Kitesurfing takes over Muskegon State Park | News

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WZZM) - The sport of kitesurfing emerged on the scene about a decade ago. 

But it's popularity didn't really take off until 2007, and that's right about when Marshall Torsch of Holton was introduced to the sport.

"Basically, it's the most exciting thing I've ever done,"says Torsch, who is a student at Ferris State University. "It just has to be windy; I don't have to put gas in my boat to do this."

When Torsch and several of his kitesurfing friends found out there was going to be six to ten foot waves on Lake Michigan this weekend, the only thing they could think about was enjoying the exhilaration of chasing the wind.

"I was ready; I was waiting," says Valerie Rissi, 49, from Whitehall. "I've been waiting for the wind all summer."

Rissi turns 50 years old next February and says she's set a big goal for herself.

"This is my milestone for my 50th," says Rissi. "I will have this [kitesurfing] mastered."

Experts say kitesurfing is easy to learn if you follow safety precautions and get professionally trained, but, it isn't cheap. The kite, harness, wet-suit and additional accessories will cost right around $2,000. If you can afford it, you won't be bored on windy days in West Michigan.