Winds from Sandy make for good Chicago surfing
Text Size:
AaAaAaAaAa
CHICAGO (AP) — Strong winds from the outer edge of superstorm Sandy are ripping up near-record high waves on Lake Michigan to the delight of an avid community of Chicago surfers taking to the water.
At the 57th Street Beach on Tuesday, four surfers in thick wet suits were carving up the waves. They say it is probably the best surfing they'll have all year.
Fifty-year-old Jim Hoop says he's been surfing the same beach since he was a lifeguard there in the early 1980s.
With high winds around 55 mph, Hoop says he knew he had to take the day off from his real-estate job and hit the surf. He says his wife thinks he's crazy, but that he just can't resist paddling out when the waves are this big.
