LAKAWA

Series of races almost weekly to a few of our 10,000 lakes throughout the Winter. Stay tuned for updates of conditions, parking, race format and results.

"Race" is a little bit of a misnomer since the idea is to invite all who are able and interested to gather in a unique format. Truly designed for the beginner who can manage their kite, to anyone interested in applying their kite skill in a Windward/Leeward course, up to the Elite racer. No need to discredit yourself; if you are skilled enough to fly a kite and go up wind your world is about to be opened. Those of you confident in your skills, get ready.

Kite racing is new. We've had good fortune of offering endurance races, equally as much fun. Employing your skills into a structured Windward/Leeward course "sharpens the saw" and awakens a whole new set of reasons why you like kiting. Admittedly, competition can be daunting. What makes this unique is the spirit already part of every kiter and how it grows as we all get a place, time, and format for us to enjoy the activity together. The initial races will leave you smiling as you begin to realize your skills in a new arena. The idea is to expand on what we already know and create opportunity to come together, more often.

Windward/Leeward courses immediately challenge the logic inherent in our minds as we grow to find efficiencies. Just like early learning is challenging (for all) while acquiring control of the kite and learning to get from point A to B and back, courses aid in your awareness of the best angles and how to maximize your power and speed. The series of races throughout the winter allow us greater opportunity to do more of what we enjoy and become safer, more proficient kiters.

The specifics involved can become a little much and will be provided in part below but in it's entirety within the body and/or attachments. Keep in mind the goal is to have fun, be safe, and enjoy. Watch how this format grows, better yet, register. You can also simply follow whomever is in front of you until you get the hang of it and feel ready to nudge your way up. (Don't sweat the small stuff, we'll all improve together).

Each race day $30. Age, gender, foil kite, inflatable kite and ski/snowboard categories. Regatta format. Several course options to be determined day of each event. Points awarded per racer accumulate throughout series. Victory awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall in all categories as well as accumulative points throughout series. Mass start with all categories at the same time. Elite course may include additional legs. Up to 4 races each day with each race taking ~15 minutes to 30 minutes. Numbered race jerseys for day of use, to be returned at the end of the race day, after photos (used for series).

2nd race Saturday Lake Waconia 11am to 11:30am late registration (add $5), racers meeting 11:30am to 11:45am, races begin after. Be rigged and ready to go by the time racers meeting begins. Rig outside of race course. Keep lines wound up, kites anchored and use caution as excitement and traffic are high. You are responsible for your own gear, watch out for others. Helmets required. Consider bringing cones or markers to help with visual aids of your gear.

Register as Elite for most competitive class, Age Group otherwise. Age Group class based on age by the day of Jan 9th and broken down into:
13 and under
14 to 18
19 to 35
36 to 49
50 +

Sponsorship available. Inquire for pricing and options. Gear and sales available. Lessons held either before or after races. Inquire info@lakawa.com ahead of time to get taken care of. A few of us are outfitted with these:-) https://store.lakawa.com/product/ozone-r1

The cities involved throughout series are expressively interested in obeying local laws, trash, and parking requirements. City Council, Chamber of Commerce, DNR, and Sheriffs Departments all excited to see this happen safely and respectfully of other lake users and resources.

Race Dates:
January 9th Waconia Lake 11am - 2pm
January 16th Waconia Lake 11am - 2pm
January 23rd Worthington 9am - 12pm
January 31st White Bear Lake 11am - 2pm
Feb 5th Wayzata Bay 5-8pm
Feb 6th Wayzata Bay 2pm - 5pm
Feb 7th Lake Minnewaska Glenwood 1pm-4pm
Potential for another race Sunday Feb 14th ❤
Feb 20th Wayzata Bay 2pm - 5pm
Feb 27th White Bear Lake 11am - 2pm
March 13th Green Lake Spicer, MN 12pm - 3pm

Race dates/locations/times subject to change. Registration fees reimbursed if event cancelled. Option to cancel event day-of if conditions unfavorable. Expect race to continue if winds register above 8mph. Whiteout conditions unsafe. We reserve the ability to delay start time up to 2 hrs. Greater detail on race series, points accumulation, and race rules in body to follow. Additional dates may be added.

Season ending awards ceremony TBD. Race results upon completion of event. Photos taken of 1st, 2nd, 3rd place to be submitted to press.

Register here: https://www.midwestevents.com/events.php

Remarkable interest in this. Same format international racers currently use. Prepare for a little learning, accept mother nature and hurdles that arise; let's be safe, be kind, and enjoy. I'm eager to get this started. Mike

Get short text alerts To: 40404 Message: follow lakawa
Instagram lakawakite

I see there is a race on February 6th at Wayzata Bay. Do you know when the Excelsior Brewing race will be? Are you trying to get this to coincide with it? Last year there was the annual Ice Golf on Wayzata Bay at the same time as the race. I just checked and the Chilly Open is on the 6th, http://wayzatachillyopen.com/ . I have a feeling that will make it difficult to race, no?

I just looked at the Excelsior Brewing site and I see it is on the 30th so ignore that comment.

Thanks.

You got it. Also Feb 5th 5-8pm night race just approved as well in Wayzata by Sheriff. Chamber excited about two days of activities in addition to Chilly Open. Hope you can race! http://www.midwestevents.com/

Updated to show Regatta Rank by Class Type, Fleet Type and Age group.

Saturday shaping up nicely with wind forecast holding and suggesting big Kites. Naturally I have a few for sale but those properly outfitted will stand the best chance for podium placement. The course will be fun to run regardless and surface should be faster this week than last.
Here's a local bait shop ice report: http://intownemarina.blogspot.com
Texas and Chicago looking to represent Saturday. It will be fun to welcome them. Know their intentions are kind but focused on the lead.
Wind direction forecasted looks similar to last week. Rigging area should be tighter to shore and I'll move the start line out further. Hoping to see the synchronized orchestration of all kites go from idle, zenith, begin to slowly tilt to the left as the one minute flag counts things down to a quicker starboard start.
Consider buying a cheap (or spendy) watch to wear outside of your jacket and sync up with my start clock and hit the ground running. A little shorter course this week giving an opportunity to conserve your energy and squeeze in a few more races in our time slot and get some repetitions in.
Good video capturing WISSA 2015 races a few of us did last year here. If you're wanting be selective start about the 3 min mark: https://vimeo.com/119767422 World class event.

Momentum:-)

Last Saturday we seem to have gone without regard into the -20F temps and had a slightly larger attendance both on the course and sidelines. Impressive spirit these kiters are displaying.

Will anyone catch Jon Stroh? He requested to make the course bigger, the only one I should add. Jim Watkins' mind is churning, and may find a way. His keyboard and search results no doubt on fire with pursuit of the perfect skis. This Elite group is impressive with Nathan Borer and Donald MacMillan slashing their boards around, nudging Pete Koski in the same Snowboard Class, all jockeying for lead positions.

Age Group Class showcasing their own battle scene with Fabrizio playing the chess game at the starting line and improving his one ski ability on the course. Chris Anderson showing his age last Saturday as he celebrated being 30 with us. Kevin Hoye flew in from Texas to find the coldest temps of his life but score not only his first snowkite race but also a sunset into the night session all fueled by the 5-8 Club Juice Lucy, Hells Kitchen Bloody Marys, and Jim's Sociable brew. Kevin Nowak vacillated between the Age Group and Elite Class. Where will he end up? Bernard Lotter, Dean Harrison and Pierre Frumholtz squaring off as true Minnesotans from South Africa, England/Australia/Neverland, and the line between Germany/Spain respectively. Ex-pat Hostrawser found strength from somewhere only a Jedi would know to boost in-between the races and finish all 4 races without an exhausted 1,000 yard stare. Brayden Becker and Nick Ruchti battled it out for the kiddie pool which Brayden simply will win due to his birthdate - that counts! Glaser and Lonny smuggled in the first female Chrissy Zobitz to represent the East-Side (those kids can ride). And Dritz managed to not break his snowboard this weekend, securing his Class and Fleet ranking.

Starting gate is beginning to show a little more symphony while conditioning becomes less of an issue, at least for me since I just stand there and yell at you all. Hope you enjoyed the cowbells!

The 2nd week of races had a similar but slightly smaller course with Stroh and Jim on skis completing in under 10 minutes and the last coming in around the mid 30's. The smaller course did however yield the opportunity to run and complete 4 races in our time slot. 4 is the goal to maintain each race day, 2 were completed on the first week.

With mulligans to use at the end of the season, the matrix of numbers compiling will no doubt play a key variable in who gets a podium finish. Both Elite and Age Group Class offer several options to stand up and receive the glory. Time will simply show us all what mysteries there are in all of the Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Age, snowboard, skis, inflatables, and foil kites all representing.

Manufacturers are beginning to take interest and provide incentives for the participants and victors. The end of season party will be fun. When is the end of the season? Ask the couple in charge: Old Man Winter and Mother Nature.

Race #3 this weekend offers the opportunity to showcase snow kiting in Worthington, MN, during their Winterfest. Pack up the dog and kids, someones dog and kids, grab a buddy, or otherwise make your way to the world class sailing venue Lake Okebena has to offer. They are welcoming us: http://www.dglobe.com/news/3927333-snowkiting-coming-winterfest I think there is free chili Friday night... Forecast and temps all favoring our interests. Register: https://www.midwestevents.com/events.php

Worthington was very windy and we had 3 racers. Great for the community to support our efforts, thanks to them for the interest.

Jay got a little over powered on the 6M. I put up a 4M. Nick did really well on an 8M. Challenging conditions but still quite fun.

Saturday on Excelsior http://excelsiorbrew.com/big-island-back-ski-race-ebc-kite-open/ and Sunday on White Bear Lake https://www.midwestevents.com/event_details.php?e_id=2507 the races continue!

NOTE - the Excelsior kite ski race was postponed to 2/20 (and now conflicts with the Wayzata Bay kite race date).

http://www.zapevent.com/listactivities. ... entid=8856

/Adam

I'm sure there is a way to combine the two events.

Double points Mike?!

I need a way to catch up to Stroh - then take him down in the series!

Right on! A few inquiries asking about switching to statuary, Checking with cities now, forecast favors Saturday.

I'm indecisive for running the race.

1. Location
2. Day: Saturday and/or Sunday
3. Adjust start time for wind

Forecast better first part of the day Saturday and last part Sunday. Saturday winds locally light but useable and surface will be fast. Forecast Saturday hovering around minimum winds needed.

I've got lessons staged as well, no problem with running lessons, just more people/schedules involved with this race. I'd consider another location if spot recommended; need big enough area.

Just spoke with Tom Grace and conditions on Waconia look most favorable.

Here's a plan:

10am - 1pm Waconia SATURDAY racing

Chime in if this interest you.

SUNDAY 12-3pm racing, bumped back 1 hour for winds

Poor winds today. Let's hope Sunday winds pick up.

Calling it off for Sunday. It's part of the game we play. The winds will come another time.

Game on this Friday 5-8pm and Saturday 2-5pm. Wayzata Bay. Chamber excited, I'm excited, you excited? Get your glow sticks or amazon order in for battery operated LED's, Friday night is going to be a spectacle. Plenty for all the singles and families to do at the Chilly Open. Register https://www.midwestevents.com/event_details.php?e_id=2508

Forecast light winds but good enough tonight. We'll see who has the skills for lighter wind management. The spectacle of kiters with whatever lights they rig shall be splendid. Saturday races in Wayzata Bay 2-5pm forecast looks good!!

Saturday is looking sweet. Hope to see you all out on Wayzata Bay. Races registration begins at 2pm, be rigged by 2:30 racers meeting. Wonderful surface conditoins with soft cruising and push through to the ice in heavier carving.