Your rating of Chicago Breaks

• More than 50
• 10 – 50
• 5 – 10
• 4
• 3
• 2
• Once

(This is the only required field.)

• 1 of 18 Quality of Surf on a good day (1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class).

  

• 2 of 18 Consistency of the Surf (1: Chicago Breaks is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot).

  

• 3 of 18 Regional Rating (1: Chicago Breaks is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Lake Michigan. 5: the best break in Lake Michigan).

  

• 4 of 18 Difficulty of the Surf on a Good Day (1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only).

  

• 5 of 18 Onshore Wind (1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Chicago Breaks can offer better rides with a light wind behind them).

  

• 6 of 18 Other Options (1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Chicago Breaks, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures).

  

• 7 of 18 Windsurfing and Kite Surfing (1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Chicago Breaks are often excellent).

  

• 8 of 18 Water Quality (1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution).

  

• 9 of 18 Crowds (1: Often too crowded. 5: Chicago Breaks is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers).

  

• 10 of 18 Access (1: Getting to Chicago Breaks requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break).

  

• 11 of 18 Scenery (1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting).

  

• 12 of 18 Local Attitude (1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly).

  

• 13 of 18 Accommodation (1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Chicago Breaks for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels).

  

• 14 of 18 Camping (within walking distance) (1: Camping at Chicago Breaks is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe).

  

• 15 of 18 Entertainment (within a 10 minute drive) (1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Chicago Breaks is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus).

  

• 16 of 18 Equipment and Repairs (within walking distance) (1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too).

  

• 17 of 18 Eating (within a 10 minute drive) (1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Chicago Breaks, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants).

  

• 18 of 18 Drinking (within walking distance) (1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Chicago Breaks where you can stay or park a camper van overnight).