Second day of summer 2010 and things are clearly cooking on the North Shore and around the region. Just last weekend saw the 2nd annual Washington Island canoe & Kayak Event. This is a spectacular setting for a race and has quite possibly the most Intrigue, charm and unique character of any of the races here in the upper Midwest. If you won't take my word for it, come check it out next year.

Enjoy the ferry ride across Death's Door and then step back in time and soak up the laid back Island atmosphere. There is no race quite like this one.

Outriggers, open water rowing sculls, and surf skis completed the 23 mile circumnavigation of Washington Island, just off the tip of Door County's Door Peninsula. The course is a classic  example of Great Lakes beauty and offers up breathtaking scenery and challenging conditions. This years race had changing conditions roughly every half hour as we made our way around the island. Fantastic hosts, unbelievably grand summer weather and paddling friends from around the Upper Midwest made for another memorable event. This is a 9 hour drive for me and was worth every mile. If you want to check it out:

http://www.washingtonislandcanoeandkayakevent.com

A suggestion for anyone interested in next year's race, come a couple days early or stay a day or two afterward, there is lots to see and do and you won't find another place quite like it.

So what's new? The Slick Rax is completed and available, many of them are making their way down the road already and everyone who's seen them is impressed. Its the best rack out there for performance hulls. Photos and detailed info are going to be posted on the site soon. This rack is the first of a series of innovative, high quality, locally produced and manufactured water sport products to come directly from Superior Surf Systems. Think globally and buy locally.

Outrigger Connection canoes and Think skis are just in as of yesterday and 5 of these are on the water already and making their new owners smile.

Epic skis are due in the first week of July. Superior Surf Systems boasts the largest, broadest range of high performance boats, including Mega, Valley and Necky surf kayaks as well as Stand Up Paddle Boards and surf boards. All in stock, ready to go and with the most knowledgeable service available in the Midwest.

All the ancillary gear is here as well: leashes, wax, gloves, booties, wet suits, wing, whitewater and stand up paddles just to name a few. There is no shop like it within 1,000 miles of here, probably anywhere for that matter. Come and visit lets explore new ways and better equipment to enjoy our region's bountiful smorgasbord of water.

Ready for something completely different? Come check out the region's first stand up paddle board event, yep, Duluth, always on the cutting edge is hosting the first annual Fish Lake SUP Fest, July 10th. watch this space for more details coming soon.

Your best incentive and date to make a trip up this way to the North Shore, to try just about everything & anything that floats, is definitely the  13th annual Two Harbors Kayak & Canoe Festival August 6-8. www.kayakfestival.org for further info. This is the oldest, biggest and most diverse open water paddling festival in the region. Races, tours, classes, climbing wall, live music, food and great prizes are just a few of the high lights. Its been imitated but not even close to being duplicated.

Its summer! lets get out & get wet.