BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hey all!
I'm relocating from Rhode Island to Oakland at the end of the month and I'm super excited to explore the NorCal kiting scene. Before I move, I'm looking at re-tooling my quiver for SF Bay and coastal conditions. I've been kiting for about 3 years and ride a strapless surfboard (5'6 Roberts Black Dumptruck) on flat water and small waves. I want to work up to bigger surf and foiling.
Currently, my quiver consists of:
6m 2015 Rally
8m 2014 Rally
12m 2013 Rally
15m 2015 Turbine

I just started looking into the prevailing conditions on the forum here but it seems like the 15m and the 12m are bigger than I need (I weigh 135lbs). I've been happy with the Rally for learning but I'm getting to the point where I'd like kites that are more surf/strapless oriented but still fun for cruising when I can't make it to the coast.

So long story short, I'm definitely selling the 2013 12m Rally. Should I part ways with the Turbine as well? Sounds like light wind kites don't get much use in the SF area.

Any suggestions on kite sizes or models would also be appreciated.

if you're moving to Oakland, keep the 12m and the 15m for alameda.
Welcome to the bay!

Perfect quiver for the Bay, don't sell any of them. Having the 15m + surfboard will have you riding just about every day there is more than 6kts at Alameda.

Gotta agree with the others - don't sell any of your kites. Alameda (Crown Beach) will be the easiest spot to access from Oakland but it is notorious for light wind compared to places like 3rd Ave or Sherman Island.

As a FYI, because I mostly ride the coast, on a 5'6 strapless board and I weigh 135 lbs :) The kite I use the most is 7m, then 5m and 8m. Caution kites, highly recommended for waves (local brand). I have an 11m that I use once or twice a year. I only kite the ocean though, Waddell which is further south than you'd like from Oakland probably, and I am not very familiar with conditions in the bay...
I'd keep your kites, fly them here a bit, get a feel for what you want then decide on what to replace them with, rather than making that decision before moving. Keep in mind that winds are strongest in the spring along the coast (meaning before you arrive) although I still used the 5m last week.

Thanks for the advice!
Oakland is definitely farther from the surf than I'd like but such is the plight of the working stiff. That said, I have a pretty flexible schedule so my plan is to go to the coast whenever possible. Alameda seems like a pretty decent local option for days when driving to the coast is a no-go.
Any suggestions on coastal spots for relative novices in the surf? I'm a competent surfer but still figuring out kite handling in waves.

I've had Rally's for years as main kite for both surf and inland. 6 n 8 good sizes. Rallys work just fine in the waves, alot of people really swear by 'em. If you're used to how they fly, I wouldn't suggest introducing another variable right when you're exposing yourself to new conditions, like wave riding.

In Oakland you'll find yourself close to Alameda, which as others have said is a little weesh in summer but blows pretty good sometimes in spring. There are other areas around the Bay that get more wind in the summer but aren't as user friendly, but you sound like maybe you have enough experience not to put your kite on freeways and screw it up for everybody. The spot resources on the site will give you some useful insights.

Sherman is a good option if you want warmer water and consistent wind. Best on ebb, when you get some little waves that are good practice for getting going in the real waves. A bit of a drive from Oakland but they just widened the freeway so its not as much of a clusterfunk as it used to be.

If you surf, you'll like Ocean Beach but be prepared for it to kick your ass. That goes double or triple if you try to kite it, because it blows pretty much onshore. Lots and I mean lots of current moving around, and its mood changes even while you watch. Use due caution kiting there. I'm not kidding about it kicking your ass. If it hasn't kicked your ass, you just haven't been there enough.

Waddell is indicated spot for learning to kite in waves. Consistent sideshore is easier to get waves wired than onshore....you'll drop your kite a lot less. Try to avoid weekends when you're learning waves. You'll feel better about not getting in peoples way, and it's crowded on weekends. Don't think about great white sharks when you're body dragging. They are apex predators that can sense when you feel out of place, and it's their job to cull. If you're going to worry about them, it's better just not to go.

And while I like strapless, honestly I think you might swim less if you put the straps back on for awhile while you're getting waves wired. I think the apex predators enjoy watching people swim, but I might just be making some assumptions.

Read the site resource on Waddell. Just try to stay out of people's way, especially when they're on waves and you should be good.

When I look at your quiver, I'd be tempted to fill that gap between your 8 and 12 with a 10.....and the 10 Rally would do it. There are some shitty reviews out there at the moment specifically on the 10 Rally, but I think the reviewers sat on something wrong before they wrote it. I might be prejudiced because I just bought one, though. Flying kites bigger than 10 is like sleeping with a frigid woman anyway. I think. I don't really know what sleeping with a frigid woman is like. Maybe I've found the right woman and just have the wrong big kites. But you won't be using 10 or 12 much on the coast anyway especially at 135 lbs......

Welcome to the Bay Area....lots of options, good wind someplace in the Bay every day of the summer pretty much.....

And....in Norcal there is no such thing as a marine coastal forecast of 0 ft at 0 seconds. I know that happens pretty frequently on the East Coast. Won't happen here.

Go get some!

nate.e wrote:Thanks for the advice!Any suggestions on coastal spots for relative novices in the surf? I'm a competent surfer but still figuring out kite handling in waves.

Another good surf spot is Dillion Beach. It's more on-shore than Waddell, but it has a huge beach with a lot of waves to play on. It's a BAK favorite for many. I perfected my wave riding skills there and have some fond memories. It does have the apex predator factor, but I've never been bothered by it. I'm more worried about making the drive home. Enjoy Nor CA!

Not to side track this too much but, what's the best way to know if it's worth going out to Dillon?

NorCalNomad wrote:Not to side track this too much but, what's the best way to know if it's worth going out to Dillon?

See below quote:

Bulldog wrote:The Tomales IK sensor is accurate for Dillon or you can check the Bodega Bay Buoy and then look at the satellite, if it's not foggy then Dillon is probably blowing.

I concur that the Tomales IK (iKitesurf) sensor is fairly accurate (when working) and so is the Bodega Bay IK sensor to gauge what's happening near shore.