Advice on midwest US spots. . .

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Advice on midwest US spots. . .

I'm about to embark upon moving from Atlanta to Denver. As my 11 year old dog hates to fly, I'm driving (with all my windsurfing gear). I will either head due West, through Oklahoma and try to get a day in at Oklahoma City (Lake Hefner), or head North/West and go through Kansas.

So, my question to ya'll is: what would you do? Where is the best wind this time of year? And, where in Kansas does one sail?

I about a level 5 . . . confident waterstarts, footstraps and harness in most conditions. It's just that pesky jibe thing.

Thanks

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Your my hero! Driving across country and the first consideration is taking a route with the best wind conditions.

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Windsurfing is OK in OK

I asked Scott Geddie (sag33@aol.com) , a very wind-addicted, active ABC windsurfer who took a job transfer to Oklahoma City where the is a big lake right in the city with excellent fetch -- and the wind blows ALL THe TIME, he says -- to give me a bried idea of the typical scene there:
"This place has been incredible this past month! Temps are in the 80's and I would say 15 of the last 20 days have been 20+. In fact, it's blowing 20 right now! I sailed the past three days and decided to take today off since Friday and Saturday are looking strong. I passed the lake about and hour ago on my way home. Looked like about 10 windsurfers and about 6 kiters. I can't believe the windsurfing magazines don't write about the bread-basket. Hatteras ain't got noth'in on this place....well the shallow water is kind of nice."

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Thanks . . . I've got Oklahoma City covered, it's where to go in Kansas that I'm trying to determine. Looks like almost due North of Oklahoma City (and right on my way to Colorado) is Wichita. About 15 miles East of Wichita is Lake Cheney. I called them and there's a launch there that's frequently used by windsurfers (the Park Ranger was very quick and helpful with his reply).

I used to live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Same winds as KS and OK. I totally concur with Scott's comments above. Maybe not as pretty as the Gorge, but there's nothing wrong with the wind. And, less crowded.

- Ken

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Cheney has a great reputation. John(?) Doyle lives there who was/is famous for his hollow blue custom boards.

do a bit of googling in the rec.windsurfing newsgroup. go to groups.google.com and search around. You'll probably find something. If not, try posting to the group, usually nice and helpful.

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i sailed at Wilson Res. Sat. It looks like it is the best along I-70.
I sailed Perry Res. Friday and Clinton Res. in the afternoon.
There were at least 15 at clinon and it looks like it would have big swell.
I am going to be at Cheney near Wichita later this week!

Wilson (he best so far)i sailed by myself very little(15 total)boat traffic no boats after it started to blow 4.7
i launched and camped 30 feet from shore the wind was side to side on out of the south!
there were nice jumpers with ridable swell 2-3.5 feet.

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The ranger I spoke with at Cheney said that "Wichita Point" was where the windsurfers launched from. It's on the East side of the lake.

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