X Lake MI Kiteboard Challenge

[Chazb40]

Just a quick shout from those of us in the midwest:

This post is being made in support of the X Lake MI, U.A. organization. We are a Wisconsin, U.S. non-profit unincorporated association. This summer we will be raising money for the "Apple's for Kids" annual fund raising program of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

To do so, we are organizing a kiteboard crossing in early August from Two Rivers, WI to Big Sable Point, MI, 52 miles across lake Michigan.

To our knowledge, this would be a kiteboarding "first."

Any help in generating publicity for this event will go a long way to assist in the fund raising aspect.

We are not actively seeking "sponsorship", donations, equipment, supplies, or anything except assistance in spreading knowledge of the event and securing donations to the hospital.

Each member attempting the crossing is "on their own" for equipment, etc. While we would not refuse such assistance, our current largest need is for public awareness of this event and it's cause.

Anything you can do to help us raise awareness of the event, even just spreading word around the kiteboarding community, would be appreciated.

We greatly appreciate the time and effort.

Sincerely,

Chaz
www.xlakemi.com
xlakemi@gmail.com

[ricki]

Great idea Chaz! Keep us plugged into to developments as the time draws closer. Also, the address for donations would be good as well.

[Chazb40]

As we move closer to the anticipated launch window dates of July 30 through August 10th, we just wanted to say "Thank You" for all of the e-mails and feedback.

Many members of this forum have been in contact with our group from the start, and we appreciate your time, interest, donations and efforts these past months! This would not be possible without all of you. The goal of a kiteboarding event to raise funds and awareness for Children's Hospital will be a success due to you!

Your ideas and solutions have been the most important element in confronting this challenge, and we thank you for them all!

We are also very well equipped with safety electronics, communications, and survival gear, per many of your recommendations.

We are getting many calls with questions and for interviews in this last week. Please note that we will do our absolute best to accommodate every one's requests. We love to speak with everyone and anyone who's helped out in promoting this great event!

Please note that cell phone reception is not usually possible at the park. So, if we do not return your call, it's not due to lack of interest! We will be checking voice mail daily.

Feel free to visit us! The departure site is at Point Beach State Park, 9400 County Hwy. O, Two Rivers, WI, 54241. Their phone is 920-794-7480, should you need directions. There is a park vehicle admission fee. The launch site is near the middle beach access parking lot, called the "Lakeshore Picnic Area". Look for the Slingshot Sports and Extrong Sports banners. One will be by the camp site. One will be by the beach. We will be heading across the lake to the beach house north of the entrance in Ludington State Park, 8800 W. M-116, Ludington, MI. Their Phone Number is (231) 843-2423. There is a small admission fee.

As before, our website contains some general background information: www.XLakeMI.com

This will be where to monitor the daily updates for "Go" decision. We will be making the preliminary go/no go decision every afternoon at 4pm for the following day. We will then reassess that next day at 9:30 a.m. and commit to crossing or wait until another opportunity.

Also, feel free to view our member's blog: http://xthelake.blogspot.com. We really never put it to use for group communication, but there is enough different information on it that kiteboarders may find interesting.

Again, we thank you for your help in this effort to raise funds and awareness for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin!

(We will, of course, be accepting donations at the launch site!)

Sincerely,

Chaz Bartelt, Organizer
X Lake MI, Unincorporated Association
chaz@xlakemi.com