Is there a Kite Launch at Grantsville?

[Chase.Leibfritz]

Is there a launch site for kiteboarders at Grantsville?

[Craig Goudie]

I moved this here so that it can be viewed by people who know and addressed properly. When
you reply to a Forecast (I've done it myself recently), it broadcasts out to anyone using the remote service,
and this is more germane to the main message board.

-Craig

Is there a launch site for kiteboarders at Grantsville?

[Emmanuel Pons]

Is there a launch site for kiteboarders at Grantsville?

There is plenty of room on the beach but very little on the water especially late summer.
10 windsurfers will make it feel crowded even without the fishermen so it could not handle more than a couple of kites before it starts getting unmanageable.

Also if you were to get lifted more than expected while jibing on the outer end (where the stronger gusts are) you'd easily end up on the rocks or blended 30 feet below in the dry grass behind the dam!

[Craig Goudie]

I have a vague recollection of Kiteboarder double broken arms on the Grantsville Dike. Stay safe out there.

-Craig

Is there a launch site for kiteboarders at Grantsville?

Also if you were to get lifted more than expected while jibing on the outer end (where the stronger gusts are) you'd easily end up on the rocks or blended 30 feet below in the dry grass behind the dam!

[Kenny]

Grantsville is a place for advanced kiters only. Even so, I haven't bothered to go there this year after close calls in the past. I will explain.

1. Much of the shore is very rocky, so when the water is high it is difficult to find a place to launch that will not damage your kite. Mike Rossberg and I used to launch off of a tarp, but we still ended up damaging our kites. I started drift-launching there and that has been kinder to the kite, but you still have to be very careful not to snag a line on the rocks.
2. The wind at Grantsville is very spiky and often inconsistent. It can pick you up and drop you like a rock - not the greatest conditions for jumping.
3. The lulls can be long. Not a big deal for a windsurfer that can slog back to shore. Kiters on the other hand tend to drift downwind quickly in a lull. Unfortunately, Grants is so small that it doesn't take long until you are on the rocky dyke trying to put your kite away without snagging the lines in the rocks. Then you have the joy of walking back upwind over sharp rocks.
3. Grants has a very short reach and the wind swirls on the far side. Once again, manageable on a windsurfer, but plays havoc with a kite.

Most of the experienced riders have tried Grants and you notice from the posts that it is a windsurfer haven. Now you know why.

I am not saying that I will never kite at Grants again, but I actually prefer going to the salt ponds because at least the wind is smooth - call me crazy...

[Ralph Morrison]

I actually prefer going to the salt ponds - call me crazy...

I think that goes without saying.

[Marty Lowe]

I have a vague recollection of Kiteboarder double broken arms on the Grantsville Dike. Stay safe out there.

-Craig

I think his name was Fred, from Kaysville,
Never see him kiting anymore.

[Kenny]

I think his name was Fred, from Kaysville,
Never see him kiting anymore.

Yes, it was Fred that broke both arms after getting lofted onto some rocks.

Don't be a Fred! Kite someplace else.

[Carl Christensen]

Seems like if anyone could do it, it would be Kenny. Plus, that east wall sure comes up fast when you are carrying heat.

[Jacob Buzianis]

It's not worth the risk riding there. I had too many close called there.

I leave it to the windsurf to have the pool.

[bigwavedave]

Fred was my business partner at the time he had his accident. He broke his elbow pretty badly but just on one arm. Got launced and landed on the rocks. He actually started snowkiting again this last winter after a long hiatus and because of the advances in kite gear but I still don't think he's been on the water. He couldn't get enough of the snow though so I'm sure you'll see him around again when it piles up.

[windzup]

The last time I kited at the cereal bowl of G-Ville, I was flying F-One closed cell foils, so everything about the situation seemed dangerous at the time. Several sessions ended with a swim into shore after dumping the kite in the water.
Funny story tho, on that last fateful day for me kiting there, I found a black film container. It was half full of wacky tabacky. A few years later I would share that story with someone that claims they knew a windsurfer that lost a similar 'stash' around that era. hmmmm. I took the memento as a parting gift from the wind gods and I never went back.

BTW- What happened to Mike Rossberg? He turned me onto the place and I met him for several morning sessions, he had the place dialed. He'd watch the wind meter at 5am, call me at 6, and we'd be on the water between 7-8, then heading to work by 9-10am. Ah, the good ole days.

I would say that there is a strong possibility to Marty's theory. Which is that when Craig forecasts a morning G-ville wind, it will likely be good at Yuba as well. I'm lame for not testing this theory thoroughly, but it has worked a couple of times this summer. Definitely a better option for kiters seeking a dawn patrol session.

Just like the cavalry and the Indians back in the ole west... I say the kiters should abandon G-Ville and officially designate the area as a reservation for Windsurfing Only.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

[Kenny]

BTW- What happened to Mike Rossberg? He turned me onto the place and I met him for several morning sessions, he had the place dialed. He'd watch the wind meter at 5am, call me at 6, and we'd be on the water between 7-8, then heading to work by 9-10am. Ah, the good ole days.

Mike is still around, he went snowkiting once or twice last winter. His wife has been going to school so Mike has focused his passion on cycling. She graduated so I hope to see Mike out again on the water this fall. I wanted to learn how to windsurf in 2000 and we both learned to kite instead.

I kited G-ville a few times last year on modern equipment. Even with the new gear, it is dicey. I am not saying that I won't kite there again because enough wind-free days will lure me back. I just would hate to see someone get seriously hurt there. You have to have the skills and respect the conditions to kite there.

Glad to hear that Fred is back kiting!

[RickHeninger]

"wacky tobacky"... just about spit-took all over my desk!

Surprised I've never heard that one...

[Craig Goudie]

Even though I know you've been around the block, some of us have been around the galaxy ;*)

-Craig

"wacky tobacky"... just about spit-took all over my desk!

Surprised I've never heard that one...