David Frost reflects on the life and legacy of Thunder Bay’s Mike Madge, a passionate iceboater, teacher, and friend:

“Hey Mikey!”
“Hey, Super Dave!”

This is how Madge and I frequently greeted each other on our calls, which were many. When you strike up a friendship with someone who lives 13 hours away, the phone becomes the tool of choice.

For most of us, Mike came into our lives because we went to play on his puddle, Lake Superior, Thunder Bay, with the 2010 North Americans. Mike knew of the sport and had sailed soft water with a few DNers, always wanting to try it. So, when he saw on the news that our circus had come to town, he was like a kid on Christmas Eve and couldn’t wait to get out of work the next day and come check out the action.

Mike skated the five or so miles out to our race course and went on the hunt for Bruce Williams. Mike knew Bruce from Hobie Cat racing and found him on the course along with me as Bruce and I had traveled together.

As we were waiting for the wind, it didn’t take long for us to convince Mike that he needed a DN and that there were a few on the ice available. So the next day, he pulled the trigger and acquired a nice Williams package on the condition that we would teach him how to use it. – Full report