Update August 08

Waconia Date Changed

The Waconia Wind & Wave has been rescheduled for the weekend of September 6th & 7th. An unfortunate conflict of dates developed last March when the wrong dates were listed for Waconia on the Mowind calendar, August 30-31, Labor Day weekend. That contributed to the scheduling of the Tour de St. Croix on the normal Waconia weekend. The Tour de St. Croix was developed by Arnie Cleveland. A resident of Prescott, WI and a valuable member of the Mille Lacs Crossing staff for many years, he has always wanted to have an event on the Croix. He captained Fleet 8 with the Rockin’ on the River in 1996. The ‘Tour’, like The Crossing requires extensive planning and commitment for that date. So it was much easier to switch the date for Waconia. For more info on the Tour de St. Croix, check out this Mowind link; http://www.mowind.org/wp/?page_id=113.

Tuesdays on Calhoun

After eight Tuesdays, we’ve had five successful evenings with 6-8 entry-level windsurfers gaining from the experience each evening. The big question is why there are so few who feel the need to improve their skills. Is it because we described it as an entry-level introduction into racing? Racing with the Fleet 8 windsurfing program is social and more comparable to keeping score in bowling or a round of golf. But ‘keeping score’ in windsurfing means developing skills at the quickest level possible. Historically, while most entry-level windsurfers never tried racing, a vast majority of the highly-proficient windsurfers in the area benefited from their experience in racing. So Tuesdays on Calhoun should probably be considered as the most prolific advance lesson program available to windsurfers, not to mention free. We will meet for the next two Tuesdays, so if you know anyone looking to improve, why not give them a free ticket and pass this info on. Contact us at fleet-8@juno.com for more info and/or call 612-508-8083 on race day for current updates.

Waconia Wind & Wave

While the change of date is unfortunate, it should hopefully only effect those that were hoping to attend the Toucan Open, one of the reasons we went to the earlier August date. Hopefully, being 2-400 miles closer than the Nebraska site will remain a positive. But even without the difference in distance and gas prices, Waconia has been one of the most developmental events in the country. Throw in the Saturday evening shrimp boil and unequaled comradery, only the exit-polls will tell. Remember, Sept. 6-7 with more info to follow.

The Crossing

We are closing in on six weeks to The Crossing. The anticipation approaching the second year of this ground-breaking event has already started the stoke. With 45 windsurfers and 20 invited kiters last year, we are looking for a rebound of more windsurfers and probably 30-plus kiters with ladies more prevalent in both groups. Unfortunately, pre-qualifying kiters through a racing program never happened. So the kiters invited and/or participated last year are pre-qualified as well as several whose skills were noted at this year’s Gathering with the extreme conditions. We are still working on how to qualify additional kiters. Any kiter interested in being pre-qualified should contact us at Fleet-8@juno.com.

– REMAINING 2008 EVENTS –

Sept 6-7 Waconia Wind & Wave Michael Fox 612-508-8083
Lake Waconia, Waconia, MN

Sept 12-14 Windpower Championships Kevin Gratton 920-922-2550
Fond-du-lac, WI

Sept. 26-28 The Crossing Michael Fox 612-508-8083
Lake Mille Lacs, Garrison, MN