How Sheboygan, Wisconsin became ‘the Malibu of the Midwest’

Credit: Visit Sheboygan

By Christina Lorey

July 30, 2024

If you’ve ever wished you could ride the waves without flying to Waikiki, look no further than the western shore of Lake Michigan. Specifically: Sheboygan.

Just 60 miles north of Milwaukee, the eastern Wisconsin city has been a summer surfing hotspot for more than 50 years, due to its ideal location and wind conditions. The biggest and best waves are formed by 20-25 mph winds from the northeast or west-southwest.

What’s not so ideal, however, is its water temps! Lake Michigan’s temperature near Sheboygan peaks at a balmy 70 degrees in August. By April, it tops out at 37 degrees, but you’ll still find surfers out at sea! Sheboygan’s peak surf season runs from late August through early April.

🌊 TIP: Check the water temperature of any lake, river, or ocean before jumping in using this map!

Ready to give Sheboygan surfing a try? Check out EOS Surf & Revolution Board Shop, the first surf and paddleboard shop of its kind in Wisconsin that offers private lessons, rental gear, boards, and other accessories. If you’re a newbie, professionals recommend starting in August or September.

In addition to Sheboygan’s current reputation, Wisconsin also has a historic connection to surfing: a Badger State native is who surfing historians credit with inventing the modern surfboard!

Thomas Blake was raised on the shores of Lake Superior in Washburn, where he lived until 1918–when the 1918 Influenza Epidemic cut his sophomore year short and he decided to leave Wisconsin and wander the country. After a chance meeting with Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimming champion and surfer, Blake moved to Hawaii in 1924.

There, he became fascinated by the history and techniques of surfing and used his skills to design a lighter-weight, hollow surfboard that was more buoyant and maneuverable than the solid-wood boards popular at the time. In 1928, Blake debuted his new board in front of 10,000 spectators at the first-ever Pacific Coast Surfing Championship.

Today, millions of people around the world enjoy board-based water sports thanks to Wisconsin’s very own “surfer dude,” Tom Blake.

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina is an Edward R. Murrow-winning journalist and former producer, reporter, and anchor for TV stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, you can find her volunteering with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and various mental health organizations. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for her newsletter here.

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CATEGORIES: LOCAL CULTURE

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