Homehttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/en-US2012-02-23T13:14:29ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Remi Meum - Snow Kitinghttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/2/22/remi-meum-snow-kiting.htmlD_Clark2012-02-22T20:48:23ZCheck out this great video of what snow kiting on terrain from Pro Kiter Remi Meum. 

Rems - Back on track from Remi Meum on Vimeo.

 

]]>Video: Downhill Dash 2012http://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/2/18/video-downhill-dash-2012.htmlD_Clark2012-02-18T22:10:19ZIn addition to kiteboarding we also ride bikes as a great way to keep busy when we can’t kiteboard.   Here is a video from the recent Downhill Dash which was part of the Winter WOW Festival in Traverse City.  We are riding down a slalom course on a ski run at Mt. Holiday.   The Rider in the video is John Babka and he is riding a Salsa Mukluk snow bike. 

It was a fun night of riding and no riders were injured during this event. 

- DC


]]>Weekend Recap - 2/14/12http://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/2/15/weekend-recap-21412.htmlD_Clark2012-02-15T23:21:20ZIts been a while but we finally got some new snow and decent wind.  I was able to get out Saturday and Sunday this past weekend.  We were rewarded for having to wait with a beautiful sunny Sunday.   Take a look at some of the pictures from the Session. 

We were riding our usual favorite spot for this time of year,  The Boat Launch on South Lake Leelanau.  We sailed all over the south lake from our launch spot.  This included a expedition to the very south end of the lake in search of deeper snow.   We found a great stash that was slightly deeper that allowed us to carve up the white canvas with great arcing turns. 

In addition to the kiting we also had a Iceboat out with us that day.  After my legs were dead from hours of kiting I decided to give it a try.  So I swaped my skis for the tiller and went for a romp around the lake.  Here is a small sample of the video I shot that day.  More to come soon. 

- DC

]]>Great Lakes Winter Surfing Explainedhttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/2/4/great-lakes-winter-surfing-explained.htmlD_Clark2012-02-05T00:24:08ZGreat Lakes Michigan Surfing videoHere is a great video that I came across today that explains a bit about the mental preprarations required to surf the Great Lakes during the winter.   I haven't been surfing yet during the winter, but I'm thinking about it with our lack of snow for snowboarding.   Check it out,  the Images are worth the few minutes.  - DC

 

Great Lake Surfing from Theophil Syslo on Vimeo.

]]>Monday 1-30-12 Condition Updatehttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/1/30/monday-1-30-12-condition-update.htmlD_Clark2012-01-30T21:06:00ZWe have recieved 2"-5" of new snow in the past 48 Hours and its been lightly snowing today.  Several Lakes are reporting good ice conditions.  Snow cover was heavily damaged due to last weeks warmup and rainfall.  Lakes have partial snow cover currently with reports of 40 to 60% snow cover on most lakes.   I would rate the current conditions C+ to B- at this time. 

7 Day Outlook:  Another warm spell is set to begin this evening and is expected to last for 48 hours.  Only light rain and drizzle is currently in the forecasts, but as always its a wait and see what it will do to our snow cover.  Colder temps return Wednesday with a slight chance of new snow.  So hopefully we will have conditions worth kiting by the weekend. 

- DC

]]>Friday the 13th, Snow Day!http://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/1/13/friday-the-13th-snow-day.htmlD_Clark2012-01-14T00:41:47ZAfter 10 days without snowfall the weather returned to something like winter.  The TC area picked up 4" to 8" of new snow and might have a storm total closer to a foot by the end of Saturday.   This is a great start but high winds and our lack of base still mean that snow kiting isn't happening.   The good news is we have some real cold temps on the way with calm winds to hopefully freeze some lakes this coming week. 

The fresh snow didn't go unappreciated though,  we got up and scored a pow day at Schuss Mountain.  The man made snow base is thick at the ski hill and the pow filled in deep in a few spots due to the wind. :)   Michigan pow days can be found, just get up early and go get it!

More winter is coming, just keep your fingers crossed that it sticks around for a bit. 

- DC

]]>Winter (or lack of it) - Update 1-09-12http://www.h2okiter.com/home/2012/1/9/winter-or-lack-of-it-update-1-09-12.htmlD_Clark2012-01-09T21:58:41ZI'm sure you have notcied the weather this winter hasn't been anyting like we were expecting.   After a nearly perfect season last year with plentiful snow we were hoping to continue the trend this winter,  Mother nature decided to keep things interesting and withhold our snow.  

Now for the bad news,  the current conditions in the Greater Traverse City Area:  patchy snow cover with no base.  No lakes are frozen with any snow cover.  I have heard reports that Little Glen lake is frozen but has no snow cover.   Lake Skegemog has partial ice, but no one is fishing meaning the ice is unsafe.   Also the Ice Yacht Club is reporting no safe ice in the area.   We have temps in the mid 40s for the next few days so beware of any ice that you find. 

Outlook for the season,  this isn't our first bad winter start.  The lakes are cooling off and will freeze quickly if we get a week of calm cold nights.   We are going to need a lot of snow to try and ride inland.  with out any base from our previous snow events, we need a solid 18 inches to lay down enough base to coat the ground.  If we get ice on the lakes that number drops to 6 inches.   I think we will be game on for some good snow kiting in two to three weeks.  Until then our Ski Resorts are making snow and have decent conditions even with the lack of natural snow.  Boyne invented snow making and has a good base along with Crystal and Schuss mountains.  So go ride the lifts and get in some practice on your board. 

If things improve I will post and spread the word. 

- DC

]]>No Wind - Take a bike to the beachhttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2011/12/3/no-wind-take-a-bike-to-the-beach.htmlD_Clark2011-12-03T15:43:16ZBeach Bike Biking Dunes Empire MichiganBig Windyhttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2011/10/25/big-windy.htmlD_Clark2011-10-25T22:35:46ZThis Fall has been off to a great start with great wind the past couple of weeks.  We have had lots of West and North winds so far and it looks like the 2011 Water season will wrap up as a great year after a slow start.  

Many recent sessions have been logged including riding the shoal at Platte River and many downwinders along the coast.   As usual the core crew has been representing in good numbers, which is a good thing as its been a bit big to ride solo.   Most recent sessions have been in the 25-30knt range with several days of double overhead waves.  One of the storms had the south lake buoy reporting wave heights in excess of 23' headed toward the south end of the lake.   Nothing up here that big but a few 12-14' waves have been caught and sucessfully ridden. :D

Here is a little video that Farley posted.  Check it out, More videos to fallow when I can catch up on my editing. 

- DC

]]>New Sitehttp://www.h2okiter.com/home/2011/9/26/new-site.htmlD_Clark2011-09-26T19:36:55ZHey All, 

Welcome to the new website,  lots going on to move the content over from the old site and upgrade how things work.  The forum won't be comeing back but look for us to soon be on facebook and twiter more often.   I have a lot of great ideas and content and now that the season is winding down it should steadly apear over the next few months.  

- DC

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