Ranking Norcal Kiting Sites Difficulty

[windstoked]

In an article on the 10 most dangerous common kite sites in the US, two of them were in the Bay Area (Crissy and Ocean Beach). I thought it might be helpful to beginner/visiting kiters to have a ranking system.
My recommendation is to have a 5-level rank for the launch/landing, one for the on-water kiting difficulty, and one for the overall that includes the above plus other factors such as tides/currents, water temp, wind quality and reliability, self-rescue options, etc.
To make things easier, I'm using a "typical kiting day" for the site ranking, assuming most kiters know that 35+ winds and 15 ft waves aren't typical for any area sites. Kiters need to educate themselves what a typical day for any given site is.
The list is based on the sites listed in the "Bay Area Kiteboarding Locations and Guidelines" forum section. I only rank the ones I've kited.
Launch/On-Water Conditions/Overall Difficulty:
Tomales Bay:
Bodega, Harbor Side: 1/1/1
Bodega Ocean Side: 2/3/4
Crissy: 1/3/5
Ocean Beach:
Treasure Island:
Waddell: 3/4/4
Dillon: 3/4/4
Emery Point: 3/3/3
Larkspur: 1/1/2
Marina Bay:
Stinson:
Half Moon Bay:
3rd Avenue: 4/3/4
Alameda:
Sherman Island: 4/2/3
Little Baja: 3/2/3
Thermalito Afterbay: 1/1/1
Pond A4:
Pt Reyes:
Toll Plaza:
Treasure Island:
Racetrack: 3/2/3
Pittsburg:
Hercules/Rodeo:
Folsom: 1/1/1
Other opinions or info on other sites?

[Ron]

Tomales Bay:
Bodega, Harbor Side: 1/1/1
Bodega Ocean Side: 2/3/4
Crissy: 1/3/5
Ocean Beach: 1/4/4
Treasure Island:
Waddell: 3/4/4
Dillon: 3/4/4
Emery Point: 3/3/3
Larkspur: 1/1/2
Marina Bay: 3/2/3
Stinson:
Half Moon Bay:1/3/3
3rd Avenue: 4/3/4
Alameda: 2/1/1
Sherman Island: 4/2/3
Little Baja: 3/2/3
Thermalito Afterbay: 1/1/1
Pond A4:
Pt Reyes:
Toll Plaza:
Treasure Island:
Racetrack: 3/2/3
Pittsburg:
Hercules/Rodeo:
Folsom: 1/1/1
Other opinions or info on other sites?windstoked
Contributor

[Frappes]

Toll Plaza: 2/1/1
Coyote Point: 3/2/3
Third Ave (Upper): 2/1/1

[dontfeedthenerd]

windstoked do you have a link to the article?

[etxxz]

Here we go again.

The text for each location in that sub-forum better describes the difficulties (and rewards) for each location better than a highly subjective ranking system ever would. Such ranking would also make people NOT read the details, hazards and warnings that could save their lives. Plus the text is accurate and concise.


i really really don't like your threads. disagreed with everything you said about sherman on the last. disgree with you wanting to change everything and even get kiters pay to kite for such upgrades. You and new-comers need to adapt. See what other people are doing. Launching at sherman wouldn't be a 4 in your list if you watched what people were doing.

May the ranking system remain locked up in this thread.

[ramsey]

Not sure I agree with the ranking system either. If I were to rank the spots from easiest to hardest I think a number system is not really the way to go. Maybe the way skiing/snowboarding does it would be more appropriate. Then it would be the responsibility of the rider to know the details.

I strongly disagree with the assessment that Crissy launch is a 1. I strongly disagree that 3rd ave overall difficulty is a 4.

Alameda = Green circle
3rd ave = Blue square
toll plaza = Blue square
racetrack = blue square
Waddell = black diamond
OB = black diamond
Pt Emery = Black diamond
sherman = black diamond
crissy = double black diamond

Just an example, but I think the key factors in making a spot safe are uncrowded (by pedestrian) and reliable wind at the launch and land point, downwind relief and number of kiters there on a regular basis. The combo of strong currents and fluky winds up the difficulty a notch in the case of crissy field.

[Loscocco]

which launch spot is best for having popcorn and a beer?

[sloughslut]

windstoked for beach captian! NOT!

[Yoda]

Not sure I agree with the ranking system either. If I were to rank the spots from easiest to hardest I think a number system is not really the way to go. Maybe the way skiing/snowboarding does it would be more appropriate. Then it would be the responsibility of the rider to know the details.

I strongly disagree with the assessment that Crissy launch is a 1. I strongly disagree that 3rd ave overall difficulty is a 4.

Alameda = Green circle
3rd ave = Blue square
toll plaza = Blue square
racetrack = blue square
Waddell = black diamond
OB = black diamond
Pt Emery = Black diamond
sherman = black diamond
crissy = double black diamond

Just an example, but I think the key factors in making a spot safe are uncrowded (by pedestrian) and reliable wind at the launch and land point, downwind relief and number of kiters there on a regular basis. The combo of strong currents and fluky winds up the difficulty a notch in the case of crissy field.

I didn't want to post, but since Sherman is my stomping ground, I say +1 for this type of rating system.
I wish there was a sign at Sherman like the one for Chair Ten at Kirkwood... you know, the Skull & Crossbones sign.
(Sorry but the pic won't post)

[sc-surfer]

which launch spot is best for having popcorn and a beer?

The view from my deck is a good spot.... Buttered or plain? Cooler's in the corner.




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