Lake Huron surfing is for the dedicated

The water wasn’t a deep blue, but instead a glistening silver Wednesday morning in Lexington.

The warm sun contrasted the crisp, strong wind and waves crashing onto the sandy beach.

Far out into Lake Huron were two tiny black specs — two men clad in wetsuits appearing to effortlessly glide across the water’s sheen.

Falling temperatures mark the start of surf season in the Great Lakes — and Wednesday morning’s wave forecast attracted about 10 surfers to a beach just south of the Lexington Harbor break wall.

While the seasoned surfers made it look easy, they said surfing in Michigan can be much more challenging than surfing in an ocean.

Dave Tuzinowski, Detroit Surf Co. owner and surfer, said surfing in a lake usually means fighting strong winds.

While ocean surfing depends on tide swells, lake surfing relies on wind to create waves.

Great Lakes waves come faster, with only three to five seconds between wave intervals.

“This wind right now is not good for beginners,” said Brian LeFeve, Great Lakes Surf Shop owner. “You need to make sure you are confident in your level of riding before you go out.”

LeFeve, a paddle-surfer, said only advance surfers should brave 25 to 30 mph winds, while even beginners can handle 15 mph winds.

Surf-able waves along the coast of Lake Huron in Lexington or Burtchville Township are generated only by northwest winds.

While surfing the Great Lakes can be challenging and exhausting, every addicted surfer says it’s worth it. Surfers pore over weather forecast and will drive hours to either side of the state to catch the best waves. They wake up in the depths of night to catch the surf at the crack of dawn and at times even sleep in their cars to be the first one out.

“Someone new will probably say surfing in Michigan sucks and is miserable,” Tuzinowski said. “But it’s an exhilaration and rush. Each wave is different. You may have a total crap day surfing here and then you finally catch that one wave and you’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I’m here for.’”

Tuzinowski said new surfers may feel like giving up at first. But once they catch that first wave, they’ll be hooked.

John Chevalier, 50, of Auburn Hills, tried paddle-surfing for the first time Wednesday. He said the wind was a bit too challenging for his beginner skill set.

“Your muscles are stressed the whole time and it was hard for me to stay on top of the board,” he said.

LeFeve said he loves the thrill of a wave pushing and propelling him through the water. He said it’s the feeling that keeps him coming back.

The windy autumn season is prime for not only standard surfing but paddle-surfing, kite-surfing and wind-surfing as well.

Erik Labonte and Michael Pisarczyk, both of Sarnia, were drawn to Lexington on Wednesday to chase solid kite-surfing winds.

“The kite carries the board and the only thing you hear out there is the sound of the waves,” Labonte said.

Pisarczyk said kite-surfing can feel like flying on a magic carpet.

“You are on the water interacting with Mother Nature and you can jump 30 to 40 feet in the air,” he said. “You can fly and land perfectly. Beginners should take lessons and just get out there. A lot of people talk about it, you just have to do it.”

Regardless of the method, surfers will need to be adequately prepared by purchasing a three to five millimeter wet suit, checking the forecast before heading out and never going out to surf alone.

Once temperatures dip near 40 degrees, neoprene booties, gloves and hats are essential, too.

Surf lessons can be scheduled for $75 an hour through Great Lakes Surf Shop by calling (586) 359-6951. The surf lesson includes the board, but surfers need to provide their own wetsuits. The lesson meets wherever the surf is — LeFeve said usually that means Lexington.

Contact Nicole Hayden at (810) 989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHayden_TH.

Surfing for beginners

•Surf lessons can be scheduled for $75 an hour through Great Lakes Surf Shop by calling (586) 359-6951. The surf lesson includes the board, but surfers need to provide their own wetsuits. The lesson meets wherever the surf is.

•A 3 mm to 5 mm neoprene wetsuit, booties, gloves and hood are needed.

•Use http://www.noaa.gov/ to track the best waves.

•15 mph northwest winds are the best for Lake Huron surfing.

•Never surf alone.