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

Its finally arrived, after what many remember as being one of our longer winters in quite a while, things are definitely greening up. Thats not to say we haven't seen a snow flurry or two or don't have a few remnants of ice along the North Shore of Superior (we have and we do) but paddling season has definitely begun.

Some well established and early races have been happening around the region (Mora Minnesota's Snake River race, Wiconsin's Burlington Pursuit race, Illinois' Des Plaines Canoe Marathon to name a few) and some brand new events are slated for this June and July. Check the events page for some links to upcomming happenings and come join us on the water for some good clean fun.

Greetings Wave Chasers,

How about the coming of a new administration? Now all we need are some healthy storms.

Sorry for the long lapse in news from the North Shore. It was a busy and fleeting summer with lots of days on the road. But I'm happy to report that we had a very successful season.

November is here, along with our first snow, the deer opener and some pretty strong winds. Old man winter seems to be banging at the door and Gitche Gumee seems ready to throw open the gates...

With colder air and the liklihood of big low pressure systems comes the chance for waves and the thrill of riding the biggest Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes have to offer. Cold? You betcha. But these inland seas have the best fresh water surf on earth. Come check out the stoke. If you haven't surfed the Great Lakes and haven't seen the DVD, visit our 'video page' and check out the "UNSALTED" trailer to get a little more background and some sense of what we've got.

As for news from the North Shore's original and only complete watersport shop, Superior Surf Systems is now carrying the full line of Hyperflex Wetsuits and accessories, as well as NSP, Southpoint, 7S, Blue, Modern Longboards, McTavish and Walden Surf Boards.

Ozone Surf & Snow Kites are here and we will be offering some snow kiting demos this winter as soon as the inland lakes freeze up. Watch this space for further details shortly after after Thanksgiving.

In addition to this we have some great deals on in stock Surf Skis from this past season, the fastest kayaks on water from Epic, Think and Fenn. And, of course, the Nations largest line up of Surf Kayaks including Necky, Valley, Mega and Fluid. 

The web site does not reflect all the current equipment and accessories but should soon as we rebuild the site. In the mean time feel free to call or e-mail with quetions or needs. Also, with any luck and the economy not tanking any worse than it already has, plans for the new retail store near Stoney Point are underway.

Stay tuned, this will be good.

 Get Out & Get Wet!

Well, July and summer weather have finally arrived. Lillacs are still blooming and the wild flowers are in full strut. The racing season is also heating up with some great events coming up in the next month or so; Muscoda, Two Harbors Kayak Festival and the USCA Nationals are all just around the corner. Come check out one or all of these unique and challenging events.

The very last boats to arrive this season, the Valley Rapier 20's are en route to MN and should arrive July 14th. Surf Boards & Stand Up paddle Boards are here as well. Ozone surf Kites are now available too.

It is Summer in the Northland, even the water of Lake Superior is warming up and its definitely time to make hay. Come check out our equipment and try something new.

Get out & get wet!