What a wonderful Weekend.

[Tighe]

I remember all 5 Crossings. Each had a character, a tone, something that defined it. Probably something unique for each person. For me this Crossing was all about attitude. There were times the wind wasn't what we may have hoped but everyone kept a great attitude. How often do we get to ride a little bit and hang out with friends in the bright sun, lounging around, drinking beer, telling stories and Bsin'

recap:

When we got up there on Friday, we could see kites way out on the ice, so we headed up the shoreline to the first major access onto the Lake, Perry Pearson's crew from Iowa and South Dakota, had located a sweet spot on the lake. It was blowing 12-18mph and it was warm and soft. It was good. Before long there was 12-16 kites in the air. There were some great terrain where the snow had drifted around an ice house community that was no longer there. The gusts meant big floaters.

Saturday was light but ridable. Lots of hanging out, chillin'. Saturday night was good, hanging with everyone, meeting some new faces, and seeing more of others than I wanted "jigglin' "

Sunday we rigged to a pretty good breeze but it rapidly deteriorated and the race committee was uncertain if they should call the race...eventually the lime flag went up....the few kites in the air at the time made it to the start and after the starting sequence, went off across the lake. Couple of 20.5m Machines and Bryce (130#s wet) on his 16m Xbow I. Soon other kites went up and inched toward the start line...and one by one headed out onto the lake following the long stream of kites fading into the horizon. The surface was fast and relatively smooth, with the exception of the ice roads and occasional surprise drift. The wind held for some to go a few laps of the 6 mile course but most only made a shorter distance. The Big Slingshot Machines (2006 era C kites) seemed to do the best in the 6-8mph wind, with the 14m bows close behind. With the exception of the super light Crossbow I that Bryce was flying, I think the 14m bows did better than the largest bows in these conditions...if for no other reason than they relaunched easier when they went down. This race was all about finesse. You had to hold the right line, and keep just the right amount of tension on those lines, else you'ld loose all power. Fun challenge. Jeff Cole took the race with Bryce and Peter Hill coming in close behind him. There were some single lap or short course awards given out but since this wasn't a predetermined length we need to share the credit among us all. There were a few who attempted the second lap and didn't get assessed for the single lap podium. I think everyone that got out there and tried is a winner. Shows the spirit that is the foundation of the Crossing.




A lot of greatness impressed me this weekend.

The attitude of this community. We all read the forecasts, and we all choose to come together once again and be a part of something special.

Those frickin Canadians and Iowans! You guys rock! You drive a long distance to join us and give our events such great energy.

Bryce's energy. Cruisin around the bon fire on Friday night on his 12m. Drawing all of us out onto the course today... All smiles...all the time.

The efforts of the Fleet 8 Crew.

The efforts of the Northstar crew and Velocity Kiteboarding to set up the winch and rails.

All the smiles.

Thanks to:

Terry D for the grill. It was good to share brats and beer in the Slingshot Lounge.

All the extended family that attended. Mrs Mike B, Mrs. Jim Norman, Baby Jeremy and Danyelle, Tatiana's Steve and William, Father and hubby of Kelly, etc etc.

ijiggle

The whole Slingshot Crew for helping set up and take down the Slingshot Lounge and SUPER SHOWROOM! Big thanks to Brian Borer for somehow being convinced by Nathan (AKA Tom Sawyer) to pump up all the RPMS.

All the sponsors.

Thanks everyone for making it such a great weekend.

I'll be throwing up some photos soon. If anyone else has any, let's see them.

[mdh01]

A few photos from Saturday...

Mark

[kitecomic]

Though I’ve done the fall windsurf event a few times, this was my first Mille Lacs Lake kite crossing.

Many pessimists would agree that the state of the union is critical, but it was not apparent in Garrison over the weekend when more than 50 optimistic kiters pumped up kites with anticipation of catching a breeze over the weekend. It wasn’t the wind a kiter would hope for, but it was certainly an event worth driving 7 hours to attend.

I was one of the fortunate few who were able to get a nice ride on Friday. It wasn’t high wind, but it was consistent and enjoyable. My only regret is that I couldn’t get out sooner.

Saturday was comical at times. The wind, and everyone’s anticipation, would build for a moment and then settle again. At one time there were more than 20 kites in the air, but moments later there were 20 kites on the ice waiting for the next breeze. No troubles, as it gave the kiters a chance to converse with the person nearest to him/her. It was like a kiter speed dating session all afternoon. Others, like me, chose to go on rescue missions to the kiters who ended up a ways from the group. I don’t believe we ever rescued anyone, but no kiter went thirsty as our rescue vehicle was well equipped with refreshments.

As for Sunday, every kiter who attempted the race should get a trophy of some sort. I for one send out kudos to the few who braved the conditions. The time leading up to the race gave a few of us a chance brainstorm the best method for racing in the conditions. I was going to strap my kite bag and snowboard to my back and run the race on foot. Jeff Adamski posed the question of filling the kite bladder with helium. The Canadians didn’t care as long as they had their survival belt that easily held a 6-pack. Prior to the race most struggled to just get the kites in the air. It was like watching an alcoholic try to get the last drop of alcohol from a bottle. I’ve never seen so much effort go into getting the kite in the air and as Tighe pointed out, one wrong move put the kite on the ice.
Nonetheless, good times were had by everyone I spoke with and I will say it was a pleasure meeting everyone. It’s obvious that everyone involved in coordinating this event invests a great deal of time and effort. For that I’m sure I speak for everyone by saying thank you. All I ask is that everyone takes the opportunity to support other kiting events held around the Midwest. I know conditions deter us at times, but it’s as much about comradely as anything.

Until next time, may you all be blessed with strong stable winds.

[Woodette]

"Law of Attraction" as it's best! Wind or no wind, fun loving, free spirited people get-together, laughing, inventing 'no wind" games or the crew I travel with just drink more beer, eh? What a fun weekend! Always lots of laughs and stories on the way home, thanks to the "jiggle-giggles" at the Goose and Don Altmeyers's hot swim shorts!!! Ha, Ha!

Till we meet again.

Woodette

[DavidKnight]

Despite the lack of wind, smiles weren't lacking. Thanks for the fun weekend.

[DavidKnight]

Tighe puttin' the gloves on for another round...

[DavidKnight]

The crew, before getting plowed... at The Goose.

[Tighe]

Nice. Da boys shots are great. Quite the contrast to the nerdy looking shot of me. Any more?

[johnz]

Smiles and sunburns... all the way around!!!!

[UpNorth]

I second that on the sunburn, next time I'm remembering the sunscreen What a great event!

ps Thanks Pete for the tips on jumping...I'm slowly getting there, or should I say UP there?

[DavidKnight]

I put some more pics from the Xing on the Gallery photo page.

http://www.lakawa.com/phpBB/lakawaphoto/?show=241

[Reel Nomad]

Despite the low winds, it was a fun weekend. It was nice to see everyone. I didn't get much kiting footage, but I got some of VK's winch and NSK's sliders. I'll let you know when I put up a clip of "Le Cranke" in action.

-Aleshia

[wilderclimberdude]

It was a great weekend! Friday was very fun, after hitting up Mille Lacs with everyone in the afternoon. Kelly, Cory and I went to Pelican Lake and scored a great night session. It's too bad the wind didn't hold up for Sat. and Sun. But it was great hanging out and getting to know you all better, the beer was good too!

Dan and Kelly Wilder

[krazykatie]

Yes, what a wonderful event it was! Unexpectedly, i got an awesome session in friday afternoon! Saturday everything was just about perfect w/the exception of no wind. It was nice to get to gather w/everyone, bs, bbq & beer....good times.