Kiteboarding at Creve Coeur lake?

[Bob Mechtly]

Hi,

Do you know any people who kiteboard at Creve Coeur Lake in St. Louis MO?  I would like to get more info on the sport & possibly give it a try before getting my own kiteboard.  It looks like great fun!!! I did a lot of windsurfing years ago & still sail at Creve Coeur Lake on my Hobie cat.  I'm also a skilled snowboarder & skateboarder (see attached photos)

Thanks,

Bob Mechtly

[KDA...@aol.com]

Hi Bob

 

i kiteboarded at CC yesterday and will be evaluating the wind and might get to go today

 

i also run a waterski and wakeboard school in ST Louis

 

here is a pic for you

 

call me if you need info 314-378-8250

 

 

 

Thank You

Kevin Day

[Tim]

Bob,

Welcome to the group.  You definitely got the board skills....can you teach me to snowboard like that?  Awesome !  I've always wanted to do a half-pipe...but skills prevent it.  And where do you skateboard, is that picture from a spot in the area?  I could so get into that.

Kiteboarding in STL is a bit challenging, due to not so great winds and launch areas.  CC lake does work, but is far from ideal.

The best thing you can do is buy a small trainer kite and get comfy flying it.  You can even get pulled around on a parking lot on your skateboard.

After that, go to South Padre Island or the Outer Banks in North Carolina, and take an intro to kiteboarding class.  This will cost you a few hundred dollars, but is well worth it.  You'll get to try out lots of various equipment (boards, kites, harness) and get a feel for what you like.  Kiteboarding is also dangerous, so professional instruction is a must-have.

Another option is Kansas City.  There is now a school out there, and I know the guys who run it.  It is called Kiteforce Academy, just google and I'm sure you'd find it.  I'm at work and goofing off is frowning upon so can't find the address for you!  You could arrange for a couple days of instruction and make a long weekend out of it.  Smithville Lake is not as good as SPI or OBX (winds here are not as smooth as the coast, plus we don't have the large sandy beaches) but is WAY better than anything here local in STL.  You can learn at Smithville Lake, with the guys at Kiteforce helping you out.

Kiteboarding IS awesome, you will be hooked once you get your feet wet.

I'm spending the summer in Seattle area (so I can kiteboard !!  ha ha ha) but feel free to ask any questions and I'll try and help you.

Tim

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[Stemle, Larry]

WOW!  Handplanting and big jumps on the Toumbstone on an OS board…maybe you can be our new Iron Man (previous idol moved to TX)!    So you must know Darren, Mike Corbin, and of course Don Earley.  

 

I took up skateboarding and within a year took a hard fall and blew out my shoulder (4 wks ago)!   So I’m on the DL from windsurfing etc. for 6-12 months… a major bummer.  I’ve dodged the bullet for 24 years of windsurfing, motocross racing, water/snow skiing.…with no real injuries.   I think I’ll stick to water sports…it’s much softer!  Kiting in the Midwest and especially at Creve Coeur takes advanced skills and even then is risky, but with your resume I suspect you could tackle it.

 

Hope to meet you one of these days…Chris maybe we should have another “learn to windsurf” day at CC this Summer!?

 

Larry Stemle

[Chris Mihill]

Yes we will do another learn to windsurf day at CC.  I have 4-5 folks who want to join in.  I'm Thinking of doing a couple.  Possible even a weekday after work..  BTW, is anyone sailing today?  Matt was thinking of calling JD to kite Creve Couer.  Ed, Dan & Tammy are AWOL.....are they hitting the big lakes in Illinois?    Chris --- On Wed, 6/15/11, Stemle, Larry <larry....@pfinnovation.com> wrote:

[Bob Mechtly]

Can you do a learn to Kiteboard day?  

Yes, I know Darren, Mike & Don

You need to come skate at the Youth Activity Park "YAP" 636.561.4964 Located: 7801 Hwy N. Dardenne Prairie, MO On Highway N, between Bryan Road and Highway 40/61. 33,000-square foot skate park.

Drag boat races Fri-Sun, June 17-19 Creve Coeur Lake

In case your interested, this is the first time in at least 10 years that Top Fuel boats will be there.

They can hit 250 mph in just 1000 ft. It's an awesome sight. Time trials will be Saturday, eliminations

Sunday, usually starting around 11:00. They usually run till 4:00 or 4:30 both days.

[Bob Mechtly]

Would any of you experienced Kiteboarders want to give me a lesson at Creve Coeur lake some time soon? I know a lot depends on the wind & time schedule availability for people, but I would be willing to pay for the lesson & use of your kite & board. I'm working on getting money together for my own Kiteboard but would like to try it before I get my own equipment. Please let me know what you all think & what the cost for a lesson would be.

Thanks,
Bob Mechtly

[KDA...@aol.com]

Hi Bob

 

i thought i had replyed to you several weeks ago on this topic of kiteboarding

 

please contact me at 314-378-8250 to chat

 

Thank You

Kevin Day

[Tim]

Bob there are no local instructors, I'd recommend you contact the nice guys at kiteforce academy in kansas city.  They are certified, insured, ect.

http://kiteforceacademy.com/

Or head out to OBX or SPI, and get lessons in a perfect spot to learn.

Creve Coeur lake would not be a good spot for lessons or to try your first kite...it is gusty and filled with hazards. People, power lines, etc. 

Before you buy ANYTHING (except a 2m or 3m trainer kite) get some lessons so you can try different equipment and see what works for you. 

Tim