BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Just moved here from Texas and live down the street from Crissy Field. I've only kited at 3rd Ave before moving here. I've talked to a few guys at Crissy Field about the conditions and they all suggested that I get some safety equipment before riding there. Specifically, a radio for the enevitable coast guard rescue.

Can anyone suggest a good radio for this purpose?
I also need to get a new line system, I have a really old system and my kite is an 04 best 14 meter.

Thanks in advance and it's good to finally be somewhere with a good kiting scene.

West Marine Products, around $120 for the waterproof marine radio I believe. Maybe a flare too? Google 'em for locations around the bay.

I have a 25m line-set that's lightly used, PM me if interested.

hmm. you know, doesn't sound like a bad idea. does anyone else on this forum use these radios? any thoughts?

I can't attest or even comment on the West Marine radio, but if it's not milspec submersible (JIS7 Specs), I wouldn't trust it if you are in deep shit.

Here are two top-o-the-line ones:
http://www.standardhorizon.com/indexVS. ... Archived=0

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/ICO/ICOICM88.html

I think the ICom might be smaller but it costs more.

Also, you want to get a watertight package thing to carry it in when not in use.

Here's a guide on protocol for using the radio and hailing CG:
http://www.sfba.org/MarineRadioGuide.shtml

I think you can be fined if you use the VHF on land, so don't think this will let you chat with your buddies (on land) while kiting.

Here's a blog posting about someone getting rescued off Chrissy (as they get sucked out in the ebb). Another kiter used the VHF to call CG -- be sure to check the GPS track data:

GPS:
http://kitevc.blogspot.com/2006/08/gps- ... rding.html

Original report:
http://kitevc.blogspot.com/2006/08/save ... gomes.html

I actually got a waterproof marine radio from Circuit City for about $40. Doesn't get the best signal but you can make a distress call from anywhere in the bay.

first of all, the west marine one is JIS7 rated:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... artial/0/0

reading the blog about the rescue really makes me consider getting one of these. $120 isn't that much to spend for a bit more safety.

now I'd just have to figure out some way to attach it to my harness...

I bought the Cobra brand uhf radio that comes with an aquaseal bag. It supposed to get up to a 2 mile radio signal.
Flares aren't a bad idea (I don't have them myself).
I'd recommend picking up a strobe light from West Marine.
And a whistle.
I wear a backpack with swimfins (helps me cover twice the distance).
In the backpack I used to carry a hydration pack which helps prevent leg cramps for long swims.
I've been meaning to pick up some energy food for the long swims.
Wear a coast guard approved PFD.
I put 3M reflective tape (available from West Marine) on my helmet.
Wear a warm wetsuit (5:4). Crissy has the coldest water and strongest currents out of all the bay area.

Hum, you sound like more of a survivalist than a kiteboarder. Or are you doing trans-ocean kiting?

Have you had experiences that lead to all this equipment? I have had some minor issues close to shore and understand if I was out under the GG bridge I would like to have some extra goodies to help me out.

Thanks for all the great advice. I really want to kite Crissy field since it's just down the street but maybe for my first few outings I'll stick to 3rd ave. Currents, gusty winds and whitey are a bit spooky when combined. I'll make it out there eventually but it's been a few months since my last session.

Again, thanks for the advice on the radio.

After kiting Crissy for 5 of the last 7 days, and actually getting to the bridge yesterday, I thought it was time to get a radio.

I ordered a STANDARD HORIZON HX270S Handheld VHF http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... r%20Name|0

for only $91 after shipping at www.seacloset.com.

The more radios out there, the better.

-Britt