Best kiter launch around

[Chris B]

I have found my favorite lake for NW and E-SSE wind. Pepin has the best launch around. Hoksala park is located on the North side of Lake City. It is a large tent only campground. One of the best in the state. The water access is about a quarter mile walk from the parking lot to the beach through the camp ground. The beach is a long peninsula about 75 yards long and 25 yards deep. The beach raps around both sides of the peninsula so depending on the wind direction you can have a wind shelter. The water does drop off quick but there is plenty of beach to stretch your kite lines out. Not to mention a ten plus mile draw for the wind to smooth out. Next time I do this lake I would like to do a down
winder from Hoksala park to the marina point (7 miles!!). There is another point north of hoksala that has a sand bar the stretches way out into the lake/river. If memory serves me right I believe 1/4 across the lake. The lake narrows there in comparison to down town Lake City. The only access is a well groomed hiking trail about .8 miles long from
Frontnac State Park. So unless you are a novice Hoksala will work great. If anybody wants to go ride there just let me know. The only thing you have to beware of is it is a river and you don't want to end up on the Wisconsin side. The only closest way across the river is Red Wing. A 30 mile walk. So check the wind direction so you will be drifting toward the MN side.

[Tom L]

I have found my favorite lake for NW and E-SSE wind. Pepin has the best launch around. Hoksala park is located on the North side of Lake City.

Chris, I used to windsurf down there sometimes, in the 80's. I think that point get's completely covered with beached boats when it gets warm. It is a popular party spot.

Not sure if we are talking about the exact same location, but it sounds like the one I remember

If it is the same place, you probably have it to yourself until the end of June or so. Maybe on weekdays there wouldn't be too much activity there either. I remember that as being a great beach. Nice find, the wind & waves on Pepin can be great.

[mheinric]

I plan on boating on Pepin this Summer, and bringing some Kiting, maybe windsurf gear. We could try to meet up.

Mike Heinrich

952-474-0033
mheinrich@geometricconsulting.com