LAKAWA

Nice 4 inches of snow cover on solid ice at Pepin in Lake City. Smooth wind from the west.

Video shows what the conditions were like today.....


Mark

The main lake is slush, below a coating of 10 inches of snow. Not sure about the bay area at Breezy where the ice fest is held....I tried to snowmobile onto the lake and was stuck in deep slush about 25 feet off shore. Couldn't even walk out to setup my kite this past weekend due to the slush. Yuck....

Cool...I'm think I need one of those quad copters for video work...do you like yours and recommend the Phantom for this type of video work?

Mark

I too use a golf bag. But I use an actual golf bag, a soft sided bag made for traveling with golf clubs! I can fit my 140x42 board, two kites, bars, pump, wet suit, harness, and I include a single golf club (a driver) for added effect. It all fits in the wheeled golf bag and I keep it under 50lbs. N...

For those waiting for open water on Lake Pepin..it might not be too far away...the first barge of the shipping season made it's way through Lake City this week.

I checked out Pepin in Lake City today...still lots of ice, with a 50 foot channel of open water running the length of the lake. The edges are ice free 10-20 feet from shore out.

Mark

I've used the same Coleman rechargeable QuickPump for several years now. For $40 this works great and will inflate kites all day on a single charge. The key to optimum battery life is to not attach any of the included valve adapters and inflate your kite through the exhaust valve. Just hold the pump...

Dave,
I kited Aruba a few years ago. Below is a link to my posting from that trip: http://www.lakawa.com/post43327.html?hilit=aruba#p43327

I'll be back in Aruba the end of September for a friends wedding and plan to bring my gear along...

Mark

Sorry to hear about your board...good reminder for everyone to get a marker and write your name and contact number on your board. I've had several boards get away from me over the years... always had them returned.

Get your name and number on anything you want returned!

Mark

Bryce,
You are a man rich in stories and experiences...you must have a fridge full of Dos Equis beer!

I want to be "The Most Interesting Man In The World" too, someday....I'm such an under achiever.

Thanks for the inspiration!
Mark

Looks like Pepin is still iced over at least is at Lake City...

http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigatio ... pageid=188

Mark

I had an '06 frenzy 14m for a while. While it does have a lot of pull, even in light winds, I found it turned too slow for me. It was hard going between the fast turning inflatable and this slow turning foil. It is certainly something one can get used to, I probably didn't give it enough time.

Mark

Josh, There is always a surf, but how large depends on the weather...it is mostly driven by weather fronts through the area. This time of year, the prevailing wind is easterly (SE, NE), which helps. Bring your gear with you. The closest place to rent is in St. Augustine (Ocean Extreme Sports http://...

Josh, I kite the Jacksonville area often. I stay at the Marriott Courtyard, which is on Jacksonville Beach. You can walk right out of the hotel onto the beach, rig up and go. Huge beach area, especially at low tide. The photo below was taken this morning as I happen to be here this week! Another are...

Looks like you had some wind on Medicine!

I've had excellent luck with Airtime kite repair.

http://www.airtimekite.com/

Mark

Jeff,
Resize your photos to 800x600 before posting and they will fit fine for most everyone's screen size.

Mark

SE wind would line up nice at Hok-Si-La park in Lake City (Lake Pepin). I've not tried this park before though, anyone else have experience kiting from this location?

Mark

Dave,
I have a door 54 that I use in light wind and can usually stay on it up to around 20 mph and still have fun. I weigh 180.

I'm in Rochester too, so if you want to borrow it sometime, you are welcome to it.

Mark
mdh001@gmail.com

Bill, I have two Mako's and love them. I've owned a lot of different boards the last 5 years and settled on the Mako Freestyle as my favorite. I really like how smooth these are through our choppy conditions and love the surfy feel it provides. Another bonus is very little spray in the face due to t...