Surfing in Grand Rapids & West Michigan: Preventing Injury

While Grand Rapids, Michigan isn’t an oceanfront city, many local residents surf and paddle on the Great Lakes—especially Lake Michigan beaches like Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Haven State Park. With strong winds, cold water, and changing weather, Great Lakes surfing comes with unique injury risks.

This guide explains how Grand Rapids and West Michigan surfers can stay safe, prevent common injuries, and know where to get help locally.

Is Surfing Safe?

Surfing is generally considered a low-risk sport compared with many contact and high-speed sports. However, injuries do occur, especially when:

  • Waves are rough or conditions change quickly
  • Surfers collide with their own board or another surfer’s board
  • A surfer “wipes out” and hits the lake bottom, rocks, or breakwalls
  • Water is very cold, as it often is in Lake Michigan for much of the year

In West Michigan, additional risks include cold-water exposure, rip currents, and strong winds that can quickly build large waves.

Common Surfing Injuries Around Lake Michigan

Surfers in the Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan region most often injure:

  • Legs and knees
  • Head and face
  • Back and neck
  • Shoulders and arms

Typical surfing injuries include:

  • Cuts and scrapes (lacerations) from fins, boards, rocks, or the lake bottom
  • Sprains and strains of the ankle, knee, shoulder, or back
  • Dislocations and fractures from hard falls or collisions
  • Swimmer’s ear (outer ear infection from trapped water)
  • Surfer’s ear (bony growths in the ear canal from repeated cold-water exposure)
  • Hypothermia or cold stress, especially in fall, winter, and spring on Lake Michigan

Prompt first aid and proper preventive care can greatly reduce the severity and frequency of these injuries.

Be Prepared Before You Surf

Preparation is the most important part of surfing injury prevention—especially in a climate like West Michigan, where conditions can change quickly.

Warm Up and Stretch

Before entering the water:

  • Do 5–10 minutes of light activity (jogging on the beach, dynamic arm swings, leg swings)
  • Gently stretch shoulders, hips, hamstrings, and lower back
  • Practice a few pop-ups on your board on the sand to prepare your muscles and joints

A proper warm-up helps reduce muscle strains, joint sprains, and back injuries.

Protect Your Skin

Even on cloudy days along Lake Michigan, UV rays can be strong—especially when reflected off the water and sand.

  • Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you surf
  • Reapply every 2 hours or after getting out of the water
  • Use zinc-based sunscreen on the face for longer sessions
  • Wear a rash guard or wetsuit for added sun and abrasion protection

Use the Right Surfing Gear for West Michigan

Choose an Appropriate Board

Get professional advice from a surf shop familiar with Great Lakes conditions (for example, shops in Grand Haven, Holland, or Muskegon):

  • Beginners often do better with larger, more stable boards
  • Consider boards with flexible fins to reduce the risk of cuts
  • Choose a board with a blunt nose or add a nose guard to minimize facial injuries

Always Wear a Leash (Leg Rope)

  • Attach the leg rope to your ankle, never to your paddle or wrist
  • Use a strong, well-maintained leash, especially in larger surf
  • A leash helps prevent runaway boards that can injure you or other surfers and reduces the risk of being separated from your board in rough or cold water

Wetsuits and Cold-Water Gear

Lake Michigan water is cold for much of the year, even when the air temperature in Grand Rapids feels mild. Cold water increases the risk of hypothermia, muscle cramps, and poor decision-making.

  • Wear a properly fitted wetsuit (3/2mm in summer, thicker—4/3mm, 5/4mm, or more—in colder seasons)
  • In fall, winter, and spring, consider:
    • Neoprene boots
    • Gloves or mitts
    • Hood to protect your head and ears
  • A wetsuit also provides buoyancy and protects against scrapes from the lake bottom or rocks

Consider a Helmet

Helmets are strongly recommended for:

  • Beginner surfers
  • Crowded conditions
  • Surfing near piers, breakwalls, or rocky areas
  • Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) surfing with larger, heavier boards

A helmet can reduce the risk of serious head injuries from boards, fins, or underwater obstacles.

Check the Environment: West Michigan Surf Safety

Know the Local Conditions

Before you leave Grand Rapids for the beach, check:

  • Weather forecast (wind, storms, temperature)
  • Wave height and period
  • Water temperature
  • Rip current risk (often posted at popular beaches)

Use trusted sources such as:

  • National Weather Service Lake Michigan forecasts
  • Local surf reports for Grand Haven, Holland, and Muskegon
  • Kent County Health Department or local county beach advisories (for water quality alerts)

Avoid surfing during:

  • Thunderstorms or when lightning is present
  • Extremely strong offshore or onshore winds
  • Heavy fog that limits visibility
  • High rip current risk if you are inexperienced

Scan the Surf Zone

Before paddling out:

  • Identify piers, breakwalls, rocks, and jetties
  • Watch for other surfers, swimmers, and paddleboarders
  • Note where waves are breaking and where rip currents may form
  • Choose a spot appropriate for your skill level

Surf Etiquette: Prevent Collisions and Conflicts

Good surf etiquette keeps everyone safer and reduces the risk of injuries and arguments in the water.

Basic Surfing Etiquette Rules

  • One surfer per wave:
    Only one surfer (or one SUP) should ride a wave at a time. Dropping in on someone else’s wave increases collision risk.

  • Don’t “snake” or cut in line:
    Respect the surfer who is closest to the breaking part of the wave (the “inside” surfer).

  • Communicate:
    Call out “left” or “right” when taking off on a wave if others are nearby.

  • Control your board:
    Don’t throw or abandon your board. If you fall, try to keep your board close to you and be aware of people behind you.

  • Respect beginners and swimmers:
    Stay clear of designated swim areas and give learners extra space.

Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfing Etiquette

Stand-up boards are larger and can cause more severe injury in a collision. When SUP surfing:

  • Give other surfers extra distance, especially when paddling out
  • One SUP per wave and one surfer per wave
  • Keep your board under control at all times
  • Always attach the leg rope to your board, not your paddle

Know Yourself and the Sport

Match Conditions to Your Skill Level

  • Start in smaller, gentler waves and gradually progress
  • Avoid strong shorebreaks, powerful rip currents, or large storm waves if you are inexperienced
  • Take lessons from an accredited surf school or experienced instructor on Lake Michigan to learn:
    • Paddling and pop-up technique
    • Safe falling techniques
    • Rip current awareness
    • Local hazards and safety rules

Protect Your Ears and Hydration

  • After surfing, rinse your ears with clean, fresh water to help prevent swimmer’s ear
  • In cold conditions, use earplugs designed for surfers to help prevent surfer’s ear
  • Drink plenty of water before and after surfing; dehydration can occur even in cold weather

How to Fall Safely

When you wipe out:

  • Do not dive headfirst—you may hit the bottom, rocks, or your board
  • Try to fall flat and cover your head with your arms
  • Before jumping off your board in broken waves, look around to ensure no one is in the way
  • Surface slowly and protect your head in case your board is above you

Never Surf Alone if You’re Inexperienced

Especially on the Great Lakes, where water can be cold and conditions can change quickly:

  • Surf with a buddy or in areas with other surfers present
  • Make sure children are supervised at all times by a responsible adult
  • Let someone in Grand Rapids know where you’re going and when you plan to return

Responding to Surfing Injuries

If you or another surfer is injured:

  1. Stop surfing immediately
  2. Get safely to shore and assess the injury
  3. For serious injuries (head trauma, suspected fracture, dislocation, breathing difficulty, confusion, or signs of hypothermia), call 911 right away
  4. For minor cuts and scrapes:
    • Rinse with clean water
    • Apply antiseptic
    • Cover with a clean dressing
  5. Seek medical attention if:
    • A wound is deep or won’t stop bleeding
    • There is significant swelling or deformity
    • Pain is severe or worsening
    • You have signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus, fever)

Keep a charged mobile phone in your vehicle or with someone on shore in case of emergency.

Local Medical Help for Surfing Injuries in Grand Rapids

For non-emergency injuries, follow up with a healthcare professional in the Grand Rapids area:

  • Primary care provider / family doctor – for minor injuries, ear infections, and follow-up care
  • Sports medicine physicians – for sprains, strains, fractures, and return-to-sport guidance
  • Orthopedic specialists – for joint injuries, fractures, and shoulder or knee problems
  • Physical therapists / physiotherapists – for rehabilitation and injury prevention exercises

Major healthcare systems serving Grand Rapids and West Michigan include:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – multiple locations and sports medicine clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – hospital and outpatient orthopedic and rehab services
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health – sports medicine and orthopedic care
  • Mercy Health (now part of Trinity Health) – regional locations with rehab and therapy services

For public health information, water quality alerts, and seasonal health advisories, check:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources

In a life-threatening emergency at the beach or on the water, always call 911.

Key Points for Safe Surfing in Grand Rapids & West Michigan

  • Surfing on Lake Michigan can be relatively safe when you prepare properly and respect local conditions.
  • The main causes of surfing injury are collisions with your own or another surfer’s board, and wiping out onto the lake bottom or hard structures.
  • Common injuries include cuts, sprains, fractures, swimmer’s ear, and surfer’s ear, with added risk from cold water in Michigan.
  • To prevent injury:
    • Be prepared: warm up, wear appropriate wetsuits and safety gear, and check weather and water conditions.
    • Use proper surf etiquette: one surfer per wave, respect others, and control your board.
    • Use the right equipment: helmet (especially for beginners), leash, flexible fins, and boards with protective nose guards.
    • Know your limits and surf conditions that match your skill level.
    • Respond promptly to injuries and seek care from Grand Rapids healthcare providers when needed.

By combining smart preparation, respect for Great Lakes conditions, and access to quality medical care in Grand Rapids, you can enjoy surfing more safely all year round.