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By Kevin on March 3rd, 2011
 Comments are closedWow! 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 February 8th, 2011
Comments are closed I can think of many reasons to attend a Regatta, a Windsurfing, Kiting, or sailing event.
No.1 It’s a party! A get-together with friends that enjoy the same sports you do. Everyone likes to have others around them to kite, windsurf or sail with when they are enjoying their sport. You have to admit it’s more fun when there are others to watch and hoot, holler and encourage when doing your sport. Most people find the social aspect of the sport a big part of the sport and a boost to the fun factor. You meet new friends that enjoy the same thrills you do. At work your fellow workers are probably sick of listening to you babble about how much fun you had in the wind. Why, they hate the wind, for it makes their sports harder or impossible. They don’t understand your psych, nor do they want to. When you get to the beach it’s a whole different story. Everyone wants to hear you story and share theirs. So go and party with those who enjoy those who enjoy your sport.
No. 2 It’s a great way to learn and improve! For those new to the sport, they can hang with those experienced and learn from them. Most of the those I have meet are more than willing to share and HELP those who are learning. Remember all of us were Beginners at one time and we don’t forget those days. We want to help beginners get through the tough times as fast as possible and enjoy the sport at a higher level. I have personally watch and experienced everyone who competes improve a much greater rate than those who fine every excuse to not compete. How many have said they are not competitive but when you see them on the water they are trying to out do others. Jumping higher, going faster, or doing harder or more tricks. Those sailors should be honest to themselves and join the FUN.
No.3 It’s Fun Competition! It’s fun to compare yourself to others. Getting the jitters on the starting line is exciting. Where else do you get a rush like that? It’s great fun to be next to your friends pushing eachother to do your best. You will find you push yourself harder than when you are alone. I enjoy cheering others on and hooting it up. It will promote you to pay more attention to techniques, equipment setup and tuning, tactics and weather.
No.4 Help Promote your great sport! Having a Competition bring a bigger group than normal and showcases our sport. It entices and creates interest in those who watch to join the fun. How can one not help wanting to participate in a sport where everyone is having so much fun.We all want to share our enjoyment of our great sport and help it grow. So we have more friends to Party with!
No.5 Don’t be a Party Pooper! If you enjoy Competitions and would like to see more of them as well as see the existing ones grow to higher levels, you must attend. Not attending an event because of lack of wind is the most common excuse. Forecast are often wrong, weather always changes. Wind can come out of no-where.
That mentality is the quickest and sure way to kill a Competition or Event. Think of the big picture of the makings of an Event. You must have a race organizer, support personnel and sponsorship of some kind. A lot of behind the scene work goes on. Not attending because the forecast does not look good puts all their work in vain. The sponsors do not see a return for their investment, therefore they pull out. Soon the event is history.
So remember instead of contacting your friends and telling them you are not going to make the Event because of a poor forecast. Contact all you’re friends and tell them to come and join you at the Party!
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 December 16th, 2010
Comments are closed The 2010/11 Winter Sailing Season started Dec 5 – 7 for Team Wind Power. Ed Schneider, Bruce Jondle and myself sailed off Wendt’s Supper Club located on the west side of Winnebago, half way between Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. As you can see in the video the ice was black and smooooth. 3″ of awesome ice. Monday Ed and I returned to get more of it. Tuesday I sailed the Winterboard in front of the shop. The ice there was rough for a freeskate but oka for the Winterboard.
Checkout the video below for sampling of the action we enjoyed.
(note: there are 2 videos that play sequentially)
Freeskate and Winterboard on Lake Winnebago - See more images in the photo gallery
The following Saturday Matt Schmitz, Jeff Ross, Don Altmeyer and Steve Shapson kited at Wendt’s in 50/50 ice/snow conditions. Ed Schneider and myself tried the Freeskates and Winterboards. The ensuing Blizzard conditions, quickly drove us to Wendt’s friendly and finely stocked bar. Sunday we had the first Blizzard of the season, which blew all the snow off the lake. The 40 to 50 mph winds opened the north end of Lake Winnebago. After the Blizzard and few very cold days we have crystally ice/snow on most of the lake but the North end has glassy ice where it opened Sunday. There is a tentative DN Iceboat regatta to be held on the north end near Neenah Sat and Sun Dec. 18 & 19. Team Wind Power plans to be there to sail the freeskates and Winterboards and enjoy the Regatta action.
Wind Power just found some brand new Winterboards which are really hard to find. Don’t wait get your winter ride today! There are also Freeskates available. See online store for more information.
We currently have 10 -12 ” of ice in front of the shop. Contact Wind Power to get the latest ice conditions and where we are sailing or kiting. Kevin’s cell 920-251-1002.
By Kevin on February 16th, 2010
Comments are closed Below is a video of JohnO after his initial 2-3 hour beginner kite lesson. He has great speed and form for only kiting about 10 minutes in his life.
Now that JohnO has completed his beginner lesson, he needs more time on the kite to get comfortable handling more power. John also needs to improve his light wind kite flying. In light winds, technique plays a big factor in keeping the kite up. John was flying a 5 meter Naish Helix (4 line SLE Kite with 100% depower). Don Altmeyer, an excellent kiter was kiting with a 12 meter Naish Helix at the same time. On soft water John would not have enough power to get up and go, but Don with the 12 meter would have had enough power to get up and even jump.
After the beginner lesson one needs to put another 15 – 20 hours on the kite to build on their skills so they can handle the power required to get up on soft water. One can shorten that time with another lesson or two.
The Winter is more than half over so don’t procrastinate if you want to kite this summer. GET OUT and RIDE!
By Kevin on December 6th, 2009
- (Comments are closed) Wintertime at Wind Power Windsurfing & Kiting Center is a busy time once Lake Winnebago freezes and the Ice is safe. Windsurfing & Kiteboarding in the winter can be better than the summer for a lot of sailors & kiters.
The Winter ice has many advantages:
- you can get more sailing/kiting days as winds tend to be stronger in the winter and the wind requirements on the ice are much less.
- you can use your smaller kits (sails or kites) since less wind is required. This is a great time to get more use of your smaller sizes that don’t get used much in the water season.
- Wind Direction is not as critical with sailing/launch spot. You can sail in front of Wind Power all winter long on all wind directions.
- Learning to sail or kite in the winter is easier and the preferred method. See this post by Kevin – Learn to Kitesurf in the Winter at Wind Power (this is especially true for kiting, but applies to windsurfing too!)
- No dealing with cold water. Yes, the temperature is lower, but dressed appropiately (Ski or Snowboard clothing) with proper protective gear (helment and pads) you stay toasty warm.
- You probably have most of the gear if you windsurf or kitesurf. You may get a different board or use your snowboard for snow kiting.
- See the 09/10 Winter Flyer for pictures of the freeskate, snowfer, winterboard and iceboard.
Here is a Video of Kevin on the Freeskate with a windsurfing rig. The freeskate is similar to a large skateboard with blades instead of wheels. It has larger trucks, and the board is very manuverable. You need pretty clean ice for the freeskate. The snowfer offers a more ‘all-terrain’ board and it works good on ice and snow. And the kiters use mostly skis or a snowboard.
Snow Kiting Jumping sequence on Lake Winnebago
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