Squint, and it almost looks like a peaceful summer scene - colorful sails blowing across the smooth, glassy lake. But instead swimsuits, these sailors are sporting snowsuits. Instead of waves, they are slicing through snow. And instead of blue sky, they are silhouetted by steely gray.

Referred to as "hard water sailing" by those devoted to the sport (and to differentiate from "soft water sailing" in warmer weather), ice boating is partially a misnomer.

"If you put an ice boat into water, it won't float," said Bob Fanning, a Lake Wawasee resident. "It's more like a big ice skate with a sail."

Fanning has been ice boating on the lake for six years along with a handful of other local men including Rick Lemberg, Andy Allen, Kenny Bolles and Jeff Herdrich to name a few. Although breaking through the ice could happen, the men take safety precautions before setting out on the ice.

"You have more of a chance of your boat breaking than the ice breaking," said Fannning. "As the season goes on and the ice expands and contracts, you get ice mounds. It can be pretty rough when you hit one."

"We're safe about it," said Lemberg, also from Lake Wawasee. "We'll scout the ice in groups and report any hazards. We wear our safety gear and usually go sailing in pairs."

Lemberg has been ice boating for close to 30 years, first as a hobbyist and now also as a world wide competitor in ice boat racing. He is ranked 27th in the world, while his son, Rick Jr., is ranked 16th. Just last weekend, Lemberg sailed at an ice boat regatta in Madison, Wis., placing 12th.

Locally, Lemberg is known somewhat as the ice boat expert, having learned the ins and out of the sport and the ideal ice conditions. He also builds and repairs boats for himself and others.

At this point in the season, the ice on Syracuse Lake and Lake Wawasee is fairly even and conditions for ice boating have been ideal. With a few inches of snow covering the ice, the boats can easily slice through for smooth sailing. During a steady 10 mile per hour breeze, Fanning's boat can reach upwards of 40 miles per hour. Larger iceboats placed in stronger winds have even set records of more than 100 miles per hour on Lake Geneva, Wis.

Size varies from ice boat to ice boat, as many are custom made by hand, but they are separated into several international classes. There is no longer a manufacturer for iceboats. With either one or two seats, the boat has a mast with a sail and skate blades, called runners, extending from a cross plank on either side of the boat and at the front.

"Ice boating is pretty much all I do on the weekends during the winter," admitted Lemberg. "Our club has really seen a growth spurt during the last couple years. First our kids got involved, and now even our grandkids are out sailing."

I like to go whenever I get a chance," agrees Fanning. "If I don't, then conditions might not be right next time I do want to go."

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