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3MaCs
Since 27 Jul 2015
37 Posts
Wisconsin
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Tue Jan 11, 22 7:40 pm |
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As previously discussed/explained
Kites>Wings as resistance increases.
Deeper/wetter snow, a kite just has the power advantage.
Fast firm snow, they'll work.
As Tighe said, we've got a lot of Ice action this year.
Skates/Iceboards. (Pad UP!)
Today, 10-25+, 9m Kite with snowboard (155lbs), 4m BRM W2 with skis (175lbs), 2-4" wind blown, slightly crusty 7 days old snow on soccer fields (my 6 would've been way too big):
https://lightroom.adobe.com/shares/fafb6d31e8c745f08b563c79e732cbdf |
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Wind Slither

Since 04 Mar 2005
2544 Posts
The 503
METAL
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Wed Jan 12, 22 8:46 am |
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Nice pics 3Macs! |
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3MaCs
Since 27 Jul 2015
37 Posts
Wisconsin
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Thu Jan 13, 22 11:55 am |
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Just a short flick from a recent day.
A kite would have given a bit better downwind riding experience, more smooth sustained power. In the gusts the wing really allowed some nice speed. I have a 6m BRM W1, but that thing would have been an beast in the gusts.
I also was working on harness skills. It helps when there’s more drag/resistance.
I’ve got an iceboard, but prefer snow.
GoPro from same days as pics. The pics were frame grabs from my buddy’s ground mounted GP8
https://youtu.be/jJhEKDf4VU8 |
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3MaCs
Since 27 Jul 2015
37 Posts
Wisconsin
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Sat Jan 15, 22 8:58 am Tighe made an awesome Ice Winging Vid |
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Our southern Wisconsin winter has had minimal snow thus far.
Also a late freeze to our lakes.
That has recently resulted in relatively snow free Ice season thus far.
Enjoy!
https://vimeo.com/665693082 |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1204 Posts
Local, not Low Cal
XTreme Poster
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Sat Jan 15, 22 10:54 am |
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OK you OGs, who remembers "freeskates" - windsurfing on ice? Decades ago windsurfing on the east coast I built a board with Independent skateboard trucks and cold steel blades sharpened for ice sailboarding. Seeing this thread makes me wish I still had it - or even pictures of it. I used aluminum channel to widen the rear stance, used a combination of plywood as decking with an oak 1x6 (or 1x8?) underlay to add rigidity while still absorbing bumps. It was really cool to learn gybes this way because you'd be on smaller sails and lost no real momentum on the carve. Probably would work OK with a small wing... as long as you always fell off behind or beside the missile... no brakes meant stopping was either an intentional or unintentional crash!
Here's an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFf1I8HrIIo |
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eric
Since 13 Jan 2006
1770 Posts
XTreme Poster
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Sat Jan 15, 22 8:42 pm |
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^^^
Some Wisco friends of mine were just reminiscing about this this week. Looks pretty fun |
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Thatspec
Since 17 Mar 2008
113 Posts
Ptucky
Stoked
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Mon Jan 17, 22 8:49 am |
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My 40 year collection of obscure sports equipment clutter includes a Freeskate from the early '80s, as well as a Norblan Speed Sail. The ice blades are more sophisticated than they appear, little bit of rocker along the length. I remember one serious enthusiast having a custom set machined for fresh water ice though the stock blades worked fine for me on fresh or salty ice. Either would work great with todays wings. Paul Mindnich was way ahead of his time.
The Norblan of course is a land board but would be a beast on ice with custom blades, never got around to having some machined. Appears 'ol Norbert is still in business, still no ice blades though...
https://www.speedsailshop.com/
here's an old thread with references to other even more sophisticated ice board designs;
http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33853
At this point the thought of using either just means another injury that will likely never heal
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Inflictor
Since 17 Aug 2013
135 Posts
Stoked
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Tue Jan 18, 22 7:20 am just had to comment |
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If you can't see the future of snow winging, you are blind. Just like foiling on the water, REALLY FUN , once you try it and get hooked! (literally, once you figure out a harness system). Then you go uphill (cut traverses), get pulled by the HOOK, one handed even, then luff the wing and figure 8 yourself over and over!!! no strings attached Keep it up |
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Thatspec
Since 17 Mar 2008
113 Posts
Ptucky
Stoked
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