Since returning here on 5/19 I have logged (out of 56 calendar days) 36 legitimately good kitesurfing days, some of them epic – and this does not include at least 4-5 days that I could have ridden here or at Little Point Sable (45 miles North). Other than driving 7-8 miles South of my usual launch spot for a few short down wind rides I have not traveled away from Muskegon to kite – not even once!

In summary, (best case scenario) you could have ridden almost 40 out of 56 days!!! That’s 71% kiteable days! We have only had 4 or 5 really good wave days so far, but they have been fun! Tomorrow I am considering a 12 mile down-winder in the waves, which are forecast to be 5-6 feet, winds SW 18-28 kts!

A note for the ecology: I only filled my tank up once in the past 6 weeks – which means my average daily driving has been reduced to just over 10 miles/day, or around 12 hrs of driving in 42 days! Compared to previous summers living nearby in Grand Haven I am now spending about 1/5 the time and fuel costs/emissions.  I’ve resisted the temptation to drive to Little Sable 4-5 times, which has saved me a whole tank of diesel and around $75.00, not to mention the reduction in hydrocarbon output!! So I feel a little better that my environmental footprint is shrinking a little bit.

The conditions here make it very worthwhile considering this spot as a destination kite beach. While some of the locals will not like it, it is probably just a matter of time before more and more people discover it and make plans to spend time here. While this is a “double edged sword” I hope that it translates into a benefit for most people. The city could use an economic shot in the arm, and I do not doubt that it could deliver good kiting to those interested in coming. There are cheap hotels and house rentals, most everything here is low key and affordable by comparison. You can fly directly to an airport 5 miles from the beach!

One thing is for sure – we need to establish some rules and regulations for the beaches before the situation turns into a total free-for-all. We are already seeing riders violating the swim zones and a few accidents caused by improperly trained beginners. From the varying degrees of chaos I have seen in the places I have  traveled to it is extremely important to get things under control ASAP before we start hearing the dreaded words  “Kitesurfing is NOT PERMITTED”…but the solutions are not always as easy as one might think and I have been working with the city towards some reasonable ideas.