The Platte River! Very rarely do we get to enjoy the bustling river in the summer months – so paddling this time of year, particularly as the colors begin to pop and the population begins to dwindle.

Drop your Gear: At Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot across from Riverside Canoe Rental
Drop your Vehicle: At the Platte Point Parking Area at the very end of Lake Michigan Rd. (~10 minute drive round trip)
Hitch a Ride: Back to Platte River Picnic Area Parking Lot – Jenny, the Shop Rig, will be making one trip to haul humans back from the Point at 9:50am.

Time: Be ready to launch at the water’s edge by 9:55am

We recommend leaving a half hour prior, or after, to do car drops or pickups.
There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing before we enter the water.
Anticipate two hours on the water : )

Weather: Lookin’ good – nice and warm, calm, and just a tiddle cloudy!

WHAT TO BRING:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice

Board / Kayak / Canoe

Paddle
Life jacket (for all paddlers)
A SBD National Park Pass or bring a couple bucks for Lake Township to park at Platte Point Beach, our final destination
A buddy! Anything is always so much more swell with a friend in tow!
A reusable water bottle so you can stay hydrated with provided water refills without the single-use plastic!

See you Saturday, September 14th for an inspiring action on the water!

The 2nd Annual Beryl Days
2025-06-20 18:00 - 2025-06-22 14:00 | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
‘Beryl Days’ (Beryl (pronounced “barrel” – yes, like a barrelling wave!) is a weekend-long, freshwater festival rooted in joy, community, and caring for what you love.
This grassroots event merges surf, stewardship, music, and play to cultivate a culture of connection — to the Lakes, and to one another. From comps to cleanups, live music to laughter, Beryl Days is a solstice shindig not to miss ~ Join us!

Here’s the full weekend breakdown!

6:00pm @ Empire Public Beach Lighthouse
A simple gathering on the water to arrive together, foster unity, honor the Lake, and kick off the weekend with intention & connection. We’ll paddle out, take a breath, and let the lake hold us for a moment in community before the festivities begin.
Meet at the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse at 6:00pm to prep your gear – we’ll paddle out together at 6:30pm – all human-powered watercraft are so very welcome! Don’t forget your leashes, PFDs etc!

~7:30pm onward through the evening
A long-standing tradition of gathering on the wall at the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse for a classic tailgate with friends new & old. Bring a beverage, munchies, or dish to pass! This is a casual community potluck – don’t feel pressure to bring anything if it’s a push – the most important is showing up yourself!
Join us Friday nights through the summer for this weekly event. But don’t miss this one – as it’s a little extra special.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm (Registration at 10:30am) @ the Lighthouse
A silly-high-vibe, extremely ridiculous, laughter-inducing bracket-style relay race! This event is designed for the child at heart & is open to all ages.
1 sack / 2 crawl / 3 paddle / 4 sprint / 5 swim
We recommend teams of five although you could partake with less, doubling up on segments of the race.
Wear attire that can get wet! This is, of course, a Sleeping Bear Surf event! (And bring dry clothes to boogie in later!)

12:30pm-1:30pm (Registration at 12:00pm) @ South Bar Lake
A high-vibe, low-key, and equally super-duper-serious stone skipping competition to share in the simple and joyous art of bouncing rocks across water!

You will have five consecutive throws each
The participant with the highest number of skips in one throw wins
There will be a tie breaker if we do come to a tie
Skips will be counted to the best of our abilities

BYOS (Bring your own Stones!)
2:00pm – 6:00pm @ the Shop
Swap, Sell, Buy, Upgrade… this is your moment. Got a pre-loved board collecting dust? A not-so-stinky wetsuit looking for another run? Maybe some fins, a board bag, or extra gear you’re ready to pass along? Bring it on out!
We’ll hook you up with a fancy shmancy price tag so you can name your price. Then, set up just outside the shop on the green and get to swappin’, sellin’, or donatin’. This is a fully self-hosted-style swap — if your gear finds a new home, you pocket the cash — unless you feel moved to donate to support the event & initiative!

2:00pm – 4:00pm @ the Shop Alley
The alley will be closed off, swept down, and ready for shred! Get ready for a throw down! This event is designed to let your creativity & classic fun rip wild on boards!
Pig style games judged by the crowd (with support of our team) including a hippy jump, slalom course, quarter pipe…
Open to all ages & skill levels. Helmets highly encouraged.
4:00pm – 10:00pm @ the Shop Green!
Hot dog we are SO grateful to have such wildly-talented friends!
Stick around, come out, or come back for an insanely mesmerizing, majorly-magical musical masterpiece as we experience four different & perfectly paired Michigan bands. We can’t wait to share them with you!
We’ll be kickin’ off the evening with local legend & finger pickin’ hound, Patrick Niemisto, followed by the soul-filled song of I.Am.James. Next up we’ll sway & groove to the surfy sounds of The Skinny Limbs, and boogie on down to The Go Rounds til we can’t boogie no mo’!

9:00am @ the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse
Wind down & refresh with a gentle morning yoga practice at the water’s edge guided by the sweet Jess Shelton of Sleeping Bear Yoga.
If weather allows, class will be held on the shores of Lake Michigan – but if too windy, across the parking lot at South Bar Lake.

10:30am @ the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse
In the spirit of protecting what you love, a beach cleanup is an incredible, hands-on way of doing just that, and giving back to this superbly special place.
We’ll have all necessary bags or buckets unless you wish to bring your own! We will have disposable gloves, therefore if you wish to avoid creating more trash we encourage you to bring your own! Hand sanitizer & a slew of grabbers will also be provided.
11:30am @ the Empire Public Beach Lighthouse
As we began, here shall we end ~ together, in the water.
Join us for a community plunge to round out the weekend. Saunas by Sleeping Bear Saunas will be hot & ready upon your exit from the lake, and maybe even some caffeine & goodies, too!
“You never regret a swim!” ~ Wise words by Mama Beryl

Spend the whole weekend with us and bunk up with our buddies at Lively Acres! Sweet spots for a Tent, Van, Camper, or RV, Rustic Cabins for rent, and the Neighborfood Market right on site!
Use “Beryl” at checkout for 20% off your stay Friday & Saturday!

If you feel moved to donate, you’re not only helping bring to life a silly-fun event, but you’re also supporting The Beryl Initiative — expanding access to surf and freshwater fun across the Great Lakes. Your support powers programming rooted in joy, water safety, and environmental stewardship from scholarships to our Jr. Waterman Camps, surf lessons & clubs, to free community events like our full moon paddles, the paddle-with-purpose series, beach cleanups, and more.
Thank you for supporting Beryl’s message & mission.
May we all live a little more like Beryl – with care & joy front and center.

Super-duper fun exclusive Beryl Days swag coming soon!

Big gratitude to Beth Price Photography and Liam Kaiser Creative for capturing imagery of the first inaugural Beryl Days – showcased here! And to Nate Knoth, of The Skinny Limbs(!) for the 2025 Beryl Days Artwork & Poster!

Paddle with Pride
2025-06-26 18:30 - 20:30 | North Bar Lake, 44.8399° N, 86.0635° W, Empire, MI, United States
We are kicking off our first community paddle of the season, Thursday, June 26th, with pride!
Paddle with Pride is a connection-centric community event brought to life with our partners at Up North Pride.
What to know:
Date: Thursday, June 26th
Location: North Bar Lake
Time: Be ready to hit the water at 6:30pm!
There will be a quick orientation and safety briefing at 6:20pm before we enter the water.
Weather: TBD
What to bring:

Non-motorized watercraft of choice
Board / Boat
Paddle
Life jacket (per Coast Guard regulation, PFDs must be on the bodies of all kayak & canoe paddlers, and either worn or strapped to all SUPs)
Leash (for all SUPs)
Drinking water
Swimwear *if you plan to get wet*
Fleece and/or neoprene to stay warm (bring an extra cozy fleece for post-paddle)
A buddy!
A snack or beverage to pass if you wish to hang around at North Bar Lake to cheers at the conclusion of our paddle.

If you are in need of watercraft, Paddleboard rentals are available for $40 at Sleeping Bear Surf – just give us a call to reserve at least 12 hours prior to the event and we’ll take care of the rest!

Spring Social at the Shop!
2026-05-09 11:00 - 17:00 | Sleeping Bear Surf, 10228 W Front St, Empire, MI, 49630, United States
The birds are chirpin’, the flowers are bloomin’, the water’s a-warmin’, and the shop is comin’ back to lilfe!
Join us Saturday, May 9th as we ring in the season with a classic, casual & kewl community shindig at the shop!
11am Water Safety & Surf Rescue with GLSRP:
We’re divin’ in with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to learn & converse about water safety, drowning prevention & identification, and surf rescue, so you can keep yourself, and those around you, safe in the water this season! Presentation & conversation at the shop!
1pm – 4pm Surf Swap:
Bring your gear, boards, suits, beers(?!) to swap, sell, or trade!
Got old gear collecting dust? Hunting for some pre-loved gems? This is your moment.
How it works:
~ Check in at the counter to grab a seller tag
~ Label all items with name, phone number, and price
~ You handle your own sales (cash, Venmo, etc.)
~ Once you make a sale, check back in at the counter so we can log it
~ You keep 90% / 10% goes to support Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project
Bring your items day-of, hang out, and enjoy the shindig.
Can’t make it? We’ve got you.
Email ella@sleepingbearsurf.com
to coordinate a pre-event drop-off.
We’ll handle pricing guidance, storage, and selling for you.
You keep 75% / 25% supports the shop + Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project

Surf Rescue Training
2026-06-12 18:30 - 21:30 | Frankfort Pier, 44°38'01.2"N 86°14'48.0"W, Frankfort, MI, 49635, United States
The Great Lakes are powerful, unpredictable, and often highly underestimated. Each year, they take lives that could have been saved with the right awareness, knowledge, preparation, and support from the shore.
That’s why we’ve partnered with the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project to bring back our annual Water Safety & Surf Rescue Clinic — a hands-on training designed to equip our local surf and beach community with real, life-saving skills.
This is not a passive, on-the-beach talk. Participants will be in the water, actively practicing nearshore and open water rescues, along with post-rescue response and resuscitation techniques. It’s serious, practical training built for real conditions on the Great Lakes.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that anyone entering the water this season feels more confident, capable, and prepared to keep themselves — and others — safe.
RSVP NOW

The course will teach participants how to:

Expand Surfer’s Awareness in the Lineup
Identify Hazards including Dangerous Currents
Prevent themselves from Drowning
Recognize the Signs of Drowning & Identify a Person in Trouble
Learn to efficiently & effectively throw a life ring
Perform an Open Water Rescue with your Bodyboard, Surfboard or SUP
Take Precautionary Measures in the Case of a Spinal Injury
Perform basic CPR

After the training, we shift gears and unwind!
Stick around for a more relaxed community gathering — we’ll have fires rippin’ in the Solo Stove, a fire rippin’ in the sauna from Sleeping Bear Saunas, pizzas from our buddies at Surfrider Northern Michigan and a keg o’ beer by our sponsors at Stormcloud Brewery! A super-fun chance to warm up, connect, and celebrate a shared commitment to lookin’ out for one another!

RSVP NOW

What to bring:

Your preferred watercraft (surfboard, stand-up paddleboard, or bodyboard)
A buddy! You will be paired up during simulations, therefore you only need to bring one board per 2 people.

Can’t get a buddy to join you? No sweat, we’ve gotchu’!

Your wetsuit. We highly recommend a 4/3mm full suit. Have ~5mm boots & mitts? Bring ’em!

If you don’t have a suit of your own, you may reserve a rental up to 24 hours in advance of the event.

Water, towel, swimmies, and dry, warm layers are also encouraged

This event is free to attend.
If you’re able, donations are encouraged to support the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project and help continue this wildly important work.

Check out this powerful recap of our ’21 Surf Rescue Clinic with Jack Brodeur, Faith Hoekstra, & GLSRP:
https://vimeo.com/577591125?embedded=true&source=video_title&owner=15245801

About the Course Presenters:
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, Inc. (GLSRP) is a nonprofit 501c3 corporation that is about saving lives through water safety education, outreach, and research. They are dedicated stewards who specialize in Water Safety Surf Rescue in the Great Lakes region. Their mission is to eradicate drownings by being the leader of Great Lakes water safety by providing training, public preparedness, and public awareness.
We highly encourage you to watch the following short, engaging, educational videos before you join us, or if you can’t join us:

GLSRP Signs of Drowning Compilation – Know the True Signs of Drowning, Know how to Survive:
https://youtu.be/TDdCBqxbCAw
GLSRP Premier Video Debut – Dangerous Currents: https://youtu.be/71D8Y8YlsRA
