Kitesurfing off the Lake Michigan beach at Muskegon

Windsurfing on Lake Michigan near the Muskegon pier

A kite over the Lake Michigan shore at Muskegon

Storm waves at the Muskegon South Pierhead Light

Vintage postcard of bathers at Pere Marquette Park, Muskegon

Chapters / Great Lakes Open, 1 of 1 remaining

Ride Muskegon, keep it open

A long, open Lake Michigan beach beside the Muskegon pier, where westerly winds roll in off the big lake. Local riders are out from early spring, sometimes with ice still on the pier.

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8 riders call this homeKite, WingMuskegon (surfing)

Everything you need to know about Muskegon

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

The best winds are south, southwest, west and northwest. Northwest days tend to have more power here than at other nearby spots.
The longer pier gives some protection from the surf. Riders keep clear of the steel jetties west of the filtration plant and avoid launching directly upwind of the breakwalls.
Locals ride well beyond summer; riders were out in March 2015 with ice still piled along the pier.

Sources: MACkiteboarding; Local Sports Journal

See the wind right now

Access and rules

Each site sets its own rules. The chapter publishes confirmed rules as each site answers in writing, and points riders to the official page before they go.

We found no City of Muskegon ordinance on kiteboarding.
Local guidance: use the coned launch area on busy beach days, stay at least 200 feet from the marked swim area, and never walk a kite over the swim zone when buoys and lifeguard stands are out. Beginners should move to Dog Beach or south of Kruse Park.

Sources: MACkiteboarding; no city kiting policy found as of 2026

Help hold the launch

Ecology and habitat

Stewardship rotates across the city's spots, so riders are known as the people who look after them.

Muskegon Lake, which connects to Lake Michigan through the harbor channel, was listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1985.
After more than $84 million in cleanup, including 190,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment and about 134 acres of restored habitat, it was formally removed from the list in September 2025.

Sources: Michigan EGLE

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Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

Pere Marquette Beach is on Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Michigan, beside the Muskegon pier and breakwalls.
The beach is wide, with free parking along its length.
Changing rooms, restrooms and concessions are open in summer.
Carry a quick-release leash and hook knife. For emergencies on the water, the U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue line is (231) 759-8581. MACkiteboarding runs a kite shop and school in Grand Haven.

Sources: MACkiteboarding

Meet the riders

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Muskegon

Pere Marquette works in S to NW winds and has extra punch on northwest days.

Source: MACkiteboarding

Know the spot

Muskegon

Kiters stay at least 200 ft from the marked swim area.

Source: MACkiteboarding

Know the spot

Muskegon

Riders are out on Lake Michigan even in March, with ice still on the pier. A year-round crew.

Source: Local Sports Journal

Know the spot

Why Muskegon needs a chapter

Great Lakes

When a front crosses Lake Michigan, the wind reaches Muskegon over open water. Pere Marquette Beach is wide, open and right next to the harbor pier, and it works in winds from the south around to the northwest.

8riders call this home

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Muskegon chapter, World Wind Sports

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Great Lakes

It is also the city's main summer beach. Swimmers, families and lifeguards fill it on summer beach days, and riders keep the peace with an informal code: a marked launch area, a wide gap from the swim zone, and beginners sent down the beach.

8riders call this home

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Muskegon chapter, World Wind Sports

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Great Lakes

A chapter makes that code something the city can count on: a named group that teaches it, keeps riders clear of swimmers and breakwalls, and has a voice if Muskegon ever writes rules for the beach.

8riders call this home

Kite, Wingdisciplines riding here

Muskegon chapter, World Wind Sports

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Photographer credits Back this chapter

The riders, schools and crew of Muskegon

Riders from Muskegon, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Fruitport, Spring Lake, Grand Haven, Whitehall, Montague, Holland, Grand Rapids and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board

WWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.WWSThe chapterHolds the line on access: one standing voice with whoever manages the launch.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days, so the people who manage the beach see riders as an asset.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends, so riders are trained and self-policing.

Kaitlyn BellingarLevel 2G, Holland

Bibhas SinglaLevel 2F, Grand Rapids

Tad Evans MrLevel 1D, Whitehall

Linda RusieckiLevel 4Q, Grand Rapids

Ted RusieckiLevel 4W, Grand RapidsKKiet TranLevel 3K, Grand HavenYYun LiuLevel 3N, Grand RapidsCConnor FastLevel 3J, Holland

Kaitlyn BellingarLevel 2G, Holland

Bibhas SinglaLevel 2F, Grand Rapids

Tad Evans MrLevel 1D, Whitehall

Linda RusieckiLevel 4Q, Grand Rapids

Ted RusieckiLevel 4W, Grand RapidsKKiet TranLevel 3K, Grand HavenYYun LiuLevel 3N, Grand RapidsCConnor FastLevel 3J, Holland

iSportsKite, WingiWind spotMuskegon (surfing)iKnow thisPere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.iKnow thisWorks in south through northwest winds; freshwater surf and chop.iKnow thisNo city kiting ordinance found; riders follow local launch and distance etiquette.iSportsKite, WingiWind spotMuskegon (surfing)iKnow thisPere Marquette Beach, Muskegon, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.iKnow thisWorks in south through northwest winds; freshwater surf and chop.iKnow thisNo city kiting ordinance found; riders follow local launch and distance etiquette.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Muskegon

Full forecast

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Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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