Sunday WBL

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 8:38 am

Hoping for a session this afternoon if the wind swings around out of the west and rain in minimal - probably bellaire. Not sure of kite launching at Mahtomedi but it might work without the docks. ETA around 230-3pm. Call if interested 651-485-4571

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:33 pm

It's looking more like a dinner session if at all at WBL. Hopefully the wind will still come up. Looks very good to the southwest.

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:07 pm

Avery and I scored a sweet dinner session at bellaire from 5 to 7 pm. 15 to 20 mph with some mid 20 gusts. A bit of a windshadow to deal with but plenty of wind out in the middle. Avery was on his new 11 waroo pro and was nailing some sweet raley loops and was just rocketing upwind on that kite. I was on my 15m waroo which will definetly be my work horse for the season-I was pleased that I was still able to hold on/depower sufficiently enough to stay out when it was 20mph+. The 2007 11m and 15m will replace the 12m and 16m combo of last year.
Wasn't for a moment bothered by the water, temp or rain.

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:35 pm

really weird...I was jonesing to get out but the wind did not get here till 6pm.....how can 30 miles make such a difference?.
If I wasn't off to Padre next weekend I'd sulk.
Glad to hear you guys like you're new kites, ain't it fun having new toys to play with.

Dave Z · Post by **Dave Z** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:17 pm

So there I was at 3:30 p.m. down at Bellaire looking at glass beating myself over the head for not driving over to Wack after hearing the Glencoe airport readings of 20 knots. My "time window" was too narrow and I gambled thinking the wind would make it over to the East side of town earlier....but it didn't - I'm with you Steve - I'm heading down to Corpus in 10 days so I'll quit sulking.

AndyBert · Post by **AndyBert** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:23 am

Kurt,
Quick question for you regarding the 2007 Waroo. I have a buddy that is looking at Waroo's for his first kite to learn on. Assuming he will only have one kite, we were looking at a 13M 2007 Waroo. He has been out on my gear a few times this winter and will be learning to kite on water around here this summer.
What do you think about the 13M for a 1 kite quiver for max wind range?
Andy

steveb · Post by **steveb** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:50 am

Andy...how bigs your Buddy?.

drknap · Post by **drknap** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 12:03 pm

Andy
A couple of thoughts.
Someone just starting out needs to learn the ropes with a trainer kite first and then work up to a larger kite. Perhaps and likely this has already been done with your friend. If not, Tighe can certainly hook you/your friend up with lessons on a trainer foil kite.

How much does your friend weigh?

A one kite quiver in MN probably won't cut it. Two kites is a more reasonable number. That being said, the SLE and bow kites (waroo and TD for example) have considerable depower and allow for a huge range of wind speeds. Depending on your skills, you can really maximize the use of one kite. Many of us ride one kite 80-90% of the time in MN. I think most would agree that for an average sized adult male, the 12m-16m combo is ideal for MN. As mentioned above, the 2007 line of waroo would be a 11m-15m combo. You could split the middle and get by with a one kite quiver, i.e. 13m Waroo for average male, but you will loose low and top end (wind speed) sessions. If one really starts to get into kiting, you'll end up wishing you had got the 2 kites. Again, you want to become proficient on the smaller kites and work up to the inflatable 13m. If you decide to buy 2 kites, then the smaller is better to start with.
Larry at the Scuba Center will have a bunch of 2007 waroos in soon. He will match and beat any internet price so it is worth your while to talk with him. Drop me an email at kurtwalstrom@yahoo.com if I can be of further help.