Surfing and California are synonymous. Surfing and Ohio? Well, not so much. An Ohio State alumnus, however, is helping pair the two together in a documentary titled “Out of Place.”

Tom Heinrich, who received a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Ohio State in 2005, is the writer of the documentary, which focuses on Lake Erie’s underground surfing community in Cleveland.

The surfers “have a connection with the water and the waves,” Heinrich said. “They’ll do whatever they can to make that happen.”

That dedication means facing harsh winter weather to catch some worthwhile waves.

“They are out there in 2-3 inches of snow and slush; they are out there surfing in it,” Heinrich said. “They will surf until the lake freezes over … They are kind of oddball people,” he said, laughing.

Heinrich said if the surfers want to surf in Lake Erie, they have no other choice but to face the cold. Waves are the strongest there during the fall and winter months.

“These are conditions that other people wouldn’t be willing to go out in,” Heinrich said. This is a testament to their love of surfing, which he said the documentary captures.

The production crew “tried to decide on what aspect to focus on with this documentary,” Heinrich said. “It really just evolved to be about the people; they are just interesting characters.”

Heinrich said a surfer featured in the documentary works third shift just so he has free time to surf in the morning. Another makes his own surfboards, called No Na Nalu Surfboard Designs. “No Na Nalu” stands for no salt waves.

“They make [surfing] a part of their lifestyle,” Heinrich said.

Heinrich decided to feature the surfers in a documentary back in 1999 with Scott Ditzenberger, producer and co-director of the film, and Darrin McDonald, co-director and cinematographer. After years of work and planning, the film has received positive recognition at film festivals.

“We’ve got great responses,” Heinrich said. “We’re definitely getting interest.”

At the New York Surf Film Festival, “Out of Place” won Viewer’s Choice for Best Feature. It was also selected to be screened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where it was well-received by audiences.

The documentary was exposed to hometown viewers in March 2010 during the Cleveland International Film Festival. Heinrich said the theater sold out all three nights the film was scheduled to play. In an effort to accommodate all interested in the film, the theater opened a second room to screen the movie in.

“My favorite part has been the satisfaction knowing people want to see it, knowing that people actually give a damn to go see the film,” Heinrich said.

Heinrich said “Out of Place” is screening strictly at film festivals in effort to create interest in the film. Later in the year, he hopes to get the documentary to theaters in Columbus as a part of a “Great Lakes tour,” he said.

For more information about the documentary, visit outofplacemovie.com.