Surfing the icy waves
In the heart of winter, when most would shy away from the freezing temperatures, a dedicated group of surfers paddles out into the frigid waters of Providence Bay. The waves, shaped by powerful winter storms rolling in from Lake Huron, offer some of the best surf conditions of the year. For these northern surfers, the cold is not a deterrent—it’s an essential part of the experience.
Surfing in sub-zero temperatures requires a level of preparation and resilience that goes beyond the usual surf routine. Thick wetsuits, often 6mm or more, are essential, along with neoprene gloves, booties, and hoods to protect against the biting cold. Even with this gear, the icy water seeps in, numbing fingers and toes within minutes. Every session is a battle against the elements, but for those who brave it, the reward is an empty lineup and waves that break with a crisp, glassy perfection.
Unlike ocean swells, freshwater waves are generated by wind rather than distant storms, making conditions unpredictable. The surfers of Manitoulin Island have learned to read the weather patterns with precision, knowing that the best waves come when strong winds from the right direction push across the lake. Timing is everything—too early, and the waves haven’t built up; too late, and the wind has shifted, turning clean sets into chaotic chop.
“The cold is just part of it,” says Matt Akerman, one of the core members of the northern surf crew. “Once you’re out there, moving, paddling, catching waves, you forget about it. It’s just you and the water.”
Despite the harsh conditions, the experience of surfing in winter is unlike any other. The snow-covered shoreline, the mist rising from the water, and the eerie silence of a frozen landscape create a surreal atmosphere. There are no crowds, no distractions—just the raw power of nature and the thrill of riding waves in one of the most unexpected surf spots in the world.
The tight-knit northern surf community
Among the surfers who take on the icy waters of Providence Bay, there exists a deep sense of camaraderie. This is not just a group of individuals chasing waves—it’s a tight-knit community bound by their shared passion for cold-water surfing. With only eight to ten dedicated surfers regularly braving the elements, they rely on each other for support, safety, and the motivation to paddle out when the conditions are at their most extreme.
Unlike the bustling surf breaks of Australia’s east coast, where lineups can be crowded and competitive, the northern surf scene is built on mutual respect and cooperation. There’s no jostling for position or aggressive localism—just a collective appreciation for the rare and fleeting moments when the waves align. When a good swell rolls in, word spreads quickly among the group, and within hours, they’re suiting up, ready to take on the freezing water together.
Preparation is key, and the surfers often gather before a session to check forecasts, discuss wind patterns, and ensure they have the right gear. In such extreme conditions, safety is always a priority. They watch out for each other in the water, knowing that hypothermia and exhaustion can set in quickly. If someone wipes out hard or struggles to get back to shore, there’s always a fellow surfer nearby, ready to lend a hand.
“It’s not just about the waves,” says Akerman. “It’s about the people you share them with. Out here, we all look out for each other. That’s what makes this community special.”
After a session, the camaraderie continues on land. The surfers often gather around a fire or in a nearby cabin, thawing out with hot drinks and sharing stories of the day’s best rides. These post-surf rituals are just as important as the time spent in the water, reinforcing the bonds that keep this small but dedicated crew coming back, season after season.
For these surfers, the cold isn’t just an obstacle—it’s part of what makes their community so strong. There’s a shared understanding that what they do is not for the faint-hearted, and that’s exactly why they do it. In the depths of winter, when the rest of the world stays indoors, they find their greatest joy in the freezing waves, together.
Embracing the Manitoulin winter
Winter on Manitoulin Island is not for the faint-hearted. The landscape transforms into a frozen expanse, with thick layers of snow covering the shoreline and ice forming along the edges of the bay. For most, this is a time to retreat indoors, but for the surfers of Providence Bay, it signals the arrival of their favourite season. The cold, rather than being a deterrent, is an integral part of the experience—something to be embraced rather than avoided.
Preparing for a winter surf session is a ritual in itself. Before even stepping outside, surfers layer up in thick neoprene, ensuring every inch of skin is protected from the biting wind and sub-zero water. The process of suiting up can take longer than the surf session itself, with each layer carefully adjusted to maximise warmth and mobility. Once in the water, the initial shock of the cold is intense, but as the body adjusts, a sense of exhilaration takes over. The crisp air, the solitude, and the raw power of the waves create an experience unlike any other.
Beyond the surf, embracing the Manitoulin winter means adapting to a way of life that revolves around the elements. The surfers don’t just endure the cold—they find ways to thrive in it. When the waves aren’t cooperating, they turn to other winter activities to stay connected to the environment. Snowshoeing through the forests, ice fishing on the frozen lakes, and even cold-water dips to build resilience are all part of the seasonal rhythm. These activities not only keep them physically prepared for the next swell but also deepen their appreciation for the rugged beauty of their surroundings.
“You learn to love the winter out here,” says Akerman. “It’s not just about surfing—it’s about being in tune with the season, finding ways to enjoy it instead of fighting against it.”
While the rest of the world may see winter as a time of dormancy, for these surfers, it’s a time of renewal. The isolation of the season brings a sense of peace, a chance to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and immerse themselves fully in nature. There are no crowds, no distractions—just the rhythm of the waves and the quiet beauty of a frozen landscape. It’s a way of life that demands resilience, but for those who embrace it, the rewards are immeasurable.
Surfing the icy waves of Providence Bay
When the mercury drops and the bay turns to steel, a handful of die-hard surfers paddle out into the freezing waters of Providence Bay. Matt Akerman and his tight-knit crew of eight to ten northern surfers don’t just tolerate the cold—they chase it. The best waves roll in when most people are huddled by the fire, and that’s exactly when they suit up and hit the water.
Winter surfing here isn’t for the faint-hearted. The wind howls, the water stings, and ice forms on wetsuits between sets. But for those who brave it, the payoff is unreal—clean, powerful waves with no crowds, just the raw energy of Lake Huron pushing through. It’s a different kind of surfing, where endurance and grit matter just as much as skill.
“You’ve got to want it,” says Akerman. “It’s not just about catching waves, it’s about embracing the whole experience—the cold, the challenge, the solitude.”
Gear is everything. A thick wetsuit, hood, gloves, and booties are essential, but even then, sessions are short. The cold creeps in fast, and when your fingers stop working, it’s time to get out. But for these surfers, it’s worth every frozen second.
While most Aussies are used to warm beaches and boardshorts, imagine swapping that for ice-covered shorelines and water temps that make a cold beer feel like a sauna. It’s a different world, but for Akerman and his crew, it’s the only way to surf.
Embracing winter for the perfect surf
For most, winter means packing away the board and dreaming of warmer days. But for Matt Akerman and his crew, it’s the season they live for. When the snow piles up and the wind cuts like a knife, that’s when the waves come alive. The storms rolling over Lake Huron generate the kind of swell that makes the icy plunge worth it.
It’s not just about the waves—it’s about the mindset. There’s a certain madness to willingly stepping into water that hovers just above freezing. But for these surfers, it’s a test of resilience. The cold isn’t an obstacle; it’s part of the thrill. Every duck dive sends a shock through the system, every wipeout is a full-body ice bath, but every ride is pure, unfiltered stoke.
“You don’t just surf in winter—you commit to it,” says Akerman. “It’s about pushing yourself, finding that edge, and embracing the elements instead of fighting them.”
Preparation is key. A pre-surf routine involves layering up, stretching cold muscles, and mentally preparing for the chill. Post-surf, it’s a race against time—peeling off frozen wetsuits, cranking the car heater, and wrapping numb fingers around a thermos of something hot. It’s brutal, but it’s also addictive.
For an Aussie used to sunburnt beaches and warm water, this might sound like lunacy. But there’s something about the rawness of it all—the isolation, the power of the lake, the sheer grit it takes to paddle out—that makes it impossible to resist. And when you finally catch that perfect winter wave, the cold fades away, and all that’s left is the ride.