Thanks Scott, Matt and John and nice fisherman.

[Jeff G]

It's great knowing that if you get in a bind on the water there will be someone there to help. I made the (greedy?) mistake of trying one last backroll when the wind was dying down Monday eve. Over-rotated as usual and dropped the kite. Then I lost my board and could only drift toward the north shore. Matt (sorry, don't know his last name) was out and did a big downwinder to try to rescue my board and make sure I was safe. He overshot the board and couldn't make it back upwind, but it was a noble effort. John and Scott waited forever for me to make it to shore. A fisherman asked if I needed help and went looking for the board. After enjoying a beautiful sunset drift I finally made it to shore, crawled through 50 yards of rushes, then through the trees and brush to the road where Scott picked me up. Thanks everyone!

[Cory M]

I had a similar situation out on Mille Lacs on Sat. Big thanks to Chad for helping me out with my board, not once but twice. I was overpowered on the 14TD and was unable to body drag back to my board which was floating upsidedown. I should have gone in after the first event as I was pretty tired, but I tried to get back upwind and repeated the board loss. To make matters worse, the bottom of the board is black and tough to see. Gonna have to make that thing glow in the dark somehow. Open to any tips on body dragging as I'm pretty new to the water. It's possible that I was at least holding my ground and the board would have come eventually but it seemed like a long time. I'll be returning the favor if I see someone in a similar situation.

[Eric P]

Hey Cory, Milly can be weird that way. Sometimes there is a bit of a current just outside of the break / at the deep water line. The waves have to come out of that shallow water somewhere. That current can keep boards from moving down wind, plus the fact that it was upside down would keep it from drifting down wind. I've had real problems body dragging back up to my board when it was upside down as well.

As for tips in body dragging, just stick the lower hand out and try to turn your body into a plank. Keep the kite de-powered as much as possible, and at about 45 degrees. Try to take fairly long tacks as you will lose a little ground on the turn around. That is where the colorful board is very helpful. I like Orange and Pink as very visible colors out on the water (but that is just because those are the colors I'm used to). Black would suck. Why do these board manufacturers do that anyway?

Good luck on your next try on the water, you were looking great on Saturday.

[Anna D]

Cory-you looked great on Saturday! I don't think you qualify as "new to the water" anymore!

Eric has good advice (as always, my dear) but I would emphasize one point: Take a LONG tack out. If you think you've gone out far enough, keep going! I can't stand those "so close you can just about touch it" moments like the one I had on Saturday at Reddy. I try to be very gentle with the kite on the turn around to avoid losing much ground.

Also, pink is incredibly easy to spot on the water. That is why Eric always steals my pink board. I'm glad we have roving photographers to provide evidence.

[Cory M]

Thanks for the kind words and tips Eric and Anna (here and at the lake). You guys have quite the skillful kiteboarding clan!

[Dave Tomassen]

Hey were you the last one on the beach on Monday? Did you happen to see my gear on the dock at night when you were wrapping your stuff up?

I talked to Scott Chappman and he noted that he saw the gear out there but did not pick it up.......just seeing if someone snagged it prior to you getting there.