BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — In the depth of winter, two Ohio brothers are making waves. Sam and Caleb Skelton started surfing after purchasing a surfboard on Craig’s List.
They’ve spent the 17 years since tracking weather to find the best surf on the Great Lakes. Huntington Beach in Bay Village is one of their favorite spots.
Sam Skelton said winter can be one of the best times to catch a wave. The cold water serves as a type of cold water therapy.
“Its crazy amounts of norepinephrine, noradrenaline, dopamine release for a couple of days after cold exposure," he said. "It’s good for immunity. It helps a lot of people with depression and anxiety."
Dr. Michael Tiso is a physician in sports medicine at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. He explains that cold water therapy is used in two respects.
“One is after a workout for muscle soreness and fatigue.” The second is often related to mental health. It can be used to ease anxiety, depression, or stress. “A lot of the research is more antidotal in nature.”
Caleb Skelton said his body experiences a sort of shock when entering the lake.
“You’re dealing with an uncomfortable scenario and you’re fighting through it and you just feel more alive after. You feel better," he said. "You’re not thinking about anything but what you’re doing."
The brothers are also active on Instagram and TikTok. Their most engaging posts include videos and photos of icicles extending from their hair and beards from winter surfing.
The pair hope to show that just because Lake Erie is landlocked, doesn’t mean there are limitations for surf culture in Ohio.
“My whole thing is… just to prove that you can do it here. There are like incredible days sometimes where it’s hard to believe that we’re 500 miles from the ocean,” said Sam.