We wanted to be able to tell you about the Gales in the most authentic way possible, in the words of participants who have attended. Our first testimonial is from Wade Dougherty. The above picture is of Wade Dougherty from our Saturday Surf Session in Marquette at the Gales.
Why did you sign up for the Gales?
I signed up for the Gales so that I could test my skills in big water in “conditions”. The Gales provides a great opportunity for that as the coaches are there to assess and monitor you. They can, and will, let you know if they think you are paddling beyond your current ability. The best part is, when you reach your limit, the coaches help you move your limits beyond where they were.
What did you come to learn at the Gales?
I had two primary goals at the Gales – first, I wanted to learn the basics of surfing. I’d surfed on Lake Huron for the first time in the spring, and couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I wanted to do more of that! Secondly, I wanted to test my rolling ability in big water, without the danger of doing it alone. It’s one thing to roll in the pool, or a small lake with mild conditions, but you’re not likely to get knocked over in a pool. I needed to know that I could depend on my roll when I actually needed it.
I’m happy to say that I was able to meet both of these goals at the Gales. Sharon and Keith were my primary coaches for the surf sessions. Amazingly enough, the surf class got me started surfing, and dumped me over enough times that I was able to be pretty certain about my roll 😉
What were the conditions like during the year(s) you attended?
The conditions the first day were relatively mild, I think 2-3 foot waves and 10-15 knot winds. There were some small waves to help in the surf class, but we had to search for them. We went out to Grand Island to find some larger waves, and finished the class there.
The paddle home was a blast! The wind was channeled between the island and shore, and that combined with the waves made for a fast and furious paddle. The wind would bring us up close to the cliffs, and then the wave would push us off. It was better than a roller coaster ride, and I love roller coasters! If you were tired, or didn’t want this, you could just stay off the island by a few hundred yards.
Saturday , the conditions were better for surfing. The wind had had been building throughout the day Friday (to 20-25 knots, I think), and there were forecast waves of about 4-6 feet. We went to a few beaches, and the coaches deemed the conditions unsuitable for surfing. We found a slightly more protected beach, and had glorious waves. 4 to 7 feet, perfectly shaped. Plus, the wind had backed down, and it made for fantastic surfing. Scott Fairty asked me that evening at dinner if I knew how great those waves were. I said no, this was only my second time surfing, so I had no clue. He told me that he had paddled on the Great Lakes for 25 or 30 years, and those were the best conditions he’d ever seen. I guess I picked the right day for a surf class!
On Sunday, winds stayed down, and it was a clear, sunny day. The lake had mostly flattened out. We went for a paddle out from Miner’s Beach. It was a nice end to a fantastic weekend.
What was the coaching like at the Gales?
The coaching was superb. The coaches were helpful, knowledgeable, and confidence inspiring. If you had a hard time figuring something out during class, the dinner/social hour provided an opportunity to speak with the other coaches, who could often explain a concept in a different way.
I never felt I was being ridiculed or looked down on because of my paddling skills (or lack thereof). I was just being helped when I required it, and guided in ways to improve my skills on my own once the weekend was over.
What was your takeaway moment from the Gales?
I don’t know that I had a takeaway moment – the thing I remember most was that it is fun to paddle with people who all want to learn and improve – and Lake Superior is a great place to do that.
How has your paddling changed since attending the Gales?
I’ve become more confident in challenging conditions, and learned how to better judge conditions to know whether I should go out – or not.