Three-time international surf champ Corky Carroll answers your questions each week on the Beach Blog. To hit Corky up, e-mail him at corkysurf@aol.com

Q.  I was thinking of getting something for my young children to start riding waves with.  They are too young for surfboards, so I was thinking of something like one of those soft little things you ride on your tummy.  Any advice on this?

A.  I think you are talking about a “Boogie Board.”  And they are fantastic for starting out children on the road to wave riding.  There is also a cool little plastic thing called a Surf Squirt that is a lot of fun too.  The important thing is to supervise them carefully, and make sure that they are safe and do not become afraid.  Fear is not what you want in the development of young wave riders.  Keep ‘em safe and when the time is right they will be begging you for that first surfboard.

Q.  I have heard about surfing on the Great Lakes and was wondering where they do that?

A.  There are a number of places actually.  But the hotbed is around Sheyboygan, Wisconsin.  There is a surf club located there call the “Dairyland Surfing Association.”  Every Labor Day weekend they have a big surfing contest and party.  From what I hear there is a lot of beer, bratwurst, cheese and fun had by all.  I have been trying to make it to that event but haven’t seemed to get there yet.  I figure that with my cow board I could fit right in.

Q.  Is Phil Edwards still alive?

A.  Yes, Phil is still around.  He doesn’t surf much as I have heard that he has had some problems with his feet, or maybe its with one foot.  Not sure, but the word is that it keeps him out of the water.  He still shapes the occasional masterpiece surfboard though.

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