Kiteboarding (water/snow, etc.)

[2BOutside]

I think that snowkiting/kitesurfing looks like a wicked lot of fun. Except I haven't done it before and was thinking of taking a few lessons this spring to give it a try.

Would anyone else be interested in banding together for lessons (to make them a little cheaper in theory) sometime this spring? There are a few different people here in town who give lessons now.

Check out these sites for more info:
www.lakawa.com (http://www.lakawa.com)
www.mnkiting.com (http://www.mnkiting.com)
http://www.scubacenter.com/sc_windsports_store/Default.htm

[Thewavebb]

I kiteski in the winter and am learning to kitesurf on the water this year. Tighe is a great guy at Lakawa. Another person would be able to help you out is Nathan Borer at nskiteboarding.com/ (http://www.nskiteboarding.com/) If you can wait untill the winter months to learn its really easy to learn then. You can focus mainly on kite control and its much easier to launch. On water you have to worry about the trees on the beach and trying to get up on the water. There is pretty large crew of people who Kiteboard and windsurfing in the minnesota area. There is going to be a windsurf/kiteboard swap at The House (http://www.the-house.com/) on May 5th. Be there super early if you want the good deals. Before you take any lessons, spend some time on various kite forums learning what the "power window" is. This will really help you as thats pretty much what kiting is about. If you can get your hands on a Trainer kite, do that and practice your kite controls as much as possible. Its a crazy fun sport, but there area lot of risks as well. If you have any wakeboarding, windsurfing, or sailing experience that would be pretty helpfull as well. I have windsurfed for 12yrs and have good understanding of how the wind works and found that to be very usefull.

[2BOutside]

yea, for sure. Thanks for the heads up about May 5th... Have any friends who have a trainer kite and would go dink around in a park sometime in exchange for a beer/lunch/etc.?

[jlho]

I think that snowkiting/kitesurfing looks like a wicked lot of fun.

It is a wicked lot of fun. I just picked up kiting a little over a year ago. I got hooked right after my first lesson. (i was lucky enough to take lessons in Florida with the big beaches and shallow water.) Eventhough I'm still way better at biking than kiting, if it's windy out, I go for the kite over the bike. It's such a great feeling floating 10 feet over the water or snow, this was my first season snow kiting. Such a good time.

Ben's right that it's easier around here to learn in the winter than in the summer. Like he said, it's good to get a trainer kite to play with before taking a lesson. There's are some decent soccer fields and such around that are okay for flying a trainer kite. Get a least a 2m trainer kite though but not bigger than 3m. I made the mistake of getting a 1m trainer. It's fun to fly and teaches the basics of how a kite turns but doesn't really give you any sort of pulling feeling.

Reddy Creek up on Lake Mille Lacs is your best bet for learning on the water in MN. Anytime the wind is out of the south you'll see a good amount of people up there of all skill levels. It's a fun scene. And yeah, Nathan would be a good person to take a lesson from. Definately get out with someone though if you don't take a lesson because, as Ben said, there are risks involved and a lot of them can be avoided if you get with someone who can show how to minimize them, it helps save you headaches and keeps people watching on the beach safe too.

If you got any question just shot me a pm. It's a fun activity to get others into. If you end up liking it, just be prepaired to start watching wind forecasts and to start dropping everything when the wind is up.

[krazykatie]

I think that snowkiting/kitesurfing looks like a wicked lot of fun. Except I haven't done it before and was thinking of taking a few lessons this spring to give it a try.


Dan, if your still thinking about kiting just go take a lesson. I went to FL this past weekend to learn how to kite and i'm totally addicted. I can't even explain in words how awesome it is! Make sure you get a good instructor. Mine had me up and boarding in a day;)

[incendiarySYS]

Hey Dan,
I actually started snow kiting this year and it's awesome! Lessons are a great way to gain a better understanding of how to ride in relation to the wind. Also, if you decide you want to get some gear I have a slingshot B5 and harness that are both like new, great snow kiting set up! Good luck!!

[destrago]

I think that snowkiting/kitesurfing looks like a wicked lot of fun. Except I haven't done it before and was thinking of taking a few lessons this spring to give it a try.

Would anyone else be interested in banding together for lessons (to make them a little cheaper in theory) sometime this spring?

Dan,
Keep me posted if you move on this. I've been dying to try this for a few years now, but I haven't had the $$$ to give it a go. I'm on the Lakawa mailing list so I get e-mails when they are going out. Keep drop up a line or send me a PM with when you'd like to go and if I can I'll try to come. I was planning on waiting until winter because I've read that it's easier to learn on snow/ice because relaunching the kite is easier than when you're 3/4 underwater.

-Tony

[crux]

Planning on taking out the land kites this weekend if anyone is interested. Have versions ranging from 2.8m trainers to 7m race kites. Sure the 7m sounds small compared to 14m water kite, but keep in mind that land kites do not have the huge arch and generate MORE power that a water version double the size.

Current plan is to be flying north of Cliff Rd off HWY 13. Can't recall the name of the school otherwise I'd post that as well. Location may change depending upon wind conditions as I don't want anyone to get lofted above their comfort level. (Ground hurts when your 10+ feet up)

[MTBgirl]

I checked out Midwest Mountaineering's Outdoor Adventure Expo over the weekend...and talked a great deal to the Ozone rep. I'm definately getting a kite this winter! After getting home from the expo though i realized I had WAY more questions.

The guy was trying to get me into a 6m Access 2 kite. Anyone know anything about those kites? Is that too big to start with? Can you "fly" with those kites? The brochure says its the ultimate backcountry kite cuz it allows you to climb hills...but I want AIR...and lots of it.

Any insight would be awesome! Oh, and the guy also said its super easy to tech yourself on snow. Any thoughts on this? Don't really want to pay for lessons if I can figure it out on my own...already diggin deep into savings to buy the kite and gear.

[Lezgo Cycling]

I checked out Midwest Mountaineering's Outdoor Adventure Expo over the weekend...and talked a great deal to the Ozone rep. I'm definately getting a kite this winter! After getting home from the expo though i realized I had WAY more questions.

The guy was trying to get me into a 6m Access 2 kite. Anyone know anything about those kites? Is that too big to start with? Can you "fly" with those kites? The brochure says its the ultimate backcountry kite cuz it allows you to climb hills...but I want AIR...and lots of it.

Any insight would be awesome! Oh, and the guy also said its super easy to tech yourself on snow. Any thoughts on this? Don't really want to pay for lessons if I can figure it out on my own...already diggin deep into savings to buy the kite and gear.

I know nothing of the kites you speak of, but I do know that Bn Berndt (thewavebb) on the forums here is one person you may want to talk to, if I remember right he is into this sort of thing

[Thewavebb]

You are asking great questions.....

The access is a great winter foil kite. 6m is going to be okay for cruising around in medium winds. Depending on your weight, maybe lighter winds. Jumping, probably not a lot of it. You want to learn on a small kite. I learned on a Slingshot B4 and it was perfect for learning how to create power by diving the kite in various portions of the wind window. You may want to try to get your hands on a small trainer kite and put some flight time on that. For winter kiting, I use a 9m Slingshot Ranger. It covers most of the conditions I go out in.

Lessons: Very good idea. This isn't a sport like biking where your risk is pretty light. Kiting is very dangerous and the wind is not always your best friend. Lessons teach you how to use your kite as well as how to save your a$$ WHEN you have a kitemare. If you can't afford lessons, I highly recommend you at least go out with somebody who knows whats going on. Plus lessons let you try out gear before you buy. Once you know your way around a kite, you can also demo gear from the area reps. We have bunch of them and they are always helpful.

My question for you.

Do you think you will want to go out in the summer too? I only recommend getting a foil kite in the case that you want to just be a winter only kiter. If you want to go on water too, get an inflateable kite. A large majority of winter riders ride inflateables now. The bow style kites are really nice for beginners as they offer a lot of range and depower. Check out www.lakawa.com (http://www.lakawa.com) for a local forum of riders.

Make sure you save a few bucks for a nice harness, helmet and some pads too.

There is a crew of Morc'rs getting into Kiting, let us know if you want to come with when we ride.

[Thewavebb]

I know nothing of the kites you speak of, but I do know that Bn Berndt (thewavebb) on the forums here is one person you may want to talk to, if I remember right he is into this sort of thing


haha I took too long to type that up.

[MTBgirl]

You are asking great questions.....

The access is a great winter foil kite. 6m is going to be okay for cruising around in medium winds. Depending on your weight, maybe lighter winds. Jumping, probably not a lot of it. You want to learn on a small kite. I learned on a Slingshot B4 and it was perfect for learning how to create power by diving the kite in various portions of the wind window. You may want to try to get your hands on a small trainer kite and put some flight time on that. For winter kiting, I use a 9m Slingshot Ranger. It covers most of the conditions I go out in.

Lessons: Very good idea. This isn't a sport like biking where your risk is pretty light. Kiting is very dangerous and the wind is not always your best friend. Lessons teach you how to use your kite as well as how to save your a$$ WHEN you have a kitemare. If you can't afford lessons, I highly recommend you at least go out with somebody who knows whats going on. Plus lessons let you try out gear before you buy some.

My question for you.

Do you think you will want to go out in the summer too? I only recommend getting a foil kite in the case that you want to just be a winter only kiter. If you want to go on water too, get an inflateable kite. A large majority of winter riders ride inflateables now. The bow style kites are really nice for beginners as they offer a lot of range and depower. Check out www.lakawa.com (http://www.lakawa.com) for a local forum of riders.

Make sure you save a few bucks for a nice harness, helmet and some pads too.

There is a crew of Morc'rs getting into Kiting, let us know if you want to come with when we ride.

Thanks for the advice! Seriously...I'm more confused now...lol!!! The rep I spoke with was against inflatable kites in the winter...I don't know why...prolly cuz he's a rep and wants me to buy a bazillion kites! :nono: Right now I'm inclined to say I will only kite in the winter just cuz I have TONS of summer sports I love and ZERO winter sports I enjoy. But who knows, that could all change once I become a kiting addict. I do want to get a mtn board though and kite with that after the winter is over.

So what I'm getting from all of this is: Get a trainer kite...find someone who knows about kiting to help me out...get comfy with that...then get a bigger better kite that will allow me to do some awesome stuff. Is this right? How long does it take the average person to learn with a trainer? Maybe I can borrow one from someone a few times and then get a better kite? Or is it likely it will take me all winter to get to that level? So many questions... :banghead:

Oh and YES...of course I wanna come kiting with fellow MORC'rs!!!

[krazykatie]

I checked out Midwest Mountaineering's Outdoor Adventure Expo over the weekend...and talked a great deal to the Ozone rep. I'm definately getting a kite this winter! After getting home from the expo though i realized I had WAY more questions.

The guy was trying to get me into a 6m Access 2 kite. Anyone know anything about those kites? Is that too big to start with? Can you "fly" with those kites? The brochure says its the ultimate backcountry kite cuz it allows you to climb hills...but I want AIR...and lots of it.

Any insight would be awesome! Oh, and the guy also said its super easy to tech yourself on snow. Any thoughts on this? Don't really want to pay for lessons if I can figure it out on my own...already diggin deep into savings to buy the kite and gear.

Hey Kristen! We'll have to hook up this winter!! I started kiting this summer. Its so exciting...words can not explain...you'll be totally addicted. It looks like we got a good MORC crew getting into snowkiting this year...should be fun! As far as kites go. I wouldn't buy one just yet. It takes some time to decide what you are really looking for. The kiting community is awesome just like MORC. You can go out and try out different kites before you buy. Many peeps have demo kites to try. I bought an inflatable so i'm able to use it summer and winter. Its a 14M so it may be too much for winter kiting when the wind is a blowin. :jumpy:

[Thewavebb]

Honestly, it took me 30 minutes with a b4 and I was good to go. I rode around on that for a couple sessions just to get the feel of it. I spent more time with my instructor (nate borer) when I was using larger kites. When your on a trainer kite, you could probably just have someone show you the basics. They are pretty safe to begin with. If you ride a lot this winter,you will progress like crazy.

The local guys who teach use Slingshot T2's I think. Ozone is a big foil kite company so.....yeah. If you decide to go with a used kite at some point, you will want to go with something that is pretty recent. The safety factor has gone up a lot every year.

[krazykatie]

I've noticed that most people who are well into kiting and own several usually use a foil for snowkiting. I'm thinking about getting just a foil winter kiting. It will be nice not have to inflate a kite when its chilly out.

If you go on Lakawa.com, i'm krazykatie on there also:p

I believe Wed Dec 5th some kiters are getting together to watch kite porn to kick off the season. It would be a good time to get out and meet other kiters. Let me know if you're interested in coming along!

[Thewavebb]

Its a 14M so it may be too much for winter kiting when the wind is a blowin. :jumpy:

for inflateable, 11m seems to be pretty popular here


Foils have a complicated bridle which can be a pain in the butt if you aren't carefull of how you pack it up. But yes, I hate inflating kites in the cold and I like being able to just throw snow on my kite and it won't blow away.

[krazykatie]

hey Ben, Matt are you two planning on goin to kite porn night?

[MTBgirl]

I believe Wed Dec 5th some kiters are getting together to watch kite porn to kick off the season. It would be a good time to get out and meet other kiters. Let me know if you're interested in coming along!

Eeek... I would LOVE to...but that is smack-dab in the middle of finals for me...so I'll have to see how well my studying goes up until that point...but now I have incentive to study my booty off over Thanksgiving...so hopefully I'll be in!

[Heuy]

hey Ben, Matt are you two planning on goin to kite porn night?


can't stay out too late on a Wednseday, tentative at this point.

[Thewavebb]

hey Ben, Matt are you two planning on goin to kite porn night?

nope....I don't go out on weeknights. Thats daddy time with my daughter.

~Ben

[crux]

Always found the foils to be really nice in all seasons. They are quick to setup and generate more power for the size. Down here in NM here is not much use for these toys as you don't really want to land in a catus patch. :shocked:

[Thewavebb]

Always found the foils to be really nice in all seasons. :shocked:

until you drop it into the water :jumpy:

[krazykatie]

I'm so excited for snowkiting:crazy2: this thread has me all worked up. It better snow:incazzato:

[Disaster on Wheels]

This sounds like a lot of fun and another good way to hurt myself!!!! Where can you take snowkiting lessons around here?

[krazykatie]

This sounds like a lot of fun and another good way to hurt myself!!!! Where can you take snowkiting lessons around here?

http://www.lakawa.com/School/academyhome.html

Jodi, there will plenty of us morcers out kiting this winter just come hang with us:D

[Disaster on Wheels]

http://www.lakawa.com/School/academyhome.html

Jodi, there will plenty of us morcers out kiting this winter just come hang with us:D


Sweet- Let me know when you go.

[biking_stickman]

I've been wanting to give this a try for many years now. As a snowboarder and wakeboarder, this just seems like a logical next step.

Please let me know (or post something up) if any of you are going out during the winter.

[Thewavebb]

I can honestly say I'll be out on every possible weekend that we have winds between 5mph and 20mph. If there is a group of people that all want to learn, it is cheaper to take lessons.

I typically kite on Swede lake (watertown), Lake Waconia, White Bear, and Lake minnetonka.

[Dude]

I think that snowkiting/kitesurfing looks like a wicked lot of fun. Except I haven't done it before and was thinking of taking a few lessons this spring to give it a try.


It's a great sport! The first couple of lessons for me were pretty challenging, until the lady instructor called me a 'wuss' and told me to man-up and take the control of the kite. :hit:

However, after you get the hang of things, it's one of those sports (like mtn biking) where you just show up, get your stuff prepped and ride (assuming there's enough wind in the case of kiteboarding).

[John Sutherland]

Hey all. I'm new to the area. I come from out west where I was pretty much a ski bum. Now work brings me to the midwest and I'm going through withdrawals. Snowkiting seems to be the logical answer. I've been wanting to try it for years, so now's the time. I just bought a B5 online and am waiting for it to arrive. Super excited!:banana:

If there's a group goung out kiting, post it or let me know as well, I'd love to get some pointers from the local crowd! I'll be monitoring the discussion forums on lakawa as well.