8/13 Waterton Natl Park 16m Gin

[Kenny]

Waterton is the second windiest place in all of Canada, but I seem to always catch it wrong. Last summer, I got 1 hour of riding on an 11m. This time around the wind seems to blow everytime we go on a family hike. Today, it was blowing strong when we started our hike. I was crestfallen to see that the wind had stopped when we got back. Fortunately, it revived and I rode for 2 hours. Nice sunny day with a couple windsurfers out on the water. Waterton is the most scenic place I have ever ridden. The only thing I don't like is the launch in a bit sketchy. It is tight with trees downwind and mossy rocks that can trip you up on your way out.

[ChrisPSherwin]

I've always wanted to go there, but had not thought about kiting. How was the water temp?

[Kenny]

Water is cold. Wore a 3 mil wetsuit, but it was a hot day. On other days I wore a 5/3.

Wind is challenging to say the least. Today it was doing 10 - 35. The increments were 2 - 5 minutes. I flew a 9m. So, I would ride nicely powered in 20 mph wind for a few minutes, it would drop to 15 and I would work the kite then 35 screaming reaches fully depowered, sheeted out, kite low then peter out and the kite would drop to the water. Fortunately, the huge lulls and screaming gusts were less frequent. All I can say is that DC does not hold a candle to this place when it comes to non-storm generated, crazy wind. There was not a cloud in the sky today. By afternoon, the gusts were up to 50 mph with lulls in the 20's, truly hateful wind.