Traverse City – World-class Kiteboarding Wind and Water

Two traveling professional kiteboarders choose TC as the worlds best location.

You can also read this article in the latest issue of NM3 Magazine

Two of the most talented and respected kiteboarders in the sport spent a week in Traverse City chilling with the Broneah crew and riding all the different spots in the area. These two athletes, Andy Hurdman and Aaron Sales, have spent the last ten years of their lives traveling the globe in search of the perfect kiteboarding location. They have the privilege of visiting anywhere in the world they want, and to some surprise, they continue to choose Northern Michigan over any other place. I spent a few minutes talking to Aaron and Andy through a colorful summer sunset over East Bay.

Profiles:
Andy Hurdman, Delray Beach, Florida. Pro rider and Advanced Instructor. Sponsored by Broneah, Transcend, and Liquid Force.

Aaron Sales, Hood River, Oregon. Editor of Kiteboarding Magazine.

MM: What brought you to Traverse City in the first place?

AH: The Broneahs, Matt and Keegan, some of the nicest guys I know (he laughs). First came to Michigan in 2003 and toured the entire state in a small motor home that the Broneah crew rented and checked out all the spots. We had pro riders from all around the world fly in and we were all amazed with how good the kiting is here.

AS: I’m always looking for new locations, want to see what’s out there and you told us to come check it out. What makes this place so unique is the variety of riding locations you can go to. You can have flat-water one day, then nice waves the next. The wind is good; the water is so clear, warm and shallow. It is also such an amazing place to learn. Last year I came alone and this year, I decided to bring the entire family, including my 18 month-old daughter. Yesterday, I got my wife up on the board for the first time and she thinks that this is absolutely the best place in the world to learn. She is so happy.

MM: You two have been fortunate enough to travel freely in pursuit of prime kiteboarding locations. What other places have you kiteboarded in the past few years?

AH: Venezuela, Colombia, Greece, the entire Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, and everywhere you can imagine in the USA.

AS: Hood River, Maui, Kauai, Los Roques in Venezuela, South Padre Island Texas, Bay Area San Francisco, Hatteras North Carolina, British Virgin Islands, Florida Coast, Alaska, Norway, France, Switzerland, and New Zealand to name a few!

MM: What were your expectations of Michigan before your first visit?

AH: I had never been to the Great Lakes so I wasn’t really sure, but I know when I did show up I was completely blown away. The clear water, and last year we went to a spot and had chest high waves, so that actually blew me away as well. Then coming over to the other side, we had flat-water so we could get the variety of different styles of riding with such beautiful Caribbean-like water.

AS: I assumed that the lake was going to have brown water. I envisioned the city of Detroit and the lake would just be along side of the city. Going up to Traverse City blew me away with the massive beaches and cleanliness of the water and area. I think I speak for a lot of people that they don’t get excited when you talk of Michigan, they don’t know how good it is until you go there. When I first saw this place in a photo I thought it would be worth coming to check out, but until I witnessed it with my own eyes I could not fully appreciate it. I am amazed that more kiteboarders don’t know about this spot.

MM: What else other than the kiteboarding conditions do you enjoy about Northern Michigan?

AS: Just the overall beach life. Everybody is really into the whole water scene out here, whether it’s boating, stand-up paddling, surfing, wakeboarding, or being next to the water and enjoying the conditions for the day. When the water is flat you go wakeboarding and do that and when the wind picks up it turns into a world class kiteboarding spot so you make the best of the conditions and when the wind turns on its as good as anywhere in the whole nation. One of the coolest things about coming to Michigan is how friendly the local riders are, how helpful everybody is. It is not a place with a huge attitude, its all about the stoke, getting you on the water and having fun. The people here are so nice!

MM: So I have to ask, will you come back to Traverse City again?

AH: If you asked me to come back next week I would come back next week! Actually the first year I came here to visit you guys I ended up extending my ticket an extra 7 days just to stay and train. This is my fourth or fifth time to Traverse City, I have not been here in over a year and that was way overdue. The stoke is back after being here this past week and I am already planning for my return trip.

AS: Yeah, I have already decided this is an annual trip. I came here by myself one time and realized how amazing it was not only for me but for a family vacation, so this year I brought my family and wife and I decided that we are going to come back year after year, we love this spot!

Special thanks:
Aaron and Andy would like to thank Megan Madion for sharing her beach-front home in front of Traverse City’s best kiting spot. Justin Fata for the pull behind the wakeboard boat on the glassy mornings, and Matt Sr. for supplying all the fresh salmon. They would also like to thank Jim and Mary Rogers and Chimney Corners resort for the wonderful hospitality.