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Tighe Belden's Cult Fury, by Erik Stone
Kitesurfing Lake Calhoun is a special experience, I'm sure, for anyone who has attempted it. For those who have tried, it is an experience they probably won't soon forget. For me, it was one of the best sessions I've ever had. I got to kitesurf a lake that I'd never dared to attempt in my early learning years (It was difficult to windsurf for me because of the gusts), and even now, with thousands of kitesurfing hours under my belt, The Lake still gave a harrowing grin as I pumped up my kite.
I was aware of the riders' ban on kiting Lake Calhoun. It's rider enforced, not city enforced, so at the South Lot, I carefully unpacked my gear behind my car. I checked the conditions, since before coming, I wasn't sure it would be windy enough. It was a perfect average wind speed, but the wind quality and direction lacked much to be desired. The winds were 13-35mph at the wind direction was West-North. Not Northwest, no, West and North. I guess it could have been worse; it could have been West-East . . .
There were many obstacles, mainly trees and windsurfers. The wind was sideshore and onshore. With these conditions it wasn't much worse than the gales or tropical storms I've ridden. The main concern for me was the wind direction changes. That was the dangerous part. One moment you are riding fine with perfect power, then the wind changes 90 degrees, and now your kite is in the power point with maximum power. No matter how far you push the bar away, you are still along for the ride until your kite accelerates to the edge of that window. If that wind changes direction with a gust, then getting back to a comfortable speed may be several seconds away.
I decided there was enough wind, and the conditions and obstacles were manageable, by a thin margin. I was ready for the rider police to complain and start threatening me with something as I brought my kitesurfing gear into full view on the b
each. Within the time it took for me to lay my kite out on the sand, fold over a wingtip, and weigh it down, a rider policeman was on to me. Doug, came over and asked if I was from around the area. He looked familiar to me, and he mentioned that I looked familiar to him. I said, "I'm kind-of from around here, but not really anymore." He mentioned the rider rules, and that Calhoun was off limits to kiters. I was as friendly as I could be as I mentioned I had no intention of not kiting Calhoun that day, unless the wind died, which it started to do, as I continued talking. There was another guy that cam up to Doug and me and threatened the most heinous thing he had in his threat arsenal, "I think Tighe would be very angry to know that you were kitesurfing here." Tighe Belden is the local kiteboarding dictator. Every beach has at least one. I did as any local would do when threatened with Tighe's anger; I cringed in fear, packed up my gear and apologized, begging that no one would tell Tighe what I had thought about doing. Just kidding.
I finished rigging and was waiting for the wind to come back as some dark clouds passed overhead. The wind came back and I asked my wife if she was ready to give me a launch. I knew she wasn't, but she never really is. She doesn't like breaking traditions, and launching my kite scares her. She wanted to make those points clear now that she was holding my kite. Though she has launched my kite before, she seemed not to remember anything about launching, or what was going on. I instructed her though it from the beginning like I would to any inexperienced launcher. Finally she was able to keep the kite still in the backward C shape, and understood not to let go until she saw the thumbs up. My wife launching was the biggest challenge to overcome for the day, for me, and for her too I'm sure.
I walked out into the lake, tensioned the lines, triple checked my rigging, and gave the thumbs up. Now it was my time.
I got the kite up and over the water and dropped to my knees to analyze the conditions. It was as expected, treacherous, but manageable. I got my kite over the water, grabbed my board, and started walking away from shore. I got to waist deep water, flipped my feet into my board, and I was off.
As usual, I proceeded to build up to top speed to do a huge opening jump, except a huge wind gust or direction change hit me, and I immediately proceeded to a faceplant downwind about 20 feet. I body dragged back to my board and reminded myself that I was on Lake Calhoun in Minnesota, not some dreamy, smooth, kitesurfing destination.
I got comfortable in about a two minutes and I was having a blast.
There were two jumps I'll remember from this session. One that is worth describing. Two words; up draft. I built up for a big jump, and I went big, about 25ft. I was bringing my kite back forward for my landing after reaching my apex and dropping down to about 10ft. Bam! I was going up again, back to 25ft. I was like, "hell yeah!" I started dropping back to 15, bringing my kite back around, and was thinking, wow, that was cool. Then, bam!. I was going up again. This time I was thinking, uh oh, maybe I'm not going to come down in my planned landing area . . . but I only went up about a couple feet before dropping back down to the water. I landed on my board and rode about 11ft, but I caught an edge as I got another gust upon my short landing run. Enough to make me feel that I didn't land it.
I stayed out until I got tired, which under these conditions was only an hour. I came in before I became too tired to handle the conditions. I would have stayed out until I was exhausted, then just self rescued in, to get a bit more time out there. It would have been worth walking back. I didn't, because if I had, the observers would have thought that I'd make some sort of mistake, and I didn't want to risk that false image. I did end up body dragging part way back in, during a wind pause where I didn't have enough power to ride all the way back to shore, which was a perfect opportunity to come in before the wind died, or doubled.
It was a great day, and one of my favorite sessions. I'll get out there one more time while I'm here, if the conditions get right again, but being familiar with MN wind, it's unlikely.
Update:
Tighe thought I was "extremely disrespectful" and asked that I, "leave the area."
Some emails between Erik Stone and Tighe Belden:
An email I wrote to Tighe
Hi Tighe, I am in town for just another week or so, until Oct. 6th. I won't be in Padre in November, I don't think. I think I'm headed back to the snow for this winter. Somewhere West, where I haven't spent much time, but I never really know until the last minute. I kitesurfed Calhoun for the first time on Sunday. Despite the local kiter no, nos ( Doug was there), it was one the of the best sessions I've had. I caught an updraft coming down from 25ft, and at 10ft, I got elevator lifted back to 25 for a bit. I know Calhoun has always been rider enforced off limits lake, and I've always felt that was a good thing, with the exception of me kiting it a few times before I die (not on the lake, hopefully). I was going to post some pictures and write up the experience on Lakawa, because it was such a great session. However, I didn't want to encourage other riders to go to Calhoun, so I decided not to mention it. I noticed your kiteboarding ban on Lakawa from June. I tried to sneak out there as it was, but Doug was there attempting to discourage me before I could even start pumping up my kite. He is a great guy. We recognized each other a little bit from snow kiting a few years back. I figured I'd mention that it was me out there, before you hear the locals say, "How come that guy gets to kite Calhoun and we can't." You can tell them, I'm a crazy, uncontrollable, rogue passing through, who doesn't care about his own safety or the safety of others, or tell them that I'm a professional who's ranked with the top riders in the world and riding Calhoun is just another good session. With either one, you won't be too far off. . . :) I hope it doesn't cause any trouble. Talk to you later, -Erik
His response
Wow that's quite disappointing and extremely disrespectful. I never thought you would be that disrespectful to the community that you started in. please leave the area. whatever tighe
The Forum at LAKAWA, a couple days after, with comments made about everything I wrote above this line, and my responses to them.
Erik Stone Wrote:
Hi guys. I wanted to let everyone know that I'm a Minnesotan and I kiteboarded Lake Calhoun without incident. There seems to be some people upset regarding my actions. I would like to remind everyone that no matter who they are, they are not representative of the whole kiteboarding community, including myself. I'll address everyone's response from today, accordingly, with a summary at the end. For people who posted more than once, I've clumped your posts, and my responses, together.
Lee_Uptown Wrote:
I live in Uptown, about 2 blocks from Calhoun. I love kiting Calhoun in the WINTER because it is so close and much safer because nobody walks around calhoun when it's below freezing. I'm sorry that I was not there on Sunday to witness your little adventure.If something were to EVER happen that day where you harm a bystander(s) or yourself, you are risking my privileges as well as other kiters' access to enjoy Calhoun in the winter. I will be very upset about this.
This is not a place to shame or smear anyone's name. There are teens in this forum and we do not want to encourage them that smearing one's name on the internet is ok.
I believe you are a team rider for best. I believe Best doe not want to be labeled " I'm a crazy, uncontrollable, rogue passing through, who doesn't care about his own safety or the safety of others, or tell them that I'm a professional who's ranked with the top riders in the world and riding Calhoun is just another good session" as you put it. Regardless, I will bring this up to people at bestkiteboarding.com to witness this mess.
Lee_Uptown Wrote:
I already contacted Best this morning. They're looking into it, so don't delete this thread yet. My expectation is that they at least publish an apology thread and to restore a few people's dignity. Fair? I will fill you guys in if Best contact's me. I'd be so so so so so upset if I can't walk to Calhoun and kite in the winter.
Lee_Uptown Wrote:
In my own defense... to MNadventure's post
1) I really have no association with Tighe, he just sprays me with cold lake water whenever I am not kiting. Label me if you will, an independent representative. I am not one of his "guys" and I don't fly slingshot.
2) This voice is mine, not Tighe's, not anyone elses. I chose to be proactive in this discussion because I LIVE TWO BLOCKS from Calhoun for SIX YEARS and would HATE it if something were to happen that results in losing access to my beloved lake. I contacted best by email and had no intention of getting anyone suspended, but to expect no less than an apology thread. I simply found Erik's posting disrespectful and utterly distasteful for publicly shaming an individual.
3) If the suspension is official, it is Best's decision, not ours. The craziness of suspension lies within Best.
4) The beach is public, we have no business whatsoever telling people to stand back. It is their very right to be there, and so it is ours. We, the kiters are the ones who were educated about the dangers of kiting. We are the controllers of this powerful kite so be responsible for it. Walk out farther to launch your kite if there are people around the beach. By telling beach goers to move away, isn't that an "exclus
ive" attitude? Putting a flag up on the beach? No! I want to build my barbie dollhouse right there.
5) There is a huge difference between Reddy and Calhoun.
Calhoun - Located in the heart of minneapolis, completely surrounded by pedestrians, bikers, swimmers, Sailboats, fishermen, pets and it is a small lake. Moreover, it is Deep, you can't do much to launch far away from people. And of course, wind can be unsafe there.
Reddy - In great contrast is the LARGE! Shallow far out so you can walk your darn kite as far as you want to avoid anyone. If anything, you can drop your kite and walk away from swimmers. How many people walk/live around there... a drop in the bucket compared to Calhoun. Once again, a poor argument.
I believe we know that each lake is different in terms of location, safety, wind etc. We need to evaluate its suitability for kiting. Calhoun once again is unique, don't kite there in the summer. We cannot just simply have a pan argument that if it is not illegal, lets do it!
Lake Calhoun probably gets more attention from the authorities. In the most respectful manner, please let me and a few others who live around here kite in peace. I just started kiting last year and do intend to enjoy this sport for many years to come in my backyard. Do not risk my access or anyone's because of whatever history I am not aware of.
Response To: Lee_Uptown
Having a lake get shut down because someone gets injured is not my wish, my fault, or my responsibility. Riding anywhere that I ride is a testament that kiteboarding is safe in a wide variety of locations and conditions. The best solution and steps to take, to make sure an area stays safe and accessible, for the most people, isn't to ban the area from kitesurfing.
I don't want to be thought of as a crazy rougue, but that is what Tighe will label you, if you don't kite his way.
I said what I said in my email to Tighe because I was half-joking. Some people have the impression that kiteboarders in general are crazy and don't care about others. If people had an issue with me kitesurfing on Lake Calhoun, then surly Tighe would hear about it. He had two choices to describe who I was to the community. An accurate one, or an inaccurate one. To be honest, I thought he would choose the accurate one, which is why I wrote the email to him in the first place; thinking he might have changed, and become a responsible leader of the kiteboarding community. I can't say that I was that surprised when I found out that his strategy of leadership is still exclusion, instead of inclusion (meaning, if you don't follow or agree to his rules, you will be punished, and excluded). I imagine that Tighe may think of me as a, "crazy, uncontrollable, rogue passing through, who doesn't care about his own safety or the safety of others." Instead I'm a "professional who's ranked with the top riders in the world and riding Calhoun is just another good session." I was trying to joke a little when I said that both may be a little true. I am ranked with the top riders in the world and Non-kiteboarders have blatantly told me that they think I'm crazy for kiteboarding and that it must be dangerous for everyone involved. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Sorry if that was confusing. Certainly, several people misunderstood those statements.
Response To: Lee_Uptown Second Post
Lia Feriancek did call me this afternoon and suspended my sponsorship of 4 years. I'm not really sure who's dignity you are talking about restoring, perhaps some team riders of Best in MN who will get flak from Tighe's crew because of the brand kite that they use? If you mean Tighe's image has been shamed, all I said about Tighe was that he was a dictator. I laugh to think that saying that would tarnish his reputation in any way. Kim Jong is a dictator and Tighe isn't, but anyone who knows Tighe, will get the joke. As for anything else that would tarnish his image, I only used his words.
Response To: Lee_Uptown Third Post
Lee, thanks for your insights in your last post. It is people like you that I hope will vote in the community for protected access to the Lake, instead of perpetuating fear. That way, you won't have to be afraid of losing your access, nor will anyone else.
I would hope that you don't proclaim that anyone "Move!" when you are launching your kite. I request that people move temporarily, and people usually have no problem. Personally, I've never asked anyone to move for me, while launching, that had any problem with it whatsoever. If I didn't encounter someone like that, I would attempt to safely launch around them or somewhere else. So no, asking someone for a favor isn't excluding them, in fact, very often I instruct people to help me launch my kite, which most people seem to enjoy, and is very inclusive.
I was actually surprised how shallow Calhoun was at the South beach. I walked a great distance from shore, and once I was launched, I was able to walk out even further before taking off.
I agree that not anyone should be kiting Lake Calhoun (like me, 5 years ago), but I think there are people who can kite it as safely as most other lakes in Minnesota.
Professor Robae' Wrote:
Disrespectful indeed and so not cool... Thumbs down...
Professor Robae' Wrote:
Excellent point scottman.
Can someone dig up and post the story about how the best kiter we all know; Alex Peterson almost died on this lake five or six years ago.
The good news about this incident is that it is a good learning tool for the community. This discussion should be a sticky and go to kiteforum, imo.
Response To: Professor Robae'
No disrespect meant. I was just safely kiteboarding at a great location.
Response To: Professor Robae' Second Post
I think it is a valid point, actually, and I mention it in a different response. Though, I would argue in favor of different regulation instead of simply more.
Chummers Wrote:
I am the person who told Erik that Tighe would be disappointed. I was coming in off the water and I walked up to him and said, "you know you're not supposed to kite here in the summer, right?" and he said yes, but he was going to do it anyway. I said, "you know Tighe?" and he said, "yeah, of course". I said, "I think he's gonna be really disappointed to hear you were kiting here." His reply, "I'm sure he will be." Then I added, "you're also going to piss off all the windsurfers here today because we're used to sailing here without kiters". He shrugged and smiled and said,"I'm sure I won't piss off ALL of the windsurfers".
Looks like he pissed off people who weren't even there. We're lucky an accident didn't happen that day with the wacky wind direction and gusts above 50!
Response To: Chummers
Chummers got most of the quotes, right on, except one. He didn't say,"you're also going to piss off all the windsurfers here today because we're used to sailing here without kiters." What you said Chummers was, "You know your going to piss off a lot of people by doing this." Windsurfers were not mentioned. Perhaps Chummers, you meant to say that you were pissed off. By all means if I had several windsurfers come up to me and ask me to rig another day, I would have considered it. Windsurfers do not own the lake any more than kiteboarders do, but I'm always willing to talk and attempt to come to an agreement with anyone who has a disagreement with me. It is not luck that prevented an accident on Sunday, any more than it was unlucky that Chummers was present when I was there on Sunday, or lucky that Chummers learned how to windsurf/kite.
I pissed off people that weren't there, which is a bit laughable to me. Where are the windsurfers that were there that day that I so pissed off, according to Chummers? Maybe they are pissed off, but they didn't make that clear to me, with the exception of Chummers. Had not a single windsurfer or kiter been present Sunday and I had still emailed my-Calhoun-ride to Tighe, I doubt if anything on this post would have changed dramatically.
RobH Wrote:
more uncool is that you are proud of your actions and seem to be taunting with them - WTF ? This is a riders ban and for good reason. None of us want to loose our rights to kite or to windsurf. This has nothing to do with policing, state laws or even Tighe. It has to do with a community of riders (both windsurfers and Kiters) that want to keep the passion going without risk of loosing our access to local lakes. I believe the majority of the rider community are behind this ban as the risks involved in a incident here are just not worth taking the chance to kite here. I dont know of anyone in the community that would attempt to control your actions unless it puts our own pashions or someones saftey at risk.
Response To: RobH
Hi Rob. I don't come to Minnesota very often, and for the few times that I do, and the conditions are good, which is very rare, I like to kitesurf or kitegroundboard.
I hope no one feels that I have done any bashing. I am simply doing what I love to do, kitesurf, and describe my experiences.
As for people bashing me, it's ok, that seems to be the forum norm from my limited experience with them.
I am proud that after kiteboarding for 8 years in varied conditions, that I finally have the experience to be able to safely kitesurf at Lake Calhoun. That does make me proud.
I do know some people in the community who would attempt to control peoples' actions without risking anyones personal safety.
McKite Wrote:
Wow! This guy gives new meaning to the expression "a$$hole"!
Check out his website - really hard to believe that Shannon Best wants this "tool" representing his company!
McKite Wrote:
Congratulations Erik, you just got yourself suspended from the Best National Team according to their customer service representative! He also added that you now get to write an apology to the entire kiteboarding community.
Judging from your earlier pretentious rant, I doubt there is enough humble pie in the world to decrease your self infatuation.
Response To: McKite
You spelled your swear word wrong. It's spelled with two ss's, not with dollar signs. I think it's disrespectful to swear at people, not to mention it's breaks the forum rules. Have you read the forum rules?
Response To: McKite Second Post
I didn't get myself suspended, you did, though I'll take the responsibility for getting sponsored and getting unsponsored. I should be congratulating you McKite, and your friends, since you definitely couldn't have succeeded alone.
As for my website, it's for family and friends. I'm not sure that you fit into either one of those categories, so I'm not surprised that you didn't like it. I know what a tool is, and I like them quite a bit. I use them for things like fixing my car, building things, cleaning my guns, and even kiteboarding. Maybe you could elaborate on your "tool" so I can understand the title you have given me.
I'm not sure which "rant" you are talking about. I did share my experience on Calhoun if that is what you are talking about, which is something you freely chose to read. Perhaps you are confusing it with your glee and gloating, of taking part in working toward my suspension with Best Kiteboarding?
If you are excited about an apology from me, then I suggest you read the first few words I wrote on my first post. It starts of like this, "First off, I want to apologize . . ." You may have dazed out by that point during my "rant."
Maybe that doesn't meet your satisfaction for an apology because you weren't windsurfing there, on Sunday, so it doesn't apply to you. I think I can understand how you feel. Unfortunately, you will not receive a more personal apology from me.
Johnz Wrote:
Totally selfish and uncool...
Response To: Johnz
No disrespect meant. I was just safely kiteboarding at a great location.
Steveb Wrote:
I don't think we should resort to name calling, I'm just disapointed one persons willing to risk the lake access throughout the region for 400 + other kiters. I'm glad that nothing happened to cause problems. I am amazed that Eric would consider his personal amusement more important than a decision made and abided by a "whole" kite community.Very sad.
I am sorely tempted to copy the post to Kiteforum and let the worldwide community know of his selfish and childish behaviour, I don't know..what do you think?.
I would ask that windsurfers on Calhoun stop any kiter rigging there in summer. I know you do not have authority, law or anything to back you, which makes it very difficult. But I would highly reccomend tempory pump theft.
Response To: Steveb
I liked your non-violent and non-destructive solution to prevent kitesurfers from kiting (temporary pump removal). I hope that me saying that doesn't tarnish your name in the community :)
Please do post any of what I write, onto the worldwide forums. It will save me the trouble, since I don't usually enjoy, or spend much time on the forums.
Travii Wrote:
Erik, Jesus loves you and has a plan for your life.
Response To: Travii
I know he does. He has a plan for all of us. Thanks man.
Bryce Wrote:
Don't feed the troll. The guy just wants attention and for you to visit his website. If you want to do anything contact best (or IKO or PASA seeing that he is a instructor) about his recklessness. You'd think that a 'team rider' would not want to go and piss off a bunch of kiters. If best endorses this kind of behavior I would not fly their kites again.
Response To: Bryce
My website is for friends and family, as I state on it. If you aren't a friend or part of my family, you may not find my site very appealing and I wouldn't recommend you visit it.
I do not want to go off and piss off a bunch of kiters, but I don't mind pissing off some people, and it's obvious that you don't mind pissing some people off either. I'm pretty sure that Best doesn't mind pissing of some people either, since they have, many times, as all kiteboarding brands have, at some point, pissed people off. How often do you fly Best Kites; just curious? What do you think about the differences between this year's Best kites and other brands? I'm interested.
RandyL Wrote:
WOW!!!! 25ft boost on Calhoun during the summer season? You definitely are the greatest kiteboarder to hit our downtown lake this season. You must feel AWESOME. I’m sure you had plenty of bystanders applauding and taking pictures as Calhoun is a lake bustling with activity.
I remember once last year on the Bear all the kiters went back to shore and I was the only one still out. A few boats gathered around encouraging me to jump and cheering, and at that moment I realized I was the best kiteboarder on the water. I’m sure you will concur it is an amazing rush being the best (or only) person on the water. Maybe you will make the paper or even a quick clip in the news. That would sure look cool on your own personal website, and prove your worth to Team Best.
What a great idea having your own leaving town bucket list. I wholeheartedly agree with your point of view. You were probably not going to have an accident on this busy lake, and who really cares if you do? So what if Hennepin County bans our sport for everyone else; YOU got to ride Calhoun!!!
I’m thinking about my own Erik list when I decide to leave town: Perhaps catching H1N1 and pay a visit to the local nursing home, it’s not illegal and nobody can stop you?
I would like to join my fellow Kiteboarders in a farewell wish to you.
Response To: RandyL
I noticed you're a Slingshot Team rider. Thanks for sharing your experience on White Bear Lake. It sounds like you had a great time. That's one of the reasons that I think we all like kiteboarding, because for each of us, it's our own personal experience.
Thanks for your agreement and opinions, and you are right about me feeling awesome about my experience on Lake Calhoun, although, I wasn't alone. There were several windsurfers out there while I was out there.
As for bystanders, I'm not sure, since I was out in the middle of the lake, where riding in gusty conditions is the safest.
It would be great to make it into the paper or the news and it would look cool on my website, though I doubt it would "prove" anything to Best, since they don't usually read the Star Tribune, and I've never submitted anything to them. Most of the promotion I've done for Best over the years, is talk to people about my experiences, in kiteboarding, which has mostly been with Best gear.
I ride Best because they currently manufacture my favorite kites, and give me the ability to ride in conditions I couldn't otherwise ride in. I promise you, with a Slinghshot Rev or T3 (for different reasons), I would never have kitesurfed, that day, on Calhoun. In extreme gusts, other kites have folded in half on me and torqued out of shape. This usually doesn't happen with light weight riders, because the stress on their gear is much less. I weigh 200 lbs and I throw a lot of stress into my gear. My Cuben Fiber kites over the years have never folded or crumpled, ever.
I am a consumer of kitesurfing products, and I have been for a long time. Best has done a lot to prove to me that their product is the best, not the other way around. Perhaps it's confusing for you because, you are trying to prove something to Slingshot or prove to others that Slingshot is the best kite company. It may be, but I think you will have a hard time proving that. I have had many opportunities available to me over the years, but I chose to stick with Best. I rode their gear before I was sponsored in Hatteras, and as long as they continue to make the best kites for me, and I can afford it, I will continue to ride their gear, regardless of sponsorship.
First thing about H1N1 that you should know, is that it has a tendency to affect the young and middle aged more severely than the elderly, which is one of the reasons that it has been considered, "A Pandemic." Going into a nursing home with it would probably not injure or kill anyone. That being said, having any type of communicable disease, and visiting a nursing home for no reason might not be the best thing to do, but I would easily understand if it made a family member very happy to see you, and you visited it in a responsible, safe manner, by covering your mouth when you sneeze, and so on.
The government takes Pandemics quite seriously. Knowingly infecting people with a Pandemic disease probably is illeagl, though it's difficult to enforce. Similarly, knowingly kiteboarding directly into another kiteboarder would be considered assault, which is illegal.
As I mention at the very beginning of my post. I do care about keeping kiteboading legal, but in my view, the solution to preventing bans isn't by creating bans, and scaring kiteboarders and non-kiteboarders into submission.
I usually come back to MN every year or so, so thanks for the farewell on this trip. Maybe, I'll see you next year.
rahlberg Wrote:
I've kited in Minnesota, Montana, Utah, North Carolina and Hawaii in my year and a half in the sport. I've met a ton of down to earth people always willing to lend a hand, share info, and who understand the importance of self-imposed rules and regulations for kiting--which, generally speaking, is a new and potentially dangerous sport. This is regardless of their ability level, from pros to people that can't figure it out.
This dude makes me sick. And I'll say in public that I will never buy Best kites or gear until this guy is off their team. That goes with any company giving him free or reduced gear.
Response To: rahlberg
My travel experience is similar to yours. I've kited in the same places you have, and a few more than you listed, with the exception of Utah. Although, I have also met a few people who aren't like the people you describe. Not every kiteboarder that I have met, is down-to-earth.
I also don't judge people that I haven't met personally and I don't judge kiteboarding products based on company staff, but you are not alone.
You might want to consider throwing up. I find that when I'm sick, throwing up makes me feel a lot better.
dtownkiter Wrote:
its too bad you didnt attend the crossing...this would have been much more constructive for the sport and for the company that you ride for.
i like to try to keep things positive so i am thankful there were no kite mares or problems at Calhoun. i cant imagine if anything did happen and we were banned from this location.
thanks for considering yourself and your one hour ride above everyone else in this community.
Response To: dtownkiter
Thanks for keeping it positive. I agree that it is too bad that I wasn't able to attend The Crossing; I would have liked to be there. Individual freedom is only one thing about kiteboarding that is wonderful, and I do consider it every time I ride. There are limits on freedom, when it comes to others' expense, but my actions on Sunday was not at anyone else's expense anymore than kiteboarding anytime with other people around. I'm thankful every time I come out of the water without injury.
I didn't consider myself and one hour ride, over the kiteboarding or windsurfing community, only above the Tighe circle, who wield their double bladed sword over Minnesota; sometimes chopping the right heads off, and sometimes the wrong ones. How's that for imagining something?
dave12341234 Wrote:
Hey Erik, I agree with everthing you said!
Response To: dave12341234
Hi Dave! Thanks for the support, and for having the gusto to post. It's tough stuff, but I'll always be around Minnesota every year or so. I'm sure you know that there are good people in the Minnesota kiteboarding community, but sometimes they can be hard to find. If there is anything I can do for you, let me know.
Eric P Wrote:
My question is WHY? Why would you even want to kite on Calhoun in a nasty, frontal driven, NW nuker. That is exactly the wind that the ban is for. The wind had to of been swirling like mad around those huge buildings on the NW side of the lake. No wonder he got lofted. It was crazy on Waconia that day gusting from 20 to 45, and it has 3 miles of clean fetch. I just think it is important to point out to the less initiated why the ban is in place. The amount that could have gone wrong that day on lake Calhoun, kiting, is just astounding. I love to fly in overpowered 7 meter conditions as much as the next guy, but that is just crazy.
Crazy; just crazy, and egotistical, and disrespectful. Hope to see you, well, Never.
Response To: Eric P
Hi eric. Thanks for asking the question, and I will answer it. I have the best time in conditions that others sometimes regard as dangerous.
After kiting and teaching for 8 and 7 years, respectively, in some of the 'worse' and 'best' conditions, I've found that people enjoy a wide variety conditions in kiting that makes them happy. You might think that beginners would like light wind conditions, but that isn't necessarily true. I've found people to be most comfortable riding in the conditions that they've had the best experiences with. For me, those have mostly been in conditions that 'normal' people would consider crazy. Let me give you and example. When most 'normal' people hear that it's snowing, and the wind chill is nearing 0 or below; they stay inside with a blanket and watch TV. When the conditions are like that in Minnesota, I found myself outside, in the snow, in 20 mph winds, on a frozen lake, having the best time I'd ever had in my life. When non-kiters here me tell them about kiteboarding, they sometimes say, "Why would you ever want to do that to youself?" and they look at me like I'm crazy; and sometimes they say, "That's the coolest thing I've ever heard about, where can I learn?"
I hope that every kiter in Minnesota can relate to that story.
The wind was not swirling like mad, it was, between 12 - 40mph, with a variable wind direction no more than 90 degrees.
Emily Wrote:
if you disagree with most of these posts, please join our discussion at mnadventure.com
Response To: Emily
Thanks again so much for the support. I know I'll be in the discussion over there. Thanks.
chanrider Wrote:
Erik, what’s disappointing about this is as a pro level team rider you have a unique opportunity to create positive energy and goodwill when you travel. You knew there was a rider-agreed-to ban on Calhoun yet proudly ignored that creating negative energy and ill will.
There are plenty of highly skilled kiters around the area that could ride Calhoun without incident for the most part, but they choose not to because it makes zero sense in the grand scheme of the local kite community. There are too many better and safer options to take advantage of. That's why there were no other kiters there to protest your actions.
Sunday was an epic day at plenty of legitimate kite launches in the area, why not go there? You would have had a great time and created a lot of stoke. There are no “dictators” around here, just a local consensus that you chose to give the middle finger to.
Response To: chanrider
I have taken the opportunity to create positive energy and goodwill everywhere that I have travelled, including in Minnesota. This isn't the first time I kited in Minnesota. I would hope that there are some highly skilled riders in the area that could ride Calhoun without incident. If there are, then I would encourage them to, because kitboarding without incident only brings joy, unless you are in the "Tighe Cult". . . "Tighe Cult" is now my official term that replaces Tighe's use of the phrase, "Kiteboarding community."
I like your signature quote, by the way. I hope your name doesn't get tarnished by me saying that.
BREAK
scottchapman Wrote:
Well I think this all comes down to ego and selfish self interest. A total disrespect for a community of kiters who understand that the risk does not justify the act. Sure I would like to kite there...but I won't because I respect the use and access that we currently enjoy. It is a precious gift we have to self-police ourselves. This is not about Tighe so please leave him out of this. It is about a community who respects and helps each other! There's too much negativity in the world. When I kite I like to leave it all behind...do we need government control and laws in everything we do??? The laws only get written after there is an issue that needs control after there is a dangerous incident! Does it have to come to this??? I think if you have morals and ethics you know what is right...I fear some struggle with this...sad...please learn from this. Freedom is a privilege you use with good judgment. If you don't; you get something called a law... but for some this will not stop them...So with the actions come consequences...but I suspect some peoples selfishness and lack of self esteem requires they go their own way regardless of the greater good of the community....
Response To: scottchapman
I'd like to remind you that the Tighe Cult community didn't create the access that you enjoy, nor do they protect it. It is also not a "gift" from them that we get to "self-police" ourselves. I would also like to remind you that I "self-police" myself and some people don't seem to agree with that.
No, you do not need government, but it would help to have something that would allow for people capable of kiteboarding Calhoun safely, to enjoy Calhoun, instead of self banning it.
Liberty is not a privilege. We are, "endowed by (our) creator with certain unalienable rights, (and) among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We create laws to protect our freedom, not because we don't have good judgement. Read the Declaration of Independence. You seem to be entirely unfamiliar with the most basic legal document of our country.
windthrash Wrote:
It is sad sometimes to see what some people will do to get attention. I don't really care that an ego can put a kiter on Calhoun during the ban in rough conditions. I am worried about the consequences again of the local authority IF something were to happen. It would not only have a lasting effect on kiters, but also on windsurfers. Some people cannot get out in that area, and maybe some people don't have the extra few cents to drive to White Bear or WAC, so if sailing and dangle boarding was prohibited on Calhoun, everyone would suffer. Even the spectators.
Response To: windthrash
I do not like attention, and I do not like having people upset at me, but I really did like kitesurfing on Calhoun, and I regret nothing about the experience.
I agree with most of what you said. I think the current summer ban makes everyone suffer.
I think Kiteboarding on Calhoun in the winter is just as much in jeopardy, if not more so, since more people do it in the winter. I heard that Alex Peterson got lofted, in the winter, into the marina and his kite reached Calhoun Square. I don't know how much of that is true, but I saw the ambulance that day. Realize that Alex Peterson didn't get lofted and hit the marina on the water, in the summer, it was on the snow. How did that happen? Why did that happen in the winter, when people seem think the lake is so safe? I'm not advocating a Tighe Cult ban for kiteboarding in the winter, I'm saying that there are better ways to include people in the kiteboarding community, and I'm not sure the "authorities" would take kindly to a kiter getting dragged across the road in the summer, or the winter.
scottman Wrote:
Erik man what's happened? I know I have not seen you for some time now, but this? Congrats on the wife I didn't know you were married, our friendship from way back is still there call me anytime I'd like to catch up some day.
To everyone else out there, I think this was a mistake by Eric, Calhoun in my opinion should never be kited on even in the winter I can't beleive lessons are even held on this lake. Even in the winter the conditions are terrible and there are a lot of people walking and jogging around the lake not to mention the traffic, I would say just leave the lake to the windsurfers all together. What are we going to do when there is an accident in the winter where someone new gets dragged across that lake and into the traffic we all know it's just a matter of time.
Response To: scottman
Hi Scott! Good to hear from you. I'd like to catch up too and for you to meet my Wife! We got married this June. I'll give you a call sometime soon.
Reds Wrote:
BOO! So selfish.
Response To: Reds
Happy Halloween.
Death Roll Wrote:
Tighe please delete my post.
Response To: Death Roll
Sorry buddy, can't help you there. Good Luck.
Dave Z Wrote:
Excellent point scottman.
Can someone dig up and post the story about how the best kiter we all know; Alex Peterson almost died on this lake five or six years ago.
The good news about this incident is that it is a good learning tool for the community. This discussion should be a sticky and go to kiteforum, imo.
Here's the link: "AP's Big Adventure" from Jan 2003
http://lakawa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=257
Response To: Dave Z
Thanks for the link.
Summary:
When I left Minnesota several years ago I did not have the skill to be able to safely kitesurf Lake Calhoun, which is why I didn't. I have always wanted to, for the same reasons anyone would want to do any water sport on that lake.
There are three ways to look at kiteboarding. It's dangerous, it's safe, or it's both (potentially dangerous).
Most of the people outside the kiteboarding community seem to believe that kiteboarding is dangerous. For me, as a kiteboarding teacher for the last 7 years, I can see it all ways. I hear non-kiteboarders tell me all the time that that want to learn how to do it and it looks awesome, or that it's crazy and dangerous and they would never try it. Kiteboarding is an unpredictable sport, and can be dangerous, as almost any physical activity is. When kiteboarding, like driving a car, making a simple, easily avoidable mistake, can cost you your life or the life of others. With proper training and knowledge, kiteboarding isn't nearly as risky as driving a car without proper knowledge. I realize that driving a car is crazy and dangerous, but yet so many people seem to do it without much fear. How is that possible? The key to successfully doing risky things with confidence is managing and understanding the risk. With cars, you need to get a license, and you need to be insured. In my view, these are intelligent solutions to managing risk for something that people want to do.
My recommendation for the Tighe Cult is to work with the whole kiteboarding community in Minnesota, and establish some uniform rules for kiters of different levels, instead of banning areas altogether, based on season or other arbitrary factors. The IKO does exactly that. In Miami for instance, you need to be an advanced rider to kite at Crandon Park. You also need to be insured. In other countries, you must be an IKO level 2 rider or above to rent gear at many schools. The IKO is a self regulated system, where business, and people can chose to be a part of, or not. It's not government regulation. Not that I like the system in Miami. I would definitely like to ride wherever I want, whenever I want, but I definitely feel the rules are more fair in Crandon, than they are at Calhoun.
The what-Tighe says flies (I remember when it was practically only Tighe) mentality isn't the best system to protect local kiteboarders from getting injured or injuring others, which might lead to actual bans. It has worked, so far, but there are quite few unnecessary casualties and side effects.
In my view, Tighe's strengths lie in his ability to organize people though his website, not making laws or bans. There are people who have more experience kiteboarding, and teaching kiteboarding, who may be better suited for the role. Until then, I hope this topic will spur discussion, and shed light on the subject. Thanks to the few that had something constructive to say.
I have no regrets for having a great time kitesurfing, on Lake Calhoun, and I hope advanced and safe riders will always have the opportunity, and the wonderful experience that I had on Sunday, and I hope I will again, at some point in the future.
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