While most Torontonians cringed and cursed at a masochistic Mother Nature when they heard that yet another winter storm was approaching, Jeff Green let out a mischievous smile. 

And when that storm finally hit, bringing with it the usual traffic chaos, cancellations, and stern warnings from police and weathermen to stay indoors, Green, a 36-year-old manager for a Biotechnics company, did something most of us would consider foolish, if not down right unfathomable.  He woke up bright and early on Wednesday, drove through blinding conditions to Bluffer's Park in Scarborough, and ran like an exuberant child straight into the frigid waters of Lake Ontario.  A few minutes later he was surfing. 

Green is a passionate member of a growing group of hardcore surf enthusiasts in the GTA that routinely brave the elements and take advantage of the impressive swells that winter storms kick up in the area. 

Wednesday's system didn't disappoint. 

"The waves were about 4 or 5 feet this morning," he beamed, noting that he's seen walls of water approaching 8 feet in the past.

"I started at 8am, but a lot of the guys came out right at sunrise."

Simon Johnston and his friend Curtis Parker were also impressed with the conditions.

"Today was a really good day, the waves were super clean, super nice, I've never seen them this nice on the lake," remarked Parker. 

Before they hit the water, local surfers convene online at Originsurf.ca to discuss the conditions and plan outings in the area, and there's nothing they enjoy more than news of an approaching storm.  This winter, they've had plenty of thrilling rides.

"It's been a great year this year, we've had a lot of winter storms," Green told CityNews.ca, moments before heading out to catch another set.  "It's just been a great year for surfing, there's a lot of guys doing it now, we're out here protecting each other in the cold."

"This year there's probably about 100 guys that come out in the winter time."

When Green runs out into the surf and proceeds to paddle into a series of foamy explosions, a couple walking a dog quickly remark that he's "crazy" for being out in the water. 

Danger is definitely part of the equation, but with advances in wet and drysuit technology, it's surprisingly not the cold that poses the greatest threat to surfers.  

"We have been out at times when there's a lot of ice chunks out there, that can be a little intimidating.  The current can be quite strong as well.  All in all a lot of the guys coming out are relatively experienced so that minimizes the risk.  You're really warm in the water...(but) I wouldn't encourage anyone just trying to get into surfing to jump in in the middle of winter."

As far as the "crazy" tag, Green can't help but laugh it off.  Standing on the shore of Lake Ontario, with icicles rapidly forming on his exposed face, the married father of a three-year-old boy breathlessly notes that he's not the only one to find a sense of satisfaction and spiritual harmony riding winter waves.

"A lot of us are big kids, a lot of us have kids and families, and we all meet out here.  I feel fortunate that I'm able to get in there and surf and enjoy it as much as I am.

"I feel bad for the people that are missing it."