Southend Steel Sessions

This time of year seem to yield the most memorable shots from the industrial grade southend sessions.  I always love the stoke of the southend crew, and look forward to the few times each year I get down there for a surf.  The lighting and background composition of this shot is inspiring!  Each year it can be hard to find that stoke to suit up and paddle out as the weather turns much colder, and photos like this one always help remind me that it's all worth it once you get out there, duck dive those first few waves, and lock into a early winter nugget like this one.   Thanks for sharing Peter!   

Gales of November

The storms of November have definitely made their presence known!  These shots taken from Roberto's kite cam last weekend shows the lake in all it's darkness of the season.  We had an amazing session riding these nuggets, and it never felt so good to get back inside and turn on the football game.  Every year these dark, slate gray skies bring a smile to my face.  After all the years of memorable sessions, a famous old song keeps running through my mind.  "When the Gales of November remember."

For the Love of Lake Superior

I was rewarded Saturday morning after driving 6 hours Friday night, sleeping in my Jeep with no sleeping bag, and drinking a putrid gas station coffee; it was all worth it when I set eyes on this prize.  Enough said.  I can't wait for the next trip.  Check out the bottom pic!  My new kitesurf friends from Wisconna.  Got to love the Gitchee Gumee. Thanks for the pics Brian T.!

The Wizards

SURFING WITH STRANGERS from TDZ on Vimeo.

I have been kitesurfing strapless for most of the season, and tonight was another amazing session in the waves. After work I headed down to the Grand Haven pier to find some decent waves rolling in with very little wind. I paddled out and caught a few nice ones before the wind started pick up again. I met up with Bucky on the beach and we contemplated the situation. With the wind picking up I sprinted to my Jeep and grabbed my kite. Ten minutes later I was charging out through the shore break. What followed was an amazing kitesurfing session with the waves all by myself. As I got closer to the pier the swell was building and dropping down the face of a few of those sets will be in my mind for a long time to come. I titled this post "The Wizards" because these guys are inspiration and motivation for me to pump and head out no matter the conditions. They are my virtual mentors!

Northern Lake Huron, Michigan's Advenshore

What a beautiful weekend of diving and kayaking.  Saturday started with diving the schooner E.B. Allen and the steamship Grecian.  Both wrecks lay in 100 feet of water.  They are well preserved, and the visibility was good.  The pics below are from the Thunder Bay NOAA website, and not pics from our dive.  But, it gives you an idea.  If you're a SCUBA diver, you should really check out that area sometime.  Dive Alpena runs a great charter.  The owners name is Brian, and he will take good care of you.  We had another beautiful day kayaking and snorkeling along the bays and points of Northern Lake Huron.  The water was crystal clear, and warm.  It had me wondering if I was back in Hawaii!  If you're looking for a little adventure before the summer comes to a close I highly recommend the Alpena area for some sea kayaking and snorkeling along the wrecks.  There are more than 200 shipwrecks near Alpena and many of them are shallow enough to snorkel and kayak.  Check out the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary for all the info.

SUP a Sport for the Kings

A Samainian enjoys an evening session in Michigan´s thriving little beach town. The perpective is brillant; the Grand Haven pier iconic in the background.  The sport of Stand Up Paddleboarding is sweeping the world; as it allows many people to access all bodies of water, gain strength, and endurance while enjoying the beauty of nature.  It´s an excellent way to experience all the lakes and rivers of Michigan.

Tahqua Trail Run Anyone?

I have wanted to do this trail run for a few years.  It follows the course through the Tahquamenon National Forest, and one of the most beautiful routes along the river to the series of falls.  Anyone interested in running it with Anna and I?  We will not be racing, just enjoying the course set in one of the most beautiful settings of the U.P.  The race is August 13th, we would be running the 25k=15.5m, but feel free to sign up for the 10k=6.2m.  It would be a great time to get some Samainians together in da yoop for a eco friendly trail run.  If you´re interested in running, or just heading up to the yoop for some camping, kiting, surfing, kayaking, and of course trail running goodness shoot me an email.  We´ll probably make a stop at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery post run!    Tahqua Trail Run

Tahquamenon falls from Charlie McCarthy on Vimeo.

Black Lake Spring

Have you ever wanted life to be more interesting?  Marc Hoeksema reminds us of the small things that can prove to be more interesting than we can imagine.  




www.hoeksemaphoto.com

University of Michigan's New Ludington Buoy

We had good intentions to deploy U of M's new Marine data buoy off the coast of Ludington today on the NOAA Laurentian, but the wind kicked up and so did the waves.  We decided to wait for a better day, and head out kiteboarding instead.  Always an upside in Michigan!  These buoys are very advanced, and are designed by researchers and students at the College of Engineering.  Very soon we'll have even better data for our surf and kite adventures!

U-GLOS

Big Wave Surfer Jamie Sterling Scores on Lake Superior

Lake Superior love!

Spring Kite Session

The crew sessions the icy waters of West Michigan! 

XCD = X-Country Downhill

Last weekend Marcus and I did a backcountry ski tour Michigan style.  I had the chance to check out the Karhu Guides and the Rossignol BC 125 in the woods of Harbor Springs.  I rented a nice light weight tele boot set-up from the Outfitter in Harbor Springs called the Garmont Excursions.  I have been thinking about these skis and boots as an option for our local dunes and woods here in Grand Haven.  I was amazed at how well they kicked and glided through the rolling terrain, and how easily the skis were to turn in the trees downhill.  I predict a full obsession coming next winter when I get my new gear.  Thanks again to Marcus for taking me out, and having the full SAMA stoke for all the outdoor options we have here in Michigan!

The Real Ski Bums

Each year there are a bevy of new school skiing and snowboarding flicks that blow us away.  This one however, can truly change your life.  People always think ski bumming is for when your young and free of responsibilities, but you know the old saying, "once a man, twice a child."
  The real ski bums!

The Changing of the Season

The first weekend in March is over.  Many Michigainians are anxiously awaiting springs warm up.  Some, I'll dare say less than the aforementioned are a bit sad to see the frozen landscape go.  This weekend I surfed some really fun, albeit very cold waves, and played my last Sunday pond hockey game of the season.  I can't really imagine a better changing of the seasons weekend.  While I was super stoked to get back in the water, hop to my feet and fly down a beautiful Lake Michigan right hander, I was equally saddened when I walked off our local rink this afternoon, after another gorgeous sunny afternoon hockey game.  The sun was almost blinding, and the ice was soft.  The birds were singing their song signaling the end of winter and the rebirth of spring.  Even though it was a weekend of mixed emotions, I knew that is exactly why I love living here so much.  Every season is special for me.  With the end of each one, there's a tear in one eye saddened to see it go, while the grin is slowly creasing my face knowing epic times of another type of adventure season are near.  See you out there!

Snowkiting Muskegon Lake

Here's the boys getting a nice session in on Muskegon Lake.  Looks like it was a fun day!

Whitewater Michigan Style

Just another reason to love Michigan!

Marquette Backcountry Skis

So, I heard about these skis on a recent snowboarding trip to Mt. Bohemia.  I was immediately intrigued, due to the fact, that we are always looking for a cool way to explore our local dunes in Grand Haven and the rest of Michigan's short and steep terrain with the benefits of exercise, and no lift ticket costs.  I have thought about many different options; however, I think these Marquette Backcountry Skis might just be the ticket.

Nick Baumgartner Wins Winter X-Games Gold Medal in Boardercross

Nick Baumgarter hails from the Upper Pennisula and Michigan, and shows the world that we Michiganders rule in snowboarding!  Watch the video of him taking the Gold Medal in Boardercross at this years Winter X Games. 

sama: Mt Bohemia 2009

sama: Mt Bohemia 2009

It's official! Heading back to the promised land next week. Stoked for Bohemia 2011!