Anybody that kites large bodies of water that freeze in the winter time know that large cracks develop every year. I consider them more like
expansion joints, they separate and come back together depending on what the wind is doing that day. Some of these cracks can be miles long and
usually develop in the same areas every year. I was out kiting on Green Bay today and crossed a very large crack that appeared to be frozen but
turned out to be about 10yrds wide and all slush. Keep in mind this is over 20ft of water. Didn't know it was slush until it was to late. Back of
skis sunk first, then kite side leg went in knee deep then I hit the opposite side of the crack with my sunken ski. About as fast as I sunk, I got
yanked out by power of kite and forward momentum. Very lucky ski stayed on and I didn't take more of a bath, just a wet leg is all. Just a reality
check that things can go wrong very fast when your not paying attention to the task at hand. Things could have been much worse and I am very thankful
that they didn't. I think if one kites long enough on ice, it's not if but when you'll encounter something dangerous like this. Lesson learned and
hopefully a little bit more educated next time out.erratic winds - 12-1-2014 at 05:12 PM
Glad to hear it was only a wet leg and not a lost ski or even worse! BeamerBob - 12-1-2014 at 06:04 PM
I can't imagine worrying about freezing cold water under my buggy surface. Glad you came out the other side!PHREERIDER - 12-1-2014 at 08:24 PM
wow lucky! cashed in some lucky chips for that education!pongnut - 12-1-2014 at 09:36 PM
Glad you powered out of that one - were you alone?shaggs2riches - 12-1-2014 at 09:51 PM
Glad you came out unscathed. Definitely one of those situations to tell how fast things can turn ugly. Thanks for sharing.canuck - 12-1-2014 at 09:54 PM
What a lesson :o Glad you made it out safely. Also glad I kite on small frozen lakes that only get small cracks!Cheddarhead - 12-1-2014 at 10:17 PM
Glad you powered out of that one - were you alone?
I was alone as far as kiters go, but lots of fisherman and snowmobilers nearby if I had to yell for help. The wind was from the south today which
isn't normally the prevailing wind. Crack runs north/south, all fisherman on west side of crack, now I know why nobody on east side:duh: There was
another crack out there but that one was froze over and everybody crossing that one with vehicles, this other one not so good. Hindsite always says I
could have jumped it if I would've known.markite - 12-1-2014 at 10:54 PM
Good story - good reminder - good ending, you were safe and nothing broken, lost etcFeyd - 13-1-2014 at 07:40 AM
HOLY CATS!!!
:obigkid - 13-1-2014 at 08:04 AM
I hate being cold. I hate being WET and cold more, but not as much as being wet, cold, and dead. Glad this was a lesson you got a passing grade
for.
Here on the west coast, we have ski areas that just opened on a limited basis because winter has yet to show up. thanson2001ok - 13-1-2014 at 10:44 AM
Whoa. Glad you get to tell the story!
Live to fly another day, bro.Houston AirHead - 13-1-2014 at 10:46 AM
wow , great story, glad your ok. wish i could kite some ice.... kinda hard to here in texas with out getting kicked out of a ice rink. lolcarltb - 13-1-2014 at 04:25 PM
out of interest what would be the procedure if you did go in the water? how long would you have to get out and how long before you had to get dry
clothes on?Feyd - 13-1-2014 at 04:54 PM
There are a couple threads in here about it. Skimtwashington started one recently and there was some good discussion there. He went through on
skates once and scrambled his way out. As a recall a helicopter was called in.:D Still makes me laugh. markite - 13-1-2014 at 10:34 PM
out of interest what would be the procedure if you did go in the water? how long would you have to get out and how long before you had to get dry
clothes on?
Cheddarhead - 13-1-2014 at 11:59 PM
Thanks for the links Chris, you have more cold water experience than I do. Here is a recent satellite shot of Green Bay. If you locate the
penninsula in center of pic, Green Bay is on the left of penninsula and Lake Michigan on the right. I was skiing the lower half of the bay. The
upper bay shows how dynamic it is with lower bay freezing first, then upper bay freezing much later. Winds and temp really affect the personality the
ice has. Satellite doesn't show many cracks in the lower sections due to snow cover but they are there. The city of Green Bay would be in the
southern most end of the bay.
Chris, you have more cold water experience than I do.
Lets try to keep it that way.
The video that Mark posted is IMO the best one out there. We have it on the ice safety page of our website. Priceless info.
He really illustrates how keeping your head is uber important in these situations.
I always get the willys at the moment he skis into the hole. The sound, you never forget it.
Important to be properly equipped and clothed. The cold shock issue is reduced a lot if you have good waterproof/breathable layers on. Water will
eventually get into your clothing but slowly. Dramatically reduces the risk of cold shock and increases the likelihood of keep your head. Helps a
bit with floatation too.
