Kayaking in the Northland
DULUTH - The lakes are open and those with a paddle and boat are ready to get on the water.
"You can kayak in Minnesota all year, believe it or not. Most people don't choose to kayak in January but the true kayak season is beginning right about now,” said Stephanie Love, of Positive Energy Outdoors.
Love runs Positive Energy Outdoors, a non–profit outdoor education program giving people, and specifically today's youth an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors through kayaking.
"It's amazing to me still that so many kids in our community live within view of Lake Superior but have never been in a kayak," said Love.
There are different types of kayaking, inland kayaking on rivers and lakes and sea kayaking on large bodies of water like Lake Superior.
But, before you go out you should be prepared for not only the air temperature but the water temperature as well.
Love said, " You wouldn't want to paddle out on Lake Superior on a day like today because there's a small craft advisory, four to seven foot waves and yet here we are 15 miles inland and it's a gorgeous day."
Kayaking is easy to pick up and has boats for everyone.
"It can be as simple as your basic safety gear and a simple boat on an inland lake on a sunny day and it can be more involved of having all the safety gear and being able to go on Lake Superior," said Dale Immerfall, an experienced kayaker.
Love says you should always wear a life jacket and look into buying a wet suit to keep you warm.
The rest is up to you.
"It doesn't have to be a scary epic adventure. It can be really relaxing and I think people are real surprised at just how relaxing and fun it is," added Love.
Immerfall said, "We go out for a couple hours or we'll go out for half a day, pack a lunch and there's a lot to see from the water in Minnesota."
Positive Energy Outdoors is located 15 miles north of Duluth, on Fredenberg Lake offering instruction seven days a week.
