Kite season on Lake Michigan?

[nicolegoebel]

Hi,

I am visiting family all along Lake Michigan at the end of July. I was wondering if it is worth bringing my kite gear. And if so, what size kites do people ride on the lake? I am around the 155 lb mark.

Also, any tips on where to kite between Chicago and Sheboygan (my two destinations)?

Thanks!

Nicole

[adseguy]

If you can check the forecast before you go and if you see something decently strong then you could head to Miller or the michigan side, but you have two things working against you this time of year:

1.) Statistically July is the worst month for wind in Chicago
2.) if wind does come it will most likely be West or South or something in between like SW. This isn't good for the Wisconsin to Illinois side. We have to go to Indiana (West winds) or Michigan (SW winds). So again, check the forecast and if you can make it to that side of the lake then we'll all be there

[nicolegoebel]

Thanks for that!

I may also be heading to Grand Rapids. So no doubt I will have to check the wind along the way...

I need to dig around, but can I get a heads up on locations to check for wind in the first place?

Thanks!

Nicole

[Northerner]

Hi Nicole,
Adseguy summed things up pretty good. You really can never tell until seeing the forecasts a few days in advance. Sheboygan is one of the best spots on the West side of the lake that time of year as we regularly turn a SW into a S. For example today the forecast is 10-15 SW and I'm looking at whitecaps and south wind right now. Just waiting for a bit more wind.

[adseguy]

Yeah sorry about that Northerner, it's easy to forget about the cheese heads. Nicole you will want to check that out. It's a sweet spot and head to these forums to see where we are riding.

[Bob]

That's OK. Cheeze heads don't mind being forgotten. Means less traffic for us.

happy 4th.

[737flyboy]

Hey N,

I like the first 3 for current observation, the next one for direction and the last one for velocity.

Cheers,

John "Happy 4th Bob, Adrien"

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/metdata/chi/
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/radial_search. ... E&dist=250

http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.i ... ast+Graphs

http://www.sailflow.com/windandwhere.iw ... meoffset=0