MN transplant from OR

[JohnK]

Hey guys and gals,

Just moved (7 days ago) to MN from OR and am looking for some kiting spots and some fellow kiters to share the stoke.
I am living near Hutchinson and have been eyeing the snowy fields, unpacking my gear, and waiting for some good wind. I mostly kited the gorge and some on the coast in Oregon so my quiver consists of a 6M, 10M, and 12M Switchblades...any suggestions on the kite sizes??

If anybody is kiting around the area and would let me tag along that would be awesome...(will chip in for gas, food, beer, etc..)
Looks like you have a great kite community here in MN and look forward to seeing you out kiting!

[Barry P]

Welcome JohnK!

More people kite here in the winter than in the summer (amazing huh?). In winter kiting you will find that the amount of friction or stickiness of surface conditions varies A LOT and affects you kite choice. So in fast conditions you need less kite than on water. In warm sticky conditions, more kite and a wax change (I find a coating of Rain-X helpful in warm soggy conditions). Last year we had icy conditions most of the winter and I was still kiting on a 9M in under 10mph winds. Anyway, you'll figure it out quickly. A lot of guys wear pads (elbow, knee, helmet, and even hockey breezers) in winter depending on how deep (cushy) the snow is. A frozen field is like concrete to fall on and a frozen lake even worse.

Jerry Sandell and Peter Rib kite out west quite a bit. Wind forecasts seem to favor the west of the cities more than the east, so you are in a good spot. We don't get 'Gorge' days here very often though, and I expect that 'Gusty' conditions will take on new meaning for you. Mostly: rig for the lulls and manage the gusts.

Near Hutchinson you have Lake Washington, Green Lake, and Lake Waconia all popular summer kiting spots. Once the ice thickens up, every lake is a playground. Once the ice is thick enough for driving on, Spirit Island becomes "Kite Island" on Lake Minnetonka and usually attracts a good showing of kiters on any kiteable day and wind direction.

Barry
763-232-2726

[Matt V]

Barry,

Rain-X on top of a new regular (hydro carbon) wax? I need to try this too. Do you do this in the field? (I never have used rain-x before)


John,

Your 6m will be useful on the snow like Barry said. 12m will most likely be your bread and butter kite, as in the kite you have the most fun on most of the time. If you weight more than 200lbs, you may need a bigger kite. If you are around 170lbs, your 10m and 12m set is what you would have if you could only have 2 kites around here.

[JRN]

USUALLY IT IS MN-SOTANS MOVING OUT WEST, but we're glad to have you. Enjoy riding with the West-siders this winter! You'll have to join us at "D'Bear" (White Bear Lake) and meet the East-enders, too. Have fun & be safe! You and Sea-Monkey can share Hood River tales.

[Barry P]

Rain-X: When we've got sticky/wet snow, I spray my ski bottoms and let it dry before before the bottoms get wet. Drying happens quicker inside, but in warm conditions putting it on at the lake before you rig works too. It doesn't last very long, but it helps. I'm kind of lazy, so rather than re-waxing with a warm snow wax I've done this on a sticky day.

[JohnK]

Thanks for the tips...been traveling seeing family and friends hope to get out riding here sometime after the holidays.
Any reports on the ice thickness. It doesn't look great and I don't see any people out on it.

Thanks again for the tips and I hope to see you out there.