2011 Kiteboarding Event, Fond du Lac, WI Feb. 11-13

[WAK Jason]

The Winnebago Association of Kiteboarding is hosting it's annual kiteboarding event in Fond du Lac, WI on February 11-13. This is an open invite for all to attend. The Sturgeon Stampede has been held annually for 22 years and evolved into a snowkiting event for the last
5 years. All proceeds go to support WAK ( Winnebago association of
Kiteboarders), a local club, that has helped establish
5 kiteboarding launches on the southern end of Lake Winnebago. We
love promoting kiteboarding, as well as the safety and comraderie of it. We hope everyone can make it out to enjoy the good time!!

Registration form and more info:
http://wakkiteboarding.com/stampede%20k ... 202011.GIF

[WAK Jason]

Just wanted to give an update on our conditions! Right now we have plenty of snow to rip it up on the lake with more in the forecast tonight and tomorrow!! The WAK shack is ready to roll and should be heading out either today or early this week. Anyone who has been to our event before might remember the big bus rv we used for our base. We finally sold it because of all the work it took to keep it running each year. This year we will have a 30' camper trailer. We gutted it out and set it up for the ultimate kiteboarding base/party pad! This past Friday we built a bunch of ramps at the event site on the lake. We got maybe an inch that night and we are supposed to get another 1-3" tonight. With 2 weeks to go, they should have plenty of time to accumulate lot's of snow. Right now you can cruise all over the lake with no bare spots and probably and average of 5-6" pretty much all around the lake. Bob from Kiteriders in Madison,WI will be at our event both Saturday and Sunday and said he will have plenty of demo's from Wainman (if he get's them in before the event), Slingshot, Epic, and Cabrinha. It will be a great time and I hope everyone can make it! Let's just hope the wind gods cooperate with us!! Assuming everything works out correctly again, we will have the live event feed online again this year which can be found on the WAK cam link on http://www.wakkiteboarding.com

[WAK Jason]

I got word from Stafford in Milwaukee that he and his crew will also be bringing up some demo's (Blade, Airush, and Cabrinha) for the event. Kevin from Windpower will also be there with his Naish kites! We rode Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday last week! We got plenty of snow, but we are supposed to get 1-2" tonight and tomorrow and then possibly more on Friday. Wind is in the forecast for this Friday, Saturday and Sunday! It is definitely shaping up for the Stampede!

[WAK Jason]

The latest update on conditions are that we have lot's of snow. It was very cold all week, so the snow is no longer fluffy and is hard crusted on top. It is supposed to be warm today, so that should help to soften it up for the weekend. We rode yesterday and had a good time breaking in the ramps. The wind forecast for today has gone downhill. Looks like any wind we get will be in the afternoon in the 10-15 mph range. The good thing is that the event site is about 1/3 mile out from shore on the lake. That means any wind we get will at least be clean wind. We will still be out there today selling burgers and chili along with beer and soda. If the wind comes up enough in the afternoon, we might try to do a long distance race. The wind forecast looks more promising for Sunday. That might end up being the big event day. If that is the case, the same plan for today holds true Sunday. Registration until 11am, then the rider meeting at 11:30 with events to start shortly after. Let's hope the wind comes up earlier and more than planned today so we can at least run a couple events today. Any questions, feel free to call me. Jason (920)948-7234

[WAK Jason]

We had a pretty good crowd today considering the wind forecast. Wind did come up enough this afternoon to do some course racing. We ran 2 heats of races in 2 classes. Shortly after everyone tired out from the course racing, the wind came up even more. Zack and Ryan were out jumping the bonfire in the dark. Overall, a great day of racing. The snow did soften up nicely and should be killer Sunday. We are taking registration until 11am Sunday with the rider meeting at 11:30. Events will follow shortly. We are hoping to get in some kitercross, long distance race, and big air. The wind forecast is looking great for tomorrow, so come out and ride.

[WAK Jason]

Thanks to everyone who made it. We had enough wind to ride both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday was really windy with some big boosts. Congrats to all the winners in their respective events and classifications. It was probably the best Sturgeon Stampede we have had yet for our club. I will try to get some pics and videos up for people to check out. Thanks again for the great weekend. It definitely showed what a great kiteboarding community we have right here in the midwest!!

[WAK Jason]

Just thought I would share a quick unedited clip of part of the Big Air contest we had at the Stampede this past weekend. The video is courtesty of Stafford from Adventure Kiteboarding (http://www.kiteboardmilwaukee.com/). We are accumulating all the pics and vids and will try to edit it into an all inclusive video, but for now this is fun!!

http://vimeo.com/20001780

[WAK Jason]

Here is a link to the picture gallery from the event also! It was a great time with lot's of great riding and even more good times! Thanks to all that could make it!! And thanks to Kevin, Bob, and Stafford for bringing their gear out for everyone to try.

http://wakkiteboarding.com/Pics/Stampede2011/index.html

[toyletbowl]

oh crap...

Jason, i didn't see this thread and just posted this same video on a separate thread. You're too fast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2kp2ngpRjo