After almost 6 years in Portland, OR
I am now thinking about moving back to the Twin Cities
where I grew up before I moved away after college.
The reason I left in the first place was the shortboarding
and waveriding the Gorge offered. (poleboarding)
Now that kiting has exploded onto the scene
Minnesota is an ideal location for kiting.
I just bought 12M and 16M 2002 Aeros along
with a Slingshot Jarvis. Havent used either of them yet.
(learned on 2 lines, and a directional, but need more water time)
I am spoiled in the Gorge with lots of stores and expert
kiters all over the place as well as lots of lessons.
Heard about how well the Kitefreeze was organized
and run. Kudos to those involved in setting that up.
What is the scene like in the northern metro for
a newbie to get some lessons, kite repair/parts
people to launch and catch kites on the beach ?
Plus, does anyone know of any mechanical engineering
job openings in the area ?
Thanks
Portland Pete
Thinking about moving back to MN from the Gorge (new member)
Moderator: MK
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Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
Pete:
Looks like a bunch of people have read your post, but didn't have much to say. I think we're all thinking the same thing - we'd love to live in the Gorge, what the heck are you thinking moving back?!?!
Seriously, though, the Gorge is a great kite spot - way better than MN. Aside from Mille Lacs or Duluth, kiting in and around the city is a risky prospect. It is, of course, rewarding as all hell when you get a good day. But, the wind is the usual Minnesota flukiness alongside dangerous launches, boat traffic, and storm fronts.
I imagine one of your primary motivations for moving back is the fact that Minnesota living carries with it a unique style and high quality all-around. It probably has a better job market than Oregon, too.
Kiting the north metro is mostly relegated to WBL. Some drive out to Waconia, especially the further south and west you live. Those are just about the only decent day-kiting spots. Weekends or long days can make a drive to Mille Lacs or Duluth worthwhile. Kiting in the city at Calhoun is pretty much Verbotten!
There are usually a few people at Waconia or White Bear to catch your kite. Follow posts on this site to see where people might be. Lessons are tough - although Tighe has been teaching some, and I might be willing to hook you up with a lesson if he's unavailable. Shops - Scuba Center in Minneapolis - Larry is taking solid care of the kiting community.
So, welcome back if you pull the trigger on actually moving. Be forewarned that the kiting may not be as idealic as you hoped. Drop us all a line when you are in the area, and the local kiters will most likely welcome you with open arms (to catch your kite, of course).
-Coach
Looks like a bunch of people have read your post, but didn't have much to say. I think we're all thinking the same thing - we'd love to live in the Gorge, what the heck are you thinking moving back?!?!
Seriously, though, the Gorge is a great kite spot - way better than MN. Aside from Mille Lacs or Duluth, kiting in and around the city is a risky prospect. It is, of course, rewarding as all hell when you get a good day. But, the wind is the usual Minnesota flukiness alongside dangerous launches, boat traffic, and storm fronts.
I imagine one of your primary motivations for moving back is the fact that Minnesota living carries with it a unique style and high quality all-around. It probably has a better job market than Oregon, too.
Kiting the north metro is mostly relegated to WBL. Some drive out to Waconia, especially the further south and west you live. Those are just about the only decent day-kiting spots. Weekends or long days can make a drive to Mille Lacs or Duluth worthwhile. Kiting in the city at Calhoun is pretty much Verbotten!
There are usually a few people at Waconia or White Bear to catch your kite. Follow posts on this site to see where people might be. Lessons are tough - although Tighe has been teaching some, and I might be willing to hook you up with a lesson if he's unavailable. Shops - Scuba Center in Minneapolis - Larry is taking solid care of the kiting community.
So, welcome back if you pull the trigger on actually moving. Be forewarned that the kiting may not be as idealic as you hoped. Drop us all a line when you are in the area, and the local kiters will most likely welcome you with open arms (to catch your kite, of course).
-Coach
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Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
Hey Coach,
Yeah, all I wanted to do was move to the Gorge
but now that I am jibing, jumping, and riding waves
I am looking for more. I think kiting can offer more
in terms of water time, air time, and new tricks.
My family still lives in Minnesoda, however
I was hoping the kite scene would
be more of a reason to move back home.
The Gorge is one gusty place to learn to kite!
Alot of kiting happens when waiting for the afternoon winds
to build for 5.2 and smaller windsurfing.
Many kiters still prefer windsurfing fully powered on a 3.2
in 4-6ft swell. A 6-8M kite in those conditions can be
a wild ride and things can go bad very quickly.
I forgot how fluky the wind is and those throttle heads
on PWC's and boats. Both good points. As for the T-storms
I havent seen a good one in 3 years.
So looks like White Bear is about the only choice
on the north side of town.
Kite island sounds like a good place.
How do you get to it during the summer ?
Somebody have a pontoon boat ?
or do you swim ?
Still looking for a job
Portland Pete
Yeah, all I wanted to do was move to the Gorge
but now that I am jibing, jumping, and riding waves
I am looking for more. I think kiting can offer more
in terms of water time, air time, and new tricks.
My family still lives in Minnesoda, however
I was hoping the kite scene would
be more of a reason to move back home.
The Gorge is one gusty place to learn to kite!
Alot of kiting happens when waiting for the afternoon winds
to build for 5.2 and smaller windsurfing.
Many kiters still prefer windsurfing fully powered on a 3.2
in 4-6ft swell. A 6-8M kite in those conditions can be
a wild ride and things can go bad very quickly.
I forgot how fluky the wind is and those throttle heads
on PWC's and boats. Both good points. As for the T-storms
I havent seen a good one in 3 years.
So looks like White Bear is about the only choice
on the north side of town.
Kite island sounds like a good place.
How do you get to it during the summer ?
Somebody have a pontoon boat ?
or do you swim ?
Still looking for a job
Portland Pete
pete
don't worry it isn't as bad as Coach makes it sound. He is one of our best kiters and up there in skill with the pros that sail everyday on a coast..and he has a full time job and he has basically only sailed these conditions...so they can't be that bad.
It isn't the Gorge that is for sure. The more flexible your job is the better. Kiting allows you to get out considerably more than windsurfing. 10-20mph days can be really good. Escaping the city after work and sailing through sunset can be an incredible way to end the day.
Kiting here makes you a really good kiter, i.e. if you can kite here you can kite anywhere.
There is a great group of people that have gotten in to it. Right now it is probably 80% ex windsurfers though that is changing.
I like Waconia the best for local options. There is usually a good crew there, the sand bar makes for easy launching and landing and it is surrounded by farm fields. There are other options though. If you get to Mille Lacs you'll be in heaven. Surperior is also amazing, though can be cold.
Kite Island is more of a winter spot. Minnetonka is pretty congested in the summer with boats.
If you want a lesson, give me a call when you're in town. If you can get out on the ice it will really help your water progress.
welcome back
don't worry it isn't as bad as Coach makes it sound. He is one of our best kiters and up there in skill with the pros that sail everyday on a coast..and he has a full time job and he has basically only sailed these conditions...so they can't be that bad.
It isn't the Gorge that is for sure. The more flexible your job is the better. Kiting allows you to get out considerably more than windsurfing. 10-20mph days can be really good. Escaping the city after work and sailing through sunset can be an incredible way to end the day.
Kiting here makes you a really good kiter, i.e. if you can kite here you can kite anywhere.
There is a great group of people that have gotten in to it. Right now it is probably 80% ex windsurfers though that is changing.
I like Waconia the best for local options. There is usually a good crew there, the sand bar makes for easy launching and landing and it is surrounded by farm fields. There are other options though. If you get to Mille Lacs you'll be in heaven. Surperior is also amazing, though can be cold.
Kite Island is more of a winter spot. Minnetonka is pretty congested in the summer with boats.
If you want a lesson, give me a call when you're in town. If you can get out on the ice it will really help your water progress.
welcome back
Tighe
Yeah - I second Tighe's positive vibe. I just don't want you to have unrealistic expectations when moving back, it's no kite mecca. (and thanks for the props, Tighe. 
)
I do love Minnesota. Steve Blain said it best, "around here we don't really have the best of anything, but we've got a good bit of everything."
Variety is the spice of life, eh?
)I do love Minnesota. Steve Blain said it best, "around here we don't really have the best of anything, but we've got a good bit of everything."
Variety is the spice of life, eh?
Pete,
There used to be a mechanical engineering student that showed up every winter on Lake Calhoun with a new ice sailing invention. Was that you? I remember the cool steering linkages with shock absorbers only an engineer could invent.
I've been in Oregon for 8 years and am thinking of moving back to Minnesota too. I have family there and it sounds like the winters are more fun than when I left. I'm kind of stuck until the job market for computer/chip designers picks up though.
I remember another Pete from Calhoun. Pete "duck gybe" Wagner. He actually sawed the the back end off of his Minnesota long board and moved to the Gorge back in the 80's.
There used to be a mechanical engineering student that showed up every winter on Lake Calhoun with a new ice sailing invention. Was that you? I remember the cool steering linkages with shock absorbers only an engineer could invent.
I've been in Oregon for 8 years and am thinking of moving back to Minnesota too. I have family there and it sounds like the winters are more fun than when I left. I'm kind of stuck until the job market for computer/chip designers picks up though.
I remember another Pete from Calhoun. Pete "duck gybe" Wagner. He actually sawed the the back end off of his Minnesota long board and moved to the Gorge back in the 80's.
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Portland Pete
- Posts: 115
- Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:06 pm
- Location: pete at petegoodrich dot com
Hey Tighe, Coach, Paul
Thanks for the glowing reports, it will make moving
home much easier if I can continue my hobbies.
Winters will go much faster if I can kite.
Sounds like a few people are good enough to be sponsored.
Is there a listing somewhere of all the team riders ?
I would like to try snowkiting, I teach skiing and would
like to combine the sports. I have a couple pair
of twin tips, as well as some old school straight skis.
I am self employed right now as a consulting
engineer but I find myself working more often than
I would like. There arent as many jobs to choose
from ever since the economy dipped so I take
everything I can get.
This forum has really helped me learn alot about
the scene. I have never been to Waconia
I will have to check it out.
I am surprised that there arent more stores supporting
windsurfing and kiting. But I guess mail order killed
most of the small shops in the 90's. Does "TheHouse"
still have swap meets ?
And Paul, good to see another Minnesotan thinking
about moving back. I am not the same Pete that
was cruising around Calhoun on an icesurfer
or the guy that cut his board off.
My Minnesota windsurfing days were pretty much
1986-90. I sailed at WBL, Owasso, Josephine
Johanna, Long Lake...
Portland Pete
Thanks for the glowing reports, it will make moving
home much easier if I can continue my hobbies.
Winters will go much faster if I can kite.
Sounds like a few people are good enough to be sponsored.
Is there a listing somewhere of all the team riders ?
I would like to try snowkiting, I teach skiing and would
like to combine the sports. I have a couple pair
of twin tips, as well as some old school straight skis.
I am self employed right now as a consulting
engineer but I find myself working more often than
I would like. There arent as many jobs to choose
from ever since the economy dipped so I take
everything I can get.
This forum has really helped me learn alot about
the scene. I have never been to Waconia
I will have to check it out.
I am surprised that there arent more stores supporting
windsurfing and kiting. But I guess mail order killed
most of the small shops in the 90's. Does "TheHouse"
still have swap meets ?
And Paul, good to see another Minnesotan thinking
about moving back. I am not the same Pete that
was cruising around Calhoun on an icesurfer
or the guy that cut his board off.
My Minnesota windsurfing days were pretty much
1986-90. I sailed at WBL, Owasso, Josephine
Johanna, Long Lake...
Portland Pete