What’s New

Ice Sailors:

With regret, we must announce that the Hard Water Summit will not be happening this year. Mother Nature decided she wanted an extended period of warm days, lots of sunshine and nights barely below freezing. The snow is, indeed, gone, but this weather pattern is leaving us with lots of slush that will likely only get deeper.

We appreciate your enthusiasm for this adventure and we may decide to give it a go again next year. We’ll have to consider whether doing the event in the same season as a DN Gold Cup in the US makes sense. If you have any input on this question, we’d love to hear it. From a timing standpoint, we may also move up our target week to the first week of March. This would steer us clear of any conflict with land sailing events and possibly increase the likelihood that we’d have the ice and weather we need. Again, feel free to let us know what you think.

Of course we are a bit disappointed, but then again, we are blessed to not be hiding from Russian artillery as we go about our daily lives. Keep the Faith!

Your HWS Team,

Daniel, Sean and Deb

On Hold…Still Hopeful

As of this morning, the Hard Water Summit remains on hold. The weather on the Fort Peck Reservoir has remained cold, so the drifts are still too large and stiff. Warm weather is coming the week of March 13. We’ll monitor the weather that week to see if we get the melt we need to clean up the snow, and the below freezing temps at night to keep the ice firm. Please stand by. We intend to make a final call one way or the other on Thursday, March 17.

Think Ice!

Your HWS Team,
Daniel, Sean and Deb

Adjusting Our Sails

New HWS Target Week: March 21 – 24

Unfortunately, snow has covered the ice at Fort Peck. Mother Nature decided she didn’t want us during the target week, and until she decides what she wants to do, we are on hold. Weather models show a significant warming trend next week. We want to put everyone on standby with hopes to hold the HWS on the third target week of March 21 – 24.

Ice sailors are eternal optimists, and we are holding out hope that the snow will disappear. We will continue to keep you informed about conditions. We understand it may be challenging to adjust your schedules, but we will still try to make this happen if Fort Peck ice comes in. All the pieces are in place, and the snow will soften out with a bit of luck.

We will keep you in the loop and send a weather update on Monday, March 7.

Your HWS Team,

Daniel, Sean and Deb

Have You Officially Checked In?

Just like the airlines, we need to know if you’re going to fly with us. That survey you filled out months ago? That was just telling us you were interested. NOW, we need to know if you are coming. We’re going to be a large group gathering in the “Middle of Nowhere.” The restaurants supporting our social events need to order more food than they normally would for this time of year, and their food distributors require orders a week in advance.

So, help a gal out and confirm your attendance right now! Click here to register. While you’re at the registration link, you’ll tell us what social events you’ll attend and whether or not you want a commemorative vest, including your size.

Now git’r done! You REALLY don’t want to be on Deb’s naughty list.

Your HWS Team,

Daniel, Sean and Deb

Polishing The Playground

We can officially report now that the inaugural Hard Water Summit will not be taking place during our early option week. All signs are “Go” for our target dates of March 13 – 18.

Here are a couple shots from yesterday, March 1. Over the next 10 days, there is hardly a dusting of snow in the forecast and it’s going to be warm during the days. That means our playground will continue to get polished, setting us up for an epic event! If you are not yet registered, don’t delay any longer. Register here. Hotel rooms and event commemorative vest, both which are limited, are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Your HWS Team,

Daniel, Sean and Deb

Come And Get It!
Here’s a shot of our Fort Peck playground shot yesterday afternoon, February 27, 2022. Get registered, dude, you’re not going to want to miss it!
Our good friend, Pat Heppert, is a Carhartt kind of guy. He thinks Gortex is for sissies. Well, Montana feels like a Carhartt kind of place. No sissies there, either. So, our commemorative clothing item selection was a no-brainer. Only one question needed to be answered, “what would Pat wear?” Here it is, but you can’t buy one unless you are registered.

Want one? Get registered.  We need to give our food suppliers the headcount for our social functions ASAP.  Oh yeah–quantities and sizes of this collector’s edition vest are limited, so don’t delay.  Pat will be looking particularly sexy wearing this hot little number, but you could be whining like a little girl because you missed out.  Here’s the link–  https://montana.iceboat.org/

Best From Your HWS Team,
Daniel (Sissy), Sean (Shutter King) and Deb (Rock Star)