So, check this out. "VIDEO".

Thanks Barry Lewin for making a very cool and eye watering surfski video, fun to watch and wonder.

That's 42 plus MPH in a kayak! I've had the opportunity to race with, more like behind, Barry a number of times, and this is he and his father chasing fast moving swell off Durban's Indian Ocean coast.  While these exact and clearly ideal conditions aren't likely to be found on Superior we have some awesome blows with potential for boat speeds speeds in the 20's for sure in singles and and possibly...who knows in doubles?

Tropical Cyclone 'IRINA' hit Durban on the 4th March 2012. Mark and Barry Lewin (father/son) went out on a double surfski and rode swells on the mound getting to 68.8km/h recorded on Barry's Garmin Forrunner 310xt. All the footage was shot on the Hero 2 by GoPro and edited by White Hot Media. Check out the full story on www.barrylewin.co.za

as posted on YouTube by Barry Lewin.

I have finally invested in some GoPro cameras and will get the GPS hooked up. Think its time to feature a little freshwater stoke.

Think and Stellar both have new boats to offer this year and we have all three. They are:

• 18' Surf Ski (S18S) by Stellar
• EZE Surf Ski by Think Kayak
• 18' Race (S18R) Performance Kayak by Stellar

It's official, we've got us a groundhog on the local weather team. Ol Pux coudn't have been more off. The third warmest Mach on record and April has been even better. I can't recall an earlier more abrupt end from winter to spring in this region ever, definitely has made for an early start to paddling season.

Lots of good things happening, The Mora/Snake River Race (5/1) is just around the corner and is always a great way to kick off the season. http://www.snakerivercanoerace.org/ The Des Plaines Canoe and Kayak Marathon (5/16) http://www.canoemarathon.com/ and a brand new event out of Gordon, WI "Go with the Flowage" (5/22) http://www.gordonstcroixflowage.com/news-and-coming-events-1

As a rule I like folklore but here's to hoping the old groundhog is as accurate as all the certified meteorologists we have on the news stations up here in Duluth, in case you don't reside anywhere round here, they're wrong more often than right. Winter has been around long enough and seeing as how many of last years races were shortened, canceled or just plain unpleasant, due to weather, spring and the 2010 paddling season can't get here soon enough.

The 27th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, longest race in the lower 48,  just wrapped up and saw a relative unknown local musher, Nathan Schroeder, finish in just over 40 hours, topping a very deep field of highly experienced past champions. Always fun to see the underdogs come out on top.

Next up the 37th annual American Birkebeiner over in Hayward, WI. The largest cross country ski race in North America with 8,000 racers in the 50/54 K skate & classic races and another 2,000 racers in the other events. Will an American be able to stand on top for a second straight year?

And when all this snow melts...WATER!

There is much to look forward to as there are some great new events and a blossoming interest in the sport of surf ski & kayak racing here in the upper Midwest. Just a few new events that have popped up in the past year: The Missouri River Breaks 150, Fort Benton, MT, The Washington Island Kayak Event, Door County, MI and The Pictured Rocks Kayak Quest, Munising, MI. These and many others should be listed on the all new comprehensive USCA Worldwide Events Calendar. Pick out one or two near you or travel to somewhere you've never been and meet some new paddlers.

The shop has a wide selection of racing kayaks, surf skis, surf kayaks, paddling ergometers, surf & stand up paddle boards and all the accompanying equipment like paddles, leashes, rack pads, wet suits, gloves, booties, boat & board bags etc. Just because you don't see it on the web site doesn't mean its not here. We simply choose to feature our equipment rather than the myriad of smaller items that go along with the cool stuff. Drop us an e-mail or give us a call to find out the details.

This springs big news is the arrival of outrigger canoes that will complete the already unique and tough to find line up of boats that make this boat & surf shop the most unique in all of the US & Canada. Its all in the name, Superior Surf Systems.

Thanks for visiting the site and please check back every now & then to find out more about new product arrivals, demos, upcoming events and other good info.

Lets get out & get wet soon!

Alright, just when we thought our cold spring would never relent to allow for summer, it came this past week, starting with Grandma's Marathon, many of the runners suffered slower than normal times and some just dropped out. The week progressed with warmer & warmer temps and flat seas.

A NE squall coming down the Lake this Friday eve, like the flick of a light switch,  changes the entire climate tonight as well as the seas, catching a couple paddlers on their way to Split Rock Lighthouse and altering their float plan.

Had I not been packing for our annual summer sojourn, starting tomorrow, on the shores of Gitchi Gummi , I might have even grabbed the SUP and hit the last hour of sunlight for a quick down wind swell ride. How magnificent these huge bodies of water.

Summer is glorious here on the North Coast and its only getting started. Last week saw a number of surf ski racers circumnavigating Washington Island at the tip of Door County, WI. Superb location and a very well run event, we certainly lucked out with spectacular weather. Think I can speak for most everyone by saying we hope to be returning next year for the second round of this new classic gathering.

In just a couple short weeks many of us will be in Munising, MI for the inaugural running of the Pictured Rocks Kayak Quest which promises to be another fantastic venue. Open water racing is alive and starting to thrive on the Great Lakes.

Fenns and Epics are finally scheduled to arrive mid July and the new surf and stand up boards are coming then too. Definitely a fine time to hit your local beach with a new ride. New on the surf scene: the NSP SUP's and the Meyerhoffer, for the boats: Epic's new V-12 and Think's stellar, new offering the Uno.

If all this weren't enough the Grouse numbers are up as well. Ah, summer.

Come check us out and lets get out and get wet!

Joh