Recently, a new recreational activity has become very popular in the waters of Lake Saint Clair- Kiteboarding! I first saw people kiteboarding when I spent a week in upper Michigan near Lake Huron, but not until recently did I realize how popular this extreme sport has become in the Metro Detroit Area. A few weeks ago I was at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township, looking out at Lake Saint Clair I noticed 10 or so kites sailing through the sky. I then realized people were kitesurfing all along Poor Man’s Beach, a relatively shallow area of the lake with a sandy, rather than rocky, bottom. Despite it being a weekday afternoon, the lake was full of people, making me rather jealous since I had to return to the office. I was intrigued by this recreational activity and decided to investigate the sport further.
Kiteboarding is a surface water sport that has been described as a combination of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paddling, and gymnastics; ultimately creating one extreme sport. Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing) harnesses the power of the wind; a kiteboarder uses a board with or without foot-straps or bindings, combined with the power of a large controllable kite to propel the rider and the board across water. Any location with consistent, steady side-onshore winds, large open bodies of water and good launch areas is suitable for kiteboarding. As many of you may know Lake Saint Clair meets all of these conditions, making it a prime location for Brian LeFeve, owner of Great Lakes Kiteboarding, to set up shop.
Great Lakes Kiteboarding was the first Kiteboarding school in Michigan and has been servicing the Great Lakes for more than eight years. According to their website, “no other school in Michigan comes close to the knowledge and experience of GLK’s professional PASA certified instructors. Over the last eight years GLK has developed ultimate teaching programs to assure you will become a safe, self-sufficient and confident kiteboarder.” GLK offers anything from private lessons to Kite Camps, as well as snow-kiting for those who enjoy outdoor recreation in the winter months.
GLK has two main locations in Michigan, one located off-shore of Lake Huron in Tawas (these were probably some of the first kiteboarders I saw), and of course the Saint Clair Shores location on Greater Mack Avenue. The company’s website lists several of the best kiteboarding spots in Michigan, providing information on the wind directions and level of difficulty. In Lake Saint Clair, Port Huron, MetroBeach, and Harsens Island are popular spots to board. A warning to beginners -these locations are rather rocky and tend to be filled with avid boaters and jet skiers on the weekends!
Kitesurfing is a great way to experience the lake up close and personal. It has also been said to be a good form of exercise and one which allows you to have fun while doing it! Even if you don’t think you’re quite cut out for the extreme sport, it’s still an enjoyable experience watching the riders sail with their colorful kites around the lake.
If your interested in taking lessons, purchasing, or renting equipment visit: www.greatlakeskiteboarding.com
Experience Lake Saint Clair 