Heading out on the ice...
I was in Maine this past weekend for the Emerging Exhibition opening, which went really well! After all of the indoor socializing, I was feeling the need for some winter fun. Luckily, the wind and ice conditions were pretty good for some ice-boating craziness with my dad. Basically you sit in a little canvas seat 6 inches off the cold ice, “steer” with your feet, catch the wind by pulling a rope over your shoulder that attaches to the sail, and basically, hope for the best. It was some serious fun, you know, that kind of fun you have when you’re close to injuring yourself in a very serious way.
Checking the wind direction..
In really good conditions (smooth ice & high winds) you can get the boat going 40-50mph. Next Olympic sport? I think so.
Speeding pass the summer camps...
Dad. In his element..
Looking for a good spot to go again...
Don't worry, the ice was definitely thick enough...
Headed home with froze fingers and toes...
And yes, I gave it a try. It was definitely a situation where the boat was in control, not me. I screamed like a little girl…but loved every minute of it.
The following photos by Eric Lahti.
That's me, literally flying over the ice toward an ice fishing shack. I thought I might die. Seriously.
Me again, after I managed to get the boat stuck in some shell ice. Nice helmet, huh?