On Monday June 20 the New Weather Center was added to the Wind Power Web site. The Site has it’s own URL at WindPowerWeather.com .  A Weather Center link is available on Wind Power home page and under Information pull-down menu.

As you can see in [...]]]> The Wind Power web site has a New Weather Center! 

On Monday June 20 the New Weather Center was added to the Wind Power Web site. The Site has it’s own URL at WindPowerWeather.com .  A Weather Center link is available on Wind Power home page and under Information pull-down menu.

As you can see in the picture above the Wind Sensor is mounted much higher than in the past.  It will give a more realistic reading in more directions due to the added height.  My brother Andy donated an A-Scow mast which we put on top of the shop.  The Wind Sensor is on top of it which should put it at 60 plus feet.  This is around the height of the neighboring trees.

But that is not all that the Weather Center is about.  It has a very detailed graphs of the wind speed with gusts,  direction and speed, temperature and wind chill.  There is also a tabular data.  Forecast are available from several popular weather links.  Water Temperature is also available.  There are graphs with a detailed history of the past weather. Personally I like to see the peak gusts.

A local advisory tells you what launches are good for the current conditions as well as the type of equipment to use.  Don’t forget to add the Wind Power Weather Gadget to your desktop.  It will keep you up-to-date with the wind conditions on Lake Winnebago’s south end. WindPowerWeather.com/gadget

The Weather Center is dedicated to Stellablue, a longtime companion of the developer of this site. Stellablue was a yellow Labrador retriever and learned to windsurf as a puppy and loved cruising on the long-board. As you can see in the photo, she was ready to go, but was not much help up-hauling the sail. The Weather Center is dedicated to her memory.

The Weather Center was many hours in development and deciphering data find what would work best for Wind Power. Some of the unique features are the recommended Launch Sites and desktop gadget (for Windows). The Weather Center not only provides weather data, but provides a lot of explanations and educational information. Check out the Information and Sensor pages for example.

We are excited to bring this new service and it’s features to you.  Feel free to blog back or contact us with any comments and suggestions.  Enjoy the weather Center and make the most of it to increase you fun in the WIND on Lake Winnebago.

Kevin   USA 8

Spring is [...]]]> Have 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!

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 [...]]]> 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.

Click here for the Notice of Event flyer. [...]]]> 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

Race Results: 2010 Winnebago Super Crossing Results (.pdf)

Friday Sept.24th was a day to remember with near perfect conditions for a Winnebago Lake Crossing from the south end to the north end, a distance of 26 miles.  The wind direction was WSW so getting to High Cliff State Park meant sailing on a broad reach. [...]]]>

Race Results: 2010 Winnebago Super Crossing Results (.pdf)

Friday Sept.24^th was a day to remember with near perfect conditions for a Winnebago Lake Crossing from the south end to the north end, a distance of 26 miles.  The wind direction was WSW so getting to High Cliff State Park meant sailing on a broad reach. With winds in the upper 30’s gusting into the 40’s it would be challenging to say the least. 4 kiters: Don Altmeyer, Ed Schneider, Jeff Ross and Matt Schmitz left around 10:30 all on 8m kites except for Ed on an 11m.  At around 11:00 Jeff Knutson who sponsored the race had the 14 Windsurfers line up on the 1st  sand bar off Roosevelt County Park and take off after the 3rd horn in the high winds for High Cliff.

With the kiters gone from the horizon I beach started my Naish Super Cross 114 with Naish Force 5.0.  I immediately accelerated to a high speed.  Getting comfortable in the footstraps I started to bear off to the ledge by Stockbridge that looked like a far away island from the beach.  I noticed most of the fleet was down wind of me making for Deadwood Point.  I could clearly see Andy’s 6.2 sail screaming for the point along with Zack and Jacob.  I wondered how Andy could hold down that 6.2 so well, for I had my hands full with the 5.0 and I wasn’t even bearing off enough to make High Cliff.  I noticed Magnus just downwind of me and both of us needed to bear off a lot.  I reached back on the boom and over-sheet at the same time bearing off towards the island of land in the far distance.  Immediately accelerating to an uncomfortable speed charging down the face of the wave trying not to plow into the back of the wave I was about to overtake.  I’m working and breathing hard, going way faster than I’m comfortable and I need to go 25 more miles like that!  I also know from experience that the north end of the lake has bigger waves and often the wind is stronger.  After crashing twice, I admit defeat.  I know I can not make it with the equipment I choose. Rather than beat my beaten body some more I’d jibe and come back to the stairs.   On the way back I see Magnus trying to bear off, Andy and Jacob sailing past Deadwood Point. The rest of the group seemed to be between the Point and the south end of the lake, all struggling.  I could see Mark Schmitz struggling on my 4.2 after I pressured him into giving the Crossing a try with the 4.2 because his smallest sail is a 6.5.  I wanted to go and trade sails with Mark so I could continue on the Crossing but decided it would only make getting back worse for Mark.

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Once back on the Beach I saw Arden finish rigging his 5.3.  He was leaving the water when we started the race because he was overpowered on his 6.2 and went home to get a smaller sail.  I watched him sail north with the 5.3 and could see he was still too over powered to make 26 miles.  Racers were returning to the beach and I decided the best thing I could do was go up the east side of the lake and try to find racers who abandoned the race.  While I was leaving Neils Zaunmueller was dropped off by a Sandy Beach resident who saw he needed assistance and brought him and his gear back.  I called Jeff Knutson and he was already at High Cliff getting ready to cook brats and serve beer to the finishers.  I found Magnus just coming at Club Altmeyer, he was wore out.  We loaded his equipment and headed north to Fisherman’s Road.  We saw a lone sailor sitting on his board drifting in.  Low and behold it was my brother Andy.  He has broken his mast with his face after his 3^rd wipeout.  (He got a black eye)  Tom Stokes called me and gave me an update of the sailors back at the shop.  All sailors were accounted for except Jacob.  I called Jeff and he could see 4 kiters in the horizon.  After loading Andy’s gear we headed north again to Columbia County Park in Pipe.  There we found Jacob’s gear on the lawn in tack but no Jacob anywhere.  We let Jeff know and by then the kiters were in, enjoying the great picnic Jeff brought for them.  We headed back to Wind Power not happy about Lake Winnebago kicking our butts.

It was still blowing hard when we got back.  Most everyone rigged smaller sails (4.2 – 3.8) and sailed till dark.  Jeff Knutson and the kiters returned from High Cliff and we all shared our experiences.  Matt and Trip joined me for a sunset kiting session on our 8m kites.  I think I could have been on a 5m.

Again thanks to Jeff Knutson of A-A Exteriors.com for another great job running the Winnebago Super Crossing.  Lesson learned, get out on the water and tune, and don’t rig too big when your heading north to the other end of our great Lake.  Either way it was a very fun and windy day.  I am already looking forward to next years crossing!  Hoping to get conditions like we had to give it another try.  Problem is we get conditions like that about once in 8 – 10 years.  We’ll see what next year brings.

Kevin Gratton – USA 8

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 [...]]]> 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!

The Winter ice has many advantages:

If you are interested in learning kitesurfing (aka ‘kiting’) and want to take a lesson at Wind Power, the best time is during the Winter season. There are so many advanatges learning on frozen Lake Winnebago, but most of all, you will learn to control & safely fly a [...]]]> Do you want to learn to Kitesurf?

If you are interested in learning kitesurfing (aka ‘kiting’) and want to take a lesson at Wind Power, the best time is during the Winter season. There are so many advanatges learning on frozen Lake Winnebago, but most of all, you will learn to control & safely fly a kite before you add swimming and a water take-off to the process. Please see the Wind Power Kitesurfing winter lesson information at our Lesson page.

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