Hi Jake,
Welcome to Utah, and thanks for the props by the way. People do occasionally Kite (and Sail)
the GSL (or worse, the Salt ponds), just ask our Winter Forecaster Kenny ;*) . But you really
need to try it a couple of times to appreciate it. The salt is really strong (like burn your eyes
strong) and it's amazing how much crustiness develops on your unwashed gear (or body) after one outing. Windsurfers usually have to walk out a long way to clear their skegs as well. This probably
won't be an issue for you unless you've got a formula Kiteboard. The smell is pretty bad, but
no worse than the resident evil in a wetsuit unlaundered for a season. So talk somebody you
know into trying it with you sometime and tell us what you think.
With regard to Rush, I quote Yoda " Mudhole, slimy, my home this is!" ;*)
plus the wind is almost always better out there than on the GSL.
If you're coming down all the way from Ogden, you might want to check out Willard bay (the
fresh water part of the GSL) on a strong prefrontal South wind. From what I understand , the
Kite launch is reasonably safe there. Or, Pineview Reservoir. One of our Kite Kings (Marty)
put me onto the fact that it often blows up there the day after a frontal
passage with high pressure back building. From my perspective those days always looked pretty
windless, but it does blow under those conditions surprisingly often. You'll definitely want to ask
about how those guys get launched up there though, because I understand the launch is not for
beginners (or even the timid expert).
You should also know, that while the guys have been threatening to get me out on a kite for years,
my Kiteboard has only done water time with other people on it. I'm pretty much a Windsurfer,
so factor that into any thing you "hear" me say.
-Craig
Jakekelly wrote:Hi, My name is Jake Kelly and I am a newbs to kiteboarding. I am really excited about the sport and can't wait to be self suffecient in it. The other day I went to Rush and I passed the Great Salt Lake on the way. I drove from Ogden to go check it out. And as I drove my miles and miles of the Great Salt Lake just to get to a mud hole, I want to know why nobody kites or windsurfs in the lake? I know it is nasty and salty, but I can deal with that. Driving by the Salt Aire it seems that the wind was in the right direction and there is plenty of beach to launch off. Any input would be interesting. All I'm looking for is to not drive as far and get more time on the water. Plus I think it would be fun to kite out there!
Thanks