Ice Windsurfing in Maine

[crasyman96]

Nice, I windsurf here in east coast florida and i realy want to try this up on the ice. looks GREAT!

[davidstackhouse]

Black ice like this is rather rare in snowy Maine.  This location is coastal so once or twice a winter we might get great conditions when inland snow is rain along the coast, followed by a cold spell.

[deetdadee]

do you use the same sail in the summer?

[davidstackhouse]

I use a maximum 4.5 meter sail in the winter, even in 15 knots which was approximate wind speed in this youtube. My big sail in summer is 6.3. Water has a lot more resistance than ice and requires larger sails.

[wildblue2]

how often do you get perfect black ice like this?

[surfthetsu]

nice jibes!

[windsurfingvideo]

Nice Video!! This video is now also featured on my website! It's a Blog dedicated to windsurfing videos, check out my profile for more info

[davidstackhouse]

Not from Auburn or Lake Auburn. The video is shot on Great Pond in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. We are generally from the Portland, Biddeford, and Sanford area of Maine.

[Motorheadrocks]

This looks so awsome! Can you please tell me how you make these "boards"? Are they hard to make? Thanks!

[davidstackhouse]

I am not the maker of the boards. I just sail one. There is a phone number in Maine USA listed in the credits at end of the video. Call Mike at that number. He may or may not share his secrets.

[davidstackhouse]

Sailing on ice you go faster than the wind. I always sail with the same 4.5, don't see the point in a formula sail. Bigger sail would only generate more drag, you wouldn't go faster. Remember, you have no resistance from the ice, so a little sail goes a long way even in light winds. Best conditions are steady 15 to 20 with a 4.5 on black ice. The day the video was shot was perfect.

[davidstackhouse]

We generally go about 20 to 30 in winds that are 15 to 20 (yes, faster than the wind). I have probably maxed out in the 40's but that can be scarey. Easier than sailing on water (no uphauling, no falling in) but must learn to monkey jibe due to so much apparent wind during jibes (you don't slow down). Great for improving sail handling.

[eleivadainculo]

OMG! Soooooooooo cooooooooooooool!

I wanna do it too!!!!!!!

[altt10000]

just a question - What's it like to fall off? I'm imagining it wouldn't actually be that different to falling off stationary since you would slide over the ice rather than roll, but am still curious?

[davidstackhouse]

Falling is usually OK because you slide on the ice, absorbing the impact. I haven't ever been slammed. However, ice is HARD so I wear elbow & knee pads, plus helmet. My worst fall was running into reeds, got launched and put down a hand as I landed. Better to tuck and roll. Falls on the smooth ice just go with the flow.

[FlibblyWub]

Looks amazing

how fast can you go on those things?

what are the wind requirements?

how hard is it to do compared to normal windsurfing (on water)?

thanks

[windyerDude]

that looks like fun i want 2 do it

[spudz72]

Great video! I have a huge lake right in my backyard and have been windsurfing on it for about 20 years. I want to try this this winter as the ice gets over 1ft thick for about 2-3 months! Are all these home built unit? If so do you have the plans on how I can build one? Much appreciated..

[lostinmylife]

I live in Maine. Where in Maine did you do this??? It looks like Brooksville Maine

[davidstackhouse]

The ice baby video was shot at Great Pond on Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland.

[sedge4427]

Cool I windsurf but this looks as much fun. No wetsuits. No water or beach starts just get out and do it. I guess it could work on a supermarket car park with a mod/skateboard. Sedge

[Fentanyl3]

I WANNA DO IT!

[pugzzz94]

omg thats sick!

[Niels1990]

great video! what's the difference between ice and water? is it easyer?

[davidstackhouse]

ice is easier than water. no need to water start and no uphauling needed. HOWEVER, jibing is tricky apparent wind is stronger than the real wind so monkey jibe is required. ice is fun and like shortboarding except sadly no jumps!

[c011in9s]

if only i had a masive frozen lake near me i would b out there all the time, looks gr8, nice vid, bit long

[zebidee86]

thats mental!!!

[Wavehead1773]

great but soooooo loooooong!