Hi folks,
I'm new to town, and have been kiteboarding in Texas for the last year. This is a great online community! I am trying to find a good article that is dedicated to introducing the ins and outs of icekiting (or snowkiting, or whatever it's called), and particularily doing it here in Minneapolis area.
Can someone lead me in the right direction? Also, if I were to come out and watch and meet kiters, where is the best place for that? Calhoun, Mtka, Waconia? Etc.
Thanks. Hope to meet some of you real soon!
Jeff
Ice kiting intro
Moderator: MK
Welcome.
You've come during a very odd year. Typically we only have a week or so of glare ice then the lakes are snow covered. This year we've had glare ice since thanksgiving. The glare ice conditions are unique so we are sort of writing the book. There are some skate kiters in Europe, though not sure where. If you are a proficient skater, the conditions are some of the best for speed, and tricks.
As far as kite skiing/snowboarding goes, the sport is growing rapidly on a national basis. Here are a few links with some good info
http://www.realkiteboarding.com/
http://www.kitesnowboard.com/
http://www.kitesnowboarding.net/
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?forum=6&63
There also is some info in the knowledge section of this site.
As far as local info, ask away, this forum is full of more opinions, wisdom, and a dash of BS than you'll ever need.
People are kiting on almost any frozen body of water, though the places that tend to have more than a kite or two are Calhoun, Waconia, and Minnetonka. Calhoun is convenient, though can be gusty in some directions. Waconia is just a great lake surrounded by farm fields. Tonka has kite island which is pretty much an ideal launch landing spot ( when you can drive onto the ice). Check here for happenings. Feel free to rally people to any spot that has great conditions.
hope to meet you in the wind
You've come during a very odd year. Typically we only have a week or so of glare ice then the lakes are snow covered. This year we've had glare ice since thanksgiving. The glare ice conditions are unique so we are sort of writing the book. There are some skate kiters in Europe, though not sure where. If you are a proficient skater, the conditions are some of the best for speed, and tricks.
As far as kite skiing/snowboarding goes, the sport is growing rapidly on a national basis. Here are a few links with some good info
http://www.realkiteboarding.com/
http://www.kitesnowboard.com/
http://www.kitesnowboarding.net/
http://www.kiteforum.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?forum=6&63
There also is some info in the knowledge section of this site.
As far as local info, ask away, this forum is full of more opinions, wisdom, and a dash of BS than you'll ever need.
People are kiting on almost any frozen body of water, though the places that tend to have more than a kite or two are Calhoun, Waconia, and Minnetonka. Calhoun is convenient, though can be gusty in some directions. Waconia is just a great lake surrounded by farm fields. Tonka has kite island which is pretty much an ideal launch landing spot ( when you can drive onto the ice). Check here for happenings. Feel free to rally people to any spot that has great conditions.
hope to meet you in the wind
Tighe
Thanks.
I got to watch everything on Calhoun this afternoon. I think I'm going to try and get on the ice with my Wipika 8.9 freeair and a snowboard. Keeps initial expenses down since all I think I'll need to buy is a helmet.
Is it resonable to take an inflatable on the ice without the relaunch bridal? I'm comfortable with self launches at the beach, but I don't know all the safety issues with doing this on snow. Any comments?
Thanks.
Jeff
I got to watch everything on Calhoun this afternoon. I think I'm going to try and get on the ice with my Wipika 8.9 freeair and a snowboard. Keeps initial expenses down since all I think I'll need to buy is a helmet.
Is it resonable to take an inflatable on the ice without the relaunch bridal? I'm comfortable with self launches at the beach, but I don't know all the safety issues with doing this on snow. Any comments?
Thanks.
Jeff
Be careful. If it goes down it is almost impossible to relaunch without the bridle or a 5th line. If there is considerable wind things are easier, though with this ice holding down any power is tough. Fly with others. We all have developed a technique for skiing by downwind of a downed kite and rolling it over.
Also a kite sitting on it's leading edge, swinging back and forth in the wind, can trash the leading edge if the ice is at all rough.
Not to discourage you in anyway. Just thought I'd let you know of the issues involved. Hopefully this weekend will bring snow and things will get easier.
Also a kite sitting on it's leading edge, swinging back and forth in the wind, can trash the leading edge if the ice is at all rough.
Not to discourage you in anyway. Just thought I'd let you know of the issues involved. Hopefully this weekend will bring snow and things will get easier.
Tighe
These are things I need to know. I'm just trying to get in without having to buy too much new equipment ($$$). Well, if I were to buy a foil, what's a good size foil to get for a place like Calhoun. I think I'm going to swing by Scuba Center and see what equipment they've got as well.Tighe wrote: Not to discourage you in anyway. Just thought I'd let you know of the issues involved. Hopefully this weekend will bring snow and things will get easier.
Anyone have experience with the flysyrfer psycho on snow? I've seen it on water and it's impressive. I figure if I've got to get a foil, might as well get one that can be put on the water as well. Any other recommendations?
Inflatables work fine in the winter if you do the following:
Add a 5th line for relaunching
Have a serious weight bag for self launching
Inflate your strut bladders inside prior to going to the cold (pinching cold valves is tricky)
Beware of sharp crusty ice.
Alex has been flying both (4 line foils and Tube kites) all season and seems to do as well on both. I've been struggling with foot gear to ride on the sheer ice. Everything I've tried doesn't give enough bit to boost.
The Psycho is an extremely fast kite. On the ice you can quickly generate your own wind. It has amazing range. If I had to have one kite I think it would be the Psycho 9.5 or 12.
The Frenzy is a great kite as well. A bit more user friendly though I think with just as much performance. The higher aspect ratio of the Psycho may make it a bit faster and more efficient, though you just rig bigger. Either would be great choices.
I don't know if the water capabilities of the Psycho will have too much value. Launching foils on our lakes is challenging. There are no beaches, as the trees go right up to the water.
good luck with your choices.
We may head to Cannon this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.
feel free to call 651.428.4121
Add a 5th line for relaunching
Have a serious weight bag for self launching
Inflate your strut bladders inside prior to going to the cold (pinching cold valves is tricky)
Beware of sharp crusty ice.
Alex has been flying both (4 line foils and Tube kites) all season and seems to do as well on both. I've been struggling with foot gear to ride on the sheer ice. Everything I've tried doesn't give enough bit to boost.
The Psycho is an extremely fast kite. On the ice you can quickly generate your own wind. It has amazing range. If I had to have one kite I think it would be the Psycho 9.5 or 12.
The Frenzy is a great kite as well. A bit more user friendly though I think with just as much performance. The higher aspect ratio of the Psycho may make it a bit faster and more efficient, though you just rig bigger. Either would be great choices.
I don't know if the water capabilities of the Psycho will have too much value. Launching foils on our lakes is challenging. There are no beaches, as the trees go right up to the water.
good luck with your choices.
We may head to Cannon this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon.
feel free to call 651.428.4121
Tighe
I have a 9.5 as my "Big" snowkite for wind under 20mph and a 3.3M Flexifoil Blade for wind higher. I like the Psycho more and more each time I ride it. For me it took some getting used to. I would recommned it.jeff wrote: Anyone have experience with the flysyrfer psycho on snow? I've seen it on water and it's impressive. I figure if I've got to get a foil, might as well get one that can be put on the water as well. Any other recommendations?
I also got a chance to fly a Frenzy 7.3 in Gusty conditions on Calhoun that was a nice kite too. I think it has better manners than the Psycho. It seemed to have a softer, easier feel. It was stable too at the edge of the window.