Join Us for an Unforgettable Paddling Experience
Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium
July 14th – 18th, 2027
Grand Marais, Michigan
What to Expect at GLSKS
At GLSKS you learn in small groups with coaching that matches your goals. Sessions focus on practical skills, time in the boat, and steady progress. You’ll paddle in a mix of venues that support the learning and the day.
You’ll either take part in a guided self-assessment to find your challenge level or join the “It’s New to Me” track for new sea kayakers. Both approaches ensure you start where learning happens best.
Beyond the water, GLSKS is about community. Evenings bring shared meals, local food, music, and stories that carry long after the time in Grand Marais ends. It’s a place where friendships form as easily as new skills, and every paddler, whether it’s your first symposium or your tenth, finds something that moves them forward.
Our Approach
Learning with Purpose
This isn’t a guided trip around Pictured Rocks, it’s a learning experience.
GLSKS is about helping paddlers develop skills, confidence, and humility to explore on their own.
It's New to Me
Read More - New to Sea Kayaking Track
We’re providing space for those who are new to sea kayaking. This group’s schedule is similar to that of a Water, Bumpy Water, or Bigger Bumpy Water pods, but with a focus on foundational skills for success. This might not be their first time paddling, but they are new to sea kayaking!
Learning on the Move
Read More - Learning on The Move Track
This is the core of the symposium! We work in challenge-level pods based on guided self-assessments. These pods will have coaches who will help facilitate learning on the move as we use the environment in Grand Marais and along pictured rocks to develop and grow.
Learning on the Move
Challenge Levels
At GLSKS, challenge levels aren’t about difficulty — they’re about where you’ll learn best. Check out each level the tools for success are what you are already currently owning. Each pods shapes their learning together based on the groups goals. The possabilties are some areas of focus you might explore. A note on conditions and how it connects to challenge levels, conditions should not dictate your honest self-assessment of your abilities. The groups will use the environment and conditions to foster growth and skills needed for success in each challenge level.
Challenge Level FAQs
What are Challenge Levels?
Challenge levels are a way to help you find your learning zone — the place where you’re stretched just enough to grow, but still supported and successful. They’re not about ranking paddlers or chasing conditions. They’re about matching you with a pod and a coaching approach that fits where you are and what you want to work on.
What if I was in a certain level last year?
Come with an open mind. Experience on the water doesn’t always mean the same skills or goals. You might want to explore new challenges or circle back to strengthen foundations. It’s not a ladder; it’s a spectrum that shifts with your learning focus.
Can I move between levels?
Pods are set for the weekend so that trust and rhythm can build within each group, but coaches can tailor experiences within those pods. There’s flexibility for each paddler to explore and grow inside their chosen challenge level.
How will I know where I belong?
Thursday morning is designed to help with that. We’ll paddle together, reflect, and talk with coaches to find the right fit. The goal isn’t to prove anything — it’s to make sure your weekend supports the kind of paddling and progress you’re looking for.
So… are they like “easy, medium, and hard”?
No. Challenge levels aren’t steps or stages — they’re places to focus your learning. Each one builds from a base skill set (for example, Bumpy Water might align roughly with ACA Levels 2–4, and Bigger Water with 3–5), but those numbers are simply references, not requirements or caps. Every pod offers a space to learn and progress, no matter your starting point.
Tools for SUCCESS
THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
- love of the sport
- gear that fits and works
- a smile and an open attitude to learning
ACA 1-4
You own these tools in the conditions for WATER.
Learning Possibilities
POSSIBILITIES
FOUNDATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ->rescues | boat to body to blade awareness | leadership
CORE SKILL BUILDING -> effective propulsion | bracing | turning | momentum | navigation
ADVANCED SKILL REFINEMENT -> self-rescue | towing | precision boat handling | scenarios
Conditions
CONDITIONS
☁︎ Winds up to 10 knots
≈ Flat to 1 foot chop
↔︎ distance 0-8 miles
Tools for SUCCESS
THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
rock solid assisted rescues
progressing self-rescue
completed paddles of 10-15 miles
ACA 1-4
OWN IT! -> YOU, YOUR SKILLS, AND YOUR GROUP
You own these tools in the conditions for BUMPY WATER.
Learning Possibilities
POSSIBILITIES
ROUGH WATER PROGRESSION
- effective boat handling in wind and waves
- leadership
- intro to surfing
- rescues and towing
HARD SURFACE PROGRESSION
- caves
- break walls and rock gardening
Conditions
CONDITIONS
☁︎ Wind 10-15 knots
≈ seas 1-3 foot / 1-2 foot surf
↔︎ distance 0-15 miles
Conditions we’re owning the skills, not just surviving in.
Tools for SUCCESS
THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS
- Dependable roll
- assisted rescues in under a minute
- the “bumpy water” is just “water”
ACA 1-4
Learning Possibilities
POSSIBILITIES
- where and when not to play
- advanced rescues and towing
- not ideal landings
- surfing
- wave selection
- being in the right place
- group management
- embracing rocks
- trip planning
Conditions
CONDITIONS
Conditions we’re owning our skills in
☁︎ Winds up to 15 – 25 knots
≈ Seas 3-6 feet / 2-4 foot SURF
↔︎ distance 15+ miles
Symposium Schedule Overview
Each day is designed to challenge you at the right level, connect you with coaches and paddlers, and immerse you in the beauty of Grand Marais and Pictured Rocks.
WEDNESDAY | Arrival & Connection
Check in at the Community Center and settle in. We’ll share a dinner, sort gear and rentals, and meet the people we’ll paddle with over the coming days.
THURSDAY | Finding Your Challenge Level
Thursday is our first full day on the water and a chance to get oriented — with the lake, your paddling, and your goals for the weekend. We’ll start in Grand Marais, mixing up groups to explore the harbor and give everyone a shared experience of the water. If you’re in the It’s New to Me track, you’ll already know your group and begin your learning together right away.
This morning paddle helps you and the coaches find the best fit for your learning zone — not by difficulty or wave size, but by what you want to focus on and how you learn best. Challenge levels are about where growth happens, not how “hard” the water is. Over lunch, we’ll form pods based on those discussions, matching paddlers and coaches so each group can progress together. The afternoon is spent refining rescues, building teamwork, and getting comfortable with your pod before the adventures ahead.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY | Learning Adventures
With your pod, you’ll spend two full days on the move — exploring, learning, and pushing your paddling to new places. Coaches will help shape each day’s goals as you travel through the stunning waters of Lake Superior. Expect one day in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and another around Grand Marais, each with its own mix of challenge, discovery, and reward.
SUNDAY | Wrapping Up
Sunday opens with yoga on the beach with our friends at The Bean Machine, followed by the Blessing of the Boats — a long-standing GLSKS tradition. With pods wrapped up, the day shifts to à la carte sessions in the harbor. These half-day courses are open for sign-up the night before and offer a chance to focus on a specific skill, try something new, or simply enjoy one last paddle on Lake Superior.
FAQs
Will there be guided trips to Pictured Rocks?
Not in the sense of a traditional guided tour. Our focus is on skill development and self-reliance, we’ll provide coaching and pod-based exploration. Typically, one full-day pod trip will go to Grand Island or along Pictured Rocks, and the other full-day trip will be around Grand Marais. These are structured learning adventures rather than guided excursions.
What gear do I need? Can I rent equipment?
Bring your own kayak and gear if you have them. If not, The Power of Water and our sponsors provide demo kayaks, paddles, drysuits, spray decks, and helmets. Requests for loaner equipment are made in advance through the registration form.
Who can participate?
We welcome paddlers of all levels. Our courses range from “new-to-me” up through advanced skills. The protected waters of Grand Marais Harbor give a safe environment even when Lake Superior is lively, and our low instructor-to-student ratio supports customized learning opportunities.
My family or friends don’t paddle, can they come?
Yes — absolutely. Bring your non-paddling family or friends and turn the symposium into a vacation. Grand Marais sits at the gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with hiking, waterfalls, sand dunes, beaches and more. Nearby attractions include Tahquamenon Falls, Grand Island and the shipwreck museum in Munising.
How do classes work?
Our approach and structure is a bit different than other symposiums. You don’t need to sign up for specific classes — your pod and track will guide your learning experiences. Check out more on how the learning tracks and challenge levels work on our “what to expect page“
Where is the nearest medical clinic or hospital?
The nearest full-service medical clinic is in Munising, MI, about 50 miles west of Grand Marais.
Superior Walk-In & Family Health – 906-387-4220
Munising Memorial Hospital – 906-387-4110
(Note: distances are approximate; travel time may vary with conditions.)
What’s included with registration?
Registration includes all coaching sessions, three community dinners, a Tech-shirt, evening activties and access to demo equipment. Lodging, breakfasts and lunches, and transportation are not included.
What’s the food situation in Grand Marais?
A few local restaurants and a café are within walking distance. Bring lunches and snacks for full-day sessions. Vegetarian options are available for group dinners (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday). Drinks are not provided.
What should I expect for weather and water conditions?
Conditions on Lake Superior can range from calm and warm to cold and windy in a single day. Water temperatures are typically cool year-round. Bring layers and paddling gear suitable for immersion.
What is the cancellation or refund policy?
If you need to cancel, your registration can be credited 100 percent toward next year’s symposium or a course through The Power of Water.
Gear and Location Info
Join Us at the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community of paddlers at the longest-running sea kayak symposium in the USA. Secure your spot today to enjoy four days of expert coaching, delicious meals, and unforgettable social gatherings. Click the button to register and embark on a journey of learning and adventure. Spaces are limited, so act fast to ensure your place at this incredible event!
Cancellation Policy
We understand that plans can change unexpectedly. If you find yourself unable to attend the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, rest assured that we offer a 100% credit towards next year’s event or any of our other programs. This credit is valid indefinitely, ensuring you can join us when the time is right for you.