| 2004.Feb.22 |
A Primer on Winter Wind Riding |
|
This article was originally published during
the 2nd Annual Lake Simcoe Wind Sports
Festival and handed out in the goodie bag. |
| For many people that live where lakes
freeze and snow covers the ground, outdoor winter
activities are limited to the weekend ice skate or
pilgrimage to the local ski/snowboard or
cross-country resort. For a growing number of winter
wind riders the thought of frozen lakes and snow
covered terrain is welcomed with anticipation and
excitement. It’s time again to sharpen your skis,
wax your snowboard and check the lines on your kite.
Did you say kite? |
| There are many forms of winter wind
riding, but the predominant one at this festival is
based on using kite power to pull an individual
across the snow and ice on skis, or snowboard. It is
very similar to sailing a boat or wind surfing. The
rider generally travels perpendicular to the
direction of the wind, but can gradually move up
wind or down wind by zigzagging back and forth
slightly off the wind; a sailing term called
tacking. Sometimes when the kite generates a bit
more pull, the rider can even perform short
maneuvers in the air. |
| Basic traction kiting can be learned
safely in a few hours under the supervision of an
experienced instructor. The training can be given in
almost any open area with a bit of wind. After some
basic sailing principles, the student is ready to
harness the power of the wind with their kite and
translate this pull in to motion. This is usually
achieved within the first few days of instruction. |
| The required equipment is a traction
kite (CDN$200-$1100), skis or snowboard, and a
harness. You’ll also want some knee and elbow pads
and a helmet. |
| As for clothing, Layer! Layer! Layer!
Many beginners tend to overdress for this sport. The
amount of exertion a typical rider experiences is
similar to that of a long distance runner. |
A typical wind rider usually acquires
2-3 different sized kites in the first two years for
different wind strengths. Depending on the type of
kite, it can be used for other wind powered
activities in the summer, like kite surfing or kite
buggying.
A kite surfer sails on the water using a short
board, somewhat like a small surf or wake board. |
| In kite buggying, the rider uses the
pull of the wind to power themselves while seated in
a three wheeled buggy they steer with their feet. |
| It goes without saying that any
activity in which an individual interacts with the
unpredictable forces of Mother Nature, in this case
the wind, can be inherently dangerous. If you’re
just starting out, please do some research and work
with an experienced instructor. Not only will this
protect you but others around you and in the end
you’ll spend less time struggling and more time
enjoying yourself. |
|
Grant Fitz |
