LAKAWA

http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/ar ... f6878.html

In general, price competition on any airline route is a good thing. But what if Delta drives Sun Country away from Harlingen? Are there really enough people to fill two direct flights a day (all year)?

--Marc

Seems everyone had a great time Friday. There were three of us on Lake Washington: Arthur, George V. and myself. As Arthur put it, there aren't too many times each year that you're pumping up a 10m kite without putting on a wetsuit. Arthur: you forgot your pump. I can bring it out the next time we'r...

Coincidentally, I broke my foot skateboarding too, right at the start of kiting season back in 2010. Fractured three metatarsals, one completely displaced. Friends and coworkers politely suggested that kiteboarding might not be an "age-appropriate" activity for me.

Jag,

Yes! I picked up the harness. Sorry for not posting sooner. I'll try calling you. You can call me at (612) 275-9878.

--Marc
mriedel@umn.edu

Kevin and other wind gurus,

Looks like some kiteable weather this weekend. Looks like wind might be stronger down south, say at Clear Lake. Thoughts?

--Marc

Your forecasting skills are impressive, Kevin. Whenever the different sources are in conflict, you seem to get the call right. I'll be up at Millie tomorrow, but most likely at Malmo, since I'll be teaching my girlfriend.

--Marc

This story has a happy ending. Seems that you're doing just fine, Lloyd. No lasting injuries, and no brain damage from oxygen deprivation! Thanks all for the kind words. Truth be told, I don't feel any sense of elation or heroism, just relief. When I first saw Lloyd's face -- completely white from t...

It was a terrific day of kiting today at SPI, with winds blowing steady in the 25 to 35mph range. Unfortunately, there was a very near tragic incident. Here is my first-hand account of it. Location: south end of North Flats, South Padre Island, 300 feet from shore Water depth: 2.5 feet Wind conditio...

It was a terrific day of kiting today at SPI, with winds blowing steady in the 25 to 35mph range. Unfortunately, there was a very near tragic incident. Here is my first-hand account of it. Location: south end of North Flats, South Padre Island, 300 feet from shore Water depth: 2.5 feet Wind conditio...

I drove out to Lake Washington on Friday. It was my first time there. Considerably further than Waconia, but closer than Mille Lacs. There were only two of us -- me and Pete. I was completely lit on my 9m. Good, good lake on a NNW wind. The entire lake seems shallow. Might be a good option for Sunda...

Eu Han, Count me in for the condo. I'll only make it from Nov. 23 to 27. (I teach Tues./Thur. I can get one of my grad students or postdocs to cover for me, but I'm already missing plenty of teaching this semester.) At $100/night/condo, or $33/night/person, I'll gladly pay my share for the full week...

Eu Han,

I'm planning on going down to SPI from Nov. 3 to 8 with the LAKAWA group and then again from No. 23 to 27. So count me in for American Thanksgiving. (We Canadians celebrate Turkey Day much earlier in the year, in October.)

--Marc

Nick, There are at least three of us at U. of M.: Denis, Eu Han, and myself. (Given the size of the school, there are probably dozens more kiters, but these are the people I know.) From campus, it's about 45 minutes to Waconia. Email any of us when the wind is up; we should abandon our scholarly pur...

"VERY STRONG WEST WINDS WILL DEVELOP TUESDAY MORNING AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A COLD FRONT. BY THE AFTERNOON...SUSTAINED WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH. THE STRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED IN WESTERN MINNESOTA...WHERE SUSTAINED WINDS COULD BE AS HIGH AS 35 MPH WITH...

This picture is similar to others; I snapped it with an iPhone around 7:30pm last Monday. Shows Tighe boosting in front of the setting sun.

--Marc

There were only four of us at Malmo (and often only two of us on the water). Where was everybody on Tuesday? I saw three kites down by Father Hennepin Park, but it looked like they were north of the White Cloud Drive peninsula: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=isle,+mn&hl=en&ll=46.151832,-93.47...

You've all heard about this 50 meter kite?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr2MzMzTXoE[/youtube]

--Marc

tnautique, You can find plenty of information here: http://sandydan.com/sports/kitesurf/beaches/beaches.htm Belmont Shore is the most popular spot in the LA basin. Outside of the summer months, the winds are not very consistent. You'll have a much better experience if you drive north -- to C Street ...

Blow, blow, thou winter wind, Thou art not so unkind As man's ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh-ho! sing heigh-ho! unto the green holly: Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly: Then, heigh-ho! the holly! This life is most...