Join the 24th Annual Sturgeon Stampede!

Feb. 9th – 10th

Warming up and winding down after a great day in the wind.

Lake Winnebago has turned into a winter play ground again. Many sports take place on the lake in the winter. Kiting, Ice Windsurfing, Ice Boating, [...]]]>

Join the 24^th Annual Sturgeon Stampede!

Feb. 9th – 10^th

Warming up and winding down after a great day in the wind.

Lake Winnebago has turned into a winter play ground again.  Many sports take place on the lake in the winter.  Kiting, Ice Windsurfing, Ice Boating, Snowmobiling, Ice Bikes, 4-Wheeling, Cross-country Skiing, Ice Skating and of course Ice Fishing.  Those are just a few of the many activities enjoyed in the winter on the frozen Lake.  Airplanes touch down, people drive their vehicles on the lake, and it’s like another city out there in the Winter Wonderland.

There is a very busy time on the lake when Sturgeon Spearing takes place.  There can be 10,000 shanties out there with someone in them trying their luck at capturing a Sturgeon.  Sturgeon Spearing usually starts the second weekend of February and runs until the harvest quota of sturgeons are meet which usually takes about a week.

What a great time for a PARTY!  Voila! The Sturgeon Stampede.   Dan Deuster and Ed Schneider started it over 20 years ago.  It has transformed over the years and now it’s a Kiting Event with WAK (Winnebago Association of Kiteboarders) running it.  It also has other entities such as Windsurfing on the ice/snow, Ice skating, Ice bowling and of course food and beer.  Saturday evening is the time to light the bonfire.  So come and watch or better yet participate!  (Link to map)Fisherman's Road

The Kiting Event will kick off Friday with the courses and jumping ramps being setup and tested vigorously.  Beer and Food follows.  Saturday morning registration takes place until 11:00 am followed by an 11:30 riders meeting to discuss the events and their format.  Possible Events include Lake Crossing, GPS Speed Drags, Kitercross (obstacle course), and the Big Air Contest.  Beverages and warm food will be available. At dusk the bonfire will be lit with the awards to follow.  Sunday is a funday with more fun racing.  It is also the back-up day for lack of wind or good conditions.  As of this writing the conditions on the lake are excellent for the event.

Kevin has had the busiest winter yet teaching Winter-Boarding(Windsurfing on the ice/snow) and Kiting.  Winter is the easiest time to learn both sports, especially Kiting.  You can learn to kite in 2 – 3 hours in the winter versus 2 – 3 days in the summer. It takes much more power generated from the kite to get moving on soft water.  If you kite about 10 times in the winter your skills should be at a much better level to learn the soft water kiting easily. If fact you should be able to get rides on soft water the first day you try after kiting in the winter.

So sign up soon so you can get your ten times out with a kite in the winter before it thaws.  Wind Power currently has a waiting list so get on the list ASAP.  The lake has over 2 feet of ice.  The snow conditions are currently excellent now for both skis and snowboards. Wind Power Kite Lessons  link to WP Kite Blog

24^th Annual Sturgeon Stampede Defies Weather Conditions

The members of the Winnebago Association of Kiteboarders (WAK) will be making the best of this years winter weather at the 24th annual Sturgeon Stampede Kiteboarding Classic to be held on February 9^th and 10^th .  “This year offers a unique weather opportunity to explore new methods of sailing and kiting on ice and to enjoy the festivities developed by our members.”

Many of the Midwest’s best kiteboarders will collect off the shores of lake Winnebago to show off their favorite tricks while competing in a variety of heats including: Speed drags, Kitercross, Lake crossing, and of course  Big Air . Events will be scheduled from Noon to dark each day, wind permitting.

Kiteboarding is the fastest growing water / snow sport in the world, and can be enjoyed year round, on snow, ice, or water. It combines the fundamentals of wakeboarding or snowboarding, along with flying a 3 to 16 meter kite for power. The power of the kite allows jumps and tricks often exceeding 20 feet, and the ability to free ride for hours at a time. No gasoline or lift ticket required!

The members of WAK invite you to their event Feb 9-10 and suggest you dress for the weather and bring your camera. Several kite instructors and retailers will be at the event for those interested in learning the sport. An ice bar will be featured at this years event as well as heated shelter, music, food and refreshments. Other activities include ice bowling, Sturge-O-Rama, Sturgeon Queen contest, awards presentation, and a bonfire at dusk.

The event starts at noon and will be held on Lake Winnebago 1/2 mile off the shore of Fisherman’s Road landing (6 miles north of hwy 23 off hwy 151). For more information check out our website at www.wakkiteboarding.com , or email any questions to info@wakkiteboarding.com