Chicagoans Embrace Thrilling Ice Boating on Frozen Geneva Lake

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When lakes freeze over, some Chicagoans decide to set sail on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, where the best way to catch the wind is to bring a boat made for winter. Rich Stearns readies his ice boat every season, and Jerry Ring, a 79-year-old Chicago resident, drives up to Wisconsin every winter to catch a ride on the frozen lake. The Dutch were the first to ice boat, but Americans have made it their own, with skippers competing in races on different classes of ice boats that can reach speeds up to five times the speed of the wind.

Why it matters

Ice boating provides a unique and thrilling winter activity for Chicagoans and others in the Midwest, allowing them to experience the rush of high-speed sailing on frozen lakes. It's a niche sport with a long history, dating back to the Dutch origins, that has found a dedicated following among adrenaline junkies and longtime enthusiasts.

The details

Rich Stearns readies his ice boat every season, and Jerry Ring, a 79-year-old Chicago resident, drives up to Wisconsin every winter to catch a ride on the frozen Geneva Lake. The boats have three skates and no brakes, allowing them to reach speeds up to 80 miles per hour. Skippers compete in races on different classes of ice boats, with the fastest boats able to reach speeds five times the speed of the wind.

• Ice boating season typically runs from late December through early March, when lakes in the Midwest are frozen over.
• The best ice boating conditions occur when the lake surface is smooth and the wind is strong, usually in the range of 10-20 mph.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The upcoming ice boating season on Geneva Lake is expected to begin in late December, with the best conditions typically occurring in January and February when the lake is fully frozen over and the wind is strong.