KENORA, ONTARIO - If you’re making a wake with the wind in your hair, in awe of the way the passing white pines grow from the bedrock on the lake’s shore, be assured you’re doing it in one of the best places in the country.

Discoverboating.ca has named Lake of the Woods on its top 10 Canadian Boating Destinations for 2010, as named by the boat dealers associations from coast to coast.

Described as “North America’s best kept secret,” the lake appears alongside Coal Harbour in Vancouver, Muskoka, Ontario Mont Tremblant, Quebec in a layout that called Canadians to the water.

“A family sailing paradise, great cruising of larger power yachts and houseboats with an abundance of beaches and anchorage locations, not to mention some of the best fishing in North America,” the site reads. “Lake of the Woods is the perfect location for every type and size of boat.”

Jim Flood is the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario board member of the national Discover Boating board. He said between being able to drink the water from the side of your boat after you go for a swim or while you’re dipping a line for fish, Lake of the Woods has some of the best water around.

“There’s good boating in the whole area but the one place that stands out as better than the rest … is Lake of the Woods,” he said.

“There’s good winds all summer and safe harbours so if the wind gets really heavy, there are places to hide. You can always tuck in behind islands and the scenery is just beyond belief. It’s the best sailing from coast to coast. It’s not crowded, there’s water you can drink out of and swim in. There’s world class fishing. It’s heaven.”