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By Kevin on May 10th, 2011
 Comments are closedHave you blown the dust off you soft water sailing equipment? Well it’s time. Lake Winnebago opened on April 7th, as far as we could see to the north from Wind Power . The water temps are in the upper 50’s already. A few more warm days and you can put the drysuits away.
Spring is a great time for those with experience to get out and enjoy some high wind action. Be sure to check all you cold weather gear so it’s going to protect you as designed. Don’t forget to also check over your equipment; u-joint, lines, all screws. Breakdowns can quickly become a much bigger problem with colder water temps.
Wind Power enjoyed it’s annual spring trip to Hatteras. A great group of 14 enjoyed warm temps in the 70’s and lots of wind. I windsurfed overpowered on my 4.2 and kited with an 8m. Christy, Pat and Greg, new kiters, worked on getting rides on soft water and Debbie learned how to Windsurf.
Wind Power’s Online Store has been busy this spring and new items are being added daily. Check it out at http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/shop/ The Mid-West largest used inventory and replacement parts will soon be showcased in the online store! The road construction on Winnebago Drive (in front of the shop) is completed and it’s a big improvement to the area. Come and enjoy a sail out of Roosevelt County Park.
School will be out Soon! Wind Power is currently taking registration for the Kid’s Classes on wed. Starting Wednesday June 15th there will be a morning kids class from 10:00 to noon and an afternoon class from 1:00 to 3:00. Last year the classes were full. We will add a Thursday program if there is enough demand. Call Kevin at Wind Power or see the web site for more information: http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/lessons/windsurf#kids
 Are we having FUN yet? Wednesday night will be the Advanced Windsurf classes. This program covers all levels, from those who have just learned to the aspiring racer. If you are nervous and not real comfortable out in the water, this is the class for you. Kevin will get you relaxed and having fun while learning how to windsurf better. Class curriculum is adjusted to the students level and the wind conditions of the day.
Beginner Windsurf Lessons are available anytime just call ahead to set a lesson time. Wind Power prides itself on having the best lesson equipment available. We want you learning experience to be easy , fun and fast! Roosevelt County Park has a nice shallow sandy area where the beginner lessons take place, it’s an ideal location. See our web site for more information: http://www.windpowerwindsurfing.com/lessons
Kiting Lessons are available, Wind Power supplies the equipment if you don’t have it. A large Pontoon boat is the launch site and a Jet-ski is the chase vehicle. Contact Wind Power for more information and to setup a time.
Stand Up Paddling (SUP) Lessons and equipment are also available. If the wind dies stop over to the shop and pick up a paddle. Paddling along the shore checking out the houses is interesting, you can paddle back in the channel behind Wind Power or cruise up to the Light House and even go in Supply’s marsh.
 Jay and Dr. D Increase your Summer Fun with Wind Power!
By Kevin on May 10th, 2011
Comments are closed The Annual Walleye Wagatta is this weekend May 14th and 15th. This is the first spring regatta of the 2011 MoWind racing season. See the MoWind website for information on the upcoming Regattas. www.mowind.org Arden Anderson is the Principle Race Officer, PRO. With the help of his family he will run the regatta out of Wind Power and Roosevelt County Park. Wind Power supplies the boats and buoys along with free camping in their spacious back yard. After dark on Saturday the bonfire will be lite and tales will be told, there might even be a game of Bite the Bag. Remember a Regatta is a Party! Don’t let the weather dictate whether you participate or not. Party first, sailing is a bonus.
There will be a Workshop Fleet for beginner and less experienced racers. Arden and other racers will assist those in the Workshop fleet so they understand the course and feel comfortable sailing with others. The Workshop Fleet race course is shorter and will be easy for them to get around. MOWind goal is to promote Windsurfing in the Mid-West and Racing is one of the best ways to learn and improve. Every race is a lesson and your sailing with some of the best in the Mid-West.
The Sport Fleet is for graduates of the Workshop Fleet, but who choose start with the A-Fleet, but not to sail the longer course of the A-Fleet. There will be the new KONA One-Design Fleet along with the new 9.5 Raceboard Class. Racing will consist of Course Slalom, and Long Distance racing, weather permitting.
Again this year Ted Schweitzer will be coming to the Walleye Wagatta and he is bringing a trailer with Original Windsurfers for racers and others to test drive. If you want to reserve an Original Windsurfer or learn more about them got to Ted’s web site: http://www.originalwindsurfer.com/site/index.html In the 70’s and early 80’s the Original Windsurfer had One-Design regattas all over the World with attendance up to 450 racers. It’s a great board for lightwind sailing and for freestyle. The Rig is very light and the board manuvers really fast. Come and meet Ted (his father is the co-inventor of Windsurfing) and try an Original Windsurfer.
 Ted on the Original Windsurfer
By Kevin on March 17th, 2011
- (Comments are closed) Sign me up for next Year! Bob and I had a blast and we are making plans for next years event.
We had 3 days of freeriding with the best snowkiters in the US. I saw gliding for the first time and it is really awesome to watch. On the way down the mountain the kiter lifts off and then just glides in the air at times reaching heights twice as high as the trees. The kiter must work his kite properly to maintain the glide or they will drop like a rock. I only saw a handful of kiters attempting this maneuver. Bob is fortunately hanging out with the best kiters in his area and he is starting to glide. Maybe by next year he will be gliding across the road like his friends.
Chasta, the Snowkiter from France, that put Snowkiting on the map was in attendance. He used his smooth kite skills and understanding of the mountain winds to place 1st in the Snowboard division. Brad Gordon from Utah won the men’s Ski division. The Winduro race was a grueling 4 mile course with the first leg upwind, up the lee side of the mountain. Then a blazing fast reach followed by a downwind, down hill broad reach to the finish. Bob got 6th in the Ski division, I was happy to just finish the course.
Heather and Brian Shenck from Windzup put on a great event with Ozone as the major sponsor. The emphasis was on fun and not as much on competition. The fun vibe was definitely there with a snowkite type of Easter egg hunt. Instead of looking for eggs you were looking for bags with coins in them. 2011 Masters intro with video from 2009
On Monday following the Competition the winds were light so Bob and I decided to meet some longtime friends and ski with them. Dick and Arleen Ward from Chicago were some of my best students. I meet them in 1985 when they drove their motorhome past Roosevelt County Park with their windsurfers on top. I saw the windsurfers and waved to them. They turned around and within a half an hour I was giving them advanced lessons. They continued to come to Fond du Lac for lessons, even meeting me in the Gorge one year to do a clinic I was helping Mistral run. They retired in the late 90’s and moved to Corpus Christie to Windsurf. In the winter they move to their mountain home to ski. It is very inspiring to see a couple in their 80’s who still ski and windsurf. I was very happy to catch-up with them.
Kevin & Bob at Snowmass
On Tuesday the winds were back so we traveled to Strawberry Reservoir, Bob’s favorite place and we put some major miles on. The terrain was beautiful with rolling hills a flat lake and several different sized half pipes, remains from an old railroad. All in all I had a great trip, many thanks for Bob putting me up and putting up with a rookie. I will be back next year!
Stay Tuned for our next travels or event. Please leave comments and check out our new YouTube channel.
By Kevin on March 3rd, 2011
Comments are closed Wow! A dream finally come true! I finally made it to Salt Lake City for some SnowKiting in the Mountains and to participated in the SnowKite Masters Event! Something on my bucket list since I heard of it a number of years ago. I had been out to Salt Lake skiing in 1983 with my brother Andy and Friend Jerry Kiesow form work. We had an awesome time, skied 9 different mountains with the last being Jackson Hole. I always wanted to go back there but with my new addiction to windsurfing I was spending all my vacation time on the beaches.
We satisfied our addiction in the winter by sailing of some form on the lakes. Voila! Along comes Kiting! With the advent of kiting we were soon satisfying our new addiction in the winter again kiting on the lakes and sometimes on land given the right conditions. Soon the magazines were featuring articles on SnowKiting. As soon as I saw that I my desire to return to Utah started to re-flame. 4 years ago Bob LeGault, one of my friends a windsurfing/Kiting student of mine was relocated to Salt Lake City for his job. We have stayed in touch and he would tell me stories of him kiting in the mountains with some of the best SnowKiters in the USA. Of course he invited me and friends to come out and join him. Last year Mark Grienert one of my better traveling buddies were trying to make the trip happen. Sad to say, too many things got in the way. I told myself next year it would be my most important trip. I made it happen this year but sad to say none of my other kiting friends could make it.
Bob picked me up at the airport Tuesday and we stopped at his house and quickly loaded up and headed to Strawberry Reservoir, where he was in a competition, placing 2nd in the amateurs 2 weeks ago. After sending an e-mail to Bob to find out what kite sizes to bring, I was surprised with his reply that his most used kite was a 17m. So I packed my 16, 12 and 9 all in a Naish Golf bag. Arriving at Strawberry Tues. afternoon there was absolutely no wind. I took some pictures and was amazed to see snow over my head. Awesome terrain for both Kiting and snowmobiling. Upon returning to Bob”s house I needed rest after getting up @ 3:30 and picking up a bug at the Milwaukee airport and suffering a little altitude sickness. Dehydration in the higher altitudes gives me bad headaches. Coffee and alcohol don’t help at all. Once I drink enough water (about a gallon a day) I’m fine. I need to start at home for my next trip. Wednesday morning I woke-up feeling much better and we packed up and headed to the Event Site for the SnowKite Masters.
Check the Event out at www.snowkitemasters.com On the way up the mountain we checked out many of the sailing and summer kiting spots on Utah Lake which is just south of Salt Lake. We also stopped at the Skyline Motel we’ll be staying in tonight after attending the pre-registration Party! Up the mountain pass we continued, the wind was pretty much non-existent. At about 90% to the top we finally saw a little wind. Wow when we got to the top it was blowing snow. I got my trusty wind meter out and it peaked at 30mph, average of 25 mph. Bob gets his wind report from Kenny at www.forum@utahwindriders.org I must say Kenny was dead on with his report, but it didn’t look good on the way up. We pulled in the parking lot to find a two other vehicles and they were just starting to setup. You wouldn’t believe but the little mini-camper next to us were from Chicago. Amanda and Steven, with a friend from Germany. We pumped up our 9′s and headed out on the mountain terrain. It didn’t take me long to appreciate Bob’s local knowledge. Before I went far he warned me I was headed for a cliff. Visibility was not the best with angle of the light and blowing snow. I told Bob I would follow him and we went downwind and up a large hill. Something I had never done before with a kite. After getting to the top Bob told me to de-power the kite and we’d go down the hill. Well being cautious I de-powered my kite to the max and it would hardly fly. After finally putting it back to full power I could fly the kite and go down the hill. Did I say really haul ASS down the hill. The more we did it the more comfortable it was. Bob had his GPS on and topped at about 38mph. We then decided to go upwind to the top of another cornice. I followed Bob and watched him adeptly maneuver through a ravine. I was checking it out and positioning myself when he hollered that there was a wind hole there. I decided to pass on ride, not wanting to get stuck in the ravine with no wind.
Did I say getting around in all that snow was exhausting at that altitude. After riding till we were beat, we took a break before a second session. Summary: Coming from the lakes to the mountains is like going from the lakes to Maui waves windsurfing. My former student Bob became my instructor in the mountains. I was very fortunate to have him in Salt Lake City.
Checkout www.kitesites.com for awesome video of kiting in Utah.
By Kevin on January 25th, 2011
Comments are closed Winter Safety Equipment allows us to maximize our fun on the ice or snow and avoid or minimize serious injury. When I was a child there were no bike helmets, we didn’t wear ski or snowboard helmets. But times have changed and for the good of those who desire to enjoy winter sports. Following is a list of winter safety equipment we use.
The helmet is the most important safety tool. I prefer a BMX full-face helmet. It’s lighter and cost less than a snowmobile or motorcycle helmet. Bicycle, hockey, snowboard or skiing helmets work also. It depends on the level of protection you desire. The padding in the helmet also helps keep your head warm.
If you kite and are using a snowboard, kneepads and padded shorts really help. You either fall back on your butt or forward on your knees. If you use skis, padded shorts and elbow pads are best. These are minimum pads, adding more padding never hurts.
 Winterboards are very stable but knee and elbow pads are good to use. Freeskates (the shortboard of winter) can cause unorthodox falls therefore they require the most padding. The serious Freeskaters wear knee pads, padded shorts and a chest protector that includes elbow, forearm, shoulder, back and spine padding with plastic covering the soft padding.
In 1985 I started sailing in the winter on windsurfing equipment and didn’t use any padding or helmet. After many falls and poundings I now wear a helmet and a full assortment of pads all the time so I can maximize my fun, push the limits and not get hurt in the process. We need to be able to play or work the next day and the safety protection makes it happen.
Padding or body armor has been improving drastically over the last years and Wind Power is constantly looking for the newest equipment and testing it out to see if it fits our needs. Currently we are looking for padded shorts with built in knee pads.
What’s important to make a good functional pad? It must have thick enough padding with a plastic cover over the outside of the pad to distribute the impact. So knee, elbow, shoulder, shin, forearm, butt and thigh pads should have plastic covers. The Pad Must Say in Place! A pad that slipped is like having no pad at all. It needs to be in place when you need it. I prefer knee pads that I don’t have to slip my foot through. I want to be able to put them over my clothing without removing shoes or clothing. The same with elbow pads. Motocross has developed very nice chest protection with built-in forearm, elbow, shoulder, back/spine and chest protection. This is all built into a shirt that fits snug and holds all the pads in place very well so they are there when you need them. Link to Thor Chest Protector We are looking for hip, butt and knee pads built together similar to the chest protector but haven’t found any good enough for our use yet. Some just came out this year but they lack the plastic covering over the pads. So for now we use padded shorts and separate knee pads. The shorts we use have removable plastic covers for the thigh and butt. Link to padded shorts.
Knee pads need to stay in place, easily install or remove over clothing, have a large pad with a plastic cover. Link to knee pads.
The preferred elbow pad is included in the chest protector. If getting a separate elbow pad, get a similar pad as the knee pad.
A BMX full-face bike helmet offers the best protection as well as warmth in a light package. They are usually cheaper than a motorcycle or snowmobile helmet, even though both of those helmets work great also. Link to helmet. Link to another helmet style.
If you have more questions about padding feel free to contact Wind Power for more information. Protect your self and have more fun without worrying about injury.
p. s. A serious student will show up with all the padding and I’ll be smiling.
By Kevin on January 25th, 2011
Comments are closed The annual Sturgeon Stampede Winter Kiteboarding Classic will be held Feb. 11-13, 2011 on the ice off Fisherman’s Road Landing on lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, WI. The event is organized by WAK (Winnebago Association of Kiteboarding) with support from Wind Power Windsurfing & Kiting Center.
Click here for the Notice of Event flyer. | Click here for the WAK web site.
 2011 WAK Sturgeon Stampede Event flyer
By Kevin on October 17th, 2010
- (Comments are closed) Wind Power has upgraded the Photo Gallery on the web site. The new Gallery has many features such as ratings, comments, search, upload, download and has full HD images (high-definition 1920x1080px). You can read more about the features at the Gallery Help page. It’s pretty easy to use, but there are some nice tips on the help page. There are a bunch of 2010 events posted and new content will be added as events occur. Wind Power may post events from prior years too. The upload, ratings and comments part of the Gallery are a great place to participate. So, we encourage you to check out the Gallery and get involved.
Check out the New Gallery here!
The site navigation menu can take you to the Gallery top level or using the drop-down menu to a specific area of the Gallery (windsurf, kitesurf, open-bic, & upload). Enjoy it! Your comments / feedback are welcome.
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