Detroit Lake

trigger · Since 06 Apr 2008 37 Posts

Hows the kiting at Detroit? We used to go camping every summer and I have always remembered to wind being REALLY strong in the afternoons, and late summer (Aug-Sep) the water is really REALLY warm.

Only problem is there's really not any 'good' launches. You could always try a ghetto water launch after jumping off a dock, but between lines and your feet, I just can't see that going well. Getting back in would be a bitch too, dump kite -> self rescue/swim to get back in.

There is the Mongold Day Park (Oregon State Park), but I cant really remember the beach situation there.

Thoughts, experiences?

Ike · Since 12 Mar 2008 216 Posts Central Oregon Stoked

I have wondered the same thing, I drive by it all the time. Like you said though doesnt look like very good launch opertunities.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

If you had jet skit support you might be able to make something happen if you wanted to get tricky with it.

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 614 Posts pdx Addicted

I've kited there a few times while camping in August. We usually have a boat or two amongst the family and so I have always boat launched from up by the dam. Have used an 11m and 12m. Big downwinder down to the campsite (past Mongold). Wind is pretty light towards the end. Have been picked up by boat once or twice.

I think it can be good if you are camping there and can pull off a downwinder. you definitely got to be up by the dam where the nukin wind is.

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

me and a couple buddies have downwinded it many times.
you can boat launch if you have one or drift launch off the
log boom up by the dam. it's light at the launch, then cranks
up in the middle section, then light at the end. tough to make
it back to any beach without boat support or long swim.
there's usually plenty of tourist boats that are super interested
as they've never seen kiting before that are more than happy
to pick you up. we've ridden 13m mostly but it gets 9m often
in the summer. good luck !!!

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

odell lake rips in the summer too.
we've had more fun there than detroit.
good drift launch spot from the boat dock
at the campground in the middle of the lake
on the north side.

trigger · Since 06 Apr 2008 37 Posts

I never thought about odell Cool

, though last time I drove out there I got a ticket (55/45) gotta love Oakridge Rolling Eyes

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I grew up in Oakridge everybody get ticketed their. My brother had a profesor at ucla say "Oakridge I got a ticket their once". We used to windsurf odell and also ct beach right outside of Oakridge on the resivour.

Oregon Surf Shop Tim · Since 04 Feb 2008 70 Posts Lincoln City Oregon

My first solo kite experience after taking lessons in Hood River was at Odell. Naish 2 line kite and a Starbord directional . Swam out from the beach at the campsite we were staying at and had my brother in law launch me. A bit tricky with all the old growth trees! Proceeded to go down wind using the old 20 seconds on the board 2 minutes trying to sort out the wreckage from the high speed, overpowered, don't know how to stomp the power out of my kite yet crashes till i started to run out of lake. Dropped the kite and wound lines, swam in and started hiking back up Hwy 58 till my wife came and got me.

Ahh the good old days Very Happy

I think it could be super fun though with boat or Jetski support.