Happy summer, everyone! Here's hoping you're all out enjoying the hey-day of August here in northern Michigan. It's clear that YPs John and Emily Petrovich (both of NewEra Social Marketing) are making the most of these warm, sunny days by enjoying their time on stand-up paddleboards out on the water. Check out John's article for more on this great sport!
Stand
Up Paddleboarding (SUP) is a peaceful way to get out and enjoy our local waters
without noisy motors. It can be a relaxing session or a more intense work-out
experience – it’s really whatever you want to make it!
A
paddleboard allows you to float right on top of the water and can take you
places that no boat can go. The views of underwater roots and trees through our
crystal clear local waters make you feel like you’re on the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set.
During SUP adventures, we’ve explored shipwrecks, paddled among flocks of
rarely-seen birds hanging out in rivers and streams as a stop along their
migration paths, and even performed a rescue for a small dog that was tangled
in a river marsh area. For awesome photos and videos of paddling local
shipwrecks, check out Lena Olmsted’s Instagram
account and this Instagram
video of one of our recent discoveries in Torch Lake.
TC
and the surrounding areas are an “unsalted
paddle paradise.” With sandy lake beds, crystal clear waters and
breathtaking shore line views, our area is truly unique here in the great
Mitten state. If only northern Michigan summers were never ending! But I guess
this is what we brave the winters for – and it makes summertime that much
sweeter.
Travel
West from TC on the beautiful M-22 route into Empire, paddle out of Empire
Beach on Lake Michigan, and head south for jaw dropping views of the dunes or
north to check out the pristine beach at North Bar Lake. If conditions on the
big lake aren’t ideal, simply walk across the parking lot to paddle the smaller,
warmer waters of South Bar Lake, or head toward Glen Arbor and check out Little
and Big Glen Lake.
Travel
East from TC and you'll find yourself surrounded by the teal blue waters of
Torch and Elk Lake. There are numerous launch points but the 'Kayak' launch
just south of the bridge in Elk Rapids is always a favorite. Paddling through
the shallow waters of Elk River, you'll be awestruck by the natural beauty that
surrounds you. Plus, if you feel like enjoying a pure northern Michigan sunset,
you can easily pluck your board out of the water, head down the street and drop
right into East Bay for a sunset paddle that never disappoints!
There
are a number of local places to get your SUP gear. Wet Mitten Surf Shop
and 231 Outfitters
are two great brick-and-mortar SUP stores in Traverse City and you can find a
handful of other dealers in the area, too. Craigslist is a helpful source for
finding an affordable SUP board, both new and used. We have had our SUP ATX paddleboards for years and we love them! The
company recently featured SUP’ing in the northern Michigan area in their Urban
Paddle Guide with SUP Magazine. Check it out: Traverse City,
MI: Urban Paddle Guide
There
are also many local paddleboarding groups on Facebook that you can get involved
with, both right in Traverse City and in the surrounding areas, like Elk
Rapids. Some are ladies-only, some are co-ed, and all are a guaranteed
opportunity to connect with both nature and fellow nature-lovers on the water.
We still have lots of summer left. Get out
there and enjoy every last minute!
