Is there good summer wind in Helena?

Pictures are currently a pain in the forum. We're working on it...

back in my windsurfing days i got my ass handed to me a couple time on canyon ferry. theres good wind usually. the wind sometimes just shifts 180 and comes railin from the south. good sailin too.

The most consistent wind on Canyon Ferry is down by the Silos off of Highway 12 between Helena and Townsend, but often the wind direction is slightly off shore.

When there is a decent wind blowing from the West or SW Goose Bay on the east side of the lake is the place I usually go. There's big sand bars that stick way out into the lake to make launching and landing easy, and there's a trail road along the lake that runs for a couple of miles so you can do down winders in lighter wind. It's probably the safest place to kite if your on your own or without boat support.

On really good day I launch from Magpie Bay or "the point" by Kim's Marina. The wind is gusty in there but if you can make it out to the wind tunnel it blows really hard in the middle of the lake. It's a fun place, but its about a 50/50 chance that you'll make it back to where you started from because the wind is just so sketchy by the shore and the launches are small rocky areas. I always just wind my kite up while in the water and swim in when I'm kiting there.

But Canyon Ferry can be good. I grew up out there and kited for 3 years of it. One summer I got in 40 sessions and that was when the gear wasn't as safe and "what's a relaunch system?". Pretty cool place that Canyon Ferry.

So this place in Helena that you found, is it Lake Helena? that place is big and shallow and great when there is ice on it, but in the summer it turns into a mud swamp. if you try walking through the water you will literally sink to your armpits in mud..........and it smells because that's where all the farm and cattle ranch shit water runs to in that valley. but on a nice summer day when the wind is blowing it look inviting every time.

I've Kited Hauser, but it takes a boat and it's super gusty there.

Browns Lake is about an hours west of Helena and it gets consistent wind throughout the summer and you are apt to run into windsurfers and kiters there. Plus there is a wind meter.

Canyon Ferry takes a while to figure out, Its a big lake that the wind builds in some places and shuts off in other places. I've seen a lot of kiters get lured away from shore by the good wind and then it shifts or shuts down. If your observant though it helps.

I miss living there because the kiting is good in Helena most summers.

joel

Thanks Joel!

I am actually thinking of the Helena Resivour (sp?). The water is down a bit leaving an awesome sandy shore line all around the "lake", a long sand spit, and access to a sand island... My only concern is if Helena will get consistant wind days above the 15mph floor....

What do you think? Does Helena proper get good wind?

Thanks,

Jerome

Yes, there are days when it does it blows 20 all day in the valley, The best Months are April, May and June and July can be good too.

Helena Holding Res has weird wind, It's like a volcano pit up there, On top of a hill but sunk down a bit, I've rode there but never in the summer.

Thanks, Joel.

I'll keep my eyes on it and update the crew about the kite surfing potential!!

Best regards,

JP