Ready for OB?

KirkTalon · Post by **KirkTalon** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:32 am

Oh and by the way... I will be happy to buy you a brew at Pismo...

Kirk

KillaHz · Post by **KillaHz** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:30 am

I don't mean this in an aggressive way, just go down to the upper end of the beach and let the locals help you decide if you're ready. It's a good group of guys. You can find Joey in his green pickup in the parking lot whenever there is wind. He will give you all the info you need.

CdoG · Post by **CdoG** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:58 am

well, then..
there you go ..

teamsketch · Post by **teamsketch** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:36 am

Good points, Kirk. Please remember Ocean Beach is operated by the US Park Service, not the SFPD. The Feds don't screw around and can easily shut down our local riding spot if common sense and courtesy to all Ocean Beach users are not followed.

Piotrp · Post by **Piotrp** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:49 am

WellÖthere are things that are good to understand and keep in mind in while kitesurfing OB, or any other strong-rip, multi-line-white-water breaks. Iíve surfed OB for 12 years and I have a deep love and respect for this place. The power of winter swell is amazing and intimidating, but the good news is that youíll be most likely kiting much gentler spring/summer wind waves ñ not gnarly winter ground swell. STILLÖitís OBÖand kiting here will be different than any other spot you mention in your posting. In my opinion the most important thing for an OB beginner is passing over the white water and/or unbroken waves. It is relatively easy to pass a wave if it still rolling (even if it is 6 ft +), or just to begin to rise up ñ just ride across it, absorbing its power with your legs ñ just pull up your knees when you move over the crest (if you donít do it, the wave WILL launch you into, maybe, unintended jump ñ not a big deal, but you may end up in the waveís white water on landing). If, however, the wave is already very steep and on the verge of breaking (and bigger than 1-2 feet), you either go for a big jump, or you just quickly turn and get out of there (you can still surf it on its way to the beach and hop over it once it loses some of its energy on the inside). This will be most likely the most challenging part for you, as youíre saying that you havenít mastered the on-a-dime turning yet. Another thing is not pearling (dipping the front of the board under water), when you pass the white water. To avoid it, youíll need to be going reasonably fast (fully powered), and ollie the board, as it reaches the front of the white water (i.e. put a pressure on your back foot, raising the front of the board). Churning white water under your board will throw you off for a moment, but if you maintain the proper power of the kite, itís actually quite easy and fun.

And one last thing ñ if you still use the board leachÖdrop it for this session. Youíll not lose the board - as long as you stay in the surf zone ñ itíll be carried back to the beach. The combination of surf and the leash could be really dangerous.

Your Pismo experience will tell you, if youíre ready for OB.

dpca10 · Post by **dpca10** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:37 pm

Also OB's waves are deceptive from shore, expecially at low tide as you mentioned they look small in the distance, but perspective is skewed looking down from the parking lot. This is a classic OB trap most surfers know. Just be prepared for much bigger waves on the outside. OB is the only place in 15 years of surfing I can honestly say I thought I was going to drown. Not trying to sensationalize but Pismo doesn't have the punch of OB, maybe try Jalama if you want a taste.

dpca10 · Post by **dpca10** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:37 pm

Strike that, Jalama is a horrible idea with the crazy wind. At least OB has nice consistant....albet strong wind going for it.

Endlestorm · Post by **Endlestorm** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:22 pm

A nice passionate thread about OB here... just thought I give my take. I've been kiting for 2 years now, live in SF and love the spots that are within a 10 min drive of my house (Crissy and OB).

Last summer I spent every weekend (and a day or two during the week) at Waddell. It is amazing. It is worth the hour long drive (beautiful drive at that) if you want to be in the ocean.

Crissy Field and Ocean Beach (and they would both be capitalized even if they weren't proper nouns) are in leagues of their own. I've spent the last two months of my vacation kiting Crissy a few times a week (5 days in a row one week) and it still terrifies me. I got a radio, and it still terrifies me. Ocean Beach is terrifying in a different way. On a big day, the fear can stiffen me. Both of these spots require exceptional curiosity, awareness and respect. They require more than a few trips that end in "I don't think I'm going out today."

Seriously, be afraid. But hey, if it didn't scare the shit out of us sometimes, we wouldn't do it, right?

I started my job today, at the intersection of Lakeside Drive and 3rd Ave... yeah thats right, no need to even move the car over to the 3rd Ave parking lot! I can just walk over with my gear after work...

See you on the water.

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:41 pm

I guess I will see you at 3rd everyday after work this summer.

BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Ready for OB?

Who is online