The 2011 Season is Underway...and the Swell is Building!

Greetings from the frigid North Shore, the real one here on Lake Superior. It's been a long winter with plenty of cold and plenty of snow. But March is here and the notion of spring should not be far behind. As evidence I point to the fact that I saw my first motorcycle traveling down hwy 61 on the 15th of February, the same day I logged my first surfski paddle of the new year. It hopefully won't be long before the sun starts burning through the mounds of snow and our rivers break open, filling the Northwoods with the sound of rushing water and the promise of all things green.

Meanwhile, our local board surfers have been shredding it up at Stoney Pt and other spots along the North Shore. Ice pack has been minimal and quite cooperative by heading towards WI or Canada on the days we've enjoyed surf. Most recent great day of riding Superior was just last Sunday 2/21 and President's Day with Boulders on the back side providing some nice glassy smoothies to enjoy.

The developments here at Superior Surf, well they are big and hopefully building; in more ways than one. For starters we have added the Starboard line of SUP's to our full line up of GSI boards (Webber, Modern Longboards, Blue, Aloha, 7S, Walden, NSP, and McTavish). We will be stocking a number of boards, SUP's, wet suits, gloves, booties, hoods, leashes, racks, travel bags, and SUP paddles from the very best US paddle manufacturer, Werner Paddles, as well as GSI and Starboard.

The first Midwest Championship Stand Up PaddleBoard Series is up and running. It is the first and only stand up championship series in the region and is being sponsored by 6 different shops in MN, WI and MI. This is definitely something to check out, come and be part of the stoke that is Stand Up paddling and the fastest growing sport in the country. Click on the series logo to your right and learn more!

Surf Kayaks from Valley, Necky, Mega and Fluid, you can't find a better line-up of boats anywhere in the US, except for possibly on the east or west coast and even that's doubtful, not to mention staff that actually paddles them!

Outrigger Canoes from Outrigger Connection in Hawaii arrived for the fist time last spring and we will be bringing more in this spring; OC-1's and 2's are currently stocked. We're anxiously awaiting the first club or group that wants a new modern lay-up OC-6 Mirage to chase the swells with or practice their Dragon Boat paddling. This will, of course, be a special order and require some lead time, let us know we'd be thrilled to help.

Surf Ski news is big this spring also, with already the best, biggest, broadest selection, (Think, Fenn and Epic), and again, the most experienced staff to answer questions, help fit, outfit and teach. How can it get better? Superior Surf is adding the hottest newcomer to the surfski scene, STELLAR Kayaks & Surf Skis, based right here in the US! These guys are storming the market with more designs and more options than any other company out there. These boats offer some of the most stable rides available, great for paddlers just entering the sport or making the transition from sea kayaking to surf skiing. Not only was Superior Surf the first in the entire Midwest to introduce these boats to the region, but we are the only shop to offer the range of equipment and expertise, including our very own designed & built, extending, non damaging roof rack, the "Slick Rax" for these longer and more fragile craft. At  19-24'6 in length, as narrow as 16.5" and as light as 20lbs, these boats can't be transported like your typical sea kayak. Come check out our selection, knowledge and service. You can find us here at the shop or the at the finish line of any of the region's biggest and best races, we're typically there early so its easy to spot us!

Finally, the shop's eventual new location, 16 acres on the Hwy 61 Expressway, just above Stoney Point, unequivocally the best known and biggest wave on the Great Lakes, is slowly becoming a reality. We are in a struggle with the local government on land use issues...can you believe it? After all the condos, and marinas and extravagant beach homes that have been springing up over the past decade, they've decided a surf shop might be detrimental to the area. I'm 50 years old and just now starting to feel like a skate boarder. Keep an eye on our web site, we're thinking about generating some sort of web petition to let these pinhead officials know that there is an interest and possibly even a need for this outrageous form of enterprise.

Not only is there not enough surf to catch but not enough time to do it all, but we're trying, its in our nature and in our name.

Get Out & Get Wet!

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