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| - | **Fall Storm** **Lake Superior** | + | {{randominc>start_movies:lake_superior&max-height:400px&nofooter&nodate&noeditbtn}} |
| - | {{:locales:greatlakes:lakesuperior:intro:lakesuperiorfallstorm.jpg?direct&550x336|lakesuperiorfallstorm.jpg}} | + | <font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font> |
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| - | photo: Lost Lakes [[https://youtu.be/MNvIEIMVWRw?t=158|youtube video]] | + | |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| - | <WRAP indent> | ||
| ===== Intro ===== | ===== Intro ===== | ||
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| Lake Superior is a place of extremes. Its volume would cover all of North and South America in a foot of water (10% of the world's fresh surface water). Underwater visibility is 100 feet in places. Its storms are legendary and waves of over 30 feet have been recorded. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a 700 foot long “unsinkable” iron ore freighter that broke in two and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh2z8qTYddY|sank in a November 1975 gale]]. According to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJNBxDCMIs|Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song]] “the lake it is said, never gives up her dead”. This is actually true as the water at the bottom is too cold for bacteria to produce the gasses that would usually bloat a corpse and cause it to float. Superior has shoreline on USA states: **Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, **and a Canadian Province: **Ontario**. | Lake Superior is a place of extremes. Its volume would cover all of North and South America in a foot of water (10% of the world's fresh surface water). Underwater visibility is 100 feet in places. Its storms are legendary and waves of over 30 feet have been recorded. The Edmund Fitzgerald was a 700 foot long “unsinkable” iron ore freighter that broke in two and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh2z8qTYddY|sank in a November 1975 gale]]. According to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJNBxDCMIs|Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song]] “the lake it is said, never gives up her dead”. This is actually true as the water at the bottom is too cold for bacteria to produce the gasses that would usually bloat a corpse and cause it to float. Superior has shoreline on USA states: **Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, **and a Canadian Province: **Ontario**. | ||
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| **Larger Area** | **Larger Area** | ||
| - | {{:locales:greatlakes:lakesuperior:maps:superior.jpg?direct&350x326|superior.jpg}} | + | [[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?tok=1875be&media=https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/greatlakes/lakesuperior/maps/superior.jpg|{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/locales/greatlakes/lakesuperior/maps/superior.jpg?direct&500x424|superior.jpg}}]] |
| **Zoomed view of Superior West End** | **Zoomed view of Superior West End** | ||
| - | {{:locales:greatlakes:lakesuperior:maps:superiorsites.jpg?direct&350x225|superiorsites.jpg}} | + | [[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=locales:lakesuperior:intro:superiorsites2.jpg|{{:locales:lakesuperior:intro:superiorsites2.jpg?direct&300x200|superiorsites2.jpg}}]] |
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| - | <WRAP centeralign> | + | **Launches North to South** |
| - | + | * **Twin Points **small cove with small beach, adjacent to **Iona Beach** and **Iona Beach Scientific and Natural Area** which has a boat ramp. | |
| - | {{youtube>dqLtvy15kf4?start=53&large}} | + | * **Twin Points - ****McQuade Small Craft Harbor **32 miles [[https://youtu.be/12faHzp9xfc|reverse downwinder]] (South to North) |
| - | + | ||
| - | **North Shore Downwinder in Rainstorm** | + | |
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| - | <font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font> | + | |
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| - | </WRAP> | + | |
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| - | ---- | + | |
| * **Two Harbors** | * **Two Harbors** | ||
| * **Two Harbors - McQuade Small Craft Harbor** 15.5 miles | * **Two Harbors - McQuade Small Craft Harbor** 15.5 miles | ||
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| * **Knife River - Lester **13 miles [[https://youtu.be/XtHQXxPsIcU|video 5/6/2024]] | * **Knife River - Lester **13 miles [[https://youtu.be/XtHQXxPsIcU|video 5/6/2024]] | ||
| * **Knife River - Knife Island laps ** [[https://youtu.be/bL9DjjJkrag|video ]]don't have someone to help with a shuttle? As long as the wind isn't blowing too hard and/or too much off shore, you can always do laps… | * **Knife River - Knife Island laps ** [[https://youtu.be/bL9DjjJkrag|video ]]don't have someone to help with a shuttle? As long as the wind isn't blowing too hard and/or too much off shore, you can always do laps… | ||
| - | * **McQuade Small Craft Harbor - Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge** 11 miles | + | * **Stoney Point **popular for surfers (see [[:lake_superior#surf|surf below]]) |
| - | * [[https://downwindable.com/mcquade-to-duluth|Downwindable.com]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/mcquade-to-duluth-run|Downwindfun]] | + | * **McQuade Small Craft Harbor **there is a road that goes under Congdon Blvd. to the boat ramps here. Just a few parking spots at the launch, but there is a restroom and larger parking area up this road 100 yds from Congdon Blvd. |
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/UhIzC2Dtrg0|video 4/28/2022]] | + | * **McQuade Small Craft Harbor - Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge** 11 miles |
| - | * **Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Takeout - **//**stay out of canal until free of ship traffic**// [[https://youtu.be/a-bVSUFb3NY|video]] | + | * [[https://downwindable.com/mcquade-to-duluth|Downwindable.com]], [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/mcquade-to-duluth-run|Downwindfun]] |
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/UhIzC2Dtrg0|video 4/28/2022]] | ||
| + | * **Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Takeout - **//**stay out of canal until free of ship traffic**// [[https://youtu.be/a-bVSUFb3NY?t=257|video]] | ||
| + | * DNR advice about paddling through the Lift Bridge channel (Minnesota) or further south near the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse: "When using the Minnesota and Wisconsin entrances, be aware that while inbound ships are easily spotted at some distance, the outbound ships are not visible from the end of the entrances. When paddling through the entrances, stay to the right side in order to not give up your right-of-way. Obtain a chart of the Duluth Harbor for specifics regarding shipping lanes." | ||
| + | * [[https://harborlookout.com/|Harbour Lookout Ship Schedule]] (arrival estimates are considered to be more accurate than departure estimates and schedule changes can occur with little or no notice.) | ||
| + | * [[https://www.duluthharborcam.com/p/marine-trafic.html|Harbour Traffic Map]] | ||
| * … | * … | ||
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| <WRAP centeralign> | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
| - | {{:locales:lakesuperior:duluth_ship.jpg?direct&450x235|duluth_ship.jpg}} | + | [[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=locales:lakesuperior:duluth_ship.jpg|{{:locales:lakesuperior:duluth_ship.jpg?direct&500x261|duluth_ship.jpg}}]] |
| **Ship Coming Out Past Duluth Bridge**</WRAP> | **Ship Coming Out Past Duluth Bridge**</WRAP> | ||
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| **Surf** | **Surf** | ||
| - | * Check below in [[:lake_superior#surf|Surf]] (there are surfers on Canada's north shore) | + | * Check below in [[:surf|]] (there are surfers on Canada's north shore) |
| **Flatwater** | **Flatwater** | ||
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| * **Wisconsin** | * **Wisconsin** | ||
| * **Chequamegon Bay** | * **Chequamegon Bay** | ||
| - | * **Coal Dock (next to Washburn Marina) - Friendly Valley Beach **approx 7 miles (this goes around a point of land near Houghton Falls State Natural Area which makes the route going north or the reverse going south a bit of a "dog-leg") | + | * **Washburn (the Coal Dock is next to Washburn Marina)** |
| - | * **Coal Dock - Bono Creek (Public Boat Launch) **2.7 miles | + | * **Coal Dock - Friendly Valley Beach **approx 7 miles (this goes around a point of land near Houghton Falls State Natural Area which makes the route going north or the reverse going south a bit of a "dog-leg") |
| + | * **Coal Dock - Bono Creek (Public Boat Launch) **2.7 miles | ||
| + | * **Washburn - Ashland **5 miles [[https://youtu.be/lLR99PF3Z0w|reverse video]] | ||
| * **Bono Creek - Ashland** 3.5 miles (there's a boat ramp near the Soo Line Ore Dock and probably several other reasonable places for lake access though the boat ramp may be more protected) | * **Bono Creek - Ashland** 3.5 miles (there's a boat ramp near the Soo Line Ore Dock and probably several other reasonable places for lake access though the boat ramp may be more protected) | ||
| * **Resources** | * **Resources** | ||
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| * **Lester River ** (parking & access close to Voyageur Hwy crossing) | * **Lester River ** (parking & access close to Voyageur Hwy crossing) | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/XuHltus0Oj4|Surfers 3/3/2024]] | * [[https://youtu.be/XuHltus0Oj4|Surfers 3/3/2024]] | ||
| - | * **Park Point ** (Duluth) | + | * **Park Point ** (Duluth) some variations of N wind can generate shore surf here |
| - | * [[https://youtu.be/jX9RsZ0omRU|Surfski video]] 4/8/2025 | + | * [[https://youtu.be/jX9RsZ0omRU|Surfski video]] 4/8/2025 if you paddle close to the lift bridge at low water watch out for pilings just below surface as shown in video |
| + | * [[https://www.facebook.com/reel/1343321963869112|Surfski video close to lift bridge]] (facebook) 10/22/2025 | ||
| * **Stoney Point** | * **Stoney Point** | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/EGmJ1ZlJYUg|Surfski video]] 3/7/2020 | * [[https://youtu.be/EGmJ1ZlJYUg|Surfski video]] 3/7/2020 | ||
| * [[https://youtu.be/SxoABjzxHW8|Surfer video]] 8/26/2016 | * [[https://youtu.be/SxoABjzxHW8|Surfer video]] 8/26/2016 | ||
| + | * [[https://youtu.be/MszFox3XCLk?t=801|Ben Gravy Surf video]] 2024? | ||
| + | * Tim Traynor about **surfski surfing at Stoney Point**: "Larger waves start farther out. The shelf at Stoney extends out close to 300 meters so on the biggest days the waves will start nearly out there. … I was staying a bit to the left of the main surf area so I was in a little deeper water where the waves are slower to stand but can go critical and crash hard fairly close to shore on bigger days. I always surf left towards deeper water and try to keep the break to my right. The shallowest water I was in was probably 4-5 feet." | ||
| * **Canada/Ontario** | * **Canada/Ontario** | ||
| * **Conditions** | * **Conditions** | ||
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| + | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
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| + | **Fall ****Storm ****Lake**** Superior** | ||
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| + | [[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=locales:lakesuperior:intro:lakesuperiorfallstorm.jpg|{{:locales:lakesuperior:intro:lakesuperiorfallstorm.jpg?direct&500x306|lakesuperiorfallstorm.jpg}}]] | ||
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| + | photo: Lost Lakes [[https://youtu.be/MNvIEIMVWRw?t=158|youtube video]] | ||
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| + | </WRAP> | ||
| <WRAP center round info 90%> \\ | <WRAP center round info 90%> \\ | ||
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| **2024 Tim Traynor Downwinder** ([[https://youtu.be/iIIGBLOMUE0|video]]) "The forecast was for SE winds turning S. This was correct around the area except, as it turned out, for the Lake where we typically do our runs. Looking out the window from work at midday I could see there was a light NE wind on the Lake, although not quite useable. By midafternoon it built up quite nicely so Andy and I organized an impromptu run with my son driving the shuttle. We ended up having an excellent, unexpected 18k run with a 15+ knot NE wind. The Lake Superior microclimate surprises yet again! …!" | **2024 Tim Traynor Downwinder** ([[https://youtu.be/iIIGBLOMUE0|video]]) "The forecast was for SE winds turning S. This was correct around the area except, as it turned out, for the Lake where we typically do our runs. Looking out the window from work at midday I could see there was a light NE wind on the Lake, although not quite useable. By midafternoon it built up quite nicely so Andy and I organized an impromptu run with my son driving the shuttle. We ended up having an excellent, unexpected 18k run with a 15+ knot NE wind. The Lake Superior microclimate surprises yet again! …!" | ||
| - | **Another Tim Traynor Comment Specific to Lake Superior Conditions**: "It's best to do a downwind in the building phase of a blow as once it has been going some hours the fast, long-fetch swells become too hard to catch…rounded swell being so frustrating and the remaining wind waves seem to even be blocked from the wind in the troughs, yuk." Note! in many places the back-end of blows passing through is considered to generally be safer because the ultimate strength of a passing/building storm is not known or predicted with perfect accuracy on the front end. \\ | + | **Another Tim Traynor Comment Specific to Lake Superior Conditions**: "It's best to do a downwind in the building phase of a blow as once it has been going some hours the fast, long-fetch swells become too hard to catch…rounded swell being so frustrating and the remaining wind waves seem to even be blocked from the wind in the troughs, yuk." Note! in many places the back-end of blows passing through is considered to generally be safer because the ultimate strength of a passing/building storm is not known or predicted with perfect accuracy on the front end. If you employ Tim's advice about front-end storm downwinding on Lake Superior, maybe you will want to be extra cautious? particularly when you do not have extensive local experience under your belt yet? \\ |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| <WRAP indent> | <WRAP indent> | ||
| - | [[:lake_superior_videos|Lake Superior Videos ]] | + | [[:lake_superior_videos|]] |
| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| - | * [[https://www.facebook.com/trtraynor|Tim Traynor]] (facebook) Tim kindly provided most of the information on this page. He has been the leading discoverer and practitioner of Lake Superior surfski downwinding as far as we know. | + | [[https://www.facebook.com/trtraynor|Tim Traynor]] (facebook) Tim kindly provided most of the information on this page. He has been the leading discoverer and practitioner of Lake Superior surfski downwinding as far as we know. |
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| + | * **Duluth, MN** | ||
| + | * [[https://bentpaddlebrewing.com/|Bent Paddle Brewing Co.]] | ||
| + | * [[https://www.trailforks.com/route/duluth-traverse-14783/|Duluth Traverse]] Mountain bike trail | ||
| + | * [[https://northernwaterssmokehaus.com/|Northern Waters Smokehaus]] smoked fish | ||
| + | * [[https://www.ursaminorbrewing.com/|Ursa Minor Brewing]] Wood-fired pizza | ||
| * **Taking Care of the Great Lakes** | * **Taking Care of the Great Lakes** | ||
| * [[https://www.paddlingtheblue.com/e-77/|Lake Superior Circumnavigation]] PaddlingtheBlue Podcast | * [[https://www.paddlingtheblue.com/e-77/|Lake Superior Circumnavigation]] PaddlingtheBlue Podcast | ||
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| </WRAP></WRAP> | </WRAP></WRAP> | ||
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| + | <font inherit/inherit;;#dddddd;;inherit>This page has been accessed for: Today: {{counter|today}} / Yesterday: {{counter|yesterday}} / Until now: {{counter|total}}</font> | ||
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| + | ~~NOCACHE~~ | ||
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