LAKAWA

I'm thinking about getting a small kite to experience kiting with, while safely on land and wearing shoes (not skis!). What are the best ones these days? What size makes sense for a 180 pounder? For his much lighter wife and daughter? I've read about 4.0, 3.0, and 2.0 sizes, and 4 line, 3 line, and ...

I heard a rumor that the Waconia weeds were horrible this year. Would you say that's accurate? Milly sounds like a fascinating possibility for teaching a beginner, because of the shallow sandy beach. The two concerns I had are: - I've only ever sailed at Malmo on an onshore breeze. The rollers there...

Hi all. There is a beginner I'd like to teach to windsurf and Saturday looks like a possible day. Unfortunately, the West wind predicted is not good for teaching on White Bear, my normal hangout. Where would you recommend going to teach a beginner in a West wind? We're happy to drive an hour or two ...

I'm going to try Ramsey. Haven't been there this year, so I guess I'll be re-learning the slalom course around the rocks.

John

I'm thinking of getting out for a mid-morning session at WBL, while conditions are beautiful. Anyone else going? Perhaps an early lunch?

John

Where do people go on Wac on a SW? I'm used to WBL, but except for the narrow beach at Maht it's not too nice on a SW. Is Wac having water level issues, or is that just WBL?

John

I didn't know Marc Riedel was a kite boarder! I'm John Riedl, also a prof .. but I'm a windsurfer, not a kite boarder. I've met Marc just a couple of times, but we're actually in the same building (EE/CS).

Best,
John

Yes, it was a great day for windsurfing down at Maht. That long fetch all the way across the lake was lovely. (Launching was a pain, though: had to swim away from the pier :(.) I, too, saw a windsurfer catch air -- at least a couple of times. I saw one guy -- I think Dave Z -- who forgot he was on a...

Yes, it was a fun day. I was one of two windsurfers out there, and despite some rough times keeping weeds off my fin, it was a blast. I did see one kiter doing some dangerous stuff. The guy with the card symbols on white shorts was doing tricks right next to the pier, which seems suicidal to me ... ...

Anyone looking to get out Sunday at 4:00 or so? Looks like it might clear (and blow!) at least briefly. What do the prognosticators say? It is Fathers Day, so I'm predicting at least enough wind top torture those fathers with small children who can't get out today.

John

Anyone going to be trying WBL today? Looks like the wind is supposed to clock around to SW later today, which is no fun. I'm going to try to get out by around 12:30.

John

What are conditions like on White Bear Lake this year? I saw an article in the Pioneer Press that said the water level was *very* low . Has anyone been out yet this season? How are the rocks?

Thanks,
John

Sunday was my first visit to Mille Lacs. Quite the experience! I've never sailed on a beach that wide, broad, sandy, and shallow. What a blast. Why were there no other windsurfers at Reddy? (I was *struggling* with my wide board, but kept expecting to see a couple of small board folk shredding it up...

Vicente: I don't notice that I need to change the position of the harness lines when I get in the straps. I do notice that in higher winds I have to slightly move the harness lines back so I can sheet in -- but that's a very small move. In general, I think you should aim to have the harness lines ba...

Great news they've taken the dock out!

What's the Rutherford launch? It's not on the Lakes page, and I've never heard of it before. Is it the one NE of Ramsey the kiters have been using lately? How do I get there? Is it good for beginners?

Thanks,
John

Hello all. Looks like nice wind and a pleasant day on Saturday. (None of that excessive heat to spoil the ride!) Where are people going? The only place I regularly sail is White Bear Lake, and it's not too nice on a SSW, unless Maht is open. Has anyone been to Maht yet this year? How does it do on S...

How about Calhoun or Waconia? Is one of them a good place to teach beginning windsurfers in a SSW? From the "Lakes" description it looks like Wac would be great.

Thanks,
John

Hello all. Tuesday looks like it might be sailable, but it's SSW, which doesn't work for my usual launches at Bellaire or Ramsey. Has anyone been to Maht this year? Any hope? Also, I've been helping a couple of friends get started in the sport, and Maht would not work for them. Any places near the m...

Here's an instructional video that has about 3 minutes of rigging and about three minutes of sailing on water. Crazy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fhHVD6X ... ed&search=

Fun topic. I haven't seen the Waterstarter before. I find the clew sinking a *big* issue on big sails (9.5 or 10.5), when waterstarting. I have to be very conscious to swim towards the wind while popping them out of the water, or the clew won't come out. With smaller sails this isn't as big of an is...