This article is a page from the archives of Buffalo Rising which appeared February 1, 2007 0f last winter. To see the live site, please visit buffalorising.com
Actions speak louder than words...
by queenseyes
Wardo (owner of Urban Threads) and his dad (Ed) are usually kite boarding on a frozen Lake Erie this time of year. Unfortunately, due to the abnormal warm weather that we have been seeing, there is no ice on the lake, which means that urban kite boarders have taken to Delaware Park to get their fix of high speed, snow covered runs. Ward's dad picked up snowboarding at the age of 65. "Until twelve years ago he spent his days skiing," Ward says. "Then he picked up on snowboarding and never looked back. Now at 77 he's trying out kiteboarding... and when you think about it, there's no better place to learn than Delaware Park."
Yesterday the winds were blowing sporadically at an average of twenty miles an hour. It was a good day for a cruise across the park - beginners were learning the ropes while advanced veterans enjoyed the winds as well. Later in the afternoon, kiteboarding aficionado Bill Meyer's showed up to test out the conditions. Bill is also a seasoned veteran, who happens to teach kiteboarding lessons in the area (water or snow). He also sells kiteboarding gear, so if you don't have the proper equipment, there are locals who will get you to where you want to be. And if you have a snowboard, then you are halfway there anyways. This is an exhilarating sport for anyone who is looking to get out and enjoy the winter weather (solo or in a pack). By the time you have mastered the snow, it is then time to enjoy the surf of Lake Erie in the spring. If you are interested in finding out more about snow kiteboarding or kitesurfing, just contact Bill at Myers Kitesurfing Shop and he'll put you on course in no time.
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