Have Kayaks Will Travel

So happy to get out for fall colors on a beautiful day with , and Beth visiting from Lansing.

I am just back from a truly restorative paddling trip to the north shore of Lake Superior with Sharon Bloyd-Peshkin and part of the time with Rebecca Merz. Our Canadian friends know this, but the whole north shore of Lake Superior is one of the premier areas for sea kayaking in all of North America. I am thankful to have gotten to spend 11 days paddling there. Every day, I thought about how important all of the skills I have learned were to both my safety and enjoyment. There are a number of symposia to learn introductory skills, but the opportunities to learn and use intermediate and advanced skills are limited. If you aspire to paddle in challenging conditions (be that for the day or on an expedition) check out the The Gales - Storm Gathering. Registration is open still for 2023 and we will be learning and playing in the rocks, surf and conditions that Mother Nature brings us October 5-8 in Marquette, MI.

Exploring Chicago’s urban sea caves!

A great day for a sit on top paddle. 😄

, , or however you like to describe it I’ll take it and like even better with friends!

Every year we schedule a Black Friday paddle. Most years its possible, but you never know what the weather will bring us. This year was exceptional! , and .ragmail.com_ joined and I, The temperature was pleasant, the wind low and as a bonus we had some nice waves to play in! Every day on the water this time of year is a bonus before winter sets in.

Good times this past weekend at the 10th (can you believe it?) Gales Storm Gathering. It is truly inspiring to see everyone involved be so game to get out there in the often cold and lumpy water and build skills and confidence together. Sunday was truly the icing on the cake go out and play in rocks, surf, the beauty of Lake Superior with the Leaves changing color and putting everything we worked on together! Thank you to everyone that came as well as all of the folks in Marquette!

It’s October surf time in the Great Lakes! Warm water still here on Lake Michigan and the joy of the 5 second period.

The turns 10 this year ( with a 2 year pandemic break)! We have been thinking back about the where we have been, where we are going and the great pieces along the way. With that in mind we and are posting 10 things we have learned from The Gales. Post 6: The Comfort Zone. We all have those things that come easy to us, that place we are comfortable in our paddling. But in order to progress we need to stretch and extend the comfort zone. The Gales is an event that provides the coaches, environment and supportive peers to safely get into the adventure zone where you can be a little uncomfortable, hone new skills and develop your own judgement. Come join us this October!

Floating in the clouds at , !

Dramatic weather today in Big Sky Country.