Kiting in Coloraod

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 518 Posts Addicted

Wanted to get out and it was nuking by my house this Sun. We have a resevoir about 20 min from my house, there is no wind meter. I took my chances, went up to Reudi Res, about 20 miles from Basalt.
It was nuking. Rigged an 11 and kited for 1.5 hours in 45 degree water. It was so sweet. I was told by the guys at the Aspen Yacht Club, they no one has ever kited on there before.

Either way, was so nice to get out with out having to travel somewhere.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 882 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Jonpnw · Tue May 24, 16 8:19 am **Awesome !**

Nice score ! great scenery

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

go up on the white surf behind the pic as well.

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 289 Posts Durango Obsessed

COLORADICAL

jkspinuzzi · Since 15 May 2016 5 Posts Bend Kook

I'm from Colorado, have always wanted to move back but won't go until I know I can kite somewhere. Thanks for sharing your experience, it makes me hopeful. I know they snow kite on Lake Dillon in the winter but I'm not ready to give up the water.

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 518 Posts Addicted

dont come rushing back for this. It was cold and gusty. Mountain winds.
here is one more with some great scenary

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 613 Posts pdx Addicted

Nice work Matt! Thumb's Up

jkspinuzzi · Since 15 May 2016 5 Posts Bend Kook

I've heard the next closest is a lake in Nebraska? I drive 3 hours from Bend OR to Rufus OR to kite right now, I've been told there's a lake in Nebraska 3 hours from Denver with summer kiting. Do you know anything about that?

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 518 Posts Addicted

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

Big sandy about 5 miles north of farson wy is a SWEET spot. Maybe a little farther than lake McConaughey but you can camp on the beach and you wont see another person. Its a very windy spot.

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 518 Posts Addicted

skideeppow · Since 26 Aug 2011 518 Posts Addicted

waynepjh · Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked

On wind alert i use the gauge in farson to get a forecast. I also use noaa weather point forecast.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-109.42669105705995&lat=42.27770608193691#.V0hnyvROKJI

The winds there can be quite gusty in the middle of the day but rideable. We usually show up to kite around 2-3. Best wind is last 3-4 hours before sunset.

Matt V · Fri May 27, 16 7:56 am

Nice pic Wane!

Don't forget Wilson Reservoir in near Lucas Kansas. The launches are pretty good right now with the water low. One red sand beach, one mud beach function as our regular launches. the water is clear and has a slightly salty taste to it (like sweat) as it is fed from the Saline river. Wear booties as it has zebra muscles (quagga too) in it. Lucas point campground is the best for launching a kite, though, you can launch pretty much anywhere at this water level.

This lake gave me the cleanest wind I have ever had, even on the ocean! I was on a 9.5m, 200lber was on a 17m, and a beginner was on a 13.5m. When we came, we all looked at each other and asked how we felt with the kite size. All of us could jump a high as we wanted, and none of us felt over powered. And I was the heaviest on a 9.5. Cleaner than the coast!

Matt V · Fri May 27, 16 8:10 am

Pics from Mac last week 5/18 to 5/21. The water is now too high to beach launch easily. But it should be back to a perfect level with lots of sand flats to make some awesome shorebreak by September when I roll through again. And thanks to Steve for taking some pics as I am usually too lazy.