Kai Lenny Crosses Lake Michigan

In a test of mental fitness and physical stamina against the whims of open water, 19-year-old Red Bull Athlete Kai Lenny made Lake Michigan his next conquest by crossing the lake by wind surfing, starting at Sturgeon Bay, WI and landing in Frankfort, MI, this past Friday, May 18, 2012. Lake Michigan has seen its array of boats, jet skis, swimmers and sailors through the years, but this was the first time anyone has windsurfed from the west to east coast of Lake Michigan, in a seemingly impossible water craft challenge.

“I was so pumped to come back to the Midwest and try to tackle this project again. For what I do it’s all about preparation, I’ve traveled to some of the most remote places with a plan but the weather has its own idea. Last year the wind just didn’t cooperate so we went back and looked at our data and we were really confident about this,” says Kai Lenny.

Kai Lenny during the 56 Mile crossing

Red Bull Athlete Kai Lenny is an accomplished surfer, kite boarder, long distance and standup paddler, tow surfer, and has been credited with helping to breathe new life into windsurfing. When looking for a new adventure to test his young but significant athletic skills, Kai set his sights on the vast waters of the Midwest, which offer unique challenges.

His first attempt of this course was in 2010, but Mother Nature denied him this daring feat.  The rare elements of a massive freshwater lake, present Lenny with new and unique challenges in his crossing.

Departing from Sturgeon Bay on Friday, he traveled 56 miles east across Lake Michigan, until he set foot on dry land in Michigan. The weather conditions were right for Kai to start the trek during the late afternoon on Friday. It took a total of two hours and 30 minutes for Kai to cross the lake, traveling at an average speed of 25 knots.

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1cwGv)