Good wind for newbies

[seamonkey]

Anyone want to go to Duluth Saturday? This is my summer to go for it! I'm flexible as to when we come back. I've got plenty of room for 4 people. Life is short so let's do it! Michael at 612 868 0393.

[Debbie]

What does the wind look like for Saturday in Duluth? How about Mille Lacs?

[seamonkey]

10-20 at Duluth. Nothing at Millacs. I think Canal point would be a safe launch site, just that the water might be alittle cold. I'm going to bed now. Lets organize a group possibly for saturday. Gute nacht.

[drknap]

A bit of a warning. Duluth (superior) is not for newbies. The pounding surf is angry and readily eats kites. It can be challenging to get out with the breaking waves and you do not want your kite to go down. The water is cold and you will (probably) still need a dry suit. The launch can be tight and you for sure should not launch at the tot lot. You will expend enery (physical and mental) at twice your typical rate.

[Fred MPL]

I am not a kiter, so maybe I don't have much to say about Lake Superior. However, as a windsurfer who is progressing into the intermediate area, I would not even consider windsurfing in Superior at my current level.

There is a high risk of hypothermia, even in Summer, with any amount of time spent in the water. Factor in the possibility that you are going to get blown out at some distance and you can't relaunch your kite. There is no way you are going to swim any length.

I personally would be completely against a new windsurfer using Lake Superior as a training ground.

[jeffengel]

I'll be up at Madline Island for an anual family camping trip and staying at Big Bay. Right now the wind looks great for tomorrow at big bay - ENE at 14 (good for me anyhow). The water in the aposles is a bit warmer than other places in superior. I've swam there about every year we go up. The bay is pretty tame actually - really shallow out a long way like reddy and the 1.5 mile beach makes reddy look like a swamp. So if you want to drive an extra hour past duluth I'll be hoping to get some time in at Big bay.

[kevintimothymohr]

Howdy Jeff, I'm your neihbor down Kismet Isle. I agree 100% with kiting at Madeline Island. I was just up there over the 4th of July weekend, the bay in the park is nice and shallow and was warm enough for swimming. When you get back you'll have to give me a ring to go out on Big Green Lake, I just got a new kiteboard I've been itchin to try. Have a good trip

[ice_kmauve]

Mike I just checked the forecast; it's only supposed to be 10-15 at Duluth on Saturday. With the breaking waves there you need at minimum 20 just to get away from the shore. The other cautionary advice also applies. Hey, keep an eye on the charts, I have a feeling Sat or Sun will perk up locally.

Dave

[JanMarie]

Dave, you forgot to warn them about the sharks.

[Debbie]

I agree that Superior is not for newbies. Also, I'm allergic to cold water. I wouldn't worry so much about the sharks as I would the penguins and polar bears.

Let me know if plans change to go somewhere where the water is a bit warmer as I am free also this summer. Debbie 612 695 8308.

[Lee_Uptown]

I'm a newbie too... been trying to get out for the past 4 weeks. Wind last week at the gathering was too strong. Tomorrow... zero wind at mille lacs. Arrrghhh... I need therapy.

[seamonkey]

Wow! Here I was thinking Superior was only bad when the winds of November came early. Are the waves so big that you guys need to get towed in? Guess I better wait until I'm a team rider for Wal Mart.

[ollie]

Don't worry about the polar bears as long as you can run or kite faster than the penguins !
Tow-in - thats what the kite is for ! Sharks, they're cold blooded so kind of slow up here.
Newbies - (aren't we all to some extent?) just stay away from the crowded areas of the beach and go for it! If the MOTHER spanks you blow into shore and try again, you'll learn fast or have to go home but watch for ice burgies till august !
Seriously watch for the dune grass cause this year it has spikes that will kill your bladders if the kite lands in it. Good luck! Ill be there if the wind is over 15 mph.

Bryan Z

[chanrider]

I kited Wisconsin Point outside of Superior WI in early September 2006 as a newer kiter and felt reasonably comfortable. The wind was onshore NE so you get blown in to the beach and the water is not quite as cold that time of year. Park Point is prolly a more challenging kite launch, especially for newbies. There is a pretty cool local scene and if you just want to go up and hang around to see what's going on and you have the time it might be worth the trip. But I would not necessarily expect to ride unless conditions are very favorable and like everyone else has said be very careful messin' with the Mutha! I went up just to check it out and riding was a bonus because it was a super nice day and there happened to be a lot of guys willing to share wisdom and help if I got in trouble. It's true you need to be very careful not to drop your kite into the shore break as well as dress warm, beware of rip currents, etc. etc. What a nice place to visit though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52235589@N ... 266990803/

As a side note to Fred... I agree 100% Lake Superior especially at WI Point is NOT a good location for newbie windsurfers.... I tried windsurfing after my kite sesh and the shore break devoured my gear and the wind was completely insufficient to punch through. And after I did finally get outside the combination of swells and weaker wind ended with a lot of underpowered bobbing. If it was windy I would prolly be too chicken to try this spot. Ended up with my first ever windsurfing long walk of shame cuz the shore break kept pushing my insufficient gear down the beach. And a long walk of shame with WS gear is a LOT more heavy than a kite! Park Point might be shallower and a little WS more friendly, but I have not tried it.

[Stroh]

a few local kiters learned to kite in the waves... I would say if you are a intermdeate kiter you can ride in duluth on a NE. what makes it easier for me is your upwind into the waves tack is normaly a port tack on the duluth side. today should be fairly small you might see a 5-6 foot break in the evning... so don't be discoraged as long as you are proficent at going up wind.

bring a kyak helmet and life jacket, if you cant make it out kiting you will have an amazing time kyak surfing... I will normaly have mine with every time anyone should feel free to use it.