Chicago, IL. ( The Windy City )
Montrose Beach, Chicago's kite beach
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From either airport, head towards downtown Chicago....head east towards the Lake....The Lake side highway is called Lake Shore drive ( LSD ). Head towards the northside of the city using LSD and exit Montrose Ave....head east until you hit the beach....there will be a big flag pole which will give you and idea of the wind direction. Aprox. just under 20 miles from both airports.
There are other beaches we local kiteboarder use too, depending on wind directions, such as places in Michigan,Wisconsin,Indiana....i will keep this scope for the Chicago area only. Visit www.chicagokiteboarder.com for different area beaches in relation to wind directions and also for wind forecasts.
Hotels abound, Public transportation is readily available.
I'm a local Chicago kiteboarder
Chicago is home to the best restaurant in the states. Due to lots of Immigrants you will have authentic food from different nations
Museums, Theme parks, Ball parks,Navy Pier,Architecture,Lake front biking , Plays etc.
US city standards
The chicago winds are Lake effect thermal winds which are more difficult to predict vs. Trade winds, they are also gustier and change direction intantanously. Kiteboarders will normally be out when the winds are blowing 10 to 20 knots. Chicago winds are also more dense making them stronger then warm winds.
The best kiteboarding months are the months during Spring ( April , May ) and fall ( Sept, Oct ) though colder then Summer....a wetsuit/drysuit is needed. Summer often brings good winds too.
Water temp during summer is in the 60's to 70's and upper 50's during the good wind months, hence the need for suits. On N,NW winds the water is choppy and smooth on NE,ENE and E winds.
No. Upwind ability is not needed but if you plan to head out of the beach area then upwind skills is very important because between the next city beaches are 3 meter high walls.
www.chicagokiteboarder.com
Information, Lessons and Equipment.
Gerard contact person
There is no true kiteboarding shop in chicago, there is a windsurf shop that is slowly making a transition into kiteboarding but still way behind. West Marine shops for some rings.shakles,ropes etc.
Website: www.chicagokiteboarding.com
Just like most areas....we would like to keep our Montrose beach accessible to us kiteboarders....just ff. comon sense kiteboarding rules....use your safety leash, no tricks close to the shore line etc.
Montrose beach is a fairly big beach lenght and width wise. The beach has some broken glass so care should be taken for your kite and feet.
The beach is good for wind directions that are: N,NW,NE,ENE and SE winds...for other winds such as S,W and SW we go out of town to Michigan,Indian or Wisconsin. When in Montrose for kiteboarding and the beach is open, you have to rig on the South side of the beach and do a walk out due to shallow waters and for safety with the bystanders and to avoid problems with the Lifeguards.