Chicago Surfers Enjoying Sandy's Effects On The Lakefront

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 30, 2012 3:45PM

Heavy winds are Hurricane Sandy's legacy to the Midwest, and those winds have whipped Lake Michigan into a frenzy. Waves ranging from 18 to 25 feet are crashing onto the lakeshore in spots, and local media is perched along the wavefront to tell us what we already know about that.

The winds have also forced Navy Pier to restrict access to its outdoor Pier Park and the walkway connecting the east end to the Grand Ballroom. Restrictions will be in place through Wednesday.

Not everyone is treating the weather as an imposition. Lake Michigan surfers, despite warnings from the Park District to stay out of the lake, are having a major Third Coast moment.

ABC 7's Chopper 7 caught some video of surfers and windsurfers out on the waves.

Here is a video of surfers taking advantage of Lake Michigan's Sandy-Induced waves, produced by photographer Jon Hillenbrand. You can find more of Hillenbrand's photography here.