Rochester Area Kiting?

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:23 pm

Where do people like to go kiteing in the rochester area? I just got a new kite yesterday and I'd like to take it for a spin after work. I have heard some talk about cannon. Or else any other places nearby that I could just go and fly around the kite even without my skis?
Bryce

BSMITH · Post by **BSMITH** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:40 pm

A few of us were going to head over to Cannon today but I don't think the wind is going to cooperate. It's just not looking good for wind the next few days. I'm sure it will come back when the snow has melted.

jim lehman · Post by **jim lehman** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 11:10 pm

Welcome, now we have 4 kiters in the area. Rochester is extremely limited for kiting. Cannon is probably the best spot, within 50 miles, it works well from all wind directions. Byllesby is good when the wind is out of the West. Give me a call and we will hook up, my cell number is (507) 251-6476. Pete and Bill also live in the area, watch for our postings. When time allows it is worth the road trip to the Cities and ride with the guys at KI or their area lakes. They are all very nice and welcome new riders. I have made a couple of trips to Millacs 2:45 drive, but the wind condition is usually good. I have a park next to my house that is good for just flying the kites on light wind days. Pete has flown in the park by RCTC and there is always Esses Park.

What kite did you get? Good luck and be safe.

Jim

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 5:36 am

Bryce, Lake Pepin in the closest place to kite around here. I had some great rides there last winter but none yet this year. You can ride there in any wind direction except SW. The Point is a good launch spot (look under the lakes link above). Find out locally what the ice conditions are like and stay in the bay and out of the river channel. There is lots of farm land around but frozen lakes hold snow the best so prepare to travel.

To just fly your kite and get used to it around Roch try Watson field (soccer fields) off of west river road in NW part of town. Century High School would be great but security will most likely ask you to leave. Any place where the wind is not being blocked will work.

Do you have an ice screw to anchor your kite?

Pete

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 2:57 pm

Well I just got a 13m 2004 Peter Lynn Bomba. I just went out yesterday to a soccer field on river road... I think that is happened to be the one Pete just meationed. There wasn't much to be had for wind.. but I got a chance to unroll it and check it out and I was attempting to get some air into it. I think the lack of wind caused some problems with that. I need to checkout the best way to inflate one of these kind of kites.

Nope I don't have a ice screw for my kite yet... I'll have to look into one of those. I need to upgrade some of my other gear too i suppose. A new bar would be nice....

Let me know if any of you guys are going to be taking off to anywhere. I live right near IBM (I am doing a co-op there through the summer). My cell is (701) 361-3999.

Talk to you guys later.

Bryce

Josh J · Post by **Josh J** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 4:10 pm

This Screw from REI works great for the money. I know you've seen it in action.

Irbis Titanium Ice Screw
$13.50 Item 693227

If you don't want to pay shipping order it to the Roseville store and I'll pick it up for you.

jim lehman · Post by **jim lehman** » Wed Feb 23, 2005 9:26 pm

You must live pretty close to me, I live in the Lincolnshire Subdivision off 48th Street NW. My store is the Hy-Vee off 37th street. Stop in and ask for me. I"ll help you as much as I can. Just be carefull the kites are extremely powerful and can power up very quickly. Before you know it you are being pulled across the ground or into the air. I strongly recommend a lesson if you are not comfortable with the big kite. I have a small 1meter foil kite I will let you use as long as you want before breaking out the "big boy".

Jim

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:55 am

Bryce, it's not looking good for weekend kiting around here but early next week perhaps. Are you able to get out on weekday afternoons or mornings?

What is you kiting experience? If you've never flown a traction kite it is a must that you serve your sentence on a trainer. I'd bum you my 3 meter to get the basics down if need be.

I've never dealt with your kite but would be willling to help. To fill that baby up you'll just need to lock on the brakes (that is what the ice screw is for) and the wind will do the rest. Give me a call.

Pete 251-4308

Bryce · Post by **Bryce** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:06 pm

I'll probably be able to get out of work in the afternoons if I know a day or two ahead of time. And if there is a windy weekend... I am usually free if I'm not out of town.

Thanks for the offer offers of the trainers guys, but I've moved on to the bigger kites now. Before the bomba I had a 9m 2 line old naish kite and a 10.5m 4 line naish. Both kites have helped me lots in my learning.. but I finally was forced to upgrade when they just became too much trouble to fix again. (That 9m naish has taken quite a beating.) Josh has a slingshot B4 that he has let me use from time to time.

I am pretty comforable with shooting around on my skis and done some little jumps into the air.
I can't wait to get out kiting again! I'm sure I'll see you guys around.

Bryce