Guides & Articles: Kiteboarding, Wing Foil, Surf & eFoil on Lake Michigan
Everything Stoke Riders has written, grouped by what you are actually trying to do. Start with a roadmap, dig into a spot, or work out which gear makes sense for Lake Michigan conditions.
Start Here
Two orientation guides. If you are new and not sure where to begin, read these first.
- How to Start Kiteboarding in the Midwest: A Beginner Roadmap
- The Lake Michigan Kiteboarding Wind Guide
Kiteboarding: Beginner Guides
The progression from never having flown a kite to riding independently, built around real Midwest conditions rather than ocean theory.
- How to Start Kiteboarding: A Beginner's Progression Path That Actually Works
- Is Kiteboarding in the Midwest Beginner-Friendly?
- Why Snowkiting Helps Beginners Learn Kiteboarding Faster
- Am I Too Old to Learn Kiteboarding?
- How Fit Do You Need to Be to Start Kiteboarding?
- What Sports Help You Learn Kiteboarding Faster?
- Why Kiteboarding Feels So Exhausting for Beginners
- Should Beginners Rent or Buy Kiteboarding Gear First?
- Self-Rescue Techniques Explained
- How Do Kiteboarding Control Bar Safety Systems Work?
- What Should You Check Before Launching a Kite?
- How Do You Know When It's Too Windy to Kiteboard?
- How Wind Direction Affects Kiteboarding on Lake Michigan
- How to Use iKitesurf for Kiteboarding
- How Tyler Chooses Kiteboarding Lesson Locations
- Why Stoke Riders Moves Lesson Locations
- Learn to Ride with Stoke Riders: Lessons in Michigan & Chicago
- Is Snowkiting Difficult to Learn?
- Winter Kiteboarding Lessons on the Snow
- A Real Beginner's Experience in West Michigan
Spots & Local Guides
How individual stretches of the lake behave, and why the same wind produces very different sessions from one beach to the next.
- Top 5 Kiteboarding Spots on Lake Michigan: Chicago to Muskegon
- Kiteboarding in St. Joseph, MI
- Kiteboarding in Muskegon, MI
- Where Is the Best Place to Kiteboard in Traverse City?
- Kiteboarding & Foiling in Waukegan, IL
- Kiteboarding, Wing & E-Foiling at Wolf Lake, IL/IN
- Kiteboarding & Foiling in Zion, IL
- Can You Surf Near Chicago? Exploring Lake Michigan Waves
Wing Foil
Board selection, gear decisions and lessons for wing foiling on the Great Lakes.
- Wingfoil Lessons in Michigan
- What's the Best Wing Foil Board for Lake Michigan?
- The Best Downwind and Lightwind Wingfoil Boards
- Used vs. New Wing Foil Gear
- Where Can I Buy Used or Closeout Wing Foils in Chicago?
- Will eFoiling Help Me Wingfoil Faster?
- Snow Winging in Chicago and West Michigan
- Where to Rent Wingfoil & Kiteboarding Gear
eFoil
Lift model comparisons, board sizing and lessons for electric foiling.
- Where Can I Take eFoil Lessons in Chicago?
- What Size E-Foil Board Should I Choose?
- Renting vs Buying an eFoil
- Lift X Full Review: The True Hybrid eFoil
- LIFTX vs. LIFT5
- Lift X vs. Lift 4
- Lift 5 vs. Lift 4: What's Actually New?
- Lift E-Foils: Are They Worth It?
Surf
Great Lakes surfing: where the waves are, what board to ride, and how to handle cold water.
- Why Take Surf Lessons on Lake Michigan?
- Surf Lessons in St. Joseph, MI
- Where Can I Take Surf Lessons in Grand Haven, MI?
- Choosing Your First Lake Michigan Surfboard
- Where Can You Buy a Surfboard in Grand Haven or St. Joseph?
- Cold Water Surfing on Lake Michigan
- When Did Surfing Start on the Great Lakes?
Gear & Buying Guides
What to buy, what to skip, and how to keep it alive through a Michigan season.
- CORE Kiteboarding Gear Spotlight
- Cold Water Kiteboarding Gear for Michigan and Chicago
- Gear Maintenance 101: Caring for Your Kite, Foil & Surf Gear
- Closeout Kiteboarding & Wing Foil Gear
Travel With Your Gear
Flying with boards, kites and foils without paying a fortune in oversize fees.
- How to Fly With Kiteboarding Gear Without Getting Hammered at the Airport
- Traveling With Wing Foil Gear
- Flying With a Surfboard
- How I Traveled to Peru With My Wing Foil Gear
Community & Events
Where Midwest riders gather, and why the community shortens the learning curve.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you have read a few of these and still are not sure what applies to you, that is normal. Conditions, timing and your own stage all change the answer. Talk to Tyler and he will point you at the right next step, or look at lesson options.