Amazing Labour day at Lanier ,I finally got to do what Ive been trying for some time.
I started at the old federal park , managed to stay upwind for a while with my takoon 11.6, but then as the wind started to blow harder I had to use my other small kite rhino 7.5 , and with that kite i was either under or over powered but overall it was fantastic ! My plan was to get to Van pugh but the gusting winds kept pushing me down wind , i came close to other windsurfers at van tavern, then i dropped the kite some where infront of aqua land park , i relaunched the kite and finally got to van pugh . I took me about an hour but I had great time with alot of jumps especially when you jump and hit a gust of wind ! you're the king.
if there're any kitesurfer out there that would like to try the " O-V cruise " ( the old federal to Van pugh ) email at
Kitesurf from old federal to van pugh Park (O-V Cruise)
Mon, 09/06/2004 - 23:49
#1
Kitesurf from old federal to van pugh Park (O-V Cruise)
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Congratulations! Very cool. I have had a few lessons and look forward to taking more before hopefully buying a kite sometime. Did you self launch?
Richard
Thanks , I dont think its a good idea to self launch here at the lake because there's not enough open space to do that. Many times you would have to get into the water and ask someone to hold the kite. You'd also better have someone hold you untill you get into the water for any unpredicted gust.
there is a small Island close to Van Pugh -thats one of three small islands- and its has a small sandy beach , you can self launch from there, but I guess we need a boat to get there or a jet ski. If you are thinking of getting a kite , I would recommend you get a low aspect kite because it is more stable to fly and gives a more constant pull. High aspect ratio kites are better for jumping and are for intermediate to advice riders. but with the coditions on the lake I would definately get a low or moderate aspect kite.
please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
thanks .
khalil
That really sounds cool. I just discovered kite boarding not to long ago and am intereseted in getting started but with college and money issues I don't think I can take lessons. I have a place heartwell that I wake board at. Do you think it would be hard to learn from there? How much wind do you need? what kind of kite do I need? Where does every one else get leasons? Thanks in advance.
It will be 100% impossible to learn at any lake in Georgia. A good first step though would be to get a trainer kite to learn ahow to control a 'real' kite. These trainer kites are not toys, and are very similar to what you would be using (just a lot smaller).
Kiting is not a sport you can just learn on your own (i.e. hang-gliding, parachuting, you get the point). They are several places along the coast you can get lessons though. There is high tide surf shop in Savannah, Charleston, Jacksonsville -- and one of the top kiting locations in the entire world -- Cape Hatteras.
Good luck!
So if I get leasons is is possible to do it on a lake? How much are leasons going to run me? How long is it going to take? I mean I want to get involved but time and money are an issue so if I can only do it when Im on the beach then it's not realy that economical for me. How much wind do you need?
Thanks for the reply and hope to here from you again
Its possible to learn on the lake but the risk is higher than on the beach.
It depends on how much you are interested. you will need to have your own kite , lessons are very very important, and also the pleasure of flying the kite on the ground is great !
I was flying the kite for atleast a month everyday , mastered handeling it even jumping on the ground, knowing your wind range , and then gradually start water dragging eventually getting on the board.
Its gonna be more difficult on the lake but its not impossible. especailly if you always have someone expeirenced with you .
at the end there is no other sport that gives me more pleasure than kitesurfing.
khalil