Over 10 years ago when I first created LAKAWA (then called LAWA) the goal was to let people know about other lakes and what they had to offer. I was seeing too many people learning on Calhoun and then only riding there and getting very frustrated and sometimes leaving the sport without ever trying any other of the great lakes this state has to offer.
So if you're frustrated with the sport, windsurfing or kiting, try some other lakes. Each lake has a little something different to offer. The bigger the lake, typically means the steadier the winds. Think about what is upwind of the lake. If the wind is going over the city to get to the lake it will most likely be more gusty than if it is open farmfields. Sometimes driving a little longer can mean the difference between a great session and a frustrating one. If I have a given amount of time, I'd rather drive longer and have a shorter, better session, than to have a longer crappy session.
I agree with Randy's post awhile back, that it's important to accept and take in the day however it presents itself, and...I'm gonna work the odds in my favor to choose wisely.
Try another Lake
Moderator: MK
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Floridakiter
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon May 30, 2005 7:58 pm
- Location: Jupiter, Fl
We have self banned ourselves from Calhoun for Kiting. The winds are extremely gusty, the launches lined with bikers, strollers, swimmers, children, etc. This is a an accident waiting to happen. One accident there and many of our city lakes would possibly face access issues. Besides it just wouldn't be fun in the gusty winds.
We do ride Calhoun in the winter, because you can walk out from shore and because there isn't nearly the traffic on the paths.
Please don't even consider it.
We do ride Calhoun in the winter, because you can walk out from shore and because there isn't nearly the traffic on the paths.
Please don't even consider it.
Tighe
Mike after last week's session on White Bear I have cause to renunciate WBL, but that wasn't my intention with this post. I was just trying to encourage riders to check out some of our states great lakes. Browse the lake section of this site. It is only a short list of all the great lakes.
Also, many times a little longer drive can mean a big difference in wind. Don't assume the wind is blowing consistently around the state. Check the current readings around the state, Check the animated wind.
I know many people like WBL. I have just never had a good session there...probably just bad luck.
Also, many times a little longer drive can mean a big difference in wind. Don't assume the wind is blowing consistently around the state. Check the current readings around the state, Check the animated wind.
I know many people like WBL. I have just never had a good session there...probably just bad luck.
Tighe
I just think the spirit of the Bear has it out for you, Tighe.
While many of us have great kite sessions there on a consitent basis, the lake does seem to have it out for you... I've seen you have more trouble on WBL than anyone else who kites there.
Just bad luck, I guess. I've never noticed the wind being any better on Waconia except a couple of key directions, SW wind really being the only serious reason to leave WBL for Wac.
But yeah - your point is a good one, it never hurts to try out different spots.
-Coach
(p.s. Tighe - Did you torture your teddy bear as a child or something? heh. just kidding...)
While many of us have great kite sessions there on a consitent basis, the lake does seem to have it out for you... I've seen you have more trouble on WBL than anyone else who kites there.
Just bad luck, I guess. I've never noticed the wind being any better on Waconia except a couple of key directions, SW wind really being the only serious reason to leave WBL for Wac.
But yeah - your point is a good one, it never hurts to try out different spots.
-Coach
(p.s. Tighe - Did you torture your teddy bear as a child or something? heh. just kidding...)
Awesome thread.
Tighe, thanks for introducing this rich thread. It takes us outside the notion that there's 'a' right place or wrong place to be, it challenges us to greater awareness of all the great sailing spots available to us, and points out the folly of complaint.
I recently heard someone say 'ignorance' comes from our tendency to 'ignore'. Years ago we didn't have all the available data to venture out to new sailing venues. We tended to lock into our sailing location, unaware that just a short drive away the wind was ripping. Just as we can ignore what's going on in our current political situation, with world economy, religious believe systems infiltrating our legislative branch, further development of nuclear warheads, etc...so can we 'ignore' what's going on with our weather and our sailing choices.
I hold deep gratitude for this site and all the great sailing days I've had from traveling a couple hours west, south or north. And for sure, I've had my days where upon my arrival to a new location the wind didn't happen and I've had to shift my appreciation to the beauty of the drive, the change of scenery, or the opportunity to meet someone I might not have met before.
In summary, holding the 'old road' to these ride sports seems to depend on our capacity to hold appreciation for the opportunity...opportunity to participate outside judgments of 'right' or 'wrong'...facing each wave as it unfolds before us...with increasing awareness to the the miracle, mystery and magic of our present moment condition...regardless of which lake we ended up at.
In comment to Mike's last post, I'd have to agree that when winds are from the W-NW, it's generally been stronger and steadier to the west of the Metro, when from the SE I think Ramsey's hard to beat, and with a S forecast at this time of year, it seems the two hour drive west or southwest seems to be where the stronger wind sits, even though our weather forecasters continually tease us with a forecast that leads us to believe it will reach us. A favorite spot for me this time of year is Glenwood. And of course, the SW part of the state is awesome and we hope as many as possible can join Bill and Jeff for the Worthington Windsurf and Music festival June 10-12. They put in a tremendous amount of work to put on party for us that's beyond compare with anything else in the country.
I recently heard someone say 'ignorance' comes from our tendency to 'ignore'. Years ago we didn't have all the available data to venture out to new sailing venues. We tended to lock into our sailing location, unaware that just a short drive away the wind was ripping. Just as we can ignore what's going on in our current political situation, with world economy, religious believe systems infiltrating our legislative branch, further development of nuclear warheads, etc...so can we 'ignore' what's going on with our weather and our sailing choices.
I hold deep gratitude for this site and all the great sailing days I've had from traveling a couple hours west, south or north. And for sure, I've had my days where upon my arrival to a new location the wind didn't happen and I've had to shift my appreciation to the beauty of the drive, the change of scenery, or the opportunity to meet someone I might not have met before.
In summary, holding the 'old road' to these ride sports seems to depend on our capacity to hold appreciation for the opportunity...opportunity to participate outside judgments of 'right' or 'wrong'...facing each wave as it unfolds before us...with increasing awareness to the the miracle, mystery and magic of our present moment condition...regardless of which lake we ended up at.
In comment to Mike's last post, I'd have to agree that when winds are from the W-NW, it's generally been stronger and steadier to the west of the Metro, when from the SE I think Ramsey's hard to beat, and with a S forecast at this time of year, it seems the two hour drive west or southwest seems to be where the stronger wind sits, even though our weather forecasters continually tease us with a forecast that leads us to believe it will reach us. A favorite spot for me this time of year is Glenwood. And of course, the SW part of the state is awesome and we hope as many as possible can join Bill and Jeff for the Worthington Windsurf and Music festival June 10-12. They put in a tremendous amount of work to put on party for us that's beyond compare with anything else in the country.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
Right on Randy! I will admit that I can be a creature of habit and easily ignore other lakes for my warm familiar spot on Wac. Exploration is part of the adventure and trying different lakes made me discover so many new places and smiling faces.
On the flip side, I would advocate that if you try a new spot as a kiter, go with someone who already knows the spot, or a buddy to check up on you. As always watch for your exit points on unfamiliar launches. If it is sketchy, don't go out. Safety first.
Explore, ride, smile. Life is good.
Denis
On the flip side, I would advocate that if you try a new spot as a kiter, go with someone who already knows the spot, or a buddy to check up on you. As always watch for your exit points on unfamiliar launches. If it is sketchy, don't go out. Safety first.
Explore, ride, smile. Life is good.
Denis
Re: Awesome thread.
What on earth are you saying?Randy wrote: religious believe systems infiltrating our legislative branch,
Topography
Maybe someone like the Nat'l Geoglogical Survey, would enable us to scope out which lakes lie at a favorable elevation to make for non-sheltered wind sites. That would allow us to pin-point the area and scout it out! Might hold new adventures for us all!! They didn't call him Merry-
weather for nothing.....
J.N.
weather for nothing.....
J.N.
Last edited by Jim N on Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reply to Rich
Hey Rich,
I feel a little like I'm being drawn out similar to a poker game...I was just trying to touch on the problems that seem to come up when we enter 'belief systems' and feel we have to impose those belief systems on others. I'm not standing above or out of the equation since I'm sure you could find many of my posts where I came across with a sense of 'knowing' that simply wasn't in the best interest of our community. The bumper sticker I'm thinking of would read, "If you’re stuck on your answers, please stay away from me, but if you’re willing to go deeper into the question, let's get together." In relationship to the original thread, have you ever had someone say, "Oh man, you missed it. You should have been here"...? I've even had people tell me I missed it because I was sailing a few hundred yards from where they were sailing. To answer your question, it’s my opinion that our current administration is drawing us into a poison pit that will be difficult to come out from as they remain attached to their sense of ‘correctness’ and their unwillingness to explore the question of ‘possible mistake’ or ‘lack of knowing’.
So...if you're sailing one local pond and you're still deep in the question of discovering all it has to offer...great! It's really about our openness to discovery of opportunities presented to us. I see 'belief systems' espoused by extreme right or left as door closers and seeing their growing influence I feel our 'opportunities' are at risk lest we become involved, participating in the directions our families, communities, state, country and planet are headed.
If you’re still confused and want to leave this…no problem. I suspect I’ve overstepped the bounds of this site and invite you to ring me with your thoughts or questions if you’re inclined. (612-590-0970) Peace, Randy
I feel a little like I'm being drawn out similar to a poker game...I was just trying to touch on the problems that seem to come up when we enter 'belief systems' and feel we have to impose those belief systems on others. I'm not standing above or out of the equation since I'm sure you could find many of my posts where I came across with a sense of 'knowing' that simply wasn't in the best interest of our community. The bumper sticker I'm thinking of would read, "If you’re stuck on your answers, please stay away from me, but if you’re willing to go deeper into the question, let's get together." In relationship to the original thread, have you ever had someone say, "Oh man, you missed it. You should have been here"...? I've even had people tell me I missed it because I was sailing a few hundred yards from where they were sailing. To answer your question, it’s my opinion that our current administration is drawing us into a poison pit that will be difficult to come out from as they remain attached to their sense of ‘correctness’ and their unwillingness to explore the question of ‘possible mistake’ or ‘lack of knowing’.
So...if you're sailing one local pond and you're still deep in the question of discovering all it has to offer...great! It's really about our openness to discovery of opportunities presented to us. I see 'belief systems' espoused by extreme right or left as door closers and seeing their growing influence I feel our 'opportunities' are at risk lest we become involved, participating in the directions our families, communities, state, country and planet are headed.
If you’re still confused and want to leave this…no problem. I suspect I’ve overstepped the bounds of this site and invite you to ring me with your thoughts or questions if you’re inclined. (612-590-0970) Peace, Randy
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
Breathe;
IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT
and again...
IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT - IN - OUT
and again...
OT - Re: Reply to Rich
Thanks Randy,
(Tighe - no more OT for me - last message I promise...)
I was trying to draw you out - good analogy. You have some strong opinions based on your choice of words. I don't know how fruitful a message board discussion can be, but it is nice to get a little back-and-forth once in a while.
If the poison pit you describe is Iraq, one could just as easily describe it as: A free and democratic nation where hope-crushing genocide under a brutal dictator used to be. It's one's perspective, as you would say.
It is also difficult to assert that everything that has happened is somehow the result of an administration that has some hidden religious agenda. Congress is not a religious body - they were duly elected (not appointed) - and yet they voted to approve the war and every subsequent request for funds. Several if not all of those votes were unanimous. The war was the top story for months on every news program. The statistics, video, everything was on display during this war. Seeing this, the people of the U.S. voted in greater numbers than the first time to re-elect our President. That has to mean something.
Ultimately, I agree with your call to participate in government. It's the only way to change what you don't like.
Rich
(Tighe - no more OT for me - last message I promise...)
I was trying to draw you out - good analogy. You have some strong opinions based on your choice of words. I don't know how fruitful a message board discussion can be, but it is nice to get a little back-and-forth once in a while.
If the poison pit you describe is Iraq, one could just as easily describe it as: A free and democratic nation where hope-crushing genocide under a brutal dictator used to be. It's one's perspective, as you would say.
It is also difficult to assert that everything that has happened is somehow the result of an administration that has some hidden religious agenda. Congress is not a religious body - they were duly elected (not appointed) - and yet they voted to approve the war and every subsequent request for funds. Several if not all of those votes were unanimous. The war was the top story for months on every news program. The statistics, video, everything was on display during this war. Seeing this, the people of the U.S. voted in greater numbers than the first time to re-elect our President. That has to mean something.
Ultimately, I agree with your call to participate in government. It's the only way to change what you don't like.
Rich
Thanks.
I truly enjoyed the responses from you...yes Eric...it's always about coming back to the breath, isn't it? In...Yes....Out...Thank you...
I'm very grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunities presented in our democratic society. Rich...I wasn't going into who was 'wrong' or 'who was right'....I see this as counter productive.....my main point is that we forever need to move from monologue to dialogue for an effective democratic society (this was the poison pit I was referring to). From my very very limited perspective on the universe, it seems as though we're going backward in our 'willingness' to talk/listen politics as our expression of spirituality.
So, in a nutshell, the next time you hear me complaining or comparing one sailing site with another, slap me on the head and tell me to come back to the breath. The next time you hear the word 'should' from my mouth, call me on it. The next time you hear me say, "I know", call me on it. I've somehow stepped out of the mystery of the question...the moment.
Tighe, again, thanks for the freedom and community this site brings to us.
I'm very grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunities presented in our democratic society. Rich...I wasn't going into who was 'wrong' or 'who was right'....I see this as counter productive.....my main point is that we forever need to move from monologue to dialogue for an effective democratic society (this was the poison pit I was referring to). From my very very limited perspective on the universe, it seems as though we're going backward in our 'willingness' to talk/listen politics as our expression of spirituality.
So, in a nutshell, the next time you hear me complaining or comparing one sailing site with another, slap me on the head and tell me to come back to the breath. The next time you hear the word 'should' from my mouth, call me on it. The next time you hear me say, "I know", call me on it. I've somehow stepped out of the mystery of the question...the moment.
Tighe, again, thanks for the freedom and community this site brings to us.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
Respect, curiosity and a sense of warmth
Ah, Steve (and Eric)...leave it to you to always bring us back to our humor in an effort to never take ourselves too seriously.
As to which beach, I guess there are as many beaches as there are paths, thanks to those 'aware enough' (most recently Chickee) to the forces who'd have us go elsewhere. I've personally sat across the table from those in power who were aiming to shut down Calhoun, St. Croix River, Mahtomedi Beach, Crissy Field in San Francisco and the Washington side of the Columbia. It's the power of respect, curiousity and a sense of warmth that led us through difficult times and continued access. Attitudes of judgment, 'rightness' and 'wrongness' seldom led us to any positive result.
A ride is a ride is a ride...no matter what form it may take. For me the question gets to be one of our 'willingness to show up' no matter where the beach.
As to which beach, I guess there are as many beaches as there are paths, thanks to those 'aware enough' (most recently Chickee) to the forces who'd have us go elsewhere. I've personally sat across the table from those in power who were aiming to shut down Calhoun, St. Croix River, Mahtomedi Beach, Crissy Field in San Francisco and the Washington side of the Columbia. It's the power of respect, curiousity and a sense of warmth that led us through difficult times and continued access. Attitudes of judgment, 'rightness' and 'wrongness' seldom led us to any positive result.
A ride is a ride is a ride...no matter what form it may take. For me the question gets to be one of our 'willingness to show up' no matter where the beach.
Ride...just be it!
www.just-be-it.com
www.just-be-it.com
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steveb
- Posts: 2146
- Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2002 3:31 pm
- Location: sblain@frontiernet.net
Randy.. I'm glad you took my post as my usual sick sense of humour, it's the nature in which my comment was intended.
I want to save some of your points for discussion at Worthington preferably while partaking of some frothy libations ( whoops ...forgot you turned to the darkside, can a man have a serious conversation while drinking soda? another topic! ). There are some things I have been concerned about of late and I'd love to see what you think.
Just for the record, marginal caps at Cedar today, just to throw another lake into the discussion.
I'm stuck at work so someone please go out and play today.
I want to save some of your points for discussion at Worthington preferably while partaking of some frothy libations ( whoops ...forgot you turned to the darkside, can a man have a serious conversation while drinking soda? another topic! ). There are some things I have been concerned about of late and I'd love to see what you think.
Just for the record, marginal caps at Cedar today, just to throw another lake into the discussion.
I'm stuck at work so someone please go out and play today.