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!
