The New York Times looks at a strange wintertime activity on the shores of Lake Erie.
The strongest winds and waves come in winter, just before Lake Erie freezes. Waves up to 10 feet have been surfed, but the largest swells are usually chest-high. Instead of curling into a vertical wall, the waves are round like haystacks, and they collapse onto the shore like soggy paper.
“Surfing Lake Erie is basically disgusting,” said Bill Weeber, known as Mongo, 44. “But then I catch that wave and I forget about it, and I feel high all day.”
Cleveland surfers are not playing around. Many of the roughly 25 committed surfers here work nights all year to keep their winter days free for surfing. Mr. Weeber quit his job as an advertising art director and makes less money as a summer landscaper. He moved his family closer to the beach, to spend more time on the waves.
I quit being a art director, because I had grown to hate it.
I’m a plant health care tech. I treat plants, such as trees, shrubs, and lawns. I like being outdoors. I moved close to the lake, because I like being near the water. What is wrong with that.