Lake Pepin ~ Saturday

[Pete]

A few of us are planning to windsurf from the public boat launch that is about 3/4 of a mile north of Lake City. i-windsurf and the Operational (formally knows as the Experimental) are in agreement that this launch MIGHT be the place to be. The thing about this launch is that it is shallow close to shore so the waves tend to jack up. This launch is best on a N wind. Shallow area goes out a ways so is user friendly for kiters who like to drift launch. Beer will be guzzled and smoke will be wafting.

[Elkman]

But is it workable enough for a less-experienced kiteboarder like me? Having a shallow area would be good, but I wouldn't want to start out in Lake City and end up in Wabasha... or worse yet, Winona or La Crosse or the Quad Cities.

I was thinking of Lake Washington near Dassel tomorrow, but I wouldn't mind trying Pepin out if I'm not going to get totally lost downstream.

[Pete]

If you can stay up wind like a champ I suspect all is well. The shallows I refer to will work well to drift launch but this place would never be recommended as a good learning spot. Hope that helps.

[Monster]

Hello Pete,

I'll try to get there tomorrow too.

Sasha

[Elkman]

Unfortunately, I can't stay upwind like a champ. I'm still working out that part yet. (At least one of the locals at Waconia helped me out with that this evening, though. He treated me to the ride of shame so I didn't have to do the walk of shame.)

I also checked, and it looks like I wouldn't make it all the way down to the Quad Cities, because there are a couple dams downstream from Lake Pepin, and I don't think they allow kitesurfers through the locks.

[GrahamMansell]

Elkman....you have the same feeling. but hey.the ride of shame isnt all bad...you get to ride a jetski! who woulda thought. i do that once a month. maybe. but, yeah. i was at waconia last weekend on a 9.and i was underpowered and got drug downwind..lost my kite.and screamed at the top of my lungs for help!!!! it was a nice jetski though. hahaha.



Graham

[GrahamMansell]

as far as kiting pepin.....its a sketchy launch. the point up by the rest stop on hwy 61 is okay.but its rocky, and yeah you could drift launch, but theres kids with boats and stuff, fisherman, its sketchy. ride malmo..dial staying up wind. im in the same boat bro. i always blame the gear. haha


Graham

[Pete]

Pepin was 7.0 yesterday. Switching between 180 liters and 130 liters kept the ride going into the evening. Nice day! Mike Nelson Photo.

[Tighe]

nice shot

[TV]

Small waves, big air. Well done!
Tim

[Dave Z]

Yeah Pete...for equipment that big that's some very nice air!

[Pete]

What...how do you know that is me? Oh yea, the balding spot on the top of my skull.