advice on kiting this week + can anyone lend me a board?

[kiteGermany]

Dear MN Kite Community,
I am a passionate kite girl from Germany. I am visiting the Twin Cities for work this week. Maybe I should add I used to live here (1997-2003), but that was before I started kiteboarding. I brought my 13qm kite (I was told wind is light around here, so I brought the largest kite I own) and was hoping to try the lakes. I've been kiting since 2005 and just got back from a 2 week kiting trip to Greece. Anyways, I am writing because I was hoping to get some advice/help from the local kite community.
a) any advice on where/when to kite this week? I am free all of Sunday, but could also take a half day off during the week if conditions are good. So if anyone is headed to a lake some time this week, I'd appreciate if you could let me know. I just have no clue which lake is good for which wind directions etc.
b) I did bring my kite, bar and harness but couldn't fit the board into my luggage. So I was hoping I could find someone willing to lend or rent me a board. Anyone???

Thanks so much for any advice you might have. Actually I just saw that there is good wind tomorrow (Wed) afternoon at Waconia and White Bear Lake. Anyone headed there tomorrow??? Would love to join in for a session...

I look forward to meeting some of you.

Michele

[kiteGermany]

Just as a follow-up to my earlier post: anyone going to a lake this afternoon? I'd really love to go, but still looking for a board (happy to pay!). Plus I didn't bring my pump either... and of course I wouldn't go out if none of the locals was there. Safety first...

[KitingKen]

Welcome to MN. Wind looks like its picking up today. Boat launch on Lake Waconia may be good this afternoon as well as Lake Mille Lacs if you want to drive a couple hours. Check out this link for lake tips...

http://www.lakawa.com/lakes/lakes.html

I don't have an extra board, sorry, hopefully someone else answers your post.

[JRN]

Michele, I hope to get out to Bellaire Beach on White Bear this afternoon. You can borrow my smaller board and a pump if you show. Just click on the lakes section of this site and follow the directions for the arrow on the south shore. Hope to see you there! I will be in the little blue chevy HHR. Jim N.

[kiteGermany]

Hi Jim, thanks so much for the reply and your offer to lend me your board. I just saw it too late, was checking messages all morning and when I didn't get any positive replies by noon just sort of gave up and worked instead. If you plan to go again later this week, let me know. Although wind forecast is not all that promising, I guess... Michele

[fabrino]

Hi all

Just in case someone thought Michele is troll, she is not.. she is a good friend of mine, UoM alumni and since I am not yet back in MSP
I told her to post here.. yes she is a girl and yes she does kite!!!

actually she is a very good and very careful kiter (better than me even though it does not mean much. )
and she'll bring back your board.. so if the wind picks up I hope someone can help her out to kite our beautiful lakes...

btw, yesterday I was kiting here

valmadrera.jpg (89.72 KiB) Viewed 6010 times

fairly spectacular spot.. it will feel strange to go back to our flat-lands..

ciao, see you all in few weeks, ready for the Fall winds..

[JRN]

I hope I didn't miss you. The wind shifted and I ended up doing a down winder to Wildwood. Were you able to ride yesteday? I heard that the wind was steadier at Waconia. Enjoy your visit!

[Tighe]

Sorry to have missed this thread.
Last night was a good post work session at white bear. I have an extra board if the winds come up in the next few days. I just scanned the forecasts and as of now, things don't look great for the weekend. Our forecasts have been all over the board lately though. Fingers crossed.

What's the best way to get ahold of you if there is a sudden change in conditions? You can call me at 651 dot 428 dot 4121 if you see the trees moving.

Hope you get a chance to ride one of our great spots hike you're here

Ride on

[MK]

Same here Michelle. I've got a few boards at the store in White Bear Lake and also at my home in Maple Grove. A few demo boards from Crazy Fly too:)

[kiteGermany]

Thanks Jim, Tighe and Mike for the offers to lend me your boards! Very much appreciated.
But maybe it's not meant to be. The wind forecast looks pretty bad for the next couple of days and then I am leaving again on Monday, unfortunately. Thanks again and have a good rest of summer in Minnesota. Maybe next time. (I usually visit about once a year)
Michele