The Gales Storm Gathering

Held November 14th-16th, 2025, in Two Harbors, Minnesota, the Gale Storm Gathering helped Midwestern kayakers learn how to paddle in rough waters with the guidance of experienced, American Canoe Association-certified instructors.

The 3-day Gales Storm Gathering is a collection of sea kayakers who share a passion for going out into the surf and rough, dynamic waters of Lake Superior. “We’re isolated from the rest of the broader sea paddling communities along the east and west coasts. By offering these events and offering people an occasion to meet up for the weekend, we’re looking to grow this exciting subculture of kayaking,” says Ben Fontenot, Gale Storm Gathering organizer and coach. “We want to support the local Great Lakes roughwater paddling community as well as introduce the lakes to coastal paddlers.”

Paddlers familiar with the Great Lakes and Lake Superior know just how rough the water can get out there, and timing those late fall and early winter storms to get out and play in the waves is tricky. Due to the fickle nature of Lake Superior and its rapidly changing weather and sea state, developing skills and improving your comfort levels in more dynamic water can be beneficial since conditions on the Great Lakes can change quickly. Paddlers planning to spend any considerable amount of time on the lake need to learn how to handle rough waters.

Paddlers attending the Gales Storm Gathering faced chilling cold winds, waves that threatened to capsize their kayaks, and rough near-shore surf. “There’s a range of paddlers from enthusiasts who regularly travel to paddling destinations and events across North America, to local Midwest paddlers who spend most time in metro lakes and rivers, and professional guides in the Apostle Islands and all along the lake shore,” says Fontenot.

The Gales Storm Gathering attracts paddlers who are dipping their toes into the world of paddling in more dynamic water, all the way up to advanced paddlers with plenty of experience. “As rough water paddling has become more popular, we’re seeing more folks who are on more of the beginner side of skills development and wanting to see what paddling in dynamic-rough water is all about. All with the safety net of being out with a group and led by experienced coaches,” says Fontenot.

The Gale Storm Gathering coaching crew consists mainly of Level 4 and Level 5 open-water coastal kayaking instructors, certified by the American Canoe Association, the governing body of paddle sports instruction in the United States. Many of the coaches have worked as guides in the Apostle Islands and for various sea kayak outfitters in the area.

Since weather conditions are so unpredictable, the coaches have explored multiple paddling locations for lessons. “The nature of Lake Superior makes it difficult to really nail down specific classes and classrooms ahead of time, so we have to just sort of keep a variety of options in mind, wait to see what conditions we have on a day-to-day basis, and then see what we can accomplish with the conditions we get,” explains Fontenot. “The primary, overarching focus of the event will be dialing in participants’ boat handling skills and rescues in more advanced conditions, as well as learning how to make use of rough and dynamic water as a playground of sorts. Imagine learning to surf a wave in your sea kayak or riding a wave over a partially submerged rock.

Although the class schedule for 2025 is finished, the organizers are looking forward to Spring 2026 with a new set of paddling technique clinics. The spring event, held in late April/early May, is called “Snow to Flow.” The emphasis is on paddling with currents. “The rivers along the North Shore have a steep gradient, and some of the larger watersheds can provide some swift water in the river mouths. With some opposing wind from across the lake and the river, current can create wave features in the lake that are like a playground for sea kayakers,” says Fontenot. For more information about future Gale Storm Gathering clinics and events, visit https://www.thegalesstormgathering.com.