 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2004.Feb.21 |
Why the sport of winter wind riding is growing in
Ontario |
|
This article was originally published during
the 2nd Annual Lake Simcoe Wind Sports
Festival and handed out in the goodie bag. |
| Although many of the ice and snow
sailing sports have been around since the early
eighties, the recent popularity of the summer-time
equivalent, kite surfing over the last four years,
has brought more visibility to traction kite powered
winter activities. |
| For 3-4 months every winter, Ontario’s
sailable terrain turns into a world class wind sport
paradise that until recently has escaped much
attention from the general public. Also known as the
ice fishing capital of North America, and only one
hours drive north of Toronto, Lake Simcoe’s sailable
terrain, twenty-five times larger than the skiable
terrain in Whistler, BC, attracts riders from as far
away as Quebec. |
| The skills required by a Traction
Kiter overlap with many other outdoor sports making
the learning curve relatively short. To list a few,
if you: downhill ski, snowboard, cross-country ski,
wake board, water ski, windsurf, paraglide, then you
already have some of the basic skills and possibly
equipment required to start out Traction Kiting. |
|
This sport has a convenient twist for varying
skill levels. A rider sails with a kite that matches
their level in the conditions. Simply by flying a
different sized kite gives the rider any level of
challenge they desire. |
For some riders, wind powered
activities can even be more than physical. There are
moments that you’ll never forget; moments you may
experience alone, or with other riders and Mother
Nature. What makes them special is they find you and
never know when its going to happen. So you get
drawn back hoping for more.
Find your moments in the elements, get in touch with
Mother Nature, and become a wind rider. It may
change your life! |
|
Grant Fitz |
|
| |
| |
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
