Tuesday???

[Mike W]

Anybody have any ideas about how to make it happen Tuesday? It looks warm and windy. If nothing else works, I plan to take the short swim out to the small island S of the bridge to Hudson to rig up. That spot should be killer, but I would prefer to avoid swimming to my launch. Anyone know if Cannon is open?

[Stroh]

how far is the swim???

[Mike W]

It is hard to remember exactly, but I would say about 30 yards or so. I have a small inflatable kayak that only takes a couple of minutes to inflate. The only problem is that all of this would have to happen in a no-parking zone, which means cars would have to be parked a few blocks away, I think. A few hurdles, but the spot is really nice. The island is plenty big, sandy and right in the wind, which has several miles to steady out the breeze. That area was ice free the other day too. Since the wind direction is the opposite of the the river current, there should not be too much floating by.

[Geo]

And do you think one could float a windsurfer out there? (A small one suitable for nuclear winds?) St. Mary's was clogged up Saturday; any chance it would be open by Tues?

[Mike W]

Geoff, you could windsurf out of there, but I would say that Beannies across the river is the better spot for that. It would be very tough to kite out of Beannies due to the wind shadow and deep water. Shlogging out a bit on a sailboard is no problem though. St. Mary's might be open then, but I wouldn't think that beach would be very good on a S wind. It is a few miles up the river and very close to the bluffs. The closer to the bridge, the better.

[Geo]

Beannies. - I see what you mean about wind shadow. Did you also see that the "island" is also a "Peninsula"? No swimming?!

Also: I have heard that on due south winds, St. Mary's is actually GREAT despite the bluff. (so one would think that includes kiting). The waves would line up opposite the wind. COuld be nice.

Either way, I think I am up for 1-2 pm or so.
Six 1 two. 2 eight 0. 1 two two 3.

[Mike W]

Cool map, Geoff! Wow, I would have sworn that was an island. You are right though-- it is a peninsula. That makes the situation trickier. I don't want to be trespassing on someone's land. I suppose the other option is to hop the fence at Troy beach which is just S of "the island." I am sure that spot is closed, but it looks to be a good spot for S winds. I just can't bring myself to believe St. Mary is going to be any good on a S wind, but maybe the thing is to launch out of there and then work downwind some for cleaner wind. The hope is that there is enough wind and power to get back upwind when the fun is over.

[Dave Z]

St. Mary's used to be where I always sailed back in the 80's (NEON required, great beach scene) and on a Southerly it was always super gusty because of the river bluffs. If you were doing a downwinder to Beanies the wind would clean up as you got further North.

On a strong straight South Browns Beach in N. Hudson was usually really good since the river runs more of a true North/South and there is a bit of current = ramps. I drove to Hudson later on Saturday but since everyone had already left I bailed. Hudson was the only place with open water on Saturday. That could change real fast.

[Geo]

This map isn't as clear, but you can see at the south end of the lake: the bluff kind of sits to the west more than you'd think. Launching from the northern side of St. Croix Beach (the leeward side) might allow enough open area there. I think I might try there first.

Geoff

[Mike W]

Dave, is Brown's Beach also the Ferry Landing. I remember checking that out once. Do you have directions?

Geoff, St. Mary's would work, but after the gust fest the other day, some steadier wind would be nice. Still, at this time of year you have to take what you can get. Iowa is a bit far.

[Dave Z]

Brown's Beach is South of Fairy and you have to take some steps down to the beach but when the water is low you actually have more of a beach.

To Browns: Go North through Hudson on 35, cross the Mallipoo River Bridge into North Hudson and take the first Left off the bridge onto Wisconsin St. N. Follow Wisconsin as it turns Right and becomes Galahad Rd N. Follow North until you see the sign on the left for Brown Beach.

To Get to Fairy Landing just keep driving straight North on Galahad until you run out of road. The nice thing about Fairy was back in the day you could drive right down to the river. You were risking a ticket but it was usually worth it.

River was still iced on Saturday at Browns but it was open in Stillwater so who knows how it will be after today and tomorrow.

[drknap]

I'm game but can't make it out until after 4pm at the earliest. Anyone planning an after work session? Can't fly alone.

[Pete]

The rest area north of Lake City (2 miles) is where I sail on a south wind when I don't want to drive to Cannon. There is still a thin line of ice jammed into a couple bays but that would not affect kiting/sailing at the rest area as the ice is in Lake City. Just an FYI.

Pete

[Stroh]

I'm up for a mid day session tomorow. let me know where you guys und up.

952-807-3306

Jon

[Mike W]

Pete, I wondered about that spot, but did not think it would work to launch a kite out of there. How about that sandy beach on the S side of Hokisala Park? Is that open?

[SeaBoo]

For what it's worth...Bryan and I kited from just south of Maiden Rock last summer. The water is shallow and it has a sand bottom. I don't know if it's free of ice but you can call any bar in Maiden Rock and ask if the boat landing is clear of ice. To get to the spot we were at just go south on 35 and just outside of town is a small river and a wayside. Park at the wayside and walk in. I won't be kiting as the only open water I'm interested in this time of year is rapids!! This summer though I'll try my board out again
Nora

[Pete]

Mike, the beach at Hok-Si-La Park should be open more than enough for you launch from.

Pete

[ice_kmauve]

Arthur and I are probably checking out the BEAR .. wooo

Rutherford or the Rammer--either way there better be enough open water Arthur!!

[Mike W]

Geoff and I decided for lunchtime at St. Mary's. If that does not look promising we will try the spots in N Hudson. Come join us if you can. It looks windy!

[drknap]

Dave??? where have you been? Nice to see you stop drop a line. I'm hoping to scoot out of work sometime mid afternoon. Let us know how the bear looks.