There are plenty of options for outdoorsy types in Rochester during the winter months. You can hit the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding action, head to one of the various public ice rinks and pretend you are Tonya Harding, or even spin the tires in a deserted parking lot for some late-night donuts.

Traditional winter activities abound in Upstate New York, but true adrenaline junkies may not be appeased with the norms. Take, for example, the crew that paddles into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario in some of the nastiest conditions imaginable. Or the skiers and snowboarders who add kites to the equation to pick up speed. Or even the sailors that prefer to skim across ice instead of water.

Yes, there are surfers on Lake Ontario. Yes, there are other means of propulsion on skis and snowboards besides hills. And yes, iceboating does allow sailors to take advantage of our frozen waterways during months that they typically could not get out on the water for traditional sailing.

On a logical level these pastimes may seem odd, or downright crazy. However, the die-hards that practice these sports have dedicated their time and money to excelling at and spreading their love for these unique winter sports.

Winter surfing

Just like many waterfront cities, Rochester has its own dedicated group of surfers. While you won't find the customary swells of the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, when the conditions are right, there are surfable waves on Lake Ontario. It just so happens that these waves typically occur in the dead of winter. The same wind that blows the dreaded lake-effect snow into our area also creates waves that can at times reach more than six feet tall, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent organization for the National Weather Service.

While most people try to stay away from the lake in cold weather, the Rochester Surf Club has more than 170 members in its Facebook group; however, only about 20 go out surfing on a regular basis, according to club member Willie Burton.

Formed just more than a year ago, the informal club does not have regular meetings, but is more of a forum for local surf enthusiasts to share their stories and information. "I decided to try and give all of the local mystery surfers a face; a place to share pictures, news, and whatever," says Burton.

During the surfable months, the water temperature typically hovers in the mid-30s. To combat the cold, winter surfers wear wetsuits that can be up to 6 mm thick, three times thicker than the standard 2 mm wetsuits worn in warmer waters. They also don neoprene gloves, boots, hoods, and sometimes even masks.

Aside from the thicker wetsuits, the rest of the gear is generally the same used by ocean surfers. Long boards are usually better for surfing the lakes, as they are better at catching smaller waves. However, skilled surfers can catch lake waves using whatever type of board on which they feel comfortable.

While their gear help the surfers to keep warm, it is still a common sight to see surfers leaving the water shivering, or with icicles hanging from their beards or brows. "Surfing the lake in the winter is a dangerous thing, and it couldn't be done without us all looking out for each other," says Trevor Cranmer, local surfer and member of the Rochester Surf Club.

Freezing temperatures and dangerous currents are not the only challenges winter surfers must face to engage in their outdoor hobby. Using public beaches and waterfronts is technically illegal during the winter months, when the public property is closed. While the surfers interviewed for this article say they have not had run-ins with the law, it is one more thing in the back of their minds as they paddle in to the frigid waters near the Seabreeze pier or Webster Park.

The Rochester Surf Club is planning to host its first surfing competition on Lake Ontario, "Battle of the Great Lakes," as soon as conditions are right. The surf club is also featured the upcoming lake-surfing film "Preconceived Noceans," produced by RIT grad Cole Slutzky.

If you want to see the surfers in action, head to the shorelines of Lake Ontario on most windy days in either the early mornings or late afternoons, and you may be lucky enough to learn how to shred a lake wave. For more information about lake surfing in Rochester, search "Great Lakes Surfing and Rochester Surf Club Lake Ontario Chapter" on Facebook.

Ice boating

Much like the Rochester Surf Club, there is another group in our area that takes to the water - or in this case, ice - in the middle of winter. Members of the Irondequoit Bay Ice Boat Club flock to local waters during the winter, but prefer them to be frozen over.

Popularized in the early 1800's on the Hudson River, ice boating is still practiced in New York today. What started as a means of transportation along frozen waterways has evolved into a sport that helps many sailors cope with the icy weather that usually grips Rochester for several months out of the year.

Much like traditional sailboats, ice boats are propelled by a wind-catching sail. But unlike traditional sailboats, ice boats glide on runners to prevent damage to the boat's hull.

According to the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association, ice boats are typically composed of a T-shaped frame, a hull to carry passengers, a sail, and three runners similar to ice skates, but longer. While they can vary in size, the most common boats are about 12 feet long and 8 feet wide and carry only a single passenger. However, some larger models can be more than 20 feet long and have enclosed cockpits capable of carrying multiple passengers.

While ice boating was once very popular on the Irondequoit Bay, according to the IBIBC changing climates haven't allowed for many good sailing days on the bay in recent winters. Ideal conditions call for solid, smooth ice with limited snow cover, and consistent winds. Sailors take to the ice on Sodus Bay, and many of the smaller lakes nestled between the Finger Lakes, where conditions are often better.

Just like any sport, ice boating has its perils. Cold temperatures along with high speeds greatly increase the risk of exposure and hypothermia. There are no brakes on the boats, and in ideal conditions speeds can reach more than 45 mph. And of course there is the very real risk of thin ice.

Although the heyday of ice boating may be a thing of the past, if the wind is blowing, and the ice is clear, there will likely be sailors heading to the frozen waters of Upstate New York.

The Irondequoit Bay Ice Boat Club hosts regular meetings, and even runs an "ice hotline" to give boaters up to date ice conditions on local waters. For more information, call the Irondequoit Bay Ice Boat Club at 234-2030.

Snow kiting

Just like lake surfing and ice boating, snow kiting is another winter activity that relies on the wind. Sure, you could head to the mountains and let gravity do the work. But why not take advantage of the frigid winds that blow across open fields and frozen waterways to get up to speed? Snow kiters do just that.

Utilizing large kites that resemble parachutes, snow kiters catch the wind and are pulled along on skis, snowboards, or really any other object capable of gliding across snow and ice.

Local kiting enthusiast Andy Kinsman has been taking advantage of the wind for nearly 10 years now. "My friends and I mostly kite at Canandaigua Lake, Honeoye Lake, and Mendon Ponds as ice permits," says Kinsman. However, he says there are other groups that kite at Irondequoit Bay, and that the sport can be practiced virtually anywhere you can find a large open patch of land or ice.

Much like the lake surfers, kiters must rely on mail order and online stores for their kiting gear. However, Kinsman notes that much of his equipment is homemade.

There are dangers in kiting as well. Trees and power lines pose a huge threat if you aren't careful about where you kite. Strong winds can propel kiters to more than 45 mph if conditions are right, and stopping is not always easy. And just like ice boating, kiters must beware of thin ice.

Kinsman takes precautions to make sure he does not run into any problems while kiting. He checks ice conditions, makes sure there are no power lines or hard-to-spot barbed wire fences in the area, and of course he checks his gear. While it can be dangerous, Kinsman says that the benefits far outweigh the fears. "It makes a nice workout, and if the ice is smooth, the workout is less and the speeds are higher. And, there are never any lift tickets."

Even though there are no formal kiting groups in the area, kiters are known to meet up on the Irondequoit Bay, Hundred Acre Pond in Mendon Ponds Park, and Canandaigua Lake, says Kinsman. Kiters also regularly put on demonstrations at Mendon Ponds Park Winterfest each January.