BayAreaKiteboarding.com

During storm winds in the bay, what size kites are generally used?

Usually small to medium, but anything is possible and the wind usually changes drastically without much warning. Kiting in the off-season is typically a desparate wind fix.

12m would be big
10m would be med
8mwould be small
6mwould be ......... ill watch.

I never went smaler than 10 in the bay which is also my smallest kite.

But keep in mind that I dont go out in the "35knot days" at 3rd which are rare in the summer time. I only saw Kies on a 7 in that wind but that was scary... You need the smaller ones for the coast (Wadell). How much do you weight?

K

The winds before storms are intense and blustery. I've used 10/8 many times for this type of wind and I'm big 225 lbs, more in winter. This wind blows hard and then it rains hard, during when the wind gets fluky.

The better wind happens when we get clearing winds after the storm...if you are not skiing waist deep pow or cement - depends on how cold the storm is - then you can ride moving mountains of water in the ocean and good winds in the bay. You need plenty of rubber cause it's a bit more nippy.

If you only have a 10, there will be days you watch and wish you were riding - are you ok w/that? I am not. I just rode today, and I'm already jonesing for my next sesh. Remember, this is during a time when you will not have ridden for a few weeks....

Good winds, Zeev.

Winter kiting is pretty cool. Very cold and sometimes extreme.

I remember LMG launching an 8 for me at Alameda a couple years ago and Charlie giving me a hold-down, which I certainly needed. Wet sand on the beach, numb feet, crazy strong and gusty storm winds. I was the only one out and not much time went by before it was just too much, the gusts were teabagging me and I was barely in control. Usually it's manageable, just cold as hell.

But Zeev is right, there will be times when you haven't kited for weeks, so you'll learn to take what you can get. Others simply put away all their kite gear at the end of the season and don't worry about it again until March, though.

Some of us just break down and head to warmer waters for a quick kite vacation.. Nothing better then taking a week off to find those warm winds and drinks with little umbrellas stuck in them.. One good trip gets me to MarchÖ I guess its time to start planning!

Yeah, time to start planning...

Yesterday at the end of the session, it sure felt like fall was coming... Of course, it will still windy as hell, and it's not windy in the fall...

dude i remember that day
when i let you go,you shot off the beach like a cannon ball
but not as bad as yoko did that one day.

yep I remember that day. Insanely I was on 12m. That was super fast, shooting off from the ground. Luckily I didn't get hurt or anything. I still like storm winds with shallow water onshore winds at Alameda during (mild) storm tho. I think I was on 9 (short lines) or 6.5.