Search found 175 matches

by johntr
Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:27 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: trainer kite advice
Replies: 3
Views: 2154

trainer kite advice

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 ...
by johntr
Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:16 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Beginner Teaching on Saturday
Replies: 2
Views: 1744

Re: Beginner Teaching on Saturday

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...
by johntr
Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:39 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Beginner Teaching on Saturday
Replies: 2
Views: 1744

Beginner Teaching on Saturday

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 ...
by johntr
Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:10 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Thursday Session
Replies: 2
Views: 1604

Re: Thursday Session

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
by johntr
Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:34 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: SCREW WORK, LET'S RIDE!
Replies: 4
Views: 2393

Re: SCREW WORK, LET'S RIDE!

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
by johntr
Fri Apr 30, 2010 2:38 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Huge SW Wind Saturday
Replies: 22
Views: 9851

Re: Huge SW Wind Saturday

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
by johntr
Sun Apr 11, 2010 10:27 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: UofM Kiteboarders
Replies: 23
Views: 12513

Re: UofM Kiteboarders

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
by johntr
Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:47 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Sunday fun
Replies: 4
Views: 2502

Re: Sunday fun

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...
by johntr
Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:41 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: WBL Sunday after 4:00?
Replies: 6
Views: 2931

Re: WBL Sunday after 4:00?

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 ... ...
by johntr
Sun Jun 21, 2009 12:40 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: WBL Sunday after 4:00?
Replies: 6
Views: 2931

WBL Sunday after 4:00?

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
by johntr
Sun May 31, 2009 10:58 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: WBL Sunday
Replies: 0
Views: 1276

WBL Sunday

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
by johntr
Sun Apr 19, 2009 6:07 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Ramsey today?
Replies: 3
Views: 1756

Re: Ramsey today?

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
by johntr
Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:14 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: classic Reddy day
Replies: 18
Views: 5222

Re: classic Reddy day

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...
by johntr
Sat Jul 26, 2008 2:16 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Harness lines and foot straps - beginner's question
Replies: 6
Views: 2641

Re: Harness lines and foot straps - beginner's question

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...
by johntr
Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:30 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Saturday Sites
Replies: 3
Views: 1989

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
by johntr
Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:23 am
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Saturday Sites
Replies: 3
Views: 1989

Saturday Sites

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...
by johntr
Mon Jul 30, 2007 2:24 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Where to Sail on Tuesday?
Replies: 4
Views: 2239

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
by johntr
Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:19 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Where to Sail on Tuesday?
Replies: 4
Views: 2239

Where to Sail on Tuesday?

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...
by johntr
Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:16 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: who'll be the first in town to have one of these?
Replies: 2
Views: 1708

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=
by johntr
Mon Jul 30, 2007 12:01 pm
Forum: LAKAWA Chat
Topic: Windsurfing Gadgets
Replies: 1
Views: 1428

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...