A History of "Hard Water" Sailing |Safety & Equipment | Places to Set Sail in Montana

A History of "Hard Water" Sailing

Ice boating, ice sailing, ice surfing, hard water sailing...different names for a sport that's essentially whisking across the ice in a boat on blades or runners. The sport's been around longer than you'd probably think: almost 300 years. Ice sailing began in Holland in the 18th century, an ingenious solution for transporting goods over frozen lakes quickly.

By the mid-1800's, ice sailing's popularity spread to the United States, where it caught on as a hobby for wealthy sailors. By the 1930s, different boat designs were being tested. The boats started getting smaller and faster, using enclosed cockpits rather than a traditional platform. One of the first boats of this kind, dubbed the "Skeeter," is still popular today across the U.S. and Canada.

The most popular model today, though, is the DN--named for the Detroit News, which introduced it in the mid 1930's. Ice sailing is enjoyed around the world, but the most active areas include Montana (of course), the Great Lakes region, New England, Ontario, and on into Northern Europe and Russia.

Safety & Equipment

Obviously, to go sailing, you'll need an ice sailing boat. The boat goes by many different names and configurations based on its size (from one-person crafts to large "ice yachts"), wind rating and number of runners (usually one, two or three). Part of the thrill and exhiliration of ice sailing is the speed--in fact, the world record for an ice sailing boat is 146 miles per hour, and speeds over 100 miles per hour are common! With that speed comes a responsibility to be safe. Follow these safety tips:

• Always wear a helmet. In case of an accident, it could save your life.
• Wear protective padding and gear such as elbow pads, layered clothing, and a life jacket (which also provides extra padding).
• Don't get addicted to speed. Sail in control, and within your skill limits.
• Watch the wind; make sure you don't take your boat out in winds that are too strong for your craft.

Places to Set Sail in Montana.

As a land filled with many lakes, Montana is a natural for ice sailing in the winter. Chief among those destinations is Canyon Ferry Reservoir near Helena. Discovered by more and more ice sailing/surfing enthusiasts each year, it's recently been called "the best spot in the U.S. to ice sail."

Of course, other Montana waters are ideal for ice surfing, as well. Try the bays of Flathead Lake and Fort Peck Lake. Or explore smaller lakes such as those in the Ten Lakes area outside of Eureka or the numerous lakes of the Seeley Swan Valley.