The Iowa Report

Stay connected in the wind. This forum is for anyone who rides the wind, winter or summer, on whatever board suits their fancy. Share the stoke, find out where people are going, ask any question, share your discoveries, and discuss any esoteric idea you may have related to the pursuit of wind. Please keep it positive.

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cp2616
Posts: 160
Joined: Thu Nov 28, 2002 11:16 am
Location: Spirit Lake, Iowa
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The Iowa Report

Post by cp2616 »

On Saturday while picking sand burrs out of our ass waiting for the promised 10-20 mph wind, we witnessed the lake killing the wind. There was wind just off shore on the upwind side of the lake, but at the beach on the downwind side, there seemed to be zero wind. You could where the wind stopped and the lake became glassy. We put up a B-3 and the wind seem to be about 7 knots up over 20’ feet up, but almost nothing at lake level. Is this explainable in rational terms or should we just attribute this to the spirits that the Indians worried about? The wind never came up so we were stuck drinking beer with a boatload of girls. Dammit!

Jesse and I got a chance to ride his SS GTO 11 in gusty winds Sunday on Big Spirit. Wind was anywhere from 16-22 kts with 28-32 kt gusts, the GTO handled it like a champ. I shot straight upwind with it. In the gusts a bit of rear foot pressure shot the kite to the edge of the window, much like my B-6. This made it totally ridable without screwing with the chicken loop much. Seemed to boost very well, although we were riding pretty conservatively with the cold water. With the 2002 SS Fuel 10, I would have got my butt kicked in those conditions.

Spirit gave us great day on Sunday. Out a mile or so out, the swells were 4’ or so. I heard Big Spirit could do that on big days but didn’t quit believe it until I saw it first hand. Amazing! Living 100 yards from the best launch on West Lake Okoboji has prevented me from getting much time in up there. I’m definitely going to make the 10-minute commitment to drive to Spirit more this summer.

Cheers,

Casey
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jesse
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2003 9:19 pm

Post by jesse »

casey's right, the gto is definately a great high wind kite for the midwest... it handles the gust 10 times better than the previous years fuels and seems to have an incredible range for such a small kite. i still felt pretty comfortable in 30-35 mph wind, and even kept me planing in the lulls which seemed to be around 20mph. big spirit indeed had a great swell yesterday and with the warm air and water temp, we had no complaints.. i feel sorry for those of you who had to bear the cold water and ice chunks up in the cities...

anyone looking for a great high wind kite, i highly recomend the gto 11, or possibly the 9 if you want to be out on 35+ wind days...

jesse
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Tighe
Posts: 5274
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 10:06 pm
Location: Here, Now

Post by Tighe »

I was on the 9m Fuel yesterday and loved it as well. Huge range. Never too spastic in the gusty conditions, just solid power. Ran it 1X though there are only 2 front and back options. I've heard that many guys in the Gorge have done the GTO 11 over the 9 Fuel in their 17, 13..x quiver for solid stable power. It must be incredibly solid. Can't wait to try them. I think the top end of the Fuel 9 may be about 35mph.

Can't wait to get a big day on Spirit....again
Tighe
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