NEWBIES: Beware End of Season Wind

[Bulldog]

If you're a new kiter right about now, you are probably going into wind withdrawal. You've got the bug and you want to keep progressing and getting new skills. It's understandable, we've all been there. Unfortunately for you, the kiting season in the Bay Area is basically over.

If you read this forum alot, you're going to read about experienced kiters who are going to keep getting sessions through the winter. They will be going out in extreme conditions: cold air, cold water, big waves, and extremely gusty wind that can shut off or ramp up in seconds. If you want to know what that means, look at the Ikite graph for 3rd Ave. yesterday (October 8).

None of us wants to have any newbie kiters get lofted, drown, or die of hypothermia this winter. For most of you, all it will take is one session in this type of weather to make you book your ticket for Baja and forget about kiting in the Bay Area until April. But that one session might be all it takes.

Newbies that choose to go out in fall or winter winds, please be properly equipped. You need a 7M or 5M kite, unless you're a really big guy, in which case a 9M might do it. You also need a 4mm wetsuit, and you should have a PFD. You should tell someone where you're going and what time to expect you back. Don't kite at a new spot you've never kited before, and never go out by yourself. Flashlights, beacons, etc. are all good ideas, especially if you're going to kite around sunset.

If someone who seems to know what they are doing warns you not to go out, please take their advice. They're not trying to bogart the spot -- they're trying to help you out.

One last thing, do yourself a favor and don't even think about kiting in the ocean unless you already have logged plenty of hours in the waves this summer. There was a group of kiters on the coast yesterday "for their first time" riding in 10 ft. waves and gusty, up and down, strong wind. This is just plain stupid.

[eag]

great advice!

and please, if you've never done a long self rescue, as was the case with one guy who had problems yesterday, Crissy is NOT the place for you. More than anything else YOU MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH DISASTERS to kite at Crissy or on the coast. Not just an understanding of what to do, but EXPERIENCE doing it.

No one cares what tricks you can or can't do, all we ask is that you know how to take care of yourself in challenging conditions and that you protect access for all.

Thank You

[CdoG]

Good job paul
also.....
alameda can turn north this time of year
it will start out north west and feel side shore
but the wind will turn north in the gust
and go OFF shore
and bounCe as it rolls off the east bay hills

[glenn]

No one cares what tricks you can or can't do

Absolutely! Kiting in the difficult winter conditions is tricky enough without tricks!!

Last winter I got a fat slice of humble pie as a result of being too stoked to kite in stormy ocean conditions. thanks again to Brian and Paul for looking after my safety.

[windhorny]

In otherwords, that Go-Joe will only assist in blowing you further out to sea.


I would like to add a very helpful tip for those who do get stuck in the water with slight offshore winds.

When your kite is L.E. down, and straight downwind, that can mean getting blown away from shore in offshore winds-of course. I see alot of people that just continue drifting while either trying to relaunch or self rescue. there is a better first repsonse to this. You can steer your kite on the water almost 45 deg. with your front lines. If you fly SS you are inluck, the front lines "y" at the bar so you can access both of them. Most other kites "y" up higher to give the kite more stability. But even pulling a steering line in can (in light winds) veer the kite towards shore enough taht you are at least being pulled in slowly as to out slowly.

North winds at a lot of bay spots are turbulent because there is tall geography behind the wind. in otherwords, when your kite is high it may feel ok, but when you crash it, it is possible there is NO wind at all. This would be one of those situations I would not argue that longer lines are better. 20' longer lines will grab significantly smoother air at alameda on a northerly day. When you are out 500' or more, it doesnt really make much difference though. Hope this was helpful to someone.

[maxsteamer]

If you kite Alameda Check in with Max or Pam at Shellgate and Shoreline Dr. 510-814-1074 we have a Zodiac with motor and or paddle board ready for rescue purposes.

We also overlook the beach from the 4th floor of our condo and if you don't check out with us we will search for you or notify the CG if we can't find you.

This is a "Free" service to all our fellow kiters, and your safety is important to us and to all kiters to maintain access.

If there is wind there will always be some one from our crew at Shellgate Dr. and shoreline Dr. so please don't go out alone or if you do leave a message at the number above.

[Czech]

Ahother solution is to come join me in Brazil! I have been here for a month now and I hardly ever wear a shorty. Other things to worry about though, like guys with guns that take your stuff. I know that some of you are comming down this winter (Brazils summer) so be sure to hit me up ok? my cell in Rio is (21) 9438 6373 or martin@cmfmail.com MISS YOU GUYS!!! Ciao, Martin Shanno Best is here for a week, going to Buzios to kite will get to meet him.....

[vant20]

Thanks guys. I had 2 glitches at Alameda yesterday (forgot leash and bad angle during launch, I think) and the locals were very helpful.

I feel stupid/lucky/humbled for having failed a launch, the kite just flew downwind in a arc of circle and slammed in the ground. I think. I just found myself face down in the sand trying to figure out if I re-broke some of my ribs. I still can't believe it I was so stupid/lucky. I am not sure what happened, my guess is bad angle to the wind and pulling on the lines too fast. I did a second successful launch after that and body dragged for one hour.

Really sorry for the mess up and THANK YOU!

[glenn]

If you kite Alameda Check in with Max or Pam at Shellgate and Shoreline Dr. 510-814-1074 we have a Zodiac with motor and or paddle board ready for rescue purposes.

Now that's a sweet offer!

[Sonny]

Thanks guys. I had 2 glitches at Alameda yesterday (forgot leash and bad angle during launch, I think) and the locals were very helpful.

I feel stupid/lucky/humbled for having failed a launch, the kite just flew downwind in a arc of circle and slammed in the ground. I think. I just found myself face down in the sand trying to figure out if I re-broke some of my ribs. I still can't believe it I was so stupid/lucky. I am not sure what happened, my guess is bad angle to the wind and pulling on the lines too fast. I did a second successful launch after that and body dragged for one hour.

Really sorry for the mess up and THANK YOU!

Sounds like you got some good practice in. Remember, when launching a kite, you cannot bring up the kite too slow. When I used to teach, I would tell my students to bring up the kite slow as possible.