What Does It Take To Save Chicago?
Photo: Mike Killion / @killertown
As is standard on the Great Lakes, short-period wind swells are the rule, and the ideal wave angle is from the north-northeast. Despite there being rideable waves, Chicago was the only city that had a surfing ban in the region.
Efforts to legalize surfing in Chicago began in December 2006 after Jack Flynn, a graphic designer who lives in Old Town, was ticketed for surfing off the 57th Street Beach. Vince Deur, co-chair of the Lake Michigan Chapter, joined the effort to legalize surfing and helped spearhead the “Surfing Is Not A Crime” campaign.
Photo: Mike Killion / @killertown
Activists from Surfrider worked with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District to enhance recreational opportunities by lifting a 20-year ban on surfing at selected beaches along Lake Michigan in April 2009. These beaches include Montrose and 57th St. beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and Montrose, 57th St, Rainbow, and Osterman in the off-season between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Photo: Mike Killion / @killertown
In the summer of 2023, local surfers reported being prohibited from surfing at Montrose Beach, so the Chicago Chapter followed up with the Park District to inform them of the improper implementation of park policy. The Park District agreed to uphold the policy and inform relevant staff of the policy.
Today, there is a need for the local chapter and the City of Chicago to continue working cooperatively to communicate which beaches are open for surfing and paddling, and a need to codify the agreed-upon surf access arrangements into the Chicago Park District code. Doing so will expand opportunities for the current and next generation of surfers in the region.