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alien
Since 01 Aug 2006
114 Posts
Portland
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 Sat May 09, 09 4:29 pm Anyone know much about typical conditions in Michigan? |
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I'm going to be in the Holland/Saugatuk area of Michigan at the end of the month, and I'm trying to figure out what quiver to bring with me. Would prefer to keep it down to 2 kites and 2 boards for weight and ease of packing reasons. Does anyone on here know what typical conditions are around there for late May?
I have 8, 10, 12 and 16m kite options, and a 131 reg and 135 wide twin tips. 205 lbs. Thinking either an 8/12m or 10/16m quiver and a 4/3 full suit.
And yes I know there are MI forums, I just thought I'd try here first before going through the trouble of setting up a new account and such. I'll go there if I don't get an answer here.
Thx. |
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Stagecoach
Since 07 May 2009
89 Posts
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| Sat May 09, 09 6:16 pm |
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| I windsurfed in sw michigan at southhaven, saugatuck, grand haven, little sable point, etc. for 3 years and may was always one of the better months to sail. Kiting should be great too and all my buddies that used to sail now kite. A couple of shops around now. Endless beaches to launch from and perfect for downwinders. Conditions can be flat to nuke. More likely to get the former though so unless you see a front moving through on the forecast before you go I'd bring the 10, 16 combo. When its big, you can get down the line. Definitely bring the 4/3, still cold water in may. |
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alien
Since 01 Aug 2006
114 Posts
Portland
Stoked
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| Sat May 09, 09 7:13 pm |
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| Perfect. Thanks! |
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snowmeltriver
Since 21 May 2006
102 Posts
Little Kentucky
Stoked
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| Mon May 11, 09 10:46 am |
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| My finacee is from the Traverse City area and I have been kiting back there several times. Go Big! I typically bring a 9, 11, 14. Never needed the 9 and borrowed a 16 once from the Broneah boys. The 14 TD2 has been the lake kite of choice for me on both trips. Have fun, its really a chill kite scene there. |
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Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
Stoked
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| Mon May 11, 09 11:10 am |
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| I was just in Holland over the weekend. Cool and clear with steady wind increasing throughout the day. Fog over most of the lake in the mornings. Water in the high 50's. I wore a 4/3 and it was fine. Many sandy beaches with good access, just find a beach that has the right wind direction. Bring a 14 or bigger and an 11. Glide or larger board. |
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alien
Since 01 Aug 2006
114 Posts
Portland
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| Mon May 11, 09 11:33 am |
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| Cheers to all the good info I'm getting here. So do you guys who are in the know think bringing a 12/16 combo would make more sense than the 10/16? Sounds like it's generally pretty light. |
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Nic
Since 21 Jul 2008
109 Posts
Bend, Oregon
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| Mon May 11, 09 11:37 am |
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| I would do the 10/16 just in case it picks up on one of the warmer afternoons. |
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Bolt
Since 02 Nov 2008
111 Posts
Floras Lake
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| Mon May 11, 09 12:53 pm |
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Hey, that's where I am from. I grew up in Holland and started kiting there around y2k.
www.mackiteboarding.com is a really good local resource for forums, kiting spots, and gear.
I would bring the 10/16m combo w/ both boards if you can manage.
South of Holland doesn't get as much wind. Holland State Park is great on a S,SW
Muskegon (north of holland 45 minutes)is a great place to get a thermal bump (1-6pm) so if the forecast is for a lite sunny north or NNE head to Muskegon. Cool local kite scene, really friendly folks. Mackite has a shop right on the beach w/ air compressor.
Little Sable Point is North of muskegon by about 45 minutes. Sweet spot that gets a thermal bump - head there for lite south forecast.
If there is plenty of wind stay local. South winds tend die off by early afternoon. North winds can blow all day. There are a lot of pier heads on the western shore of lake Michigan. They break up the current, provide flat water, and on gale days - clean fresh water waves.
After memorial day a lot of parks put out swim buoys, which limits some of the riding spots.
Have fun and grab a cold Bells Oberon summer beer for me! |
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Joshiebaby
Since 14 Oct 2007
569 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Addicted
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| Tue May 12, 09 3:41 pm |
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| Lots of arsonists. |
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blancoh2o
Since 15 Mar 2005
1154 Posts
Oregon
Phishy
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Tommy
Since 12 Apr 2009
225 Posts
Gorbachev sings tractors: Turnip! Buttocks!
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| Tue May 12, 09 4:47 pm |
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| Joshiebaby wrote: | | Lots of arsonists. |
Don't worry, most of the arsonists are in Detroit.
I was going to offer up Mac Kiteboarding as a good resource, but Bolt already did, so all I can really do here is spray, I guess... I grew up in Saginaw, and while I don't miss the industrial east side of the state one bit, the west side of the lower peninsula, from St. Joe right on up to Mackinac Island, is beautiful (except for Benton Harbor). As I understand it, Grand Haven is the epicenter of kiting in Michigan, but Holland and Saugatuck are great places as well, with plenty of beach, and at any rate, GH is close to both of those towns. The optimal time to hit the state is June through August, of course, but nonetheless, you're going to have a GREAT trip. But yeah, bring your wetsuit. Lake Michigan is bathwater in August, but still pretty chilly in May. If you should happen to venture north, check out Crystal Lake, about 40 miles southwest of Traverse City. A good base of operations would be the small town of Beulah, on the east end of the lake. Good coffee can be had at Cafe Bravo, and local beta at Crystal Lake Adventure Sports. Assuming either is open that early in the season, that is... Have fun!
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"Resist much, obey little."
-Walt Whitman |
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