Kayakers Race on Lake Superior

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“On a foggy day like this ill just try to stay with the group so we don’t get lost at sea,” said John Thompson of St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

It was an hour and a half wait for Mother Nature to burn off the mist.

“If I could see where I was going that would be better,” said Joan Hance of Maple Grove, Minnesota.

But the thick set back did not stop the 18th annual Two Harbors Kayak Festival from kicking off.

“We like to celebrate Lake Superior every year,” Two Harbors Kayak Festival director Scott Neustel said.

“Get people out on the water.”
With their portable crafts, racers took part in either the 18, 10 or 5 mile races.

 “I am ready to go,” said Thompson. “I don’t wanna finish last.”

“You breathe and paddle,” said Hance. “I am just going to enjoy the paddle. Just the time on the lake. Paddle as fast as I can.”

So how did racers prepare?

“I put the kayak in the camper and brought it up here,” laughed Thompson.

“I had a training schedule this summer where I paddled two days and took five days off,” joked Hance.

But the fun is not just for kayakers and paddlers.

In addition to the festival there are exhibitors, tours, classes, live entertainment and more.

“It really puts Two Harbors on the map as a great place to paddle,” said Neustel. “There aren’t too many places on the North Shore where you have a beach right up to your vehicle.”

Each racer will take home a medallion.

The festival will wrap up this Sunday at 1:30 p.m.