Yes, There’s A Camp For Surfers -- In Leelanau County, Michigan
Brian Wilson hasn’t written any songs about it, but the surf is definitely up in Empire, Michigan. Just ask the Skrocki family at Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak.
“We always wanted to spread the joy of being in Lake Michigan,” says Annabel Skrocki. The family opened the retail store in Empire in 2004, the state’s first full-service surf shop, and hence the longest-standing such shop to date.
The store sells everything from surfboards and skateboards to stand up paddleboards, wetsuits, skim boards, even foldable kayaks (really!). It also rents out equipment, including the above, plus bikes.
And then there’s the SBX Junior Waterman Camp. The camp staff gives lessons on how to safely have fun on the big water for groms and grommets, ages 12-15.
“We do whatever the water gives us. If it’s nice surf, we give a detailed surf lesson,” she says. If not, they find other ways to provide fun and learning for the campers, from kayaking to swimming to diving.
Annabel says they developed the program after her older sister Ella visited California. When she returned, Ella told the family about the cool surf day camp for kids she’d observed, and that they should consider doing the same. “She said we need to do something like it and get kids out on Lake Michigan,” recalls Annabel.
At 14, Ella began teaching kids her age and younger alongside older instructors. Brother Reiss started helping just a couple years later, and Annabel – the youngest – eventually found herself doing the same. “The last few years it’s been the three of us,” says the now 24-year-old Annabel.
Her brother Reiss is two years older, while Ella has four years on Annabel and two on their brother.
Skrocki says she and her sister prepare by looking at the weather forecast the day before the camp so they can get an idea what the weather might hold. “Sunday evening we send out an email to the parents. Typically the day starts at Empire Beach,” she says. There they learn water safety and surfing etiquette.
Depending on what the weather and lake offer, Skrocki says they might go on a surf safari and spend the day sliding freshwater waves anywhere from Petoskey to Arcadia. If the wind doesn’t cooperate and the lake is calm, she says they might turn to SUPs, which they say is a great way to get a waterside view of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. Or they can take the campers to paddle a nearby river, learn to hold their breath and dive, or find other ways to enjoy the water and educate the campers.
At press time there were two openings left for the June camp, running June 26, 28 and 30. Both the July and August camps are already sold out.
Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak offers private, semi-private and group surf lessons as well. And all of it, the surf camp, lessons, and a store full of surfing and other water gear, have proven popular despite early skepticism from those who would say, “You can’t surf on the lakes.” Hah. This is the 19th year for the shop, offering a riposte to those doubters.
We are fortunate to have grown up with this shop,” Skrocki says. “Our parents raised us to do whatever the lake gives you. We’re here enjoying the beautiful outdoors all summer.”
As word has gotten out, the camp has become increasingly popular, selling out within days of its postingh She says some kids are from a Grand Rapids or Detroit and vacationing in the area. Others are from the region. “A lot of people from the Traverse City area that have just found out about it in the last couple years.”
With the camps selling out so quickly, she says they may offer more such camps next year. The demand is there, but they need additional staffing to make it work. “Next year depends on the help,” Skrocki confirms.
Till then, there are the lessons, other events such as a full moon paddle, and myriad other ways to have fun in the water. Skrocki says the most common question about the camp they get now isn’t “How can you surf on the lake?” but instead is “When are you going to do one for adults?” There aren’t any plans for that yet, but stay tuned.