Opening Day 2026 is Right Around the Corner

• Posted on 13 April 2026
• By Julia Peet
• 0

There’s something about this time of year that just hits different. The snow is melting, the days are getting longer, and you can feel summer slowly making its way back to the Lakes Region. Around here, that only means one thing—Opening Day is right around the corner.

There’s something about this time of year that just hits different. The snow is melting, the days are getting longer, and you can feel summer slowly making its way back to the Lakes Region. Around here, that only means one thing—Opening Day is right around the corner.

We’re less than two weeks out from April 24th, and Sun Sports+ is getting ready to open the doors for our 33rd season on the Naples Causeway. Thirty-three years. That number means a lot to us. It’s not just seasons—it’s summers, memories, families, and a whole lot of hard work behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Because what most people don’t see is what goes into getting ready for summer.

This time of year, the shop is anything but quiet. Boxes are coming in daily, floors are getting reset, displays are being built, and every inch of the store is getting dialed in. It’s organized chaos in the best way. We’re unpacking, tagging, cleaning, stocking—and slowly watching the shop come back to life after a long winter.

Our sunglass wall is stacked with all the heavy hitters—Oakley, Smith, Maui Jim, and Ray-Ban are all in and looking better than ever. It’s one of those first signs that summer is close. You throw on a fresh pair of shades, and suddenly you’re already picturing yourself out on the boat.

Clothing racks are filling up too. Rip Curl and O’Neill just landed, bringing that easy, laid-back, lake-life style we all wait for this time of year. It’s the kind of gear you live in all summer long—whether you’re on the water, grabbing ice cream, or hanging on the dock until sunset.

And then there’s the gear. The heart of what we do.

Life jackets are stocked and ready. O’Brien and Connelly products are rolling in—waterskis, wakeboards, ropes, all the essentials for getting out behind the boat. Aquaglide lakefront bouncers and park setups are here and ready to turn any shoreline into the ultimate hangout spot. Wetsuits are in, too, for those early season rides when the water hasn’t quite caught up to the air temp yet.

It’s a lot of moving pieces, but it all comes together for one reason—to get you ready for summer.

This shop has been built over the last 33 years by Harry and Kirsten, who have poured everything into creating something that’s more than just a store. It’s a place people come back to year after year. A place that’s part of their summer tradition. And for the past 11 years, I’ve been lucky enough to be along for the ride—learning, growing, and being part of something that means so much to so many people.

Opening Day isn’t just about unlocking the doors. It’s about kicking off another season of lake days, boat rides, sunburns, and memories you’ll talk about all winter long.

We can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new ones. Whether you’re gearing up for your first trip out on the water or just stopping by to see what’s new, we’ll be ready.

April 24th. Less than two weeks away.

Summer starts here.