Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak celebrates 10-year anniversary
From staff reports
This summer, Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak—the originators of Northern Michigan’s surf culture—celebrates a decade of being in business. Located in Empire, this family owned and operated shop is the region’s go-to for everything freshwater activity-related.
Since 2004, owner Beryl Skrocki and her family have been providing visitors and local surf enthusiasts with high quality products and service. The shop was the first to bring surfing, then stand-up paddling, to Northern Michigan. Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak (SBSK) has spent the last 10 years adapting to the newest trends in many non-motorized water sports and its offerings are as such. Its Empire shop boasts an impressive selection of the latest surfboards, skimboards and SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) for sale or rental, as well as skateboards and a large offering of quality swimwear and beach fashion. The rental fleet also includes kayaks, fat tire and cargo bikes and other beach essentials. SBSK prides itself in being family oriented and approachable to all, from the first-timer to the seasoned pro. Its experienced and knowledgeable team can help guide customers to the perfect piece of gear or set them up with lessons, tours and camps in surfing, kayaking and SUP.
Speaking of gear, Skrocki has never been one to shy away from looking into what might be the next big thing in freshwater activities. Through community connections and suggestions from friends, she has sought out new, unique products, tapping into the true essence of surf culture. “Surfing is all about taking healthy risks and we’ve done the same at Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak,” says Skrocki. “If we hear about something interesting, we’ll do a little research and then go out on a limb to be the first to introduce it to the community.” This was the case when SBSK introduced stand-up paddling to Northern Michigan; now it’s one of the fastest growing water activities in the area.
In addition to being Northern Michigan’s cutting edge freshwater shop, SBSK also takes great strides in supporting its community and offering educational opportunities. This summer, the shop will be offering its 4th annual SBX Waterman Camp for kids ages 12 and up on July 21-25. (For ages 7-11, there is also a basic “watergrom” camp over the same dates.) This daily camp has been designed to help encourage outdoor activity and create water enthusiasts with forays into surfing, skimming, SUPing, kayaking, snorkeling and hiking. For more information about this and other SBSK community events, visit SBSK’s Facebook page or website (SBsurfandkayak.com).
SBSK was recently mentioned in Outside magazine’s (online) list of America’s top 10 places to surf. Skrocki and her staff are eager to show the community of Northern Michigan (and beyond!) that, yes, you can surf on the freshwater waves of Michigan’s west coast and they are ‘stoked’ for what the next ten years may bring for Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak.
For more information, visit SBsurfandkayak.com or call 231-326-9283(wave).
