this that
SODIUM-FREE SURF Freshwater surfers bet on the weather and win
BY CONOR MIHELL
>> LAST OCTOBER, Virginia Marshall travelled a long way to paddle at the Superior Surf Conflu- ence in Wawa, Ontario. After finishing a day of classes at Algonquin College in eastern Ontario, she packed up and drove for nine hours to Sault Ste. Marie, where she pulled over and pitched tent in a roadside ditch. The next morning, 1,100 kilometres and three hours of sleep later, she was one of a dozen paddlers surfing sea kayaks on Michipicoten Bay. Just as Marshall was hitting the road, Surf
Confluence early bird Gilles Gervais, of Gatin- eau, Quebec, was riding his first Michipicoten giant. And Sam Crowley of Marquette, Michi- gan—whose aerial exploits graced the back pages of last February’s Adventure Kayak— cartwheeled in a steep wave to produce the weekend’s first ender. If only for a handful of paddlers and a gallery
of long-lens-toting and tripod-jousting photogra- phers, Naturally Superior Adventures’ annual Surf Confluence has achieved cult status. Since its inception in 2003, the event has lived up to its promise of “surf pandemonium,” a fact that is no doubt appreciated by surf-seeking partici- pants who round-tripped up to 2,500 kilometres to attend. What will happen if the lake goes flat is left unsaid. “We’ve always thought that if there isn’t surf
we’ll day trip or shuttle to nearby whitewater rivers,” said David Wells, Naturally Superior’s director. “But we’re three-for-three so far, and we’re running with that.” By holding the event on the first weekend of
October, Wells plays the best odds for wind yet still has the advantage of relatively warm water. With sunny skies and a 20- to 25-knot onshore wind producing two- to three-metre surf, regulars called 2005 the best year yet. “Everything fell into place and word’s getting
Conor Mihell flying high in Wawa surf
out that this is a premier place to surf,” said Wells. “For this we have the lake and a great crew of paddlers to thank.”
“I LOVE THE SUPERB CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN.”
Colin paddles a Kevlar Ascenté
“My Seaward kayak is beautifully handcrafted. The precision of finish and design shows in every detail from the rudder system to the fiberglass seam. No other kayak comes with Seaward’s attention to quality.”
I T HAS TO BE A SEAWARD
seawardkayaks.com • 1-800-595-9755
20 || Adventure Kayak spring 2006
TARMO POLDMAA
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