http://www.thewindmap.com
Sort of like http://www.kitebeaches.com but potential to be mo-bettah?
Google Maps frontend with a Wiki backend for site information...
www.thewindmap.com
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jjm
- Site Admin
- Posts:901
- Joined:Sun Nov 28, 2004 9:58 am
- Location:San Francisco, CA
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Sander
This brings up an interesting contrast between surfers and windsurfers/kiters in that this type of site 'naming' is widely considered taboo in the surfing community (especially of lesser known 'secret' spots), yet windsurfers/kiters seem to be very sharing and welcoming with their sites.
Of course, good surf spots, especially point breaks, can have very small sweet spots where everyone wants to be, whereas for the most part windsports can spread out across the vast expanse of windy waters (with the notable exceptions that some of the wavesailing spots can get crowded too).
Kiters, by virtue of being able to do more with less wind, are more likely to be in the water at the same time & place as surfers (in contrast to windsurfers that need 20mph to get going) and are thus more likely to come into contact with the aggro surfing bretheren.
These kinds of resources are great for the newbie or visitor looking for more information on local spots and hopefully will just serve to help someone who was going to go kiting anyway find a suitable spot for their skill levels.
But these site maps are also a double edged sword, because now that everyone with web access knows about your favorite spot, the launch spot and landing zones are going to be more crowded, more people are going to be in the water right where you want to perform your new trick, and there are going to be more clueless newbies and out-of-towners violating all of the etiquette at your site, perhaps endangering site access.
It looks like the internet is here to stay, so these kinds of resources will be around as well, and site naming will be accepted.
Let's hope for the best and just be patient when you discover the crowd at your favorite spot next season.
Of course, good surf spots, especially point breaks, can have very small sweet spots where everyone wants to be, whereas for the most part windsports can spread out across the vast expanse of windy waters (with the notable exceptions that some of the wavesailing spots can get crowded too).
Kiters, by virtue of being able to do more with less wind, are more likely to be in the water at the same time & place as surfers (in contrast to windsurfers that need 20mph to get going) and are thus more likely to come into contact with the aggro surfing bretheren.
These kinds of resources are great for the newbie or visitor looking for more information on local spots and hopefully will just serve to help someone who was going to go kiting anyway find a suitable spot for their skill levels.
But these site maps are also a double edged sword, because now that everyone with web access knows about your favorite spot, the launch spot and landing zones are going to be more crowded, more people are going to be in the water right where you want to perform your new trick, and there are going to be more clueless newbies and out-of-towners violating all of the etiquette at your site, perhaps endangering site access.
It looks like the internet is here to stay, so these kinds of resources will be around as well, and site naming will be accepted.
Let's hope for the best and just be patient when you discover the crowd at your favorite spot next season.
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