Open water anywhere?

[champlin]

Anyone know of any open water, I was thinking off the day of the swap, if it's nice out and some wind I was going to hit the water somewhere, any ideas?

[Diego]

Most of the lakes (except Milly) should be open by the swap day. Last year went to Ramsey, after waiting for
2.5 hours the strong SE wind showed up! it was a nice day... I'm hoping for open water in the metro in the next 2 weeks.

[Tighe]

Scott, you may have the date of the swap mixed up. It's been confusing I know. Someone posted that it was the 5th, which if it was this month it would be this Saturday but if it's May it would be a Monday. Well it is going to be in May, though at this point they aren't sure if it will be the 3rd or the 10th. Sounds like they are leaning toward the 10th of May.

Not sure if there is open water for this Saturday. I think I'm going to wait till we return from Padre to hop in the water here. I'm pretty shot from three long sessions over the last three days. I think the snow season is done now.

[steveb]

I drove over the bridge at Stilwater today, the rivers beginning to open up.If you go out on the river don't forget to watch out for debri floating and semi submerged.
For those of you who're semi new to this wind sickness, you probably haven't heard of Randy Johnsons face plant into a submerged dead cow .
Mmmmmm rare beef.

[MAXIMILIANO]

(Saturday) Clear Lake, IA warm and windy!

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... =graphical

[Jeff G]

Anybody know for sure if Clear Lake is completely ice free? Dave C., Diego and I found out last year that some open water doesn't help much.

[MAXIMILIANO]

Not sure....This is from aka "chummers" last weekend:

"Jay Corbett and I windsurfed on Clear Lake, Iowa yesterday. Only 125 miles from Minneapolis, straight south on I35".

[BSMITH]

http://www.clyciowa.com/

[RobH]

I can't say for sure but I have been hearing there isnt much open on Clear Lake - just where the aireator (sp) is at. So just how far south does one have to drive to find open water ?

[RobH]

Just talked to my Clear Lake buddy - sounds like there is a good chunk of water open - currently open on the north shore and still iced on the south shore

[mdh01]

Cool...so with a south wind on Saturday, the hatchery could work!

So tempting......

Mark

[Jeff G]

We showed up last year to open water near the city park, but the ice filled in as the wind blew it to shore. We ended up at the far west end of the lake trying to windsurf on the windward side. The wind kind of sucked. Dave C. braved the icebergs and headed downwinds aways. Diego got some rides, but I was too worried about getting stuck in the icy water to have much fun. it was a memorable adventure, but not a very good session.

[RobH]

Ill check again in the morning to see if the ice shifts out of the south bay, if it does break free from the south it has the potential of filling in the shoreline by the hatchery, then again that would leave the state beach free and that is shallow a long ways out where it might be possible to catch some decent wind there. Ill post in the morning if I hear back from the Iowa kite crew

[Chip]

I'm planning on the Mother this weekend. Not sure how much its going to build yet as the forcast is bit fluid at the moment. Snow, cold - must be spring.

I'm planning on getting wet for the first time this weekend. The beach will be ice free (enough) on Park Point.

[BSMITH]

Check out the cam. There are a couple kites on the water.

[RobH]

Those kites are Steve and Marty, Steve reported that City Beach was open and they were launching from there - the ice from the south might still blow that way but he thought it would be gone in the morning, if CIty is iced in the Hatchery should be open. Packing and heading that way in the AM

[Gust User]

North end of Pepin is open. I would be on the lookout for partly submerged bergs though.....