Duluth Sat Aug 13th?

[Kosk]

Hey locals, the graph forecast looks light (13-17mph ENE) but rideable. In your experiences, will this hold, or not out on park point? Thinking about driving up in the AM with my mtn bike as the bail out plan. Thoughts?

[bscheig]

The forecasts I'm seeing suggest better winds to the south. Anyone planning an IA trip?

[smrsco]

Kosk- I'm keeping an eye on Duluth too. I just got a 15m kite I'm itching to try out. I guess I'll see what it looks like in the AM.

The forecast for Clear Lake looks promising but I'm not sure if there's a summer launch for north winds...

[sjh]

today looks like a repeat of last saturday down here in IA, at least where I'm at on West Lake Okoboji. it's 7 am and we have a choppy lake with a steady 10-15 NW flow, my guess would be 15-25 for most of the day/afternoon. the kiting is better on Spirit (west lake has holes galore) and probably so is the boater traffic/chop on the weekend. I would recommend heading to spirit from the cities before heading to clear lake. I believe info for the spirit launches are under the 'lakes' tab.

[JRN]

IT IS WEIRD...The NWS forecast looks okay for Duluth, but none of the others are following suit. I was hoping to stay local, but it is looking sketchy at best for local launches. Guess I'll take my cue from the actual real-time readings and go from there.
When is the Bullet Train to the North Shore going to be ready? I need it today!

[Randy]

Yes, the models were all over the place. Saw a building trend and decided to chance it. Hit Tot Lot and it was 15 from around 12-2pm, so I had a nice solo 12m session until it dropped off to 10mph. Then it was superb SUPing, going from 22nd to Canal Park. When I got back to 22nd it had come up, but not quite enough form my 12M with my skills. The sky looked ominous for awhile, but the sun kept on shining. Exhausted, it was great to just lay back for the evening from Bayfront Bluesfest with a spectacular sunset over the Duluth hills.

[RobH]

I seen SPirit listed in this thread. The lakes section doesnt list the launch access. Considering heading that way on Friday if the forecast lines up. Looks like Nw winds - does that work for Spirit and where would a person launch a kite from ?

[Tighe]

Spirit is a great lake Rob. For a NW wind there is a beach on the south side, though not sue how many swimmers there may be this time of year. I'll shoot a text to Spirit lake local Perry P. and see if he'll chime in with more info.

Enjoy

[Perry Pearson]

Big Spirit Launch Area
Sorry so late in response to the query. The access at the south end is across from the state fish hatchery at the spillway. We share it with bathers but when the wind is ridable
the swimmers are scarce. It is probably 2 line lengths long and about 35 yards of sand deep. 8 kiters or so is the max we have had out of there at one time. Google map has it as "Spirit Lake Outlet County Park". Weeds are not an issue but it gets deep really fast. Riding on a northwest there are two big holes in the wind about 500 yards out and 1/4 mile east.
Otherwise a good fetch of three miles coming down the lake,Come on down,we usually get similar wind to Worthington or Jackson Mn. I usually body drag out past the buoys
Sail on
Perry

[RobH]

Hey Tighe and Perry - Thanks for the response, looks like the forecast diminished and changed my plans. I was hoping to come down and catch the music, Kenny wayne Sheppard and Big head todd playing this weekend at Arnolds Park. If only the wind was going to blow would have been a great weekend to visit.

Thanks again