Incredible photos of surfing in a semi-frozen lake
It would seem that the state of Minnesota in the north of the USA is the last place where you can go surfing, especially in winter. However, real fans - surfers practice this summer sport even in the half-frozen water of Lake Superior.
Some really shocking shots are in our selection.
(Total 14 photos)
1. The lake, which has relatively large waves in winter, is located 3 hours from the state's largest city, Minneapolis.
2. Sometimes surfers have to wait weeks for a day with suitable weather conditions - especially a specific type of wind that forms waves, which is often accompanied by a blizzard.
3. In addition, the weather often changes at the last moment, and by the time you arrive at the lake, the waves stop.
4. On average, for each winter month, there are about 10 days suitable for skiing. On the best days, up to 30 people can be seen in the water at the same time.
5. The best time to ride is from January to March. However, it is easy to guess that this period is the coldest. The coast is sometimes completely frozen, and surfers have to maneuver around pieces of ice the size of a small car.
6. Waves are usually about 3 meters high, but sometimes they can reach a height of 9 meters!
7.
8. The average age of "winter" surfers is 40 years. As a rule, these are people who have taken place in business, who can afford to go surfing in the morning, and then be in time for a business meeting at one in the afternoon.
9. Despite the very cold water, surfers spend 4 to 8 hours in it per day of skiing.
10. They say that relative to the air, the water does not seem so cold. The air temperature usually fluctuates around -15 C, while the water temperature can be slightly above zero.
11. Most surfers wear wetsuits as thick as possible.
12. The most difficult thing is not to get frostbite on your face. Often surfers emerge from the water with icicles hanging from their hair and beards.
13. Ride on both long and short boards.
14. While surfing on the lake is an activity exclusively for amateurs. However, there are more and more of them. Minneapolis has even begun to open surf shops that sell boards specifically designed for riding in heavy, thick wetsuits.