Good spot for beginners

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This forum is for new kiters/beginners to share info and experiences and to get answers to kiting questions. All questions are valid. Please provide proper answers (no sarcasm/joke replies, etc.) as we'd like to avoid any confusion or misinformation.
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stoneski
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Good spot for beginners

Post by stoneski » Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:13 pm

I am looking for good spot for beginner/intermediate level with good launch area and big beach :) that you can use to get off the water or walk upwind.
Asking too much?

Is there any info regarding season in bay area? I mean where to go and when.
Thanks

dontfeedthenerd
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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by dontfeedthenerd » Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:53 pm

You'll want to hit up Alameda in the Spring.

more info here:

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... f=23&t=816

3rd Avenue is also doable once you're up and riding consistently.
More 3rd info available here:

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... f=23&t=832

Alameda will start to blow earlier. What step in the learning process are you at? Are you water starting consistently?

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jwest21
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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by jwest21 » Thu Jan 23, 2014 2:20 pm

dontfeedthenerd wrote:You'll want to hit up Alameda in the Spring.
For sure Alameda, or even Bodega Bay if you're competent enough to launch and land in gusty conditions. Alameda is the perfect place to learn how to get the necessary board and kite-flying skills, though most people first break into the upwind-riding club at windier locations, like 3rd; mine was Bodega. Most spots should start getting consistent thermal winds in April or maybe March if we're lucky, until then, stay out of the storm winds that brush our coasts from time to time through winter. You'll know the season is starting when the marine layer (Carl the fog) returns.

All the popular local sites are described in the sites tab on this forum (up top next to "New/Active Posts") and should definitely be read before venturing to a new beach. Locations like Alameda or 3rd, because of the large number of riders, range of skill, and shared community use, usually have very detailed beach etiquette that is important to know. From there, chat with the locals about your skill and the current conditions. Even the easiest of beaches during peak season have days that are best left to the experts.
Sold all my gear; ebbs and flows; see you next season.

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."
— Albert Einstein

stoneski
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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by stoneski » Fri Jan 24, 2014 12:13 am

Thanks a lot everybody for your quick reply.
I ride consistently upwind if conditions are at least very good, but preferably perfect ;) other then that I tend to go down the wind too much so I need good spot to be able to return safely and start again
Thanks again

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Ron
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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by Ron » Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:17 am

This is a nice spot if you struggle a bit going upwind: http://wakeislandwatersports.com/

jk

Alemeda for sure

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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by Edward » Fri May 02, 2014 2:49 pm

I am traveling from UK , kiting for 11:2 yrs but no expert but good basic skills often kite in surf
I am in San Francisco 6 -11 may
Windguru looks good for my 12 m kite
Just not sure where to go
I though Near Golden Gate Bridge but looking at site prob nit a good place
Can anyone give me some advice
Will Also bring 8 m kite
Ed

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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by Tony Soprano » Sat May 03, 2014 8:24 am

Edward wrote:I am traveling from UK , kiting for 11:2 yrs but no expert but good basic skills often kite in surf
I am in San Francisco 6 -11 may
Windguru looks good for my 12 m kite
Just not sure where to go
I though Near Golden Gate Bridge but looking at site prob nit a good place
Can anyone give me some advice
Will Also bring 8 m kite
Ed

I suggest anyplace other than Crissy Field, but if you do go there, make sure you read the Crissy Field Safety kiting guide. Also spend a lot of time watching and asking questions of the local riders. There are only a handful of dream sessions there each year. The rest of the time is very challenging resulting in major Coast guard involvement with helicopters and Fire department.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/211648148/Enj ... afely-2013

http://www.scribd.com/doc/138553396/MSI ... yak-Safety

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le noun
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Re: Good spot for beginners

Post by le noun » Sat May 03, 2014 9:50 pm

Alameda. Also alameda. And if you get a chance, check out alameda.
Kites: 2020 F-One Bandit: 10m.
Board: 2018 F-One Slice 5'1 Surf/Foil convertible
Harness: Manera Union.
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