Two runs, big and BEEEEG

We had another gale blow in but unlike the blow of two weeks ago, where the NE wind was more local resulting in very fast runs, this wind came from farther up the Lake generating bigger, faster swells. John and I did a run from Two Harbors to McQuade (25K) in the morning thinking it would be fast in building conditions but it was already getting quite big. Still great fun, but not the endless linking of runs from a couple weeks ago. Zach came up to do the same run in the afternoon and it was really stoking by then. I went with him as far as Knife River (12K) on that run and then watched him finish in some amazing conditions at McQuade. I know it’s another long video but hey, it was 38K! 😸 These 2 runs capped my biggest downwind week, 6 runs for a total of 85K.

[@christopherwilson8713]

I remember that rush of screaming across the following waves. When your bow starts to dive and then you’re sliding down the wave face only to pop out and do it again. With every wave you lose sight of your paddling partner and scare the hell out of yourself. Now in my mid 70s I am fine watching someone else doing it. Nice boat by the way.

[@ttrayn1000]

@@christopherwilson8713 Thanks! Sounds like you had some great times!

[@Jensterable]

Wow.. amazing.. Lake Superior can be a beast when she wants to. I love Duluth. I wish we could live there. I live in the twin cities, we’ve been to Duluth on vacation..

[@ttrayn1000]

Yes, we definitely have to respect the Lake. We love Duluth too. I grew up in the Cities but I am sure glad I had the opportunity to move here!

[@Jensterable]

@@ttrayn1000 yeah I loved being in Duluth, I’d be at canal park every day.. it’s a beautiful park . But brutal in the winter.

[@ahbwisurfnpaddle]

hardcore beyond belief is your paddle crew of friends, Tim. This day was so very cold, and you cats look so tough,....i think that's the first wipe out i've ever seen you take. Amazing ! So many miles you've racked up in rides...RESPECT ! Keep doing it !...e..

[@ttrayn1000]

Thanks, we will!

[@alexh327]

Thank you!

[@Dfl87165]

Solid skills here 🫡

[@ttrayn1000]

Thanks! It’s taken me a while to get to this point and living on Superior provides lots of opportunities for learning. It’s a big learning curve but rewarding and fun!

[@joelleker8343]

That looks like great fun! At 8min:20sec you were going "free hand" on your right. Amazing how you were able to remain upright!. Respect! In a few weeks I'm hoping to do the "Davenport Downwind", a 15 mile run from Davenport Landing to Santa Cruz ( CA)

[@ttrayn1000]

Not sure how my hand came off the paddle, that has never happened to me before, but I thought for sure I would get knocked off. Do you SUPER or prone? What sort of conditions do you get there?

[@joelleker8343]

@@ttrayn1000 I paddle surfski. I remember my slipping down and off the paddle once. I also managed to no come off the ski as well. Conditions vary with the wind and ocean swell. Spring time can bring strong NW winds that run down the west coast of California.

[@bentz98125]

That looks like Swell City at the Gorge only as big as an ocean! Maybe the waves look big, but I know they were bigger in real life than the video makes it seem! I can't watch this video without sitting on the edge of my seat. I know it helps you in the video when I brace in the living room. Just how cold air and water temperature are we talking? And no, it's not too long. More like not long enough. Great work!

[@ttrayn1000]

Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed the video! You’re right, the GoPro does flatten the waves. The air and water on this day were. Both about 38 F. I am lowers to paddling the Gorge for the first time this summer.

[@mach318]

😍😍😍👍👍👍

[@IamNothing82]

These waves look complicated.

[@ttrayn1000]

@@IamNothing82 Seems like it when I am out there!

[@snowpigpow]

Have you thought about wearing a drysuit?

[@ttrayn1000]

I briefly considered a dry suit when I first started but there were a couple reasons I went with wetsuits. Firstly, I knew I was going to be in the water a lot, and as it turned out on some of my first runs I would remount 10-15 times. I don’t think dry suits are as good for frequent remounting (I have never seen a surfer wear a dry suit). Secondly is cost, I got 3 good wetsuits for under $600 total, which is about half of what a good dry suit costs.

[@bentz98125]

Drysuits keep you dry but you still need something underneath for insulation. Modern wetsuits are kind of like drysuits in that they are just as flexible, and so well sealed they don't depend on a layer of water to enter and warm up like they used to. Once it's on, the wind is blowing, the spray is flying you don't even notice it's there but are sure glad it is. Kiters, wingers, and surfers can't all be wrong.

[@paulreavley5900]

@@bentz98125 Clearly many folks are making wetsuits work. But there are plenty of surfskiing Swedes and Norwegians who paddle in the upper North Sea who make drysuits work also. "Modern" wetsuits are not all the same - they are not all equally flexible, perfectly fitting, or equally well sealed. Tim got 3 wetsuits for under $600? I suspect he found some of them on sale. You cannot get a good "modern" wetsuit that is well sealed and fits you well for $200 unless you get some kind of bargain. It is difficult to have a complete discussion via youtube comments, and I am a big fan of current wetsuit technology, but I would be a little careful about overselling or oversimplifying the choice process here.