Free e-lesson for all! Click to learn more.

Surf Lessons & GearFree of Charge for All

High 5 Surf is a community-supported surf business offering year-round surf lessons, rentals, group events, and surf gear sales on Lake Michigan in Milwaukee and Chicago. Our services also extend to many cities across the Great Lakes region. Our sessions are now available free of charge for all through our community-supported model — no experience or equipment needed.

If you'd like to support what we're doing, donations are welcome but never expected 🤙

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How it works

High 5 Surf: Your Surf Experience

We minimize the complexity of learning to surf

Your Surf Journey Starts Online

Before hitting the waves, you'll receive a 2.75-hour e-lesson covering surf safety, winter surf safety, forecasting, etiquette, wetsuit changing hacks, positioning, paddling, pop-ups, stance, shuffling, cross stepping, dismounting, wipeouts, wave selection, board management, wave negotiation/navigation, and more.

Premium Gear & Comfort

On the day of your session, we provide all the equipment — hooded wetsuits, boots, mittens, board, leash, helmet, and life jacket (if you'd like them) — plus individual heated changing tents for comfort.

Note: Each session lasts 2 hours, including changing time.

Surf Lesson Models

Two Ways to Learn

Everyone completes our 2.75-hour e-lesson before hitting the water, then chooses the lesson model that feels right.

Video Coaching Surf Model

This is our modern, video-supported surf experience.

You’ll put your new skills into action independently in the water. Your Surf Guide stays on shore, films your rides, wipeouts, takeoffs, paddle-ins, and wave selection, and provides the heated changing tent and equipment.

After your session, you’ll receive personalized coaching based on your footage, plus all your video clips to keep and share.

Ideal for visual learners who want to see their surfing and improve faster.

In-Water Surf Guide Model

Prefer having someone in the water with you? This model includes a Surf Guide in the lake during your session.

Your guide helps you get your board through the waves, pushes you into some waves, and provides hands-on support while you practice what you learned in the e-lesson.

This model does not include video clips or post-session video coaching.

Both models are free through our community-supported approach. Donations are welcome but never expected.

Free Surf Lessons

Free of Charge for All

Lessons and equipment are available free of charge. Donations help us continue serving the community but are never required.

Every session includes

2.75-hour e-lesson before hitting the water
Hooded wetsuit, boots, mittens, board, and leash
Helmet and life jacket if desired

Transportation

Free of Charge

We can help with travel to Lake Michigan when needed, including Milwaukee, Chicago, other Great Lakes locations, and door-to-door transportation. Donations toward travel are welcome but never expected.

Gear Rentals