Kiteboarding in atlanta

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Kitesurf
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Joined: 08/25/2003 - 20:05
Posts: 1
Kiteboarding in atlanta

Interested to know how many fellow kiteboarders are out in the atlanta area, and particulary how many kiteboard on lanier. I just received a large 15.5m2 kite and would like help in getting started and knowledge on possible launch areas and sites that people usually windsurf at. I am only 15, but getting into the sport and would like help. i ahev windsurfed a little and had the oppurtunity to take up kiteboarding. Thanks.

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13785

I hate to break the news, but Lanier is a horrible place for kitesurfing :cry: -- very gusty inconsistent winds, small launch areas (except for Vann's Tavern), lots of crazy boat traffic during the warmer months. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but there are no kitesurfers in the atlanta area ( meaning anyone who sails the local lakes ). Maybe someone who has spent a lot of time in Hatteras, Florida, Savannah, etc, and has become an advanced sailor, could successfully sail at Lanier occasionally. The chances of actually learning kitesurf on one of the local lakes is 0%. Just waaay to many obstacles.

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webguy
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Joined: 12/31/2000 - 22:01
Posts: 13785

Kitesurf,
You have taken lessons, haven't you? If you haven't, don't even consider kiting on Lanier (or just about anywhere else for that matter).

If you have, the only way one can kite at your level on Lanier is having a buddy with a chase boat/jet ski. Most of our launches are either sideshore or onshore, making launching difficult and recovery downwind even more difficult. When the water was low, some guys would launch on exposed islands but with the water up, you have much fewer options.

Look at the Places to Sail link for locations around the SE to sail/kite. Listing them here would be reinventing the wheel. Most likely, however, you'll either need a small, open lake or a trip to the coast to get to the next level of kiting. Lanier is good for windsurfing for having the longest fetch within reasonable driving distance from Atlanta but otherwise it's not on anyone's top 10 list of places to sail.

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