It is time to say "YEAH!!!" and a gracious "Thank You!" The crossing has been completed!
It is bittersweet, as they say. A mid-lake crossing from Two Rivers, WI to Ludington, MI was never completed. For safety, the accompaniment of a chase boat was required and never obtained on a consistent basis. If we had a willing boat and captain, the winds didn't cooperate. When the conditions were right, our boat was already chartered or the captain was unavailable. A "back up plan" was needed if this crossing attempt was to ever be completed. I resigned myself to a "near shore" crossing at the southern end of the lake. It was a hard decision, but two summers of waiting at the campsites for days on end had proven fruitless and frustrating.
I swallowed my pride and accepted the reality of "Plan B". The back up plan was a longer crossing route, but one that could be done much closer to the safety of the shore: Calumet Harbor, Chicago, IL to Michiana, MI. The straight line route was actually a few miles shorter than the original, but the necessity to stay within a swimmable distance was imperative for safety, even though following the shore resulted in about a 45 mile trip. Longer if you add up the tacking on the Spot map. A "chase van" was along the roads near the route and radios were used for communications. I'd like to thank my wife for being the coordinator of shore activities. She was never a fan of this attempt from the beginning, but she supported me and did it anyway. She is a blessing.
There were two attempts in 2010. We were successful between early morning storms and night time rain on July 24th. After almost checking out of the hotel and heading home, the NOAA radar loop turned favorable enough to sit it out and wait about 10am. We readied the sufrunner and went to the harbor (more of an inlet, see YouTube picture loop at left). By noon the radar looked clean until the evening and I just figured to give it shot. After so many unsuccessful attempts where the wind died and I had the excitement of paddling back to shore, the forecast was for WSW to SSW winds at 10-15 knots the entire afternoon and evening. Paddling back to shore in rain wouldn't be my first time... This time however, luck was on our side. After four years, the wind held, the waves did not exceed two feet most of the travel with the current winds pushing against those left from the NE from the storms (even the mid-lake buoy reported only 2-3 feet waves and that's a strange event after such storms... luck was certainly on my side...), and I kept the smokestacks of an old industrial Indiana just in sight off the horizon. Six hours later, I arrived at Michiana, MI. Right in front of the Holiday Inn to be exact. Tacking in was interesting, but the beach was such a sight. I don't think I ever used the words "Whoo Hoo!". I did then. In fact, my wife was about a half hour behind me. (Long story about the Skyway and construction, but "thank you honey for all you've done these past few years..."). (That should keep me somewhat out of trouble...).
The Hero camera was a victim of water (a $200 loss, but more of a source of anger at the inability to show the grandkids "look what grandpa did", and bore them, more than the economic loss), but we have the launch footage and some gracious pictures from a family from the hotel of the recovery in our YouTube feed. The Spot ten minute check ins are there as well.
I feel a sense of "let down." Honestly, it's like preparing years to make an intricate BASE parachute jump and it is over so quickly it seems like just a brief moment and it's over. No fanfare. No crowd. Nobody but the nice vacationing couple, Steve and Becky. And someone to cart you away at the end. I am glad it was m supporting wife.
More disappointment followed. My application for a Guinness record was denied. A "first" in and of itself does not necessarily constitute a record without national public and media support. Or that's what their letters said. I scanned them in and posted below for your reference. Just wanted to share the letdown. :-(
But, I feel better. It looked "undoable" due to schedules and weather and lack of support. Its a testimonial to what one person can do with the help of others. That' the lesson I learned. Oh, the second lesson: don't announce what you're going to try and do years ahead of time. Nobody is interested after just a few weeks anyway. You're just already "old news" before you're even news. Just have someone call them an hour before you get close to the shore.
I sound melancholy and a bit let down. That's not how I feel. I am just looking forward to my next challenge. And I don't know what it is...
So, now, it's time to pay credit where it's due:
I would like to thank our annual sponsors: CYA Protective Gear, Don Joy, and Monster. Thank you for your unending assistance and support!
A big "Thank You", as well, to those who donated necessary equipment and technical support: Globalstar and the SPOT satellite tracking and response system, and The GEOS Alliance for Search and Rescue Operations coverage, which was fortunately never required.
The crossing of Lake Michigan and the funding of prostate cancer research has attracted the attention, help and cooperation of many other great companies: Extrong Sports, Slingshot Sports, Lake Express, Liquid Force being notable for their assistance on multiple occasions. Please give them you kind consideration.
And, finally and most importantly to my wife of 13 years, Di. She put up with my "crazy idea", the vacation plans always revolving around me and not the family, and was there for me in the end. Figuratively and literally. I love you. I said I would promise, and I am: no more long distance kiteboarding ideas. (I reserve the right to follow other paths, however).
Hope you enjoyed these entries over the years. I will "clean up" the old blog a bit, so it is more chronological and readable, and leave it up for a while. Until my next crazy idea, that is (sorry honey...).
--Chaz
5.3.09
8.4.08
"What are you: nuts?"
That's the usual statement (or some variation thereof) I get when I tell people about Kite Surf For A Cure.
It's been a dream of mine since I started kiteboarding in 2005. I had made two attempts on the Two Rivers, WI to Ludington, MI route, but knee injures and weather windows have prevent success in 2007 and 2008 attempts. A small test crossing from Michiana, MI to Calumet beach, Chicago, IL was aborted in Aug. 2009. This 36 mi. venture does not "count" as there was a kite leading edge tear from the splintering of a strut (have since switched to carbon fiber under the EPS). It happened 22 miles into the crossing and I got to have a fun paddle 7 miles south to Ogden Dunes on a crowded and beautiful sunny day. That was embarrassing: so many onlookers to failure and so many questions to answer. But: live and learn... So, I once again look forward to 2010 and more success.
For 2010, the crossing concept didn't change much:
--Using the modified sit on kiteboard (see below).
--Non-l.e.i. kite (carbon fiber struts with closed-cell polystyrene molded over them provide shape to the 67 foot "C"-shaped kite) with control bar attachments to the rider, the boat, or both, depending upon conditions.
--Plenty of electronics: EPIRB, marine radio, cell phone, all waterproof or water-proofed, all integrated into the impact harness; upper arms are free for GPS and emergency equip. (mini flares, mini strobe, etc.).
--A little food and water for emergencies if things go really wrong.
--Oh: most importantly: a paddle that is Very, Very securely attached to the board for a last ditch way to get back to land should the worst come to pass. :-) It has in the past. Every time in the past to be exact...
Why do it?
--No one has. I have traveled 25 miles before along the Lake Michigan shoreline (where I live) on an unmodified surfrunner. This will actually be easier, I believe. No boats or dorks on jet skis.
Why solo?
--No one has done any major kite surf crossing without support craft on the challenging great lakes.
What about the weather?
--Conditions must be perfect, or it's not worth the risk.
--Prior to all the various modifications, conditions where there were winds gusting over 20 mph or waves over 3 feet were difficult for such a large and heavy set up. I had to drop the kite behind (like a trailing sea anchor for a sailboat) and paddle nose into the waves to keep from flipping. The surfrunner likes to slide sideways and flip over on wave faces unless really powered up (hence the large kite size: 20.5M). Or pointed directly into them.
--The modifications offer considerably more effectiveness and safety. Still best to avoid a beam sea to the runner, again, unless really moving with plenty of power.
Unfortunately: We did not get a set of weather conditions for a safe yet speedy crossing for 2010. The season was dry, and fairly windless much of the summer, except for some good thermal onshore breezes. This helped in the MI to IL test. It was slow and had many down times. The surfrunner is vital to ensure that I don't spend too much time in the water when the wind luffs a bit and you have to wait to relaunch.
Now looking forward to 2010!
It's been a dream of mine since I started kiteboarding in 2005. I had made two attempts on the Two Rivers, WI to Ludington, MI route, but knee injures and weather windows have prevent success in 2007 and 2008 attempts. A small test crossing from Michiana, MI to Calumet beach, Chicago, IL was aborted in Aug. 2009. This 36 mi. venture does not "count" as there was a kite leading edge tear from the splintering of a strut (have since switched to carbon fiber under the EPS). It happened 22 miles into the crossing and I got to have a fun paddle 7 miles south to Ogden Dunes on a crowded and beautiful sunny day. That was embarrassing: so many onlookers to failure and so many questions to answer. But: live and learn... So, I once again look forward to 2010 and more success.
For 2010, the crossing concept didn't change much:
--Using the modified sit on kiteboard (see below).
--Non-l.e.i. kite (carbon fiber struts with closed-cell polystyrene molded over them provide shape to the 67 foot "C"-shaped kite) with control bar attachments to the rider, the boat, or both, depending upon conditions.
--Plenty of electronics: EPIRB, marine radio, cell phone, all waterproof or water-proofed, all integrated into the impact harness; upper arms are free for GPS and emergency equip. (mini flares, mini strobe, etc.).
--A little food and water for emergencies if things go really wrong.
--Oh: most importantly: a paddle that is Very, Very securely attached to the board for a last ditch way to get back to land should the worst come to pass. :-) It has in the past. Every time in the past to be exact...
Why do it?
--No one has. I have traveled 25 miles before along the Lake Michigan shoreline (where I live) on an unmodified surfrunner. This will actually be easier, I believe. No boats or dorks on jet skis.
Why solo?
--No one has done any major kite surf crossing without support craft on the challenging great lakes.
What about the weather?
--Conditions must be perfect, or it's not worth the risk.
--Prior to all the various modifications, conditions where there were winds gusting over 20 mph or waves over 3 feet were difficult for such a large and heavy set up. I had to drop the kite behind (like a trailing sea anchor for a sailboat) and paddle nose into the waves to keep from flipping. The surfrunner likes to slide sideways and flip over on wave faces unless really powered up (hence the large kite size: 20.5M). Or pointed directly into them.
--The modifications offer considerably more effectiveness and safety. Still best to avoid a beam sea to the runner, again, unless really moving with plenty of power.
Unfortunately: We did not get a set of weather conditions for a safe yet speedy crossing for 2010. The season was dry, and fairly windless much of the summer, except for some good thermal onshore breezes. This helped in the MI to IL test. It was slow and had many down times. The surfrunner is vital to ensure that I don't spend too much time in the water when the wind luffs a bit and you have to wait to relaunch.
Now looking forward to 2010!
What is a SurfRunner?
A lot of folks have wondered how to cross solo with gear and safety equipment and not get fatigued, like on a regular board: I am using the Surfrunner Sit On Kite Board, although it's pretty easy to stand up on, too. To handle the side loading of the kite and for other purposes unique to long distance kiting, I have made some modifications to the original design: added flotation for more load support; side "rails" for edging capability without flipping over; variable-sized rudder with integrated harness steering attachment (you lean: it turns); centerpoint safety harness attachments with release; gear storage for rider; bow netting for more storage; self draining scuppers for the center "tub" area; alternate kite attachment hook; etc.
Many thanks to the members and engineers of BoatDesign.Net for help in modifying the hull, etc. on the Surfrunners! There are two: all modifications are roughed and trialed on a 200cm model. When I "get things just right" the 225cm model gets the final modification, adjusted for scale.
The slide show below shows just some of them. There's a lot of glassing and painting done since those were taken last year. I promise to get more up to date pictures for you all of the hull/bottom. You can now lean back to the side, drag your back to keep the kite from overpowering you in a stiff gust, and edge to a 45 degree angle or more. Doing that powered up with a 20.5 meter kite on something this large is a trip and a half. The sense of speed from skimming your body that low near the water is incredible.
If you cut too hard, or catch an off-timed swell or wave on beam that flips you, it' not a fun ride off of the surfrunner as the harness breaks away (designed to at >350lbs. force on the snap shackle) to save you, the surfrunner and the equipment from being dragged under the water (or into the air for that matter). Neither is fun... Better to body drag off the board, whether its from underneath and out or poping up over the top. You get bruised up in both circumstances. Beats the alternatives, though! There's a reel leash system on the runner, so you stop at 50 feet from it. Enough time to depower the kite (sort of...), at least to a safe level, can't flag it out due to the fixed leading edge.
The topside rail supports (leverage to lean and edge), are done. The harness system and kite attachment points have been changed and moved. I'll post more pictures when the weather warms up. And, I am sure more modifications will be made, still...
Many thanks to the members and engineers of BoatDesign.Net for help in modifying the hull, etc. on the Surfrunners! There are two: all modifications are roughed and trialed on a 200cm model. When I "get things just right" the 225cm model gets the final modification, adjusted for scale.
The slide show below shows just some of them. There's a lot of glassing and painting done since those were taken last year. I promise to get more up to date pictures for you all of the hull/bottom. You can now lean back to the side, drag your back to keep the kite from overpowering you in a stiff gust, and edge to a 45 degree angle or more. Doing that powered up with a 20.5 meter kite on something this large is a trip and a half. The sense of speed from skimming your body that low near the water is incredible.
If you cut too hard, or catch an off-timed swell or wave on beam that flips you, it' not a fun ride off of the surfrunner as the harness breaks away (designed to at >350lbs. force on the snap shackle) to save you, the surfrunner and the equipment from being dragged under the water (or into the air for that matter). Neither is fun... Better to body drag off the board, whether its from underneath and out or poping up over the top. You get bruised up in both circumstances. Beats the alternatives, though! There's a reel leash system on the runner, so you stop at 50 feet from it. Enough time to depower the kite (sort of...), at least to a safe level, can't flag it out due to the fixed leading edge.
The topside rail supports (leverage to lean and edge), are done. The harness system and kite attachment points have been changed and moved. I'll post more pictures when the weather warms up. And, I am sure more modifications will be made, still...
30.11.07
CBS Video
I wasn't aware that this was online, but the reporter who shot this promotional video showed me the link. Thanks to David Duke, WFRV, Channel 5!
29.7.07
"...and our decision is final in this matter..."
So Much For The Guinness World Record Idea...
They really know how to not beat around the bush over in London...
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rmt@guinnessworldrecords.com
Subject: Guinness World Records
To: xlakemi@gmail.com
Membership Number: 17xxx
Dear Chaz,
Thank you for sending us the details of your recent record proposal for 'First Crossing of Lake Michigan (US) by Kiteboard'. We are afraid to say that we are unable to accept this as a Guinness World Record.
We have looked at your proposal in detail but as you yourself mention it would be a first. A 'first' is not necessarily, in itself, a record — records have to be breakable, measurable and comparable, e.g. tallest, fastest, heaviest, etc., and tend to have arisen as a result of a great deal of (usually international) interest and competition.
We realize that this will be disappointing to you. However, we have considered your proposal fully; in the context of the specific subject area and that of records as a whole, and our decision is final in this matter.
Once again thank you for your interest in Guinness World Records.
Yours sincerely,
A. B.,
Records Management Team
** NOTE: This message is sent from an unmonitored email address.
** Replies will be discarded. Please DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL.
** If you need to contact us, please login to the members area of our
** website and submit an enquiry
** http://www.guinnessworldrecord
______________________________
They really know how to not beat around the bush over in London...
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: rmt@guinnessworldrecords.com
Subject: Guinness World Records
To: xlakemi@gmail.com
Membership Number: 17xxx
Dear Chaz,
Thank you for sending us the details of your recent record proposal for 'First Crossing of Lake Michigan (US) by Kiteboard'. We are afraid to say that we are unable to accept this as a Guinness World Record.
We have looked at your proposal in detail but as you yourself mention it would be a first. A 'first' is not necessarily, in itself, a record — records have to be breakable, measurable and comparable, e.g. tallest, fastest, heaviest, etc., and tend to have arisen as a result of a great deal of (usually international) interest and competition.
We realize that this will be disappointing to you. However, we have considered your proposal fully; in the context of the specific subject area and that of records as a whole, and our decision is final in this matter.
Once again thank you for your interest in Guinness World Records.
Yours sincerely,
A. B.,
Records Management Team
** NOTE: This message is sent from an unmonitored email address.
** Replies will be discarded. Please DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL.
** If you need to contact us, please login to the members area of our
** website and submit an enquiry
** http://www.guinnessworldrecord
______________________________
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