100 Boats Rush In After Airshow + Get Caught By Storm On Lake Superior

I checked the forecast several times this week, hoping that Lake Superior would be calm enough for venturing out to see the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds perform their free show over Duluth.

The weather was looking good with just a slight chance of a storm. After finishing up some boat maintenance and getting it all geared up for the big lake, we headed out from the Superior port entry and motored across a very calm Lake Superior to get over by the lift bridge.

I'll tell you what: they were the best seats I've ever had for an airshow. It was fantastic to see the planes right over our heads. It really was something special. We listened to the commentary on the radio and it was just awesome all the way around.

They started the show 10 minutes earlier than planned because a front was making its way in, and they wanted to get as much of the show in before that. They mentioned rain could come, but I wasn't worried about getting a little wet.

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They did their last aerial maneuver and had to cut it a little short because the storm was already approaching. I looked back at the lift bridge and saw the dark clouds. I started making my way to get into the safety of the harbor.

About 100 other boats also started doing the same, and then as I passed under the lift bridge I saw sand blowing from the docks like a dust storm and white caps form.

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We were hit with huge waves, crashing over the side of our boat. Water was spraying so much in my face and my eyes that I had a hard time seeing where I was going. I can still taste Lake Superior in my nose and throat as I'm writing this because it was like being waterboarded trying to get to shelter.

Meanwhile, a pontoon broke down and the St. Louis County Sheriff was assisting them. Smaller boats were trying to take shelter under the Minnesota slip bridge.

We were able to hug the harbor wall and get some relief from the wind and made our log, wet, journey back to Barker's Island where we put in.

It was an adventure we'll always remember. We made it back without any real damage to the boat, we were just soaked through to our underwear. The show was worth it, and the adventure just made it more memorable.