Ice Boarding

Never Bored on a board has taken to windsurfing year round, in the water I've been out at least once every month except February.  Now, I can sail even February on ice!  (I'll get out in the water in Februrary but there's usually only a couple days worth going out so it hasn't lined up with work and life commitments yet - there may have also been a time I could have gone but wimped out!).

Sure, I don't mind hoping on a snowboard but lift tickets the drive...  Now I can go to lakes nearby and fly across the ice.

So what is ice boarding?  It's a rare sport where you take a windsurf sail and attach it to board with often skateboard trucks and ice blades.  Most are custom made as there's only a handful of companies in the world actively selling these (mostly in North Eastern Europe).   That said it does have a governing body:  WISSA::World Ice and Snow Sailing Association -  that claims to be: the longest running international competition in the sport of windsurfing - ironic given that windsurfing is a water sport.  There are competitions and world record holders.  This sport has it all!  There are plenty of variations out there DN Ice Boats, kites with skiis or skates, kite wings you name it.  Ice Bocce ball (don't believe me Google it).  It's a party out there.  Some folks bring out the lawn chair to soak up the sun.

So enough, let's see some pictures, since I still can't imagine it.

Notice the small sail, only a 3.4m.  You can sail about 3m down from on the water as the resistance is slow minimal.  6mph is enough wind with a 5.2m (a big sail) to go along nicely.  This day it was gusting to 30mph, even with the sail slicing the wind going as slow as I could I hit 32mph!

You can go over small patches of snow but not too deep.

With Jeff who got into ice boarding this year.   It's quick to learn.  Everyone can plan and you don't need straps!

Freeskates are used to be made professionally and you still see a good number of them around.

Always give the ice boat right of way!  Notice the kitewing to the right.

Here's Russ' well built speed machine!

No, no one fell in.  The fireman were practicing a rescue.

You never know what's happening on the ice.  This last February one day  I counted 7 ice boarders , 3 kitewings, 2 kites and 1 ice boat, 1 ice hockey team, some ice skaters and dog walkers plus the fireman practicing a rescue. 

Here's a world record run - over 50kts

Here's local legend Jeff Brown.  Jeff was out the day from my first picture above with my 3.4m and he hit over 50kts that day at Lake Quannapowitt, MA.

So you want to go ice boarding - don't know anyone local?  Join this global Facebook group Iceboard windsurfing and start there.  Find a local group or start one.  Please don't go alone.  Always always bring ice picks and watch this video about learning how to get out when you fall through the ice.

Wind skating (next blog) is a good way to learn or an alternative if ice boarding is not an option where you are - go on an ice boarding holiday!  If you can find blades and are handy build a board.  Jeff Brown has this video of his custom board.