Friday - Saturday sessions

Eric S · Post by **Eric S** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:02 am

Friday looks good and getting better as the day wears on. Where to go? If you are working downtown, dump out a 4PM and get a few rides at Calhones. If you have more time should you go way north to the south shore of Mille Lacs or make a trip to the Brainerd Lakes area?

Spirit Island on Minnetonka is an option, NW wind works as you get away from shore. How is Waconia? We like to windsurf there during a NW. WBL should be too I'd recon.

Saturday looks like it might be good for a Dawn patrol. I think it would be cool to hit 2 different lakes in two days.

Where are you headed?

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:18 am

I'm headed to kite island. I have lessons later in the day that I've scheduled there, otherwise I might consider other options. The wind direction is not ideal for Island.

ride on

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:34 am

I'm already going to be at a meeting in 'tonka until 2, so I recon the island should be OK on a NW.

How'z about tomorrow? Mille Lacs might be really good, especially with the wind not exactly crankin' in the cities tomorrow. The wind forecast is a little better up there, too. Where is a good spot to kite in the winter up there? Izaty's?

-Coach

Eric S · Post by **Eric S** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:12 am

Mille Lacs would probably be fun. I've only kited on the north shore in the spring snow up there and it rocked. I was thinking if the wind was from the north there would be a few possiblilties The launch at Cove might have a road out to the point that could provide shelter like kite island.

Also a launch at the first picnic area on the way to garrison would provide a cool sideshore journey out to Poop Island (Spirit Island). We could try doing some slides and jumps over the rocks. Wakon might be good too but I've never been to the water down there. Come to think of it, the picnic area might be best becase there shouldn't be any fish shanties or snowmobile dropoffs. Just a guess though.

http://www.downhaul.com/maps/millelacs-southshore.gif

Mike W · Post by **Mike W** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:52 am

I am headed to WBL for a midday session. Come out and enjoy if you can.

BTW: Having been to the Island a few times lately, I would say that it beats WBL hands down for S-SW winds. For any other direction it is either a toss up or WBL has an edge.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:47 pm

Totally right about WBL, Mike... bummer is, I'm sitting in a meeting in 'tonka right now... Don't think I want to drive across town for the Bear. I'll wait until after rush hour.

-Coach

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Fri Feb 20, 2004 3:48 pm

Ther are many other launches on Tonka. I know Kite Island has a certain mystique and is easy to find, but there are launches that are far better for NW winds. There are several places to launch in Excelsior that are very easy access and perfect for N-NW. Also I've mentioned Crescent Beach which has parking and drive on access. That's where I'd be today but time is running short for me. Have a good ride where ever you go.

Coach · Post by **Coach** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:21 am

The drive out to the island is getting pretty sketchy... Might have to explore some of those other launches.

Or, you west-side rats should come out and check out WBL! You don't need to park on the lake to kite, and the launches are great!

-Coach

bmr · Post by **bmr** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:17 am

I'm heading out at Medicine around 10am if anyone wants to join th fun. Will probably be going for more technical grabby riding today since the wind is questionable.

Rig big for sure!

C ya!

~ Brad

foxx0171 · Post by **foxx0171** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:50 am

Much thanks to Scott Chapman who helped tow my car out of a hydroplane-created snowbank yesterday at kite island. Guess I have to slow down on the water!

Thanks again!

Michael

Eric S · Post by **Eric S** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:39 pm

I just got back from Crescent Beach. Nice launch for W-N wind. My friend used to live very near there so I'm familiar with the area but I forgot about the beach. Nice.

On the way back I took 15 into Wayzata to the beach. I saw one person on a blue slingshot kiting out at the island. I started out but got 100 ft and chickened out. My van has the worst traction.

Maybe tomorrow somewhere.

Tom L · Post by **Tom L** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 7:49 pm

Hey Eric, I met you up at Sturgeon earlier this season. I live right across the bay from Crescent. Crescent is actually good on a South wind too if you sail North to the area in front of the Narrows Bridge. The fetch is not as good as the island but it 's not too bad, as the wind curves around from way down in the upper lake. I didn't realize the road to the island was getting sketchy, not sure what is causing that. If you ever want some company and your out in this area, give me a shout. I kite in that area when I don't have time to go to the island.

Tighe · Post by **Tighe** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:11 pm

the road to the island was very flooded the other night. Not sure if it refroze in the evening. No need to flush the salt off the underside of the van though.

Anyone try it today? Still deep?

We may need a new road out there.

Hunter Welles · Post by **Hunter Welles** » Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:36 pm

I was out today but the wind was not the greatest. The water out there was like 8 inches deep in some spots. If its still like that for the kitefreeze i think i may have to get the 6 wheeler back out there as a shuttle. It can hold 4 others, can go over anything will float.