March 6-8th Mille Lacs Kite Crossing!

[Michael F]

The Fifth Annual Mille Lacs Kite Crossing is once again shaping up to be one of the biggest and most dynamic snowkite events in the country. Last year, the Kite Crossing became the first kiting event to surpass 100 registrants. With many of the fastest snowkiters in the world being from the local community, the challenge continues to draw from across the country.

Registration If you haven't received the Notice of Challenge, please contact us at Fleet-8@juno.com. It should provide all the necessary information. The only variation to the Notice of Challenge is that we are offering a hooded version of the sweatshirt for $8 more, but only for those registering by the March 2nd deadline. We will be accepting electronic registration by e-mail. If you have registered for a Fleet 8 event in the past two years, just provide your name, category, shirt size and preferred e-mail address for receiving Updates. You can pay by Paypal by going to the Fleet 8 website. The PayPal button is a Donate button and has a fixed amount of $30 until midnite Monday, then the $40 late fee goes into effect. Guest fees and additional shirt charges will have to be paid at check-in time. You can find all this by scrolling down the page at http://fleet8.com/news/.

Riders of all levels are encouraged to attend. Come out, meet riders from around the area, share the stoke, check out some new gear and learn some new moves. We would also like to thank our hosts at the Y-Club and around Garrison as well as our loyal sponsors:

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[Michael F]

Lodging is still looking good, thanks to scheduling the event a week later than usual. We will have a pond hockey tournament sharing the Garrison ice which may effect lodging if they draw from the Cities.

EconoLodge Reasonable rooms, jacuzzi suites, continental breakfast. 800-839-7006

Garrison Inn & Suites Jacuzzi suites, indoor pool & spa. 320-692-4050*

Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hotel with indoor pool. 800-468-3517

Lake Mille Lacs Resort Motel with indoor pool, restaurant. 800-657-4704

MilleLacsRental.com Condos at MyrMar, contact Amanda 763-227-7791*

Twin Pines Resort Lodging, restaurant. 320-692-4413*

The Red Door Clean, spacious rooms with color TV. 218-678-2660

* Within 5 minutes of the site.

[Michael F]

Lodging update.
Twin Pines still has a good selection of rooms and cabins. Garrison Inn has a dozen with half non-smoking.

[Kidkernow]

I've been in MN for nearly two months now, and have yet to pump up a kite! (Sad I know but I'm a workaholic, and this place has taken some acclimatising to!)

I have stood on a snowboard for the first time though, which was awesome!

I'd be so up for going to this event! Is anyone heading up from the twin cities? (I'd be willing to pay my way as far as gas was concerned).

How do you rate my chances of doing any sort of crossing, given that I've spent one day on a snowboard?! (Been kite-surfing for five years, so reasonably handy with a kite).

[JRN]

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT...I would strongly advise against making your 1st snowkiting a race. Come up, observe, find an isolated area, try your kite & board where you will not potentially harm others, or disrupt the race. There will be many kite reps there as well as instructors who can offer pointers. It is as much fun hanging with the crew as attempting the crossing. Because the surface is not soft you won't drown, but the chance of injury is increased.
I would compare it to trying a marathon without training, or gymnastics without coaching. I hope you will reconsider.

[Eric P]

I disagree Jim, 90% of kiting is the kite, if you can handle that, the snowboard should come natural. The endurance may be an issue, and you will definitely hurt the next day, but then that is true of all of us. You would have a story to tell about how your first day of snow kiting you made a 20 mile race. That would be cool.

[Tighe]

I too appreciate your conservative approach Jim, but will also disagree. If you're an experienced water rider, you should transition pretty quickly to snowboard riding in the winter. If the snow has some depth to it it's going to be even easier. Hard pack may take a little to dial in, but shouldn't be difficult.

Give yourself at least an hour or two of riding prior to the race, then if you feel comfortable riding, go for it. If not enjoy the conditions and freeride.

One last note, be sure to give yourself a good buffer zone downwind, on your first session.

[Kidkernow]

I should have, perhaps, added that for those five years I lived at the beach. So would like to think I have the 90% kite skill needed.

Also, I have to confess that snowboarding came pretty easy to me even though I'd never done it before. (I was SERIOUSLY into skateboarding between the ages of 9 and 19).

Still, I appreciate the heads up on how grueling it can be on the body.

If I have any luck in getting my arse there, I'll see how I do.

[scottman]

I say go for it man, you only live once and if this kills you then at least you had fun. The race will make your legs burn, seat harness is recommended, it's nice to sit back and enjoy the ride. I might do it if the weather holds up and we have the wind, the last few years i have not done it because of the weather. Hopefully we will have a big turn out, it's always so cool to see so many kites in the air at once.

[JRN]

I am surprised to see I've been out-voted, but don't prove me right, KID! Let's go up & make it a fun event.

[krazykatie]

I just paid my registration fees. I heard mille got 1/2 foot yesterday..woohoo! I look forward to next weekend!!

[TJ]

I'll be there too!!!
and best of all, I get to be cool bacause I am staying in Garrison....

[Perry Pearson]

Suggestions for equipment?
If the snow is anything like todays on Big Spirit Lake maybe some earplugs
to deafen the scrunch. Is a gear swap going to be set up at the Garrison Inn
this year? Missed it last year and missed the swag given out from the generous sponsors
on Sunday. Looking forward to Mille Lacs Xing for a second go-round.
If they got a 1/2 foot it should still be around by Friday, Right?
Perry Pearson

[Tighe]

Glad to hear you can make it Perry. The rule is always bring everything...or leave your small kite at home then it will for sure honk for us. : )

I think Jan Marie is doing the gear swap again.

Should be fun.

[DavidKnight]

Since this year the race is held after the ice houses are off the lake, I don't think I can roll out my sleeping bag next to my car on the ice overnight. Anybody have any ideas where I could lay my bag outside for some good sleep?

[JanMarie]

Swap Yes!
Bring anything kite related to our room at Garrison Inn : Jan-Marie and Dave Munz. We requested a room by the pool, so check there first. We will probably post a note on the entrance to the Inn with the room number. We expect to be there Friday through at least Sunday (extra day for perfect weather or perfect mood).

If you don't have room in your vehicle to bring your stuff, drop off a description and where and when you can be found in case someone wants to chat with you about it.

I hesitate to set a specific time because it will depend on the weather and the timing of the various to-do's which is somewhat fluid.

If we are not in our room, I will try and leave a note on the door about where I am or when I'll be back. Or, look for me on the lake. I will be the one body dragging on the snow.

Janarie

[Michael F]

Since this year the race is held after the ice houses are off the lake, I don't think I can roll out my sleeping bag next to my car on the ice overnight. Anybody have any ideas where I could lay my bag outside for some good sleep?

This question has been brought up several times recently. Last year, I checked with the local DNR officer about having the command tent set up overnight and he said he had no concerns, his job is monitoring fishing violations. He said the county sheriff would have any jurisdiction over those matters. Since the Kite Crossing is a Garrison Commercial Club event, I didn't proceed any further. The sheriff had not been present with past events. To the best of my knowledge, there are no laws regulating sleeping on Minnesota lakes, you can sleep on your boat on most any of them. I advise that you proceed with respect and not do anything to draw attention to your starlit bedroom.

[Bryce]

I'm thinking of bringing my tent along and camping out also! I'll see how the weather looks.


Maybe I'll toss in some logs in the car and we can have a fire out on the lake.

[Tighe]

Make a bon fire, through in a little breeze and a think a night session is in order. Fire jumping anyone?

[dtownkiter]

maybe after the goose closes down. not sure if I would have the courage or skill to jump a bonfire until at least closing time.

the forecast for garrison all week has a chance of snow/rain so hopefully it will stay cold and we can get a few more inches on top.

cant wait.

adam t.