7/20 Lincoln??

[MikE mAy]

if the winds shift as Criag and the NOAA suggest thursday night, anybody down for a session? my regular partner is out in San Diego kiting there for the week. anybody making the call? if so, i sure would love a partner to share the bay with. i'm still learning, but can help with a launch if need be. just got my bigger kite and i'm excited to use it if the conditions set up. otherwise, i'm off to check out either skyline area or bear lake for the weekend.

later,

Mike May
801-971-2380

[Kenny]

Mike,

I would be surprised if you get any good rides at Lincoln today. Tomorrow looks a whole lot better. There will probably be a good number of us there since the wind has not been too cooperative lately.

Your friend went to San Diego to kite??? San Diego is usually dead in the summertime. Sometimes the wind will make it into the low teens during the summer. The time to go to SD is in the Fall or Spring. Far better places to go this time of year (GORGE).

Kenny

[MikE mAy]

no UL today. i was being optimistic. i'm going to try to work it out for tomorrow night. but, we'll see. i'm taking the lady camping saturday, so i'm going to see if i'm in the right place at the right time at sulfer. any last minute tips on sulfer? i was heading to the Uintas anyway, so what's an extra drive around up to Evanston to check it all out? that's the right road, right?

yea, billy is down in San Diego. he said he got a couple of good days at Fiesta Island. he even flew his 13.5 powered he says. swell is also pumping at 6ft+. i'm jealous to say the least. he wanted to go to bear lake last weekend, but all of us bailed, so he and his wife said screw it, we're going to SD. i had no idea it was an option. i guess he's got family there. i'll definitely be taking a fall time trip.... i'd try to get a george trip in, but quite frankly the george scares me.

let's hope the wind's up tomorrow and i get down there to see everybody and get some time in with the pros. i just picked up a 17M fuel from Jon. too big a kite for me? it looks huge! i've heard good things about it though.
it's tripping me out though with adjustable 5th line for tuning. does this really help? any tips on how to use it anybody?



Mike

[Kenny]

Mike,

Billy got lucky in SD. I am glad to hear he got some good days - 6 foot swell, I am jealous.

The best places to travel to as a beginner are Long Beach, CA and South Padre Island, TX. The wind is super smooth in Long Beach and it is rarely ever so strong that you have to use a kite smaller than a 12. It is best during the summer months. South Padre is best to visit in late Spring/Early summer. The wind blows almost every day and you can ride on a bay that is waist deep for miles. You can do 10 mile downwinders, it is so sweet. You can also drive up on the beach. The only downside is it is a 22 hour drive or you can fly.

I don't blame you concerning the Gorge. A lot of people learn there, but it is crowded and the wind can totally honk.

The wind at Sulphur can be very gusty. It depends on the day. I have had days there where I would ride for 10 minutes fully lit than sit in the water with the kite down for 5 minutes, ride another 30 minutes a little underpowered, and then all over again. I bought a bow kite just for places like Sulphur and Deer Creek. The launch at Sulphur can be sketchy as well. You definitely do not want to do a self launch unless you are very experienced.

A 17.5 is not that big of a kite. Just fly it on light wind days at first. For a guy your size, it will be the perfect light wind kite.

Hope to see you out at Lincoln. I think I may have given up on Rush for the season. I haven't ridden with anyone for the past month.

Kenny

[MikE mAy]

Kenny-

i'll have to check out South Padre Island. i'll be in houston in a few weeks for business and might have to extend my stay if there are any areas around there to kite. have you flown fiesta island? bill is saying it's pretty user friendly. plus, with a free room down there, i'm definitely interested. if not, there's always windansea and scripps to keep me busy. i'm sure i'll have better skills by the time i go though.

Lincoln- i'll be there tonight. i hope craig's call is a good one. if not, at least i'll get to meet a few of you guys. sulfer tomorow is just an exploratory deal. i've got the girlfriend to launch me there. maybe i'll try that 5th line method too....

and as for rush- can you blame anyone for not flying there?

[bordy]

SD rocked! plenty of Days... A few days there were 20+ kiters!!! I had a great time on my 16.5 contra even boosted some 10+ airs Still working on going up wind, Very sore and chafed inner thighs from walking back up wind. 5 great days of kiting. Started as a Surf trip/ wifes family visit turned into my best kiting days ever!!! Got skunked a few days on fiesta Island due to a Over the line contest. Talked my way on one day sat and flew my trainer 2 others.

Hope it gets windy soon...