Kiting Lake Mead, Las Vegas, NV????

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Has anyone been kiting on Lake Mead?
It's 20 min. from Vegas..
This time of year...?

Thinking of a place to go for Pres' Day weekend..warmer and sunnier. Razz

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I was on lake mead in october, I didn't kite, but I found a few spots you could set up. The problem when I was down there was that the wind would shift about 90 degrees without warning (W-sideshore to N-onshore -- but mostly W), and it was variable winds (not really gusty becuase it would blow for a while, then settle down for a while.... maybe call them long gusts). This pic is of the Southwest corner...very quick and easy to get to from vegas (basically a straight shot down the highway).

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Yeah, thats the beach I saw on Google maps... Looks really nice...but not sure about the wind.. Maybe its so gusty cuz the shoreline? Are there high cliffs on the other side...? They advertise for windsurfing on Lake Mead...but no pics, reviews, etc.

Flights to vegas are $200 right now. Maybe I should bag-it and take a snow-kite trip around here..

thx elvis...

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

That water looks DEEP! Shocked

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

THis thread might be of interest - not sure what the wind is like Jan/Feb

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-1640.html&highlight=lake+mojave

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

From what I hear Lake Mojave is the best spot, even though its a long drive might be worth it. Check out the thread Gman posted and this page:

http://www.kitesurfari.com/travel-mohave.html

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

to about 100 yards off shore, it's not too deep, maybe 20 feet...you can see the bottom.

there are cliffs to the east. if you get to close, the wind gets swirly and heads in all directions.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

cool, thanks for the feedback.

Still looking into Vegas, but Lake Mojave looks nice too...

I have heard some stories about the "desert" winds, and the thermals..

I recall an old issue of Kiteboarding Mag. with a 5-page spread on kiting in Vegas with Chuck Patterson airing over the trees and such...I think they were down there in winter..

Anyone remember that issue..circa 01' maybe.?

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

i remember that issue. as i recall it didn't mention the exact location - just said "secret spot" Evil or Very Mad

however, i was reading it with a well traveled friend and he assured me it was lake mojave.

viento · Since 18 Dec 2005 56 Posts

Sailled there two years ago. Water is supper cold so don't be fooled by the warm air temp. I was there in march and sailed 12m over powered but it is crazy gusty don't really recomend it.

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

I recall an old issue of Kiteboarding Mag. with a 5-page spread on kiting in Vegas with Chuck Patterson airing over the trees and such...I think they were down there in winter..

Anyone remember that issue..circa 01' maybe.?[/quote]

I believe that issue/story was published in '03. Lots of Whiskey Tangos (WT) down there, and the launches have lots of garbage, wind shaddows. On a hot day, lauch space is at a premium. Stay close to lauch area because if you get brake down or gusted down wind, outs are slim to nill as there are lots of cliff walls and it's a big lake.

[/b]

splatt98229 · Since 10 Jan 2007 3 Posts Bellingham WA Kook

I was in Lake Havasu city from Dec. 28th to Jan. 5. Prior to going down I tried to find wind Info. about the lake and came up with zilch. I did notice that it had been fairly windy the week before we went. I took a 7 and a 12 waroo and should have brought the 5! I sailed 5 days on the outer limits of the 7 there were 2 more days of 12 meter stuff that I did not ride.
There is a big island that is connected to Lake Havasu city by believe it or not the London Bridge (some kooky founding father bought the thing, dismanteled it shipped it and reasembled it in Lake havasu!) Anyway the island is wide open on the north side to allow lots of access to the N.W. wind. Lots of locals showed up to watch, and they all said they had never seen anyone kite there before! They also said it was windy like that pretty often. Water temp. was mid 50's air temp was mid 60's to low 70's.
Its a little over 2 hours from Vegas. We also stopped at lake Mead on the way back, it was real windy 30 to 60 knots but with the steep cliffs and hills all around you could see how the wind swirled in all different directions, looked pretty sketchy!

kampy · Since 05 Dec 2010 2 Posts New Member

Hi,
Actually it was super crowded with kiters the next day. The more the better. Just playing around with the camera so didn't really get a lot of video.and enjoyment over the island.
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Vegas Party

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

Used to kite Havasu every Thankgiving week from '04-'06. Never got skunked, but it can get really cold. You can camp right in town and kite from your camp site.
I windsurfed Mead once, must of got lucky because it was steady 20mph.

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

Lake Mohave,

Six mile cove(summer) and katherines landing (winter) are the spots.

I cant remember what direction each spot works on, E and S for six mile and W and N for katherines?

consumer · Since 28 Nov 2010 406 Posts banned Obsessed

Oh and the spot with Chuck P hucking over the tree is six mile cove, it's epic !

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped