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.

Upon my return to the shores of Lake Michigan I was treated to a nice long streak of riding (8 days out of the first 9 days I was home). To date we have had 17 good riding days out of the past 25…not bad numbers. The conditions here over the past 3 weeks have varied from big kite sessions to fully lit 7m conditions with decent waves. We’ve done some down winders, some big lake wave-riding, and some butter sessions in the lee of the long Muskegon pier heads. During Several NE to SE days we rode on Muskegon Lake…and it’s noteworthy to mention that it is possible to ride here in practically every wind direction!

The lake water levels are even lower than last year and the sand bars are looking great…the third sand bar lying a few hundred yards offshore. The water temperatures have been up and down…high 40 degrees one day, and then upper 60’s the next. If you plan on riding here don’t forget your assortment of cold water suits. I have ridden with drysuit, 4/3 and 3/2 since my return - most people get by with 4/3 neoprene.