Status: Saturday Jan 21, 2006 21:00hrs
Excellent conditions for everyone today. The snow from this morning and throughout the day covered up the slushy sections as well as could be expected. The overnight temperatures will be well below freezing and likely will freeze up most of the softer stuff but the snow could also insulate things and keep the moisture around a bit longer. The good news is with the changing wind direction (from n-w to s), the riding path will be at a different angle so riders may not have to ride too much of the frozen crud left from today's riders.

20km/hr winds from south around noon are in the forecast for Sunday.

The organizing committee would like to thank all those riders and participants that came out Saturday.

History: The Annual Lake Simcoe Winter Sports festival was launched in 2003 with the goal of organizing an exciting winter wind sailing event on a provincial level. The event has brought out some of the best riders throughout Ontario and as far away as Québec. Visitors from afar are encouraged to stay in local accommodations so they may enjoy the two days of riding.

For those of you who have been around for quite some time, you may remember Merv Cooper who was always a dominant figure at all the winter festivals. With his passing in 2005, he is sadly missed but his spirits are soaring with us always.

Over the years, different locations were tried to try to find the best wind, ice and season conditions close to Toronto. We are happy to call Glenwoods Avenue the home of the festival. The put-in at Glenwoods has become so popular for winter sailing, its common to find 30-40 riders out enjoying the terrain any time it is windy in the winter.

The major focus at the festival are various forms of kite flying: traction kite flying, single and dual line. Although the predominant one at the festival is the power kiting, the single and dual line kites always paint a beautiful backdrop in the sky for riders and spectators.

Finally, it merits noting that this event includes riders from as young as 10 years old including up to 76 years young. The event serves as an excellent opportunity to promote the sport and to come see real passion seekers as they you how they enjoy winter in Ontario.

News: Press Release

What: Wind Powered Ice & Snow Sailing Sports

• Ontario and Québec's finest group of ice and snow sailors of all ages will be showing you how they spend their winter outdoors

• See why this locations is becoming one of the best winter wind riding locations in the Country

• You'll see kite skiing, kite snowboarding, Snowfering, Uniboarding, Skimbats, ram air kites, leading edge inflatable (LEI) kites, ice buggies, kite sledding and more.

Weather Forecast: ice conditions, ice conditions(visual), wind conditions (Walter Drive, Keswick), EC weather warnings

Out of Country visitors: GST Rebate form

Media (Promotional Rights): All media taken at this event are not to be used for commercial purposes. Please contact us @ 416.497.wind (9463) for commercial permission to use media.

Wind Riders and spectators: please check in with one of the organizers when you get there to sign a waiver or you can pre-register and sign in with one of the events organizers when you arrive. Due to liability matters, in order to ride at this event, you must be an experienced winter kite sailor. Beginners are welcome as spectators or accompanied with a qualified kite instructor.

Parking: Please obey all the displayed parking signs in the area. The event organizers realize parking may be a challenge for the weekend, but we're asking everyone to do there best to respect the community on their day at the lake. Depending on ice conditions, parking may be available on the lake and at your own risk.

Office Flyer: Fly it forward and help us promote the festival by displaying a flyer at your office. Download (115k-pdf)

Activity times

• 11:00-11:15hrs Opening ceremonies, kites in the air for a photo opportunity

• 11:00-15:30hrs Equipment Swap, Merchant Promotions, Keswick Country Catering (on-site)

• 11:00-15:30hrs Tandem paragliding winch towing - services provided by Southern Ontario Parasport Club (wind and surface conditions permitting)

• 16:30-19:00hrs Dinner (Heros Keswick Saturday Night only) 700 The Queensway South, 905.989.1900, during dinner the Snow Kite Addict#2 DVD will be played on their 8 foot screen

Equipment Swap We know there are people looking for used or trying to get rid of equipment. Bring your equipment and your cash. We'll connect you with the owners and buyers. If you miss one another at the festival, all the buyers and sellers will be listed here.

Screen Saver Help us promote the festival and sport of winter kiting. Click here (2MB) to download a screen saver of images from our past winter events.

Kiting articles in the media

• CBC Radio One (99.1) - Freestyle - Jan 18, 2006 Toronto

• Canadian Geographic - Travel & Adventure (2006.Jan)

• York Region - Georgina Advocate (2005.Jan.20)

• Global and Mail (2006.Jan.18)

• Outside Away (Lake Simcoe)

• SkiPress 1

• SkiPress 2

Where (about 1 hour drive north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada in Keswick on the east shores of Cook's Bay Lake Simcoe, at the foot of Glenwoods Avenue)

Glenwoods Avenue, Keswick, Lake Simcoe

• From 401, take 404 North to the end. (34.8 km)
• Take the Rural Route 19/GREEN LANE exit- exit number 53. (.5km)
• Turn RIGHT onto GREEN LANE E/REGIONAL ROUTE 19. (.6km)
• Turn LEFT onto WOODBINE AVE/REGIONAL ROUTE 8. (14.3km)
• Turn LEFT onto GLENWOODS AVE/REGIONAL ROUTE 33. (2.4km)
• at the lights before you come to Leslie, Tim Horton's is a great place to stop for a coffee and washroom break
• Continue to follow GLENWOODS AVE. until you see the lake

Promoters

Connections
(Internet Information groups)

Local Clubs

Toronto Kite Flyers

Kitchener Waterloo Wind Climbers
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Track/8336/directory.html

Southern Ontario Parasport Club
http://sopc.blogspot.com/

Loyal Partners

Local Merchants

Media

There's no such thing as bad weather ...

If you missed the article on "There's no such thing as bad weather ... only bad clothing" last year by Professor Popsicle, Dr. Gordon G. Giesbrecht a leading expert in the field of winter sport, at the Health Leisure and Human Performance Research Institute, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, handed out at the festival, the original material can be found at:

www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/physed/research/people/giesbrecht.shtml
 

Scroll to almost the bottom and you’ll see some Seminars and Lectures (off campus). The article is entitled "Cold Weather Clothing".

Liability Information
Canadian Wind Rider Inc. (CWR) or it's advertisers do not assume any liability as a result of the use of any information contained in at this web site.  CWR does not assume any liability as a result of use of any link contained in the CWR web site. Wind powered activities have potential hazards, which need to be evaluated for each person based on that person's circumstances.  By your use of the information or products provided by CWR, you recognize the foregoing and agree to hold harmless CWR from any liability as a result of your use of the information.

Use of the CWR site is at the user's sole risk. Under no circumstances should CWR be responsible for incidental or consequential damages or direct or indirect damages, that result from your use of the information at the CWR web site. CWR makes no warranty or representation regarding results you may obtain from using any information offered on the CWR web site.  Some provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages; therefore, this disclaimer of liability is limited to the extent of disclaimer permitted under each province's law.