Third Coast Surf Shop – St. Joseph

Specialties

Our mission at Third Coast Surf Shop is to spread the joy of surfing in the Great Lakes. Owned and operated by Great Lakes surfers, the shop offers rentals, lessons, repair, and a full line of surf and skate gear, clothing, and accessories. We also offer summer kayak and stand up paddling river tours, kids’ beach camps, and a complete online store! Visit us at www​.third​coast​surf​shop​.com.

History

Established in 2005.

Though it is believed that Great Lakes breakers were first surfed nearly a century ago, and possibly much earlier by native peoples, the first significant wave of participants arrived in the 1960s. The California surf craze was leaking into Middle America, and small surfing communities sprouted across the Great Lakes. Slowly but surely surfing spread throughout the region, and today surfing on the «Third Coast» is more popular than ever.

The sheer size of the Great Lakes is what makes surfing on them possible. Containing six quadrillion gallons of water and more than 10,900 miles of shoreline, the Great Lakes are the largest fresh water system on earth and have more coastline than the East and West coasts combined. Furthermore, while ocean waves are created by distant storm systems, waves on the Great Lakes are formed by localized winds. Thanks to ongoing improvements in wetsuit technology, surfers are now able to comfortably ride lake waves year-​round, including in winter!

Meet the Business Owner

Ryan G.

Business Owner

Third Coast Surf Shop proprietor Ryan Gerard learned to surf on Lake Michigan in 1998. Soon after, he moved to Santa Cruz, California to pursue work as a surfing instructor and surfboard builder in California’s dynamic surf industry.

After returning to the Midwest years later to finish his education and be closer to family and friends (and his beloved lake surfing), the concept of opening a true surf shop sprouted. After his business plan was rejected by multiple banks, his Dad loaned him some money and the Shop was open in May of 2005.

Since then, Third Coast Surf Shop has become much more than a local surf shop, and it’s appeal has spread far beyond the Great Lakes. A passion for surfing, meeting friendly people, and offering services that make people happy have continued to be the Shop’s focus!