Winter Fun

[Jon]

I wanted to go out diving yesterday since it has started to warm up here and the center third of the lake is open, but the winds were too stong and the vis went to crap. So, I got out my drysuit and surfski and went for a paddle.

While I was out I ran into these kiteboarders. It looked like a heck of a lot of fun, but the last thing I need is another expensive sport. I got some great video, but here are some shots I took. I poseted this under the beach Bar since it doens't deal with diving directly, but it is still in the water!:t

Jon

 

[khel]

While I was out I ran into these kiteboarders. It looked like a heck of a lot of fun, but the last thing I need is another expensive sport.

Jon

It does look like fun! Now... I want to try it too.

p.s. btw, Lake Geneva is open. Come on over

 

[Jon]

Here's a shot of some of the ice I was paddling through. It was pretty cool to watch them zip along the water and then just launch themselves intot he air and fly for 40-50 yards while they missed all of the ice flows and dropped down in the openwater on the otherside.

I also tried a quick self-portrait and got a guy surfing by behind me.

Just as i was going to leave these two, fairly large, people brought this old canoe down to the water to go for a paddle. they had brand new lifejackets with them that still had the tags on them! They decided to go out for a paddle with NO exposeure suit on and ddin't even bother to put their jackets on! Now, besides being pretty new to boating, they were paddeling into whitecaps with 39 degree water and no vests on! Darwin, here we come!

Jon

 

[Freediver81]

It is a great sport and its not too expensive! You are able to purchase a good used kit for about 700$ and a new one starting from about $1,000. I recommend kiteboarding to anyone who loves watersports!

Said

 

[island_sands]

I wanted to go out diving yesterday since it has started to warm up here and the center third of the lake is open, but the winds were too stong and the vis went to crap. So, I got out my drysuit and surfski and went for a paddle.

While I was out I ran into these kiteboarders. It looked like a heck of a lot of fun, but the last thing I need is another expensive sport. I got some great video, but here are some shots I took. I poseted this under the beach Bar since it doens't deal with diving directly, but it is still in the water!:t

Jon

Jon i am impressed!! Up first time?

 

[Manootgop]

Hey, Kiteboarding is a blast...
If there's wind- we're boarding!
If not, grab the speargun-'cuz were getting dinner.

Kiteboarding is one of those activities I wished I'd done years ago...
Maintenance on practically zero and packs up small...
Don't be intimidated into thinking this is another $1000 sport off the bat.
Go on Ebay or ikitesurf.com and look at a 2004 or 2005 12/13meter kite.
They run around about $350...take a day of lessons too.

Kiting and Spearfishing are my favorite hobbies!
L8r

 

[SEDATE]

Jon i am impressed and also you are increadle Man in the World
I remember your pictures ice-lake divin',too

 

[Jon]

I'm the one taking the photos- not kiteboarding. Although the guy who runs the local school asked about hiring me to do some photo shoots for him. I may have to trade him some photos for a few lessons becuase it looked like a heckof a lot of fun.

Jon

 

[SEDATE]

anyway...very nice pics..

 

[cdavis]

Hi Jon,

Kiteboarding is a big thing down here. They get out in the surf and jump waves. I've had them sail way over me while body surfing. Makes me a little nervous, but at least there is no skeg on their boards. Looks like a real kick.

Connor

 

[sinkweight]

Cool pics, Jon. I have friends all over that kiteboard (both on water and land). It's a little too much for this non-multitasker, but I have been pulled off the ground by the smallest of kites. Even eight feet is a large feat for a bit of Dacron to pull a 235 lb. idiot away from the earth for several seconds (Thanks, DuPont!).

What, may I ask, is that large yellow tank in that picture? A bouoy, or is it a float for a ski-ramp? This cat's curious.

 

[Fondueset]

A fair amount of that here too. I was diving a couple of weeks ago and some guy was out there waterskiing - lasted about 15 minutes...I could see the smile on his face change to grim determination after about five minutes.