"Even though we only had one day of kiting, it was well worth 12 hours of driving. It was a blast." ....Jeff Gandee in describing a recent trip from Washington DC to Erie. Jeff Gandee, 28, of Washington DC, has kept his ears on NOAA weather reports for the past three years always hoping to find the perfect winds for his sport, kiteboarding. He found the conditions on Lake Erie waters at Presque Isle State Park ideal for a thrill ride recently. Winds exceeded 35 knots. So Gandee packed his gear, took the day off of work, made the six-hour drive to Erie and, soon after jogging through the beach sands, found himself 20 feet above roaring waves while high winds toyed with his kite. Although self-taught, Gandee doesn't recommend the same approach to anyone planning to learn kiteboarding. "Gusty winds are dangerous and not suitable for beginning riders," he says. "It's too easy to get hurt." Gandee said he can practice new tricks when winds are calmer, but not this day. He was simply fighting with nature. "It's the most exciting activity I've ever done." ROB ENGELHARDT/