ZION Wednesday 8/3

[winter234]

What time does Waukegan park open? Is it enforced?

[adseguy]

North beach park is the official "Waukegan" name so I don't think that is effected. The forecast is starting to die like I thought it might. We'll see what happens after all the storms pass although now I think it'll still be enough on a big kite.

[IVO]

The forecast is starting to die like I thought it might. We'll see what happens after all the storms pass although now I think it'll still be enough on a big kite.

Adrien,I have the best mood in long time right now,I did get my day off,my new 9m was in the mail just today,so I'll be nice.



What are you looking at is one of THE extraordinary day on the lake Michigan(consider we are in the middle of summer),which still be talked and memorized for very long time,Im expecting nothing less than 9m conditions and I would not move my eyebrow if I see 7m being pumped on the beach,waves getting size of winter swells and magic pouring in gallons everywhere

Im going to Michigan in the morning to find right conditions with downwinder in mind,hope all's gonna have great day!!!!!

[adseguy]

I'll be out all day with my buddies too whether it comes in or not. Not sure why you said "I'll be nice"

You think it'll blow hard? The temperature is dropping only to the high seventies mid eighties. I'm not so sure it'll blow too strong. I don't believe in jinxes or any other superstition so talking about what I think the reality of the situation is won't change the actual conditions. I do HOPE for 9m conditions, but I don't see why that would happen. I'd love to hear your insight though as I would learn for the next time around.

edit: Ah wait, I see it now. We are talking about the Michigan side. Yeah that looks pumping over there for tomorrow. I thought we were still on ZION buddy...you forgot to mention that in the beginning lol

[adseguy]

Looking again the estimated wind line is moving south. Casino would be a great call I think (don't know about the beach conditions though)

[t bagger bob]

On my way home from Fond du Lac, I drove by Zion and the beach is still closed. You can drive to the resort, but road blocks prevent any access.
So, I then drove to the Ill Beach Park North Unit and found a place kiting could take place. the northern most beach looks the best and it opens up for a north wind even better than the South Unit. The beach is plenty wide on the southern end and narrows the further north you go. Bad news is most beach goers gather at the wide area. Today there were maybe 30 cars parked to use that beach at about 1pm. I believe kiters could walk north enough to put seperation between kiters and beach goers. More bad news is that the self rescue areas down wind are rocky with submerged pylons and such. South of this junk are 2 200 yd long beaches that you could self rescue to. I talked to a conservation police guy and he said kiting is ok at this area.
he also said he did`t think it would work on the weekends because of crowding. On weekends he said access to this area closes around 12noon because it is full. My last piece of bad news is that he wasn`t confident that the southern unit would be re-opening anytime soon. Driving to the resort at the southern unit I could see the trees that looked snapped off or blown over roots and all.
Hey glbeck, that`s your neck of the woods, have you kited at the north unit?
I remember winsurfing there 15 yrs ago and it gave up a good wave as they rapped around a steel break wall on the point and into a little bay, which is where one of the self rescue beaches are.
Anyway, I am thinking about giving this place a try tommarrow as Waukegan probably won`t get clean wind till later in the day when it swings east. This is not an ideal novice area, but if you walk north far enough you could have plenty of beach to self rescue before you get to rocky, pylon area. If you walk far enough north you come to Northpoint Marina.
Check it out on Google earth
Guess I`ll see in the am and pick a spot , either Waukegan or North unit.

tbb

[Safe_Cracker]

Does not include Waukegan, I was just there to catch some rays/unforecasted winds..

Polo

[V]

Maybe michigan side in the am...thinking marginal for the 190lbs club with 12m kites...

Illinois side is sketchy at best. Good winds to those who go.

[rxaxy]

just as a warning about the north beach of zion, not that you could not kite hear but not a place
you want to run into trouble. don't know how the water was when you stoped their bob but their is
really a lot of stuff in the water on the south end of the beach. i know from sup'ing on a day when it
was really clear. if you do go just stay the hell away from the south end of it . i will be on the south end.
not for everyone but i like it. that is the lake not zion. i'm thinking miller.

[Like To Kite]

Students and I will be heading to Waukegan tomorrow. We'll deal with the gusty winds in the morning in order to avoid the hazards at Zion. Seems to be the best spot overall for learning tomorrow.

I'll be there all day. Looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Happy Kiting!

[KitKrazy]

Illinois Beach State Park = Zion (at the end of Wadsworth). Waukegan is still open. Hope we get some E in the wind! Downwinder anybody!?

[gbleck]

Just the south entrance I think. I could be wrong but I think the North entrance to the Zion beach state park might be open. Not a good launch though if memory serves. Waukegan it is then. I need to swing by Larsen's for some marine paint anyway so that will work.

[jarch]

Can't make it today as I'm covering for the bossman while he's on vacation. But, the Michigan side is the place to be. Waukegan would be fine for lessons, but the big waves and big wind will be somewhere between South Haven and St. Joe. Get it!

[Safe_Cracker]

Anyone at keegs yet with an update?

Polo

[Pier]

Looking again the estimated wind line is moving south. Casino would be a great call I think (don't know about the beach conditions though)

I'm up for casino this afteroon, my only concern is the water quality after the rain we got...

Adrien, are you in to give it a try?

[adseguy]

I'm heading to Montrose with a bunch of friends really soon here. Water quality may have that extra "Eau de poo" in it, but shouldn't be bad if anything because it didn't rain that much yesterday (haven't looked up the measurments though)

I'm heading to Montrose with my 12m here in a bit.

[Pier]

I'm stuck until 4:30pm today and will be visiting a supplier in south Chicago so I'm planning to check the conditions in Casino first, I hope to see someone down there.

Have fun at Montrose and be safe

[manasty]

I am not very familar with the St. Joe area. What would be a good beach to go to around there today?

Matt

[Safe_Cracker]

Keegs looks up but it is a solid gusty north waiting for the switch, should be soon...

Polo

[adseguy]

I am not very familar with the St. Joe area. What would be a good beach to go to around there today?

Matt

Tiscornia park is to the north of the Jetty and if you look at google maps satellite view you should kite on the beach to the south of the jetty (silver beach county park) to get the nice rolling waves. There WILL be other kiters out so follow their lead and stay away from the beach goers.

Fun day today! Montrose will have buggying, landboarding, kiteboarding, and definitely a beer or three at "the dock" Have a great time wherever you go!