The Fun Weekend starts on Friday with the Lake Winnebago SuperCrossing run by Jeff Knutson from A-A. EXTERIORS.COM

Friday Morning at 11:00 sharp the crossing starts from Roosevelt County Park (Wind Power) to a destination determined that morning.  Wind direction, strength and the forecast [...]]]> Come and Join the Fun in the Sun and Play on the Water!

The Fun Weekend starts on Friday with the Lake Winnebago SuperCrossing run by Jeff Knutson from A-A. EXTERIORS.COM

Friday Morning at 11:00 sharp the crossing starts from Roosevelt County Park (Wind Power) to a destination determined that morning.  Wind direction, strength and the forecast as well as sailors input results in the course for the Crossing.

West wind is the best for a full Crossing the length of Winnebago (28 miles).  Years past we had perfect conditions and a number of us made it to High Cliff State Park.  Niles Book (The Crazy Iron man who crossed Lake Michigan solo with NO CHASE BOAT) was the only one to sail back.  I only know 2 others whom have sailed the length of the Lake and back.  Bet you can’t guess who!

Last year was again perfect conditions with the wind blowing in the 30′s and more further out on the Lake.  Everybody rigged TOO BIG and what a disappointment that not one Windsurfer made it.  I was disappointed with myself because I also under estimated the wind and after sailing a few miles of the 28 miles to High Cliff, I turned around because I knew from experience it wasn’t going to get any easier up the lake.  It would have been miles of ugly survival sailing, not fun.  5 local Kiters made the grueling journey to High Cliff.  Hopefully this year mother nature will gives another chance.

Saturday and Sunday is the 26th Annual Wind Power Championships! Mark Greinert and myself hosted our first Regatta ever, not really thinking it would still be going on almost 3 decades later.  Big Lake Winnebago and the access of Roosevelt County Park just across the street from Wind Power is an excellent venue to run BIG Regattas.  Last year 53 racers enjoyed great times on Windy Winnebago.  Everyone was sore and tired after 10 races.

This Year we are excited to add 2 more Fleets, Kona and O’Pen Bic.  For 2011 MoWind has dropped the Formula Fleet (because of lack of attendance) and added the new and growing Kona Fleet. For more information on the Kona Racing check out their web site: KonaOne.com Contact Mike Fox if you would like to charter a Kona for the weekend.  He will be bringing boards from the Minneapolis area and would appreciate a call before he leaves for Fond du Lac.  Call Mike @ 612-508-8083

The O’Pen Bic is a new Youth sailboat by Bic.   www.O’Pen Bic.com Fleets are quickly growing in the Fox Valley area and all across the country.  Wind Power has been supporting the O’Pen Bic movement and teaching many kids for 3 years. (this year over 350 kids learned how to sail with the O’Pen Bic)  With all the kids sailing and racing a new youth sailboat, that is fun to capsize and do Freestyle on (Bailing is Cancelled), Wind Power felt it was appropriate to add their Fleet to our End of the Year Regatta.  SO please welcome the kids who have learned to love our great sport of sailing.

Let’s Keep the Wind Power Championships on the MoWind Calendar! After organizing Regattas for 26 years with the help of Family and Many Friends, I have decided all I want to do is be the PRO or Principle Race Officer.  This entails getting the necessary equipment ready to run a Windsurfing race.  Working with the Race Committee setting up the Schedule, Fleets and Classes, Courses and finally the Rules for the Event.  I have all the necessary equipment to run a world class regatta but no longer have the desire to organize the whole event.  Such as Promotions, planning the dinner, writing the notice of race and press releases, getting prizes and trophies, selecting a t-shirt and design.  I have struggled through those task and many many times with the excellent help of others, But I no longer want to be the one in charge of doing them.  I am retiring from those duties after this years event.  I am hoping that a team will take over those duties and have fun doing it, so the Event will continue.  Or someone else might want to start their own new Event on this weekend.  I am sad to think this may be the end of a great Era, but I don’t have the energies needed to organize a whole event and still make it fun for me.  It’s time for new blood.

Check out the Wind Power Weather Center! If you haven’t been on the Wind Power Weather Center, it’s a must see.  Version 2.0 will be installed this week. The new version 2.0 of the weather Center tracks history better and provides more in depth Wind Sock data.  The Wind Sock rating has been tweaked to be more accurate to marginal conditions. The Wind Sock summary is awesome telling us how many days we had in a month or a year of the various wind socks.  There is much more , so go to the new Weather Center and check out the Updates & Issues.  We are constantly striving to make the weather Center more user friendly while providing the information and history everyone is looking for.  We installed a new Wind Sensor (the Pro model) and the wind data we are collecting is more accurate to the real conditions.  Use the wind history to your advantage.  After a good day sailing or kiting at one of the launches, look up the wind history for the day.  Take notes of the size sail or kite for the wind strength at the time you were out.  Use this valuable information in the future to know what size sail or kite you should ride.  The Weather Center is dedicated after Stella Blue, the  developer’s beloved yellow Lab. Stella loved the water and riding windsurf boards as much as we do.  She was an Icon on the beach.
Click here to check out the Wind Power Weather Center.

Looking forward to seeing, Sailing and just hanging out with everyone soon!

Kevin     USA 8

Click on the picture below to open the

2011 Winnebago SuperCrossing and Wind Power Championship Notice of Race (NOR)

2011 Winnebago SuperCrossing & Wind Power Championship NOR

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!

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 (.pdf): A-Fleet results | Sport-Fleet results | Workshop Fleet results | All Fleet results

This was the 25th Annual Wind Power Championships on the south end of Windy Lake Winnebago.  The weather forecast had light wind for Sat. afternoon and Sunday, but the wind Gods were with us and we [...]]]>

Race Results (.pdf): A-Fleet results | Sport-Fleet results | Workshop Fleet results | All Fleet results

This was the 25^th Annual Wind Power Championships on the south end of Windy Lake Winnebago.  The weather forecast had light wind for Sat. afternoon and Sunday, but the wind Gods were with us and we had great conditions.

Regattas are a fun time when Windsurfers get together, attendance based on wind conditions can often leave one wishing they had attended as was the case at this event.  Go to a regatta to hang with a great bunch of sailors, get out of the rut, improve your abilities, have fun while learning from others.  Racers always get the most out of the wind.

Wind Power was honored to have racers attend from out of state: TBay Ray from Thunder Bay Canada, ,Joe Boersma and his son Mark from Mich.,  Jeff  Deganor Mich,,   Niles Book from the UP,  Tom Stokes from Ind., Larry Reed, Randy Howell. Friedehlm and Steve Calloway from Ia.,  Robin Shaw brought his Monster Van all the way from Ia.,  The Johnson family of 4, Adam Anderson, Jerry B and Peter H from Mn., The Mike Reed family, Mic Igoe and his mother Jean, Steve Willits, Alex Monroe and his new wife all from IL.  And not least, all those fun racers from Wisconsin.

54 racers in all, 27 in the A-Fleet, 18 in the Sport Fleet and 9 in the Workshop Fleet were treated to the wind left over from Friday.  Figure 8 Slalom racing was setup right off the beach for Sat. morning.  The wind was forecasted to become light in the afternoon and hold for the rest of the weekend.  Some tried using shortboards or Formula boards others used their longboards and there was very exciting racing with a lot of action at the jibes.  Every race Saturday had a different winner in the A-Fleet, Jim Magnuson won 2 slalom races in the Sport Fleet and Andrea Gratton dominated the Workshop Fleet.  After 3 races of slalom and a short lunch break the racers were treated to the World Famous M Course (see image below).  The M Course has 5 jibes in a row and that can be challenging.  A Course race should be a test of sailing in all points of sail and the M course does it the best. The A-Fleet did an extra windward/leeward.  The afternoon course race had the wind die as predicted and the second race was cancelled.  Everyone got ready for the evening meal and MoWind Year End Awards at the Sunset Supper Club next door to the race site.  After a free drink on the SunSet Supper Club a great meal of pasta, chicken, salmon or prime rib followed.  Arden Anderson and Don Altmeyer handed out this years MoWind Awards.  Don picked out a nice navy blue windbreaker with the MoWind logo and 2010 Race Series printed on it.  Go to the MoWind web site; www.mowind.org. to see the 2010 year end results and class winners.  The famous bonfire followed and as the evening got late the wind started to build.  Those who were last at the fire were hoping the wind would hold for Sunday racing.

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Sunday mornings 9:30skippers meeting had light wind.  Again the World Famous M Course was set.  Racing was fun with the A-Fleet and Sport Fleet starting together.  A total of 45 at the start meant for some interesting jocking for position especially in the last minuet to the start.  A good position at the start was important to get clean wind for the upwind race to the first buoy.  During the first race the wind started to build.  By the start of the second race you could almost plane and smiles were everywhere on the race course.  Races 6, 7, 8 and 9 had planning conditions which lead to a lot of excitement on the course.  Some racers were jibing out of control, either from the challenge of their equipment or their ability for the wind strength. Carnage at the jibe marks can attest to that.  A few of the starts had some big crashes with 5 or 6 racers in a pile.  There was even a high speed collision at the windward mark on the last race resulting in a big hole in the bottom of a sail.  Even with all the action and crashing everyone had a blast.  Everyone was smiling and tired when they returned to the beach after 5 races.  Sunday was some of the best conditions for course racing at any MoWind event this year.  A footlong Sub for lunch was followed with the Year End MoWind raffle that Peter Hartwitch so graciously ran. Neils Zaunmueller won the grand prize a KA Sail, Tom Stokes, Del Carpenter and Phil Barhouse each won a GPS, and the Windtronics Wind Meter went to Jeff Adamski.

The 'M' Race Course

Awards and door prizes were handed out for the wrap up of another great Wind Power Championships.

the group picture image is linked to a full resolution (1500×2100)  .jpg image if you want to print a 5″x7″.  Just click the image to view or right-click and save target as..(or save link as depending on browser/os)

Kevin would like to thank all of those who took time from their busy schedules to attend.  Most importantly he would like to thank those who helped make the event run smoothly.  Ann Gratton race director, Greg Liefer and Leah Altmeyer race committee, Peggy Wing for her excellent photography all weekend (next year she is racing), Mary Davies for registration and running the shop, Jennifer Wettstein assisting in the planning and organizing, Mike Bierworth for computer and web site support, My mother, brother Andy, niece Andrea and nephews Rob and Blaise for help in so many ways.  Many Kudos to the gracious prize sponsors: NAISH, Maui Sails, Chinook, Aerotech Sails.

See you next year, bring your friends and family!

Thanks to our sponsors for their support of this event.

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