New to Chicago, Eager to Kiteboard

[GC1]

Hi Everybody,

I just got to Chicago for a long term project and haven’t brought my kitesurfing gear with me yet as I’m not sure what kind of variables you guys have in the area.

What’s the kiting season around here?
What average wind speeds you get?
What kite sizes you use?
What are the closest/better kiting areas near downtown Chicago?

I’m from the west coast in Mexico and we use 11m to 14m kites for winds of 14 to 24 knots.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you guys.

Guillermo

[adseguy]

Hi Everybody,

I just got to Chicago for a long term project and haven’t brought my kitesurfing gear with me yet as I’m not sure what kind of variables you guys have in the area.

Welcome to the scene!

What’s the kiting season around here?

Right now actually! Spring and Fall so Late August all the way until you are too cold (November?) and then in Spring as soon as the ice melts in March through Mid June. Summer is usually fairly dead, but we do get lucky in some places around the big lake.

What average wind speeds you get?

Anything! Since we don't have trade winds or too many thermals around here it's anything from 10knots to 30knots. Just pick your days

What kite sizes you use?

5M to 16M.

What are the closest/better kiting areas near downtown Chicago?

Please refer to www.Chicagokitesurfing.com for info, but really you can only be at Montrose beach and ONLY if you have certification to ride there. Again, just read the rules in the link. If you have a car you can fairly easily get to nice beaches around the area. From upper Wisconsin all the way to Upper Michigan just follow the forums and watch the wind forecasts.

[GC1]

Hi Adrien,

Thanks a lot for your response. What's the most accurate place where you check the wind forecast?

Regards
Guillermo

[V]

Uh oh... You had to go there?

There's a hundred different ways, or just check here to see where others are going.

Personally i watch the noaa, then check the TAFs, and then use my best personal decuction on where to go based on years of being a beachgoer around here.

[adseguy]

You caught me at the wrong time GC1. I'm actually making a sub-site that you can get all the info you need just by selecting the location (Great Lakes that is). For now I use NOAA, and sailflow.com, and a local meter around here for real time readings: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/chi/prev3.html