Shawn Cox wrestles his kite into position prior to flying the 16-square-metre wing over the snow at Slack Slough on Monday morning. Cox was hoping for some strong chinook winds to pick up and give him the chance to practise his kiteboarding skills for the first time this winter. The avid snowboarder has found the sport of kiteboarding a natural extension of the sport of snowboarding. Participants harness the power of the wind to drive them across snowy fields and lakes.