|
 Bob's
best bet for wind - Friday Sept 05/08 0900 MST
Well, after a great August ... the wind has shut
down for a while ... and a while more.
Its looking very light for the weekend ... no real wind is forecast
for any location in southern Alberta ... from any direction. The
Oldman might start to work by next Tuesday ... and by next Thursday
/ Friday Keho should start to work again.
The la Nina is over ... the Pacific ocean is in an ENSO neutral
state, as observed by the NOAA Climate
Prediction Centers Seasonal Outlook. Both the Canadian and American long
range models are predicting that Sept., Oct., and November will
be a little cooler and drier than normal conditions in southern
Alberta.
The water is starting to cool quite rapidly ...
a 4/3mm steamer is comfortable. With the new super stretchy rubber
... the thick suits are very flexible and comfortable ... and of
course, warm. Try it ... you'll like it!
Believe it or not, in the fall, the Oldman is often
warmer than Keho. Don't know why ... it just is.
Be careful out on the water ... it still is pretty
chilly ... you are on your own. There is no rescue
service!
The Ranch is looking great, Kitebeach,
the Graineries and Kehokipa are
all in great shape ... its time to play. Remember ... be a good
citizen and pack out your garbage. Try to leave these places better
than you find them. We use these places by the grace of AB Environment
... its best if we don't give them any reasons to doubt there decisions.
Say goodbye to the hut at Kehokipa ...
because of shore erosion it finds itself too close to the water, and Alberta
Environment has ordered its removal. Probably for the best ...
it was getting pretty used and abused ... with most local riders
frequenting kitesurfing locations at the lake, it was being ignored.
Kehokipa is still open as probably the best high performance
windsurfing site in southern Alberta ... some pretty good kite
conditions as well ... if you like big water.
The Oldman Dam, 2 1/2 hours south of Calgary, is
one of the best windsurflng sites in western Canada. With the advent
of sheetable kites is is quickly becoming a fantastic kite destination
as well. It is very windy here a lot of the time, even when the
wind isn't up elsewhere. Bring the whole quiver, down to 3.5 square
meters windsurfing sails and a 7-9m kite for the moderate days.
I understand there is a bit of user conflict at Windy
Point at the OMD ... if we are kiting there ... remember there
is a 30m restriction in place. Don't be a jackass and huck close
to shore! Force 10 is taking steps to smooth this misunderstanding
over ... in the meantime ... lets be good citizens.
Thanks to Laurent Marechal for the maps!
Windy point ... a government developed sailing site is on the
SE corner of the lake, and is where most of the sailing is done
these days. Pea gravel lauvch, lots of parking, washrooms ... great
viewing. This is an awesome spot!
Kite Beach is located on the NW end of the lake ... across from
the Castle River inlet. The wind is much steadier at this end of
the lake when the wind is SW ... it is still pretty gusty though
compared to the prairie lakes. The will be some pretty turbulent
wins across the lake near the cliffs at the Castle River inlet
... steer clear from that side.
Most of the sailing around Oldman has been done with the lake
at lower than 100 percent capacity, and already It offers conditions
which can be hand picked. Another good kite launch when the water
is less than full is the launch off Massey Point, on the north
side of the lake. This launch site is marked by an old Massey Ferguson
combine, and during prevailing winds provides straight passage
up the Castle River Inlet. There can be some turbulence by the
far shore ... stay near the N shore it is all good.
Another great windsurfing launch site offering clean, smooth water
sailing is accessible from the south end of the lake via Pincher
Creek Station. Access is from the No. 3 Highway. Instead of heading
south to Pincher Creek, you head north of the No. 3 highway, past
the Husky gas station, the grain elevators along a winding gravel
road for about 3 kilometers. The road ends in the lake, and offers
plentiful parking alongside. Other launch sites are available.
The
Ranch is closed.
There will be a locked gate off the main road. Those campers
that have seasonal spots will open the gate when they are on
site. If the gate is open, kite ranch is open!! There is a firepit
and washrooms ... and best of all, Gord's pride and joy, new
horseshoes pits! It is the place to camp at Keho lake. Wind direction
is side onshore at the end of the point, but side offshore below
the point when its SW ...
If riding out of the
Ranch ... please do not drive your vehicle out on
the point. It is a condition of the lease, that vehicles are
not allowed past the camping area. Somebody was out on it on
last week ... bad boys!
See you on the water!
aloha, bob |
