Since this will be my first summer kiting here in mpls, I've got to get everyone's opinions.
Where is the best spot to kite within a few hours of the TC?
Here's what I'm used to, and what I value:
Nice launch with no trees, and plenty of grass...
Chest deep or less for at least 3/4 mile from shore...
No-gusty wind...
Bring on all comers, tell me where to go.
Jeff
Gearing up for summer
Moderator: MK
launches
Most of our launches are OK to pretty good. But, you are pretty much SOL on the "lack of trees" wish.
About the closest you will get to perfect launching areas is up at Superior. Even Superior has trees around pretty much every launch, but it's still pretty easy to launch out on and near Park Point.
Mille Lacs has pretty nice and open launches in a few places. Malmo, Garrison, and some random places on the north shore of the lake are pretty sweet. Launches around the south shore tend to have many more trees, not as many shallow-water stretches out into the lake, and more obstacles in general.
Waconia is OK - and there are plenty of friends around to help send your kite up. White Bear is so-so, with more boat traffic, good launching (with a buddy) at Ramsey on South winds and so-so launches for everything else.
My 2c worth.
-Coach
About the closest you will get to perfect launching areas is up at Superior. Even Superior has trees around pretty much every launch, but it's still pretty easy to launch out on and near Park Point.
Mille Lacs has pretty nice and open launches in a few places. Malmo, Garrison, and some random places on the north shore of the lake are pretty sweet. Launches around the south shore tend to have many more trees, not as many shallow-water stretches out into the lake, and more obstacles in general.
Waconia is OK - and there are plenty of friends around to help send your kite up. White Bear is so-so, with more boat traffic, good launching (with a buddy) at Ramsey on South winds and so-so launches for everything else.
My 2c worth.
-Coach
It's gonna be tough to get all you want.
I like Waconia for partial day trips. There is usually a good crew to hang with. The lauch is pretty good, shallow out a ways, and it is beautiful. The lakes to the south, like Cannon have better ( smoother and stronger) south winds though the launches suck.
Mille Lacs is by far my favorite lake in Minnesota. The Malmo launch is shallow almost a mile out...and sandy. Nice big grassy rigging area. The launch in the middle of the North shore is nice too, shallow a ways out, though onshore winds ( when south) The lake is so big the winds can get super steady. Very nice. The water is clean and never gets too warm.
Superior is great when the winds work( NE), though the water is usually frigid. You'll usually need a drysuit even in summer. The waves can be as good as any coast.
There are a whole bunch of lakes down West of Cannon that i want to check out. Most of the lakes I've posted here have been identified over the years as great windsurfing lakes. There has to be lakes that are not that deep, may have grass islands with smooth flat water downwind, and are open without trees around them. I want to explore more this summer to find better spots nearby.
In case you haven't heard. We do not kite Calhoun in the Summer. The danger is just too high. One broken line and a loose kite, rolling across the bike path taking out a mother and infant in a stoller and we'd never kite in Minnesota again. Calhoun is probably the most gusty lake in Minnesota anyway.
Spirit just over the border is amazing as well. A bit of a drive though sometimes it is only blowing down there.
we'll have fun. don't worrry.
I like Waconia for partial day trips. There is usually a good crew to hang with. The lauch is pretty good, shallow out a ways, and it is beautiful. The lakes to the south, like Cannon have better ( smoother and stronger) south winds though the launches suck.
Mille Lacs is by far my favorite lake in Minnesota. The Malmo launch is shallow almost a mile out...and sandy. Nice big grassy rigging area. The launch in the middle of the North shore is nice too, shallow a ways out, though onshore winds ( when south) The lake is so big the winds can get super steady. Very nice. The water is clean and never gets too warm.
Superior is great when the winds work( NE), though the water is usually frigid. You'll usually need a drysuit even in summer. The waves can be as good as any coast.
There are a whole bunch of lakes down West of Cannon that i want to check out. Most of the lakes I've posted here have been identified over the years as great windsurfing lakes. There has to be lakes that are not that deep, may have grass islands with smooth flat water downwind, and are open without trees around them. I want to explore more this summer to find better spots nearby.
In case you haven't heard. We do not kite Calhoun in the Summer. The danger is just too high. One broken line and a loose kite, rolling across the bike path taking out a mother and infant in a stoller and we'd never kite in Minnesota again. Calhoun is probably the most gusty lake in Minnesota anyway.
Spirit just over the border is amazing as well. A bit of a drive though sometimes it is only blowing down there.
we'll have fun. don't worrry.
Tighe