Surfing (School Year) | Recreational Sports Outdoor Program

Yes. Even on Lake Superior.

SURFING FACTS: DID YOU KNOW THAT....
When the wind blows over Lake Superior from the Northeast, Duluth becomes a legitimate surf town. Park Point, Lester River and Stony Point are local hot spots that draw surfers into the cold water to ride fresh water waves. We have the surfboards, the wetsuits and the enthusiasm to get you involved with surfing in the Duluth area and beyond!

Surf and Sup Program Summary

Want to get into surfing? Try a Single Session pool based training or the Lester River Boardsport Sampler during the first two weeks of the Semester. Then get your Surf & SUP Pass to develop your skills and endurance in the UMD Pool and at the Lester River Surf Shack. Get outside and expand your skills while exploring Lake Superior on calm days and join the search for the perfect wave when the surf is up! Email invitations are sent out to pass holders prior to storms that produce good surf. We travel to a wide variety of locations to encourage skill development for all.

Surf & SUP Pass - Pool Training, Lester River Surf Shack Training and Storm Surf Training Sessions (Fall Semester Only)

Yellow to Red Level (Read more about difficulty levels)
This pass is suitable for students who have strong swimming skills, personal transportation and academic stability that provides free time to chase after storm surf. Meet at the UMD Pool featuring new flow pumps to refine your paddling technique, awareness of board trim, turning skills, ducking waves, pop up and balance. Strength and endurance will be developed through interval training on and off the surfboards with basic submerged hypoxic training to help you improve your comfort under water. We will surf on the wake behind a water-ski boat at Island Lake and utilize surf style stand up paddle boards to broaden your board riding skills. Most importantly, you will receive email invitations to roughly six surf sessions whenever the conditions are favorable on Lake Superior. Also included is Lester River Surf Shack endurance training along the shoreline of Lake Superior. We also do some longboard skateboarding with land paddles so you are more prepared to enjoy our surf oriented SUP designs. This is also a great chance to meet others interested in surfing, learn about equipment, and how to get your own equipment. Pass is limited to a total of 8 surfers.

POOL TRAINING ON TUESDAYS, 6:00-7:30PM, SEPTEMBER 15 - NOVEMBER 17
(REGISTRATION OPENS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th AT 9:00AM)

We Provide: Instruction, boards, wetsuits, SUP paddles
You Provide: Swimsuit, rash guard top, towel, warm clothes, hat, snacks, drink and transportation to the designated surfing location Meet: UMD Sports and Health Center Pool or at the Lester River Surf Shack on 60th Ave. E & London Road or at the designated surf break
Cost: Surf & SUP Pass $105 UMD Student Members.
**Pass sales begin at 9:00am on Wednesday, September 9 and will sell out quickly.

Single Session - UMD Pool Based Surf & SUP Training

Green Level (Read more about difficulty levels)
This training is suitable for all skill levels. Learn about paddling technique, awareness of board trim, turning skills, ducking waves, how to pop up into a stance and balance. Our flow pumps and a wakeboarding rope fixed at the deep end wall help surfers refine their stance, posture, ankle stability all leading to better rail control and carved turns. Strength and endurance will be developed through interval training on and off the surfboards with basic submerged hypoxic training to help you improve your comfort under water. This is a great chance to meet others interested in surfing, determine if you want to buy a Surf & SUP Pass, learn about equipment, risk management and etiquette. Choose from eighteen different pool sessions, limited to four surfers per session.

FALL SEMESTER 2026 SESSIONS MEET ON TUESDAYS, 7:15-9:00PM
SEPTEMBER 1,8,15,22,29 - OCTOBER 6,13,20,27 - NOVEMBER 3,10,17
(REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 24th AT 9:00AM)

SPRING SEMESTER 2027 SESSIONS MEET ON FRIDAYS, 2:00-3:45PM
JANUARY 22,29 - FEBRUARY 5,12
(REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 8th AT 9:00AM)

We Provide: Boards, Accessories
You Provide: Swimsuit, Rash Guard Top, Towel
Meet: UMD Sports and Health Center Pool
Cost: $10 UMD Student Members/$30 Others
Note: Private sessions are available upon request most Fridays 9:00-10:45AM.
Email Randy Carlson [email protected] for details.

Lester River Boardsport Sampler (Fall Semester Only)

Green Level (Read more about difficulty levels)
This training is suitable for all skill levels. Try stand- up paddle boarding, longboard skateboard land paddling, freeboarding and take in the beauty of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Our boardsport staff are dedicated riders who enjoy sharing their knowledge. The RSOP Lester River Surf & Kayak Shack serves as our headquarters and provides the perfect lake shore and paved trail venue for boardsport training.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 3:00-9:00PM
(REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 24th AT 9:00AM)

We Provide: Boards, wetsuit, lifejacket, paddles, helmets, knee pads, gloves, snacks, beverages, dinner food for the grill, plates, utensils. Transportation will be provided by request.
You Provide: Swimsuit, towel, shoes to get wet, warm clothes, closed toe shoes for skateboarding.
Meet: Lester River (60th Ave. East & London Road) or email Randy Carlson [email protected] in advance to request a ride.
Cost: $15 UMD Student Members only. Pre-registration required.

Flow Pump Video

Remote video

Tue, 05/23/2023 - 10:00

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