Fall is here, waves are back
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2005 12:44 pm
If you're like me, you're stoked that the waves and wind are beginning to fire up on the coast. Or...you are just getting into wave sailing and thinking that now is a good time to get dialed in. Either way, I've been at Waddell the last couple weekends and feel that a refresher may be necessary for fun times to be had by all.
Just a few tips to have a good time at places like Waddell. I will use Waddell as the location here but it applies to all wave spots.
This can be argued over and over but the general rules of the road are different in the ocean. It is more of a surfers right of way than a kiters right of way. Kiters are there to catch waves...that's it. There are often limited set waves and when a rider works hard to get one, you don't want to be the guy/gal who messes it up for them.
1. The rider closest to the peak has the right of way no matter what tack you are on. I will repeat this in different formats as it seems to be the main issue.
2. When heading off the beach (starboard tack) at Waddell, you need to keep your eyes pealed for incoming wave riders. If someone is infront of a wave and upwind of you (north) they are likely going to make a bottom turn and head down the line (covering a lot of downwind territory as they go. If you are standing on the beach ready to go out, it is best to let the set go by and let the riders get their waves, then make a pass at going out. Keep your kite over the beach so as not to have it in the way of wave riders. If you can slip out downwind of a wave rider give them more than an entire line length of room downwind. It is yoru responsibility to stay way out of the way of the wave rider...go way downwind and work your way back upwind on the outside.
3. When riding a wave: Look upwind. If someone else is on the wave, get off. This means if you are on the wave and someone else is closer to the peak, give them the wave (pull out the back). It's the same as surfing. The guy closest to the peak has the wave. Don't milk it and then get off when they get close...you inhibit their ability to work their kite down the line and you make the wave section out ahead of them.
4. Never take a wave from the outgoing tack (chicken jibe) unless there is noone anywher near that wave. (I had this happen to me three times at Waddell this weekend and the second time resulted in wrapped kites and the third, I actually had to give up my wave to avoid wrapped kites.)
5. If you've never kited Waddell, do as I have seen a few wave newbs do and spend some time watching the rotation and catching kites. You will really learn a lot about kiting there and earn good graces from the local crew.
These are the main points I feel are quite important to safe and fun wave riding. If anyone has anything to add, please do so. For many, it is a long drive and to have your session ruined b/c someone didn't know what they were doing and your kite wound up in the drink just sucks. Riders at places like Waddell have good memories and it's not a place you really want to be noticed.
Just a few tips to have a good time at places like Waddell. I will use Waddell as the location here but it applies to all wave spots.
This can be argued over and over but the general rules of the road are different in the ocean. It is more of a surfers right of way than a kiters right of way. Kiters are there to catch waves...that's it. There are often limited set waves and when a rider works hard to get one, you don't want to be the guy/gal who messes it up for them.
1. The rider closest to the peak has the right of way no matter what tack you are on. I will repeat this in different formats as it seems to be the main issue.
2. When heading off the beach (starboard tack) at Waddell, you need to keep your eyes pealed for incoming wave riders. If someone is infront of a wave and upwind of you (north) they are likely going to make a bottom turn and head down the line (covering a lot of downwind territory as they go. If you are standing on the beach ready to go out, it is best to let the set go by and let the riders get their waves, then make a pass at going out. Keep your kite over the beach so as not to have it in the way of wave riders. If you can slip out downwind of a wave rider give them more than an entire line length of room downwind. It is yoru responsibility to stay way out of the way of the wave rider...go way downwind and work your way back upwind on the outside.
3. When riding a wave: Look upwind. If someone else is on the wave, get off. This means if you are on the wave and someone else is closer to the peak, give them the wave (pull out the back). It's the same as surfing. The guy closest to the peak has the wave. Don't milk it and then get off when they get close...you inhibit their ability to work their kite down the line and you make the wave section out ahead of them.
4. Never take a wave from the outgoing tack (chicken jibe) unless there is noone anywher near that wave. (I had this happen to me three times at Waddell this weekend and the second time resulted in wrapped kites and the third, I actually had to give up my wave to avoid wrapped kites.)
5. If you've never kited Waddell, do as I have seen a few wave newbs do and spend some time watching the rotation and catching kites. You will really learn a lot about kiting there and earn good graces from the local crew.
These are the main points I feel are quite important to safe and fun wave riding. If anyone has anything to add, please do so. For many, it is a long drive and to have your session ruined b/c someone didn't know what they were doing and your kite wound up in the drink just sucks. Riders at places like Waddell have good memories and it's not a place you really want to be noticed.