The Kayak Kid
Giulio Zora paddles in his kayak in Lake Huron.
At 12 years old, Giulio Zora conquers Lake Huron
By Steve Stein
Giulio Zora has two great loves: kayaking and his family.
Luckily, those passions go hand in hand for the 12-year-old from Washington Township, the youngest of five siblings — including his twin sister, Gia.
“Why do I love kayaking? I love being on the water and staying active during the summer,” Giulio said enthusiastically.
The Zoras are a kayaking family through and through. Since purchasing a lake house in Port Austin on Lake Huron in 2021, they’ve spent nearly every summer weekend paddling along the shoreline. That’s when Giulio got hooked.
“My three brothers got me into kayaking,” Giulio said. “They would go out on the lake and kayak, and I wanted to join them. We can launch our kayaks right from the beach in our backyard.”
Meet the Zora crew:
George, 24, is studying law at the University of Detroit Mercy. He graduated from Oakland University in 2022 and is set to earn his law degree next year.
Giovanni, 23, is an architect. He recently completed a five-year master’s program in architecture at U-D Mercy.
Giuseppe, 19, is a junior accounting major at Oakland University.
Gia, Giulio’s twin, is older by just one minute. The pair are heading into seventh grade at Romeo Middle School, where their mom, Denise, works as a reading paraprofessional.
Each sibling is a Romeo High School grad — and every one of them (dad included) is an eager kayaker. Their father, Gus, owns a gas station and spends many summer days paddling alongside his kids.
“If we’re not racing, we often go down the coast of Lake Huron and admire the scenic views and nature,” said George.
That time together means more than just good exercise.
“Our family’s love of going out on the lake and kayaking together is a true testament to our strong bond and makes our time at the lake house all the more enjoyable,” George said. “The memories we make on the water are something that will last a lifetime, and something I’ll always cherish and appreciate.”
This summer, Giulio has his eyes on a personal milestone: paddling all the way to Turnip Rock, a popular geological formation near Port Austin that’s considered one of Michigan’s natural wonders. It’s a seven-mile round trip.
“I’ve been practicing a lot for that trip,” he said, confidently.
George said it’s been fun watching Giulio grow into a true kayaker.
“It’s amazing to see him really take to a new sport and work to be the best at it,” said George. “I love seeing how far he’s come with it.”
Denise is thrilled her son is so engaged — especially in an era where screens often compete for kids’ attention.
“He can’t wait to get in his kayak and get out on the lake,” she said. “That makes me happy, because I’m not a fan of kids his age being glued to electronics.”
Giulio encourages other kids to give kayaking a try.
“It’s fun for me, so they should try it,” he said. “But I’d caution them to be careful the first time they go out on the water.”
Kayaking isn’t Giulio’s only athletic interest. He’s been playing soccer since he was 2 years old and now competes with the Michigan Jaguars travel team.
The Zoras are also active members of Holy Martyrs Chaldean Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, a community they’re proud to be part of.
But for now, as long as there’s sunshine and open water, you’ll likely find Giulio — paddle in hand — gliding across Lake Huron with a big smile on his face.
This story was made possible by a submission from Giulio’s brother, George, who sent in the idea through the portal chaldeannews.com/story. If you have a story idea, please use that portal or if you have a sports story, email Steve Stein directly at stevestein502004@yahoo.com.