PHOTOS & REVIEWS
Surf Gales 2019
Find Your North
A recent article about the Ironwood Area and Whitecap Kayak by Shalee Wanders
There’s something about a place that feels like home the moment you arrive.
Less than four hours after landing in Ironwood, Michigan, I’m standing in the middle of a black and red plaid street, surrounded by over three-hundred individuals (and dogs) wearing every shade and style of plaid you can imagine. Babies are sporting plaid onesies and pint-sized Stormy Kromer hats. Dogs are wrapped in plaid blankets. It was “Plaidurday” as they called it, and it seemed the entire community was out to play.
It’s apparent here that the chilly northern temperatures are drastically warmed by those who call it home. In the moment I stepped out on the bustling downtown block.....
The Gales Storm Gathering
A recent article about the Gales Storm Gathering and Whitecap Kayak by Jennifer Yearly
Last month I had the pleasure and privilege of coaching at The Gales Storm Gathering sea kayaking event in Marquette Michigan. I had received the invitation over the summer from one of the organizers, Keith Wikle, and was very excited about it. I knew of the event’s existence, but very little else, had never paddled the Great Lakes before, and saw this as a great learning opportunity. Okay! Michigan-bound!
The event was centered in Marquette, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Having lost contact with whatever geographical knowledge I may have once had about Michigan, I was surprised to find that the Upper Peninsula actually is attached to Wisconsin, and is bounded on the north by Lake Superior, and on the south by Lake Michigan. It’s known for outdoorsy pastimes of every description, and the locals are called Yoopers. See what cool stuff you learn when you travel?...
"The staff at Whitecap Kayak were so friendly and accommodating to our trip needs. They were knowledgeable which made the planning process smooth and easy, and the trip fun and informative. They made sure we had everything we needed, not only guided us but got to know us and cared about us, and joyfully cooked for us at our camp site."
- Esther
"Wonderful 2 night kayak trip to visit Apostle Islands. Visited Sand, York, Raspberry and Oak. Guides Kyle and Kiah were awesome. Meals were fabulous! Fresh ingredients and plenty of it. Great experience with our 2 teenage sons. Highly recommend!"
- Julie
"I took a full week kayak leadership training course with Whitecap Kayak. The event took place at the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. We kayaked, learned, and camped as we paddled from island to island It was a tremendous experience. The Whitecap leaders pushed our group so that we could grow in our strengths and knowledge, while still keeping it safe. I found Whitecap to be very professional but not "over the top" They maintain a local comfort and wisdom without the veneer of an organization that has become too commercialized. I would highly recommend Whitecap Kayak for their guide services, instructions, and group leadership."
- Mike
I've taken several trips with Whitecap Kayak, and I've ALWAYS been *completely* delighted. The trips are perfectly planned, the guides are STELLAR, and the company is thoroughly committed to you having a good, safe, memory-filled experience. We'll definitely be back. In fact, we barely got into the car before the boys were saying, "So, we're going to do that again next year. Right?" All I could say was, "ABSOLUTELY." Thanks Whitecap! See you next summer.
Wisconsin Road Trip
A great article that includes our Sand Island day trip by a couple that have visited all 50 states on their 8-year honeymoon. Thanks for coming out with us!
We’ve long dreamt of the Apostle Islands. In our book Ultimate Journeys for Two: Extraordinary Destinations on Every Continent, we close every chapter with a list of experiences still on our bucket list. When it came to our roundup of “Ultimate Freshwater Adventures,” kayaking the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore got top billing. We had seen images of the sandstone cliffs and paddlers weaving between the caves, and it forever stayed in our minds...