Women of the Great Lakes

Photos and Words by Aly Ambler

For many ocean dwellers the concept of surfing on a freshwater lake is unfathomable, let alone in the dead of the Canadian winter. However, on the windiest and seemingly coldest of days those familiar neoprene clad bobbing heads can be seen within the waves of the Great Lakes. 

The Great Lakes have a comparatively new surf scene but it is expanding quickly. Within that scene is a strong community of women that stick together to scratch that itch of waves that the ocean fosters. I have never felt more supported than I do when surfing with women on the Lakes. Many times I surf with women who I do not know and there is a great deal of bonding in the sometimes 4hr + car rides or an unwavering support from strangers in the water. I am not alone with these feelings, through discussion many women feel the same and cherish our time together. We are all out in a male dominated sport in normally unpleasant conditions, braving the cold and wind to do what we love. The encouragement for everyone in the lineup is like nothing I have experienced. Going out of one's way to learn another surfers name and screaming it when they catch a wave is no special occurrence.   

This project is a step in representing more female surfers in the media, there are VERY few female surfers that show up on the Great Lakes media outlets. However women are surfing and women are killing it out there!! I reached out to the community pages to let the women know when I’ll be out and if they would like to be part of the series. Many of the members reached out to me and I have tried to represent as many as possible. 

Someone recently said to me “we can’t always be what we can’t see” and that resonated with me. Many female forerunners in history have been what they can’t see and it’s time we honored them and helped more women see what they thought they could not be.