.One bright spot: maybe the lightning will scare off the casual crowd.
I'm hoping to be there Sunday, crowds and lightning permitting.
John
WBL Today
Moderator: MK
Crowds were so bad that people were parking up on the grass. When I drove through the lot (and left) the Sheriff was ticketing anyone on the grass. It was nuts. Like I said, if I can't make it to Cannon tomorrow I'm probably going to put my bike on top of my car, drop the car off at Ramsey, ride home and ride back when the wind picks up! 
John your concerns are very valid and I'm really glad you brought them up. Any time anyone has concerns like this please bring them up, either lakeside with the riders or here. We all learn through this type of discourse and hopefully we can prevent injury and reduce eachothers fears.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Ramsey is for experienced kiters only. Ramsey only works well on SE winds, which are directly onshore. If you aren't comfortably staying upwind as a kiter, please choose another lake with more sideshore conditions. The risk of injury to yourself and now with all the beach goers, to others is too high. Experienced kiters reduce their risk by working their way upwind right away. Why, becuase they know something unpredictable can happen and giving themselves a buffer zone from land reduces their chance of injury. If you can't immediately get upwind and you're not a solid rider yet, you are doubling your chances of serious trouble.
I hate to sound negative, but I really don't want to see a serious injury. The winds here are just too unpredictable. I've been riding along and got hit by a mega gust...no warning and was lifted 15ft up by 150ft downwind. No sign on the water, no indication where it was coming from. Luckily I was in the middle of the lake and rode it out. If I had been at Ramsey I'd most likely be writing this by blinking my eyes if they weren't permanently shut.
Reduce your risks. Choose a lake where you immediately have a buffer (sideshore) or if you are skilled enough minimize the time you are at risk and shoot upwind. Please.
Sounds like Matt you took quite a few precautions. Good thinking. Denis, you're a very solid rider and when I've seen you ride Ramsey you shoot way upwind.
There are a lot of new kiters this year. Let's do what we can to share what we know about a lake when we see someone new.
As always let's all respect everyone else's day at the lake.
Thanks again John for voicing your concerns.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Ramsey is for experienced kiters only. Ramsey only works well on SE winds, which are directly onshore. If you aren't comfortably staying upwind as a kiter, please choose another lake with more sideshore conditions. The risk of injury to yourself and now with all the beach goers, to others is too high. Experienced kiters reduce their risk by working their way upwind right away. Why, becuase they know something unpredictable can happen and giving themselves a buffer zone from land reduces their chance of injury. If you can't immediately get upwind and you're not a solid rider yet, you are doubling your chances of serious trouble.
I hate to sound negative, but I really don't want to see a serious injury. The winds here are just too unpredictable. I've been riding along and got hit by a mega gust...no warning and was lifted 15ft up by 150ft downwind. No sign on the water, no indication where it was coming from. Luckily I was in the middle of the lake and rode it out. If I had been at Ramsey I'd most likely be writing this by blinking my eyes if they weren't permanently shut.
Reduce your risks. Choose a lake where you immediately have a buffer (sideshore) or if you are skilled enough minimize the time you are at risk and shoot upwind. Please.
Sounds like Matt you took quite a few precautions. Good thinking. Denis, you're a very solid rider and when I've seen you ride Ramsey you shoot way upwind.
There are a lot of new kiters this year. Let's do what we can to share what we know about a lake when we see someone new.
As always let's all respect everyone else's day at the lake.
Thanks again John for voicing your concerns.
Tighe
For those who didn't make it: the parking was not a problem at Ramsey Sunday. There were big crowds of boaters, many scowling at the sailors, but the wind was lovely, the sailors were friendly, and the sun even peeked through now and again. All in a ll a great day of sailing.
I've been thrilled to see a few young people out lately. My kids were all out on Sunday, and they were happy to see the athletic teenagers out there ripping back and forth. Does anyone know those guys? I'd be interested to know how they got into the sport. I looked for them to say "hi", but they were on the water when I arrive, and *still* on the water when I left, despite sailing without a harness. Oh, to be young again!
John
I've been thrilled to see a few young people out lately. My kids were all out on Sunday, and they were happy to see the athletic teenagers out there ripping back and forth. Does anyone know those guys? I'd be interested to know how they got into the sport. I looked for them to say "hi", but they were on the water when I arrive, and *still* on the water when I left, despite sailing without a harness. Oh, to be young again!
John
WBL
Had a great time on WBL Sunday. Crowds were minimal and the wind was good. Great to see so many kites and sails up. My eye kept catching the 17.5 Machine on the lake ... wow this kite looks like fun.
-Matthew
-Matthew