For much of the day on Saturday all of these kayaks pictured were filled with people taking them out for short paddles on the harbor. Sunday, it was the paddleboards that were used more than the kayaks, but at any given time, the harbor was filled with people enjoying the North Shore Water Festival. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
As the young lady ever so slowly rose from a kneeling position to a standing position on her paddle board, she began to paddle away from shore, then angled her board back around towards town. As she grew in confidence, she smiled broadly, waving to her two young children who were cheering her on from the beach.
It was a scenario that played out in one form or fashion over and over again last weekend at the (July 20-22) North Shore Water Festival (NSWF).
For most of three days, the sun-splashed harbor was filled with a backdrop of moored sailboats bobbing in a light breeze, sport fishermen heading out on the big lake in outboards large and small, the North House red sailboat Hjordis making its rounds inside and outside of the bay, and throngs of people paddling kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes.
Welcome to the North Shore Water Festival.
“The weekend was probably the best we have had,” said Jack Stone, creator and coordinator of the festival and the owner of Stone Harbor Wilderness Supplies.
Saturday kayaks were the big thing to try. Sunday it was more people on paddle boards.
“When you run out of paddles or boards and boats, you know you are taking care of lots of people,” said Stone. “We had approximately 20 boards and 20 kayaks and 30-plus personal flotation devices (PFDs) and between the people on shore getting ready to go and those on the water, well, when you run out, you know you have lots of people taking part. Saturday at one point we had to call the store for more waivers. It was intense.”
In its third year, the NSWF has really taken off.
“Every year we learn how to serve more people and learn how to make it more comfortable and safe for all concerned. We had at least two current lifeguards on hand at all times and at times we had three (plus others) who have had past training so, from a safety standpoint, we tried to have all possibilities covered,” Stone said, adding, “We also like to try to keep the 6 to 1 ratio of paddlers to guides/safety personnel guideline intact.”
On hand to meet the public was Greg Fellman. Fellman was one of the people who built the Sanborn/ Merrimack canoe that Cook County Chamber of Commerce Director Jim Boyd was (is) raffling off for the Great Places auction. Boyd was on hand, with the finely crafted canoe on display, selling raffle tickets during the festival.
“The hit of Sunday had to be our gnome,” Stone said. “It was nice to have Kurt and the Wunderbar’s support. We did miss Casey from Voyageurs and her beer tokens this year, but hopefully, they will be back. We shut down a tad early for the Saturday wedding [on the beach] but it all worked out, and no one on our end was disappointed. We wish the new couple all the best.”
A change next year might come in the timing of the film festival.
“The Film Fest had an audience about the same as last year. Next year we might try to have it Friday night. That way it can be a little bit later and hopefully attract more people. We showed eight short films sponsored by Rapid Media. It was lots of fun.”
Stone said, “Shortly I will be applying for a permit for next year. This weekend seems to work well. I would like to thank Visit Cook County, City of Grand Marais, Rapid Media, Wunderbar, Eddyline, Pau Hana, Red Paddle, Grey Duck, Stohlquist, Aqua- Bound/Bending Branches, Penguin Feet, Sanborn Canoe and Paddles and Merrimack Canoe.”
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