Down Wind Sports

Bug Season Is Here!

bill — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:03:12 +0000

Mosquito

By J. Patrick Lewis

I was climbing up the sliding board

When suddenly I felt

A mosquito bite my bottom

And it raised a big red welt.

So I said to that mosquito,

“I’m sure you wouldn’t mind

If I took a pair of tweezers

And I tweezered your behind!”

He shriveled up his body

And he shuffled to his feet,

And he said, “I’m awfully sorry

But a skeeter’s got to eat!

Still, there are mosquito manners,

And I must have just forgot ‘em.

And I swear I’ll never never never

Bite another bottom.”

But a minute later Archie Hill

And Buck and Theo Brown

Were horsing on the monkey bars,

Hanging upside down.

They must have looked delicious

From a skeeter’s point of view

‘Cause he bit ‘em on the bottoms,

Archie, Buck and Theo too!

You could hear ‘em goin’ HOLY!

You could hear ‘em goin’ WHACK!

You could hear ‘em cuss and holler,

Goin’ smack, smack, smack.

A mosquito’s awful sneaky,

A mosquito’s mighty sly,

But I never never never

Thought a skeeter’d tell a lie.

The Upper Peninsula bug season season can occur from March through July causing some folks to seek shelter indoors and avoid these troublesome bugs! The rest of us outdoor enthusiast’s forge ahead despite the bugs, glad to head into the woods after a long winter season. It’ s hard to determine which bugs we dislike more, mosquitoes or the dreaded black fly.

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are insects that have been around for more than 30 million years. And it seems that, during those millions of years, mosquitoes have been honing their skills so that they are now experts at finding people to bite. The feeding habits of mosquitoes are quite unique in that it is only the adult females that bite humans and other animals. The male mosquitoes feed mainly on plant juices. Mosquitoes have a battery of sensors designed to track their prey, including:

Chemical sensors – mosquitoes can sense carbon dioxide and lactic acid up to 100 feet (36 meters) away. Mammals and birds gives off these gases as part of their normal breathing. Certain chemicals in sweat also seem to attract mosquitoes (people who don’t sweat much don’t get nearly as many mosquito bites).
Visual sensors – if you are wearing clothing that contrasts with the background, and especially if you move while wearing that clothing, mosquitoes can see you and zero in on you. It’s a good bet that anything moving is “alive”, and therefore full of blood, so this is a good strategy.

Heat sensors – Mosquitoes can detect heat, so they can find warm-blooded mammals and birds very easily once they get close enough.

Something with this many sensors sounds more like a military aircraft than an insect. That’s why mosquitoes are so good at finding and biting you. As we’ll see later, the only way to stop these buggers from finding you is to confuse their chemical receptors with impenetrable clothing or with Bug Spray.

Black Fly

Like mosquitoes, black flies gain nourishment by living on the blood of other animals. It’s just the females who do all of the damage by biting and feeding on blood: the males feed mainly on flower nectar. Unlike mosquitoes, black fly eggs are laid in moving water where the larvae attach to rocks using tiny hooks and survive under ice, waiting for the spring thaw. There, they pupate under water feeding on passing organic debris and emerge in a bubble of air as flying adults. When they hatch, they are often preyed upon by fish, such as trout. They live about 4-6 weeks, depending on species, temperature, and food supply.

WHAT YA GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Sea To Summit Mosquito Headnet

When it’s bug season, make the outdoors more enjoyable by protecting your head with this lightweight net. It’s black mesh netting offers better visibility than white mesh and when not in use it folds down into a small pouch that fits in the palm of your hand!

Fine, 500 hole per square inch hexagonal mesh
Made of a soft multifilament polyester
Packaged in its own tiny stuff sack
Elasticized draw cord closure
Wide enough to wear with a hat or without
Also available in an Insect Shield® Permethrin treated model
Weight: 1.3oz

Outdoor Research Spring Headnet

This no-see-um headnet gives you reliable insect protection without the chemicals. The collapsible metal hoop holds the mesh away from your face. A drawcord neck closure prevents the tiniest pests from entering your air space and it collapses into a pocket for easy storage. Perfect for trudging trough Mulligan Swamp!

Herbal Armor Insect Repellents

Herbal Armor Insect Repellents are the #1 natural, DEET-Free insect repellent according to IRI data and have been mentioned in Popular Science, National Geographic Adventure and more. Using six natural repelling oils in over 25% concentration, they have been proven 100% effective for two hours and 95.8% for three. Allergy tested, and proven non-irritating, the Herbal Armor™ repellents are good for kids and those with sensitive skin. The time-released encapsulation helps make them sweat resistant for active lifestyles. In addition, unlike DEET-based repellents, they won’t damage clothing or equipment.

Don’t let these pesky creature ruin your outdoor adventures……At Down Wind Sports we offer several weapons to combat these dreaded bugs, providing some sanity to your early spring adventures. Stop by either of our stores and get prepared for the bugs!

Hope Starts Here

bill — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:12:15 +0000

The 7th Annual Hope Starts Here Challenge–May 12th, 2012.

Looking to have a little fun this weekend and support a great cause? Everyone should head on over to Lakeview Arena for the 7th annual Hope Starts Here Challenge slated to take place May 12th. Haven’t registered yet? No problem-you still can register ONLINE. This year events include competitive 5K, 10K runs and individual and team duathlon. Also new this year is a competitive 1/2 marathon! There are also non competitive options including a leisure walk or a short bike ride on the lakeshore bike path, and cannine friends are welcome! Hope to see everyone down at the event!

EVENT DESCRIPTIONS

The half marathon leaves from the back of Lakeview Arena. Racers cross Lakeshore Blvd and head SOUTH on the Lakeshore bike path. After 3.5 miles, racers turn around (approximately at the bridge over the Carp River along US41. The course doubles back, crosses Lakeshore Blvd at Lakeview Arena and heads NORTH on the bike path towards Presque Isle. Runners go clockwise around Presque Isle (against the flow of car traffic) then head towards Lakeview Arena. Racers continue on PINE St. (NOT the bike path) to the back parking lot of Lakeview. The finish line is just inside Olsen Arena. There will be abundant course personnel and signage.

The duathlon 5K, and the 5K and 10K runs leave the back of Lakeview Arena, head towards the Lakeshore Bike path and take a left heading NORTH towards Presque Isle. The 5K turnaround is approximately at the bridge over the Dead River. There is an aid station here. 5K racers head back towards Lakeview, while 10K runners go around Presque Isle clockwise. All returning runners turn onto PINE St. and head to the back parking lot of Lakeview Arena. Finish line is inside Lakeview Arena.

For the bike portion of the Duathlon: transition zone is inside Lakeview. You must RUN your bike to the outside, NO BIKE RIDING in Lakeview. Bikers head out the door and turn left towards the Superior Dome. Bikers cross Pine St into Berry Event Center parking lot, and head NORTH. Bikers cross Wright St, Hawley St and head onto cinder path by power plant. The course heads into the woods, crossed under Co Rd 550 and into Tourist Park area. The course is along the Noquemanon and Superior Bike Fest Trails. It does go down the sand pit hill and up Kirby’s. Returning to Lakeview, bikers stay between the skate park and the building (so as not to run over the returning runners). Shortly before the entrance to Olsen Arena, bikers MUST DISMOUNT and run their bikes back to the transition zone.

More detailed view of Lakeview Arena area. (Tiny orange flag people are locations of crossing guards.)

Thursday Night Mountain Bike Rides Start This Week!

bill — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:53:46 +0000

Join us in Marquette every Thursday evening for our Mountain Bike Group rides. This is a good ole’ ride at your own pace, social, off road bike ride. These rides are a great way to meet other local bikers and to be introduced to all of the different trails in the Marquette area as each week we will choose a different trail to ride. Bring water, energy food or gels, and of course helmets are required. Typical ride times are between 1-2 hours and we meet at 6:30pm. For more information please call the shop at 906-226-7112. Thursday’s ride meets at the Harlow Lake (Gravel Pit) Trail Head- two track-single track, beginner/ intermediate skill level

DWS Now Stocking Disk Golf Supplies!

bill — Mon, 07 May 2012 15:35:09 +0000

Innova Driver $9.99

Innova Putter $9.99

Disk Bag $14.99

An afternoon of disk golf with friends……priceless!

With an increasing demand from our customers to start stocking disk golf equipment, DWS has gone all in and we are now stocking disks and accessories from Innova and Disk Craft.

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee. The sport was formalized in the 1970′s, and shares with “ball golf” the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of throws. A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the “hole”. the hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole- an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the “putt” lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won’t need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad “tee time.” It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.

Please spread the word and if you get a chance stop by and talk with Nic- as he can share his expertise and favorite course locations!

New Product- Camelbak All Clear

bill — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:38:37 +0000

Having traveled to remote area’s around the globe, always suspect of the water I am drinking, there can be nothing as devastating as ruining a trip by being struck by Montezuma’s Revenge! I am super stoked to see that the new innovative CamelBak All Clear water purifier is finally here!

For more than 30 years, CamelBak has been blazing the path forward in hydration innovation. Now they are innovating solutions in water purification with the same superior results. Meet CamelBak All Clear, the powerful new UV purification system. Fast, effective and backed by our Got Your Bak^TM Lifetime Guarantee, CamelBak All Clear maximizes UV exposure for drinking water you can trust.

Fresh out of the box….stop in the shop for an in store demonstration!

Super Moon Saturday Night

bill — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:10:33 +0000

Many of you are likely contemplating weekend plans since Saturday is graduation, but there may be another event to pencil into your calendar: viewing the “super moon.” At 11:35 p.m. ET Saturday, the official full moon will occur at the same time its orbit brings the familiar white globe closest to Earth.

The moon will appear very large and bright in the sky, about 16% brighter than usual. The best location to view the moon at its largest is when it is along the horizon after rising and just before setting. Viewing the moon behind trees or other objects will create an optical illusion so it appears even larger, making it a perfect time to try and grab some beautiful pictures.

So why is this full moon “super”? As the moon orbits the Earth, there are specific times when it is closest to and farthest away from our planet. Apogee occurs when the moon is farthest away from Earth, and perigee occurs when it is closest. On Saturday, the moon will be at its perigee and thus very close to Earth – about 221,000 miles away.

This full moon will be big, bright, beautiful and certainly worth a look. The timing to see it will be perfect when many of you are out celebrating Saturday night so be sure to remember to look up!

Nepal / Tibet Slideshow May 3rd

bill — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:37:48 +0000

The Northern Center for Lifelong Learning will present “A Visit to the Land of Nepal and Tibet” at 7 p.m. May 3 in the Superior Dome’s room 101-B.

Bill Thompson, from Down Wind Sports, has visited the countries for the past 12 years and will discuss his most recent trip in September 2011. A free will donation after the talk will benefit an school in the region that Thompson supports.

Camping Sale This Weekend!

bill — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:47:39 +0000

Radical Reels Film Tour Hits Marquette!

bill — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:22:08 +0000

Beaumier Heritage Center and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Present:

Radical Reels Tour
The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center and U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame present the Banff Mountain Film Festival’s Radical Reels Tour. The film will be shown in Jamrich 102 on Monday, April 30 at 7p.m. This event is sponsored in part by National Geographic, The North Face, Deuter, V.I.O., and I.O. Merino. Tickets for the event are $7.50 for adults; $5 for NMU students and 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in Ishpeming or the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at 105 Cohodas Hall. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 906-485-6323 or visiting www.skihall.com.

Every year, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival presents the wildly popular Radical Reels night – a presentation of the best high-adrenaline films entered into the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival competition. Inspired by the excitement of the Festival event, the Radical Reels Tour has been travelling with a selection of the hottest action sports films since 2004. Here is a link to a trailer for the films to be shown at the event, http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/worldtour/radicalreels/#2.

The Radical Reels Tour visits more than 50 locations across North America from Sitka to Vegas, Atlanta to Toronto, and dozens of happening towns in between. The Radical Reels program is made up of short, action-packed climbing, paddling, mountain biking, BASE jumping, skiing, snowboarding, and other adrenaline sport films. The films feature a fresh approach, a new sport, and a radically independent spirit.

New Gear: Optimus (H)EAT Pouch

bill — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:17:21 +0000

We have all been there……out camping and prepared a beautiful meal, and then when it’s time to chow down your dinner is as cold as an early spring morning in the U.P. Have no fear….. the new Optimus Heat Pouch now preserves your marvelous culinary creations with an ingenious, innovative slip-in side pocket that let’s you eat directly from a food pouch!

With the new Optimus (H)EAT Insulation Pouch, you will eat your food as hot as it has been cooked. The Optimus (H)EAT allows you to keep your meals hot to the very last morsel – even while outdoors. No matter how foul the weather is, the convenient slip-in side pockets protect your hands against the wind and cold while keeping your food warm.

Whether you are enjoying a romantic evening outdoors, hiking, going on an alpine tour or a demanding expedition, you will find the Optimus (H)EAT to be the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. It transforms any place into a romantic spot and any outdoor meal into a feast. The heat pouch is made of insulated material and is the perfect fit for freeze-dried Trek’n Eat menus. Preparation is easy. Just put the Trek’n Eat instant meal pouch into the Optimus (H)EAT, open the pouch, pour in boiling water, close the pouch again and let the meal cook. Whether in summer or winter – the Optimus (H)EAT will uniformly cook all the tasty Trek’n Eat menus, which will then remain hot in the Optimus (H)EAT for 30 percent longer.

Of course, you can also prepare your menu in a small outdoor cooking pot, for example the Optimus Terra Weekend HE or the Terra Solo. Very useful that it, too, fits into the Optimus (H)EAT. Inserting it is easy and convenient with the Velcro closure. The slip-in pockets at the sides offer a good grip during eating, protecting your hands against the wind and the cold and at the same time against the hot cooking pot or the hot pouch. With a very small packing size of 17.5 x 20 cm, the Optimus (H)EAT Insulation Pouch hardly takes up any space in your backpack, weighing only 77 grams. Whether you are thinking of an outdoor enthusiast or a simple lover of nature, you will find the Optimus (H)EAT a really hot idea for a gift.

Stop by our stores to check out the heat pouch today!