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Gordon Beach - Union Pier kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot

United States · Michigan

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 174 m 41.83 | -86.7

Overview

Gordon Beach at Union Pier is a kitesurf spot located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, in extreme southwestern Michigan, near the Indiana border. Union Pier is part of the Harbor Country tourist region, prized by Chicago residents for its sandy beaches. The direct west exposure captures prevailing winds that generate regular waves. Water is slightly warmer in this southern part of Lake Michigan.

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Spot forecast for Gordon Beach - Union Pier

Sunrise 08:05 · Sunset 18:57

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Gordon Beach - Union Pier: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

333h

in March · 29.5 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are March, April and December, at 29 rideable days and 9 °C. The low point is September, at 21.5 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 27.5 rideable days J February: 24 rideable days F March: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d M April: 29.5 rideable days A May: 28 rideable days M June: 26 rideable days J July: 22 rideable days J August: 23.5 rideable days A September: 21.5 rideable days21.5 d S October: 25 rideable days O November: 28.5 rideable days N December: 29 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 27.5 rideable days J February: 24 rideable days F March: 29.5 rideable days29.5 d M April: 29.5 rideable days A May: 28 rideable days M June: 26 rideable days J July: 22 rideable days J August: 23.5 rideable days A September: 21.5 rideable days21.5 d S October: 25 rideable days O November: 28.5 rideable days N December: 29 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 70%13-20 knots · 27%21-30 knots · 2%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 70% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -1 °C. The wettest month is August, with 104 mm.

Monthly averages: Gordon Beach - Union Pier
Monthly averages — Gordon Beach - Union Pier — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 27.5 264 h -1 °C 75 mm
February 24.0 248 h 4 °C 17 mm
March 29.5 333 h 10 °C 62 mm
April 29.5 338 h 15 °C 69 mm
May 28.0 298 h 20 °C 67 mm
June 26.0 266 h 27 °C 47 mm
July 22.0 189 h 27 °C 82 mm
August 23.5 216 h 26 °C 104 mm
September 21.5 152 h 24 °C 43 mm
October 25.0 232 h 19 °C 59 mm
November 28.5 268 h 9 °C 83 mm
December 29.0 268 h 2 °C 54 mm

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Technical details of Gordon Beach - Union Pier spot

N: Rideable NNE: Rideable NE: Rideable ENE: Rideable E: Rideable ESE: Rideable SE: Rideable SSE: Rideable S: Rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Lake Michigan water body with full west exposure. West to northwest winds generate waves of 1 to 2 meters. Cold but among the warmest on Lake Michigan thanks to the southern position — full wetsuit required except in midsummer. Sandy bottom with gradual slope. Longshore currents possible in strong winds. Good surf conditions.

Hazards

Longshore and rip currents possible in strong west winds. Cold Lake Michigan water with hypothermia risk. Busy beach in summer, especially weekends with Chicago visitors. Violent thunderstorms possible with lightning risk — exit water immediately. Stairway access to the beach from bluffs — respect public access points.

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All spots: Michigan

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