Surfing is a physically demanding sport. You need to be strong, flexible and have excellent endurance. The fitter you are, the longer you'll be able to surf for.  The faster you can paddle, the more waves you'll get - Laird Hamilton surf legend

Surf Chicago, IL

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Paddle

•  Lie belly-down on the board so that your body is lined up straight down the center of the board.  From this position, practice your paddling motion with both arms to get a sense of the muscles that you will be working
• Take a little time to practice on the sand, or in the privacy of your backyard, before you're on the beach in front of others

Pop-UP

• While lying on the board,
• bring your hands up from paddling and place your hands below your chest
• palms on the flat of the board while your fingers curl over the sides of the surfboard
• In one quick motion, push your body up with your arms and tuck your feet up and under you. Place one foot where your hands pushed up from and the other at least a shoulder’s width behind

Stance

• Once you've taken off
• keep your knees bent
• your arms loose and extended
• your feet planted on the board
• your torso leaned forward to lower your center of gravity

 ​Watch a quick 4 min rad Aussie's demonstration to certify your sea legs on Lake Michigan:

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In June 2009, Chicago Park District's governing board allowed the city superintendent to lift the decades-old ban on flotation devices.
Four Chicago beaches are now open to surfing:
1) Osterman 2) Rainbow Beaches 3)Montrose Beach 4) 57th St. Beach are open to surfing at your own risk from Labor day and Memorial day (Off-Season)
1)  Montrose Beach and 2) 57th St. Beach  only (On-Season)

Get Treated

*Please visit the SurfRider foundation for more information