BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi,

My name is Oz, I'm from Scotland. I'm soon to be moving to North Berkeley soon from the UK and wondered if I could ask for a bit of advice on gear and spots. I'd say I'm an intermendiate level of kiter (can do kiteloops, but still to learn to pass) so not looking for nuts conditions. I do enjoy waves as I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for freestyle. At the moment I have 9m and 13m Ozone kites, and ride a 132 Underground FLX and airush 6' 2" thruster. I'm 80kg. Is that ok for the Bay area or do I need to go bigger/smaller in terms of kites?

I've usually ride in a 5/4 wetsuit, with boots and gloves in winter (occasionally a hood if it is really cold). So again, what is the water temperature like out there. Do I need to invest in a summer suit, or do you guys wear 5/4's all year?

Finally, is there a requirement to be a menber of any kitesurf club in order to use the beaches? and do I need to get 3rd party insurance, if so how do I go about this?

I've done most of my kiting in England (cold, gusty, busy), Oman (warm, strong wind and great x-off wave riding), Dubai (bloody hot, light wind, bit rubbish), and most recently Scotland (cold, but quiet, always windy and generally fantastic!) so looking forward to kiting the Bay for a few years.

Are there any other kiters in Berkeley who wouldn't mind showing me the ropes and perhaps sharing a lift to the beach while I get myself sorted with some wheels?

Oz
ozmalik@hotmail.com

Oz,
Welcome to the Bay area,
Your going to fit in around here with no troubles.
Gear looks good, maybe a new kite (smalller), suit will work fine but 4/3 is the summer norm in the surf or Crissy. The Delta is springer to shorts.
Enjoy, Greg
(510)882-9389

Welcome.
You'll find the Bay Area has a spot for pretty much whatever kind of riding you're in to. It also gives you a variety of spots to enjoy depending on the wind. From Berkeley you're a short drive from a bunch of great coastal spots, some killer SF bay launches and the Delta, well, the Delta is just plain sweet. (mostly freestyle, warmish fresh water).

I'm with Greg, you're gear sounds good to get you going here. You may find you want to add to your quiver. ;) You'll want a 3/2 long/short sleeve nice to have for the Delta. The 5/4 may feel a bit much on the coast and in SF Bay during summer months, but you'll be warm.

One request, as you arrive to various sites around the Bay Area, please take a moment (and maybe a beer!) to chat up one of the locals. Several launches have specific guidelines to help keep everyone safe. Please choose to follow them.

Have a safe jump over the pond, and we'll look forward to your singing lilt!

Oz-

I live in Oakland, and ride the Berkeley spot more than anywhere else. Would be happy to swing through and pick you up.

Colin

(510) 847 5501

Gents

I will be over for 3 weeks in August, 1 week around SF and then 2 weeks travelling down the coast. Still looking for a central spot to book some accommodation was thinking Santa Cruz ????. Any ideas would be VERY welcome indeed, been kiting 6 years in waves and flat stuff so looking for a good mix of waves and glassy areas. Does anyone have a link to a idiots guide to the area, had a look on this site but couldn't really find anything, could be me though !!!!

OZ hopefully meet up for a pint, member of the Blackpool Massive O:)


phil.

Your gear is fine, and I suspect gear will be cheaper here in case you want to change. In terms of wetsuit, once you settle down in your local spots you will know what you really need, and better get it here price wise. Just come.

Welcome to the Bay Area, I think you'll be stoked to be here.

I'd be happy to show you around when you arrive. My wife is actually from Aberdeen so I'm down with the lingo - you can use words like rubbish instead of trash and trousers instead of pants without feeling self conscious - and if you tell me to pick you up at half three I'll be there at 3:30 instead of 2:30, aye, aye, aye......and I routinely stash a hip flask of single malt in my wetsuit bin for post session wee drammies.

My number is 415-572-0662.

Cheers-

Clark

Cheers guys - appreciate all the replies, sounds like I'm going to have a good time! 1 other wee question:
http://www.sfba.org/

I found these guys on the net - is there any requirement to join if so what do we get for our money?

Oz

Just Join!
Forget about the money, They look out for the masses.
There are NO requirments to join our parties or clubs, we are all volenteers! Around here, there are no kiter LAWS, we simply follow the rules because we've LEARNED to love rules!!!
Come to think- every one that FAILED to join "US" was found face down in a trash can, balled up in their kite strings...
Enjoy,
G-

(just so you understand, we're into Bloody/DRY humor here too)
SFBA.ORG, It's a good thing for every one, so, please Join!
BTW: Thanks for asking questions and doing your research, you sound like a pretty cool guy, I think your going to fit right in!
No worries,
Greg

SIKO/RVWA helps maintain the launches at Sherman Island. Membership for a single guy is a mere $20 for the year.