Wow, what a weekend of extremes. I don’t know about you but I’m toast.
It just goes to show you trying to plan an event, which is based on the weather is almost impossible. We thought we had developed a fairly flexible program, and I think it was, but the weather of the weekend even created some interesting challenges. The funny thing is when we originally had discussed the event we decided to ride Calhoun on Friday to help out our sponsors in terms of visibility, then have the main ride be chosen day of based on conditions. Somewhere along the line we got a bit more committed to KiteIsland, then Mother slapped us along the head.
Quick synopsis of the weekend.
Friday we had a great turnout down on Calhoun. The wind was light but the sun was shining, and the temps toasty warm. It was a success in generating great interest in the sport as many people out walking the lake, stopped by to check out all the color. Slingshots quiver of Machines, their new lightwind powerhouses, were the ride of the day. The 25ms were cruising back and forth. There were kids learning to fly trainers. Chris B. brought his BBQ and was grilling in the parking lot…a good day I’d say.
Friday night we did a bit more shaping on the jumps and Vojta groomed the course to ski hill like perfection. The minimal wind the two previous days left the cold air sitting on the ice, keeping our snow cold.
We woke up Saturday to a warm steady wind ripping the cold from the ice and quickly melting what snow we had. Jason and the whole Boardsports USA crew were set up and ready to go, rigging kites as fast as they could and sending people out to ride. Justin, was the first out and one of the first to come in. Riding hard all day…but more on that later. Larry from Scuba Center was laying out kites, gear, great mags and establishing the fly zone for demos. The energy in the air was great. People kept coming and coming. We had a record number of registered riders. The people wandering out on the ice to check out the scene was definitely better than years past. Then…
Right before our riders meeting the Sheriff showed up. They had a few issues with our permanent structures on the ice, and after a bit of discussion it was agreed that we would take everything down before dark.
Our program, which was laid out in the Riders meeting, was to ride together and when you left the lake, to vote for other riders. We had hoped to have an expression session where some of the key riders would be identified. The wind just kept on building and quickly became a safety risk. The snow turned to water and the gusts were well over 30mph. All the best plans….
One of the best shows was later in the afternoon. Vojta, Alex, Joe, Eric Stone and a very wet Mark Doyle, put on a great show for those who remained.
The sunset on Tonka was amazing. The red setting sun ignited the pools of water as texture (almost whitecaps) massaged the surface.
We decided to meet at Billy’s later and decide what to do for Sunday. The party at Billy’s was a bit crazy as we tried to figure out what to do. By the time we had some idea, everybody was pretty liquefied. The call was to announce what awards we could for prizes in a raffle form and try to ride on Sunday to determine the cash awards. We left thinking we’d head to Cedar Lake in Wisconsin.
Sunday early am. I got a call from Steve Blaine (thanks). The snow the night before had turned to water and was no longer an option. Mille lacs was the call.
A small pose’ headed north. The conditions were pretty good. A bit of ice and some good fast snow. I think skis were favored because of the crusty conditions. Eric Perkins from Kare 11 made the trip and Jason and his crew got him flying. (check out Tueday PM NEWS)
The wind was rock steady at about 14-16mph. Enough to float and land super soft. There was a pressure ridge out about 1/4 mile that was a great kicker. Everyone was smilling. So much that when we blew the horns (numerous times) to come in for the awards no one did. Many just rode till dark. Mike Fox and I had to leave so I’m not exactly sure what the final outcome was. I’ll post those soon.
More than anything else I think it is important to recognize the achievements, happenings, and effort toward this weekend. I’m going to start the list and I hope others will chirp up as well:
Everyone who showed up on Friday. The amount of color we had on the ice…yes most of it was rigged and laying on the ice…was phenomenal. We were a scene that many people wanted to check out.
The effort that went into putting up the wind break on Saturday morning. I don’t know exactly who was all there all I know is a core group volunteered on the spot and made that happen.
The pot luck was great. The subs that Scott brought were huge. The Chocolate Chili of Jeff’s was full of fire. Tatiana’s arepas(Venezuelan sandwichs) were a hit, Jim Lehman brought a case of burgers. There was a lot there. Thanks to everyone.
I went out late in the day to help take down the jumps. I slowly picked at them with a shovel, as did others. It would have taken days. Then the fun began. Everyone who had a decent sized SUV or truck started to prove their worth. Hitting the mounds at speeds we thought would trigger the airbags, they’d smash off sections at a time, snow flying everywhere. Some going over too much and hanging up. Almost all later realized their fog lights were gone. Great show though.
Some of the strongest and definitely the longest rides were from the non pros. Jeremy(11) and Jacob (8?) Jones rode all three days….HARD. Right on guys. Justin(16) was going off all weekend long. If you saw someone you didn’t know on snowboard out there going big, going sick and sticking it it was Justin. Jerry Sandell rode and rode and rode…he and Justin get the Everyready Bunny Awards. Eric Stone, who spent the year in Hatteras, was dialed on his foils, riding hard and looking really strong. Mike Barnes, Jeff Gordon and others who rode and rode all weekend.
Mike Fox and his Fleet 8 crew were up till 3 am on Saturday night mixing up a great batch of chili of us on Sunday. What a treat after riding.
Jon Peterson (photographer) took his first ride behind the kite, after photographing us for the past few years, and did great. He was hooking into the harness by the end of the day yesterday.
Brett McCullough videoed the entire event, sitting for ours out on Mille lacs in a 20 degree wind, capturing riders as they whipped by. Hopefully we'll see his results.
That sunset on Tonka. Those of us who shared it, were bonded by a gift from heaven.
Those brownies that Mrs. Peterson made. They were absolutely hands down the best food sensation I have experienced...and I'm pretty sure they were legal.
Thanks go out to everyone for being so tolerant of the changes.
Thanks to Mike Fey for taking over when we had to depart yesterday.
Overall I’m happy with what we were able to do with the conditions we were presented. I’m sure people have their gripes. More than anything I am impressed with our riding community. The pros better stay sharp and keep pushing, else they're going down. We've got strong riders popping up everywhere. And the stoke, that thing that binds us all when we join eachother in the wind, was on tap this weekend for sure.
Please add to the list above, with memorable scenes or moments from the event.
Also, please post any photos or videos
And please don’t forget none of this would have been possible without the support of our sponsors:
Slingshot Kiteboarding
Boardsports USA
Scuba Center Kiting and Windsurfing
Z-systems ( John Z)
Tom Lowe
I’ll post the results as I get them.
Kitefreeze Recap
Moderator: MK
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SCOTT RIDOUT
- Posts: 651
- Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2002 12:45 pm
- Location: CHAMPLIN, MINNESOTA
Thank You!
Thanks for all the hard work in launching Kitefreeze05. The riders gave a good taste of what it takes to be a kiteboarder - a little wind and a lot of courage. The drive out onto the ice took a little of this also.
I got onto the lake from the northernmost entrance and drove all over Wayzata Bay until I arrived at Kite Island. When I left the lake, I took the south exit and noticed a sign that seemed to say people driving on the lake needed a permit. I didn't stop to ask questions as I hydroplaned onto the beach. Did anyone else notice that sign?
Anyway, I enjoyed the scene and appreciate what everyone, especially you, Tighe, put into it. I have a handful of web-ready pictures that I can't figure out how to add. I'll send them in a separate email.
I got onto the lake from the northernmost entrance and drove all over Wayzata Bay until I arrived at Kite Island. When I left the lake, I took the south exit and noticed a sign that seemed to say people driving on the lake needed a permit. I didn't stop to ask questions as I hydroplaned onto the beach. Did anyone else notice that sign?
Anyway, I enjoyed the scene and appreciate what everyone, especially you, Tighe, put into it. I have a handful of web-ready pictures that I can't figure out how to add. I'll send them in a separate email.
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Boardsports USA
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2003 1:54 pm
- Location: Brainerd, MN
- Contact:
Tighe,
Much thanks go to you, Vojta & Mike Fox and all the other people who volunteered their time to pull off this fabulous event. It was a great scene, and I can't wait for next year.
Also, thanks for Lakawa, which has been instrumental in growing this sport in Minnesota.
Now.....when is some &%$*ing snow coming?!! Let's get out there & ride.
Much thanks go to you, Vojta & Mike Fox and all the other people who volunteered their time to pull off this fabulous event. It was a great scene, and I can't wait for next year.
Also, thanks for Lakawa, which has been instrumental in growing this sport in Minnesota.
Now.....when is some &%$*ing snow coming?!! Let's get out there & ride.
Yes the event did turn out great i was having fun the whole time, even though there was quite a bit of food goin around ther i didnt eat much, only chuggin the red bulls and gettin right back out there, in the tsuamis, but it was a great event again, it was an honor riding with those guys, and sharing the lake with them. thanks all
Specht
boostiaye
boostiaye
I would just like to thank everyone for making the kitefreeze happen. I am really suprised that no one got sick from drinking all of the free Red Bull. Friday was a good day, but it would've been better if there would've been more wind. I am also pretty sure that on Saturday everyone went home wet. Then I think a lot of people were shocked at how much colder it was on Sunday. Also thanks to all of the photographers and the news station guys that came out. Peace
AHD
AHD