Saturday, Kite Island

[scottman]

Anyone getting out Saturday, how is kite Island now?

I might head just north of the metro to check out Lake George and Coon Lake and Forest Lake, try and check out some new spots and see what's up with them.

[Tighe]

Hoping to get out as well. Wind forecasts have been backing down all week....arrrrgg. Looks like options to the S and W have higher forecasts. Things can change in 24 hours though. I think it's gonna be an early session if there is one to be had. I'm thinking dawn patrol somewhere.

[scottman]

Have you been out to Kite Island lately, I'm thinking of heading out there like around 9 am.

[Lloyd K]

There were about 4 or 5 kiters at the Island on Thursday. Wind was up and down, but I thought the snow conditions were good.

[Jason_L]

I'll be there as well. Should be decent. More new snow right now..

[jrjohnson1]

Me and another guy will be hitting Cannon Lake at the crack of dawn. It looks like the wind forecast is slightly better down there and there should be more snow as well.

[shera]

Just hit up lake Calhoun from 1 am to 3:30 am. Was awesome, a liitle surprised I was the only one there. Probably best suface conditions for a long time, 4-6 inches of powder! Sorry to all those that hit it in the am, I make some good tracks!

Yippee!

[MK]

Nice work Shera! Another full moon coming this wednesday... paging all night riders...

[Kelcher]

Where is this mysterious "Kite Island"?

[magicninja]

I tore up Lake Calhoun also this morning, got out at about 6am and rode till the wind lulled at 9. I just put up a bigger kite and kept on keepin' on. left at noon when about 10 other kiters showed up and the wind fell again. Good seeing people out again after the dry spell. later on, George.

[Tighe]

Nice Leah. I was thinking the same thing then fell back asleep.

made it to the lake before the sun though, just before 6am, and had one of the best as well. Untracked champagne powder, quiet endless turns, music humming in my ears as the sky slowly lightened and the stars faded. Rode the 14m till about 9 then switched to the 12m and rode till noonish. The wind clocked to the north so the entire length of White Bear was a playground. Oh it felt so good to be back out again in such great conditions. The sun was the icing on the cake.

Great riding with everyone, Randy, Rodger, Red, Bob, Keith, Geoff, Mike and that mysterious guy on the Windwing (who are you?). As always the hoots and hollars could be heard for miles.

Great to hear there were sessions being had around the region. Ah life is grand!

thank you thank you thank you....

[JRN]

KITE ISLAND: AN ISLAND off an arm that juts out into Wayzata Bay on LK. Mtka. Click on the "LAKES" heading, and look at the lower left column. U R definitely a NOOB, Kelcher...riding since 1/7/11!

[Tighe]

If you look on a map it is labeled Spirit Island. It is at the mouth of Wayzata bay, about 1 mile out on the ice from Wayzata. Check out the the other post, Tom Lowe has a good map to it linked in the other post.

Great location providing a wind shadow for rigging and access to the entire big lake.

ride on

[fabrino]

Calhoun was super this morning.. was out there from 11 to 12.30
and the snow was a dream..soft, deep enough and untracked..
the sun was out and the temp mild..
.. wind could have been 2 or 3 knots stronger but can't really complain..
maybe tomorrow night?

[Kelcher]

Thanks guys!

I actually made it to "Kite Island" today. (Well Kinda made it).... Special shout out to the boys who pushed my lil mazda off the island and back out into the lake.

Kite Island was pretty cool. I was expecting to see a kiteboarder maybe two... there was about 10 folks out there most riding 13m+ most up, down, up down. Seemed the wind was not playing nice around noon. Winds also seemed to be shifty. Although it might have been disappointing for some folks, I had a blast (minus getting the car stuck). I got a chance to meet Dave and Loyd, they were very helpful answering some of my n00bish questions about LEI kites and equipment.

I still stand a little anxious (wondering if this sport is going to require 4x wheel drive). I might just have to make a few friends and car pool in the future.

I did purchase my first kite a 10m SS Key somewhere around 1am last night... c'mon I can't wait for the mail!!!

[chuckrogwbl]

Hey Tighe, where were you guys launching from? Randy's place? Bellaire? I drove out with my buddy Joe and we were right between Bellaire and Mahdomedi beach. Had my pink best 10m up. Great day out there but we're both craving big air, hoping to get a bigger kite soon for these light wind days.

[Tighe]

We launched out of Randy's place, but others launched out of Bellaire, Montemedi and even Ramsey, then drove out to their launch of choice. The snow on the Eastern half of the lake was a bit thinner and you could drive almost anywhere. When the wind shifted around 9 to more northerly it was great to be able to run the length of the lake. You were in a great spot, right there in the middle. What a beautiful day, eh?