BLADES, BLACK ICE & BIG SMILES

[speedsailor93]

Waconia ice is about as good as it ever gets currently. Zero snow, all hard black ice with minimal cracks & fish holes - very fast conditions. Already put ~200 miles on the iceboat this season but have not seen anybody else out as yet. I sail mainly on the South West side at this time of year and try to mark any hazards I find with tree branches.....zipped past an unmarked block of ice at 50 mph this weekend - some nice fisherman cut it from the lake and forgot to put it back in when he left.
Looks like it will stay this way for a while so keep your blades sharp!

[BSMITH]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fb ... =1&theater

[Nathan B]

buffalo has some great ice. that was a Fun day Sunday! so nice out...

went back for more monday afternoon and the wind was a little stronger from nw. the se corner of Buffalo has smooth ice.. I got my friend Chase going for the first time ever flying a power kite on a 4mtr foil then a 8mtr Lithium and he did so well tearing up the lake on his hockey skates. Adam and Amber were out with a trainer having fun..
It is amazing to see the progressing of someone with skating skills pick up on ice kiting and how easy it is to do with so much control from the skates blade. If you have not skated it is much easier and safer to learn how to Ice Skate first before trying a kite with hockey skates.
Ice kiting is ridiculously fun! If you have not tried it and you play hockey or ice skate and kite it is highly recommended.

love the picture of Jerry ghost riding the wind on his freeskate-windsurfer... Eric was shredding the ice apart out there!

[Nathan B]

few pics from sunday and monday... heading out again tomorrow for some more!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... eb8ee40607

[Nathan B]

heard from a lil birdie the ice is smooth on tonka?? west side boys where ya at!? thinking of riding tonka today, or buffalo but want the goods...

[johnz]

Me too! What is up on the West side?

Tonka would be convenient, but after watching the video of Tom's ice boat taking a drink of ice water, I'm a little hesitant.

How is Medicine?

[Cory M]

We went out to tonka for a couple hours with the skates and 3m trainer (Spring Park Bay). I've been waiting for a few years for the conditions to line up like that. Wind was strong for the most part and the 3m was plenty for me, even towed the wife for a few runs. Surface was smooth but maybe not as smooth as the Buffalo photos. Stayed about a quarter of a mile from shore. Shared the lake with a iceboat for part of the time. Thanks for stopping by from across the lake. Amazing how those boats seem to go upwind with such ease. May have been Tom from the video?

Got a new toy so thought I'd post my mowing effort. 8.7 miles with top speed 21.3 mph.

[Professor Robae']

Yes! This West side boy reports perfect conditions on Tonka! It is super rare we get sweet ice like this. If you have blade toy(s) get them going now! There is one hazard I know of halfway between Cottagewood point and the north tip of Big Island. Ducks fought hard to keep this hole open until the pack of 30+ eagles took them all out, an incredible display of predator and prey. See you out there!

[Nathan B]

Sweet Cory nice tracks! thats awesome you got your wife on a few runs, so cool If a person has skating skills its awesome to see them having a blast on a small kite or trainer and its so easy! hopefully join you for a sesh soon..

Prof! sickness thanks for the report/// that sounds like a flock! had to be crazy to see that in person.. Bald eagles??? dam.

Thursday Tonka!? going to meet with Eric out there in the afternoon.