BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Just throwing this one out there. I have a free flight to Chicago and want to get some Great Lake action in the windy city! From what I've read, I'm stoked because the wind gets rippin this time of year and the waves apparently get pretty big also. I know it seems strange to say waves on Lake Michigan but that lake is so huge it makes the Bay look like a mud puddle. It also seems like I should be equipt with the full quiver for Fall wind.

Any Great Lakes kiting experiences?

Thanks,
G

Pack the warmest wetsuit you got. Not only is the water cold, but those winds in ChiTown make it absolutely frigid. I'm not sure what you're going to find in Chicago, however about a 3 hour ride to the north into Michigan is South Haven. HUGE BEACHES and you may find a few souls enjoying the waves too. You can also check in with the Broneah boys in Traverse City who may have more info on Chicago area KBing. Have fun & stay warm!

never kited, but back in the day I windsurfed there in pre-frontal wind that was gusting over 40mph. The waves were big like head high. It was unbelievable, and i got my ass kicked. This was in michigan city near the dunes.

I've surfed off the beach at Northwestern in Evanston (far closer than Michigan). The south beach is actually a popular windsurfer spot, and boy do I wish I kited when I went to school there :)

I ice fished there as a kid, we drove right out on the lake, right off lake shore drive in Chicago. That place can be brutally cold in the winter (like lacasaverde said). The fall weather there was nice, definitely my favorite season. Sounds like your gonna have a blast :).

Have you guys heard about Montrose Beach in Chicago? It's the only kiting beach in the City and has strict regs for kiting. I guess the wind is somewhat onshore and upwind skills are essential. They also had problems in the past so now all kiters must be IKO or PASA certified to kite there. In order to kite, you have to show your cert cards and get a streamer for your kite. Each streamer is color coded for your cert level and also whether or not you purchased kiting insurance!! (sorry Kev, pirate flags don't count). supposedly, there are only 5 guest streamers available at the shack.
I don't know if it's possible to get the certs on short notice without wasting a half day of good wind - I might be driving up the lake shore to find a little dirt parking lot or an overgrown beach to remind me of home.

Wow, what a pain in the ass. Just show the guy a 12 pack of Old Milwaukee and I bet you'll be certified before you can pump up your kite. Send Pictures!

As Ramsey says, Michigan City is a stone's throw from ChiTown and I highly doubt you're gonna run into the streamer police. Good luck.

thanks bros.