BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi guys!

I'm a texas kiteboarder out here for about a week and a half staying at my buddy's place in alameda (on the bay, next to the bird sanctuary) and I wanted to do some riding at Crissy and Sherman Island. I've been riding for about 6 years and am experienced with lots of sessions in gusty wind/head high gulf waves/chop, etc.

I've been out here before (around 4 years ago) but never got to ride crissy, and happened to catch SI on a relatively low wind day. I really want to ride crissy for the bragging factor (GG bridge!) but know it's a technical spot, and wanna make sure I'm riding with experienced locals. Can anyone hook me up with advice on when you all are planning on riding out there?

As far as SI goes, I'm comfortable heading out there alone because I know there will be plenty of locals to talk with and I've been there before, but I am curious about the wind. I've read all your info on the spots but was just curious when/if any of you will be headed out there. I'll probably try and do my riding on the weekdays and can carpool if you want.

For sure I'll be riding Alameda due to the proximity but I think I can figure that spot out on my own (looks a lot like corpus with a better skyline and less overweight texans ).

Anyways, thanks in advance and hopefully this isn't spamming your main discussion page.

Some things to consider:

1) Ride Crissy sooner in your trip rather than later -- currents will be less favorable next week in the afternoon

2) Go to Sherman Island for 4th of July Weekend "for real y0"

3) Is it better to look well-fed or hungry?

1) am I looking for ebb tide? In between? Seems like flood would make relaunch hard.

2) I'm scared to do anything on a holiday weekend around here.

3) In corpus they are well-fed AND hungry.

Peej,

I'll be in SF tomorrow (Thurs) and may be able to join you for an initial Crissy session. I windsurfed there for 15 years, but haven't kited there yet. If you're drafting some of the locals, let me know when you're headed there and I'll try to join you.

kirk@lansharks.net

Kirk out

Correct, you want an ebb in most cases. The flood can be pretty strong taking you downwind, you'll think you're staying upwind, but you're probably losing ground. It's not mandatory, but you're most likely better off on a surfboard for some more float to "beat the flood" and just for general safety if something goes wrong out there.

Come on down to the beach and talk to anybody setting up to get the lowdown, you'll find a buddy there to watch out for you. Some days, going out is a bad move, but if there are a lot of white caps and seems windy on the inside, it's probably fine. What could go wrong? It's only kiteboarding...

Don't launch at sunset, and probably 10 other rules to live by at Crissy, PLEASE, talk to someone who knows the spot when you're there. DO NOT stand on the beach with kite overhead, it's super fluky and holey on the beach, and this is usually when you'll see the beach-goers (as opposed to under the bridge :roll: ) so let's keep them out of danger. Keep the kite moving and get out there!

Enjoy. bring some texas ribeyes for us, we're hungry too. (grass fed, pls)

Come by Crissy this Thursday and check out the Kiteboard Course Racing and then drinks afterwards at the Yacht club.

Sounds great.

Yeah, I've been kiting long enough to have made lots of painful mistakes. I'll definitely chat you guys up before I ride and won't ride without a buddy. For sure the place scares me enough to not just head on out all willy nilly. Also, I come from inland lakes with very fluky, shifty, gusty wind so I don't spend much time with the kite at neutral just hanging out.

I really appreciate the input. I'll go check out the races. If the wind is ridable are there any restrictions on riding during the races (obviously staying off the course)?

Peej you have the right attitude to be careful and ask I'm sure you'll do fine

Erin circumstantially brings up a great point--if there is any night to go out at Crissy and you might need some support it's race night. There will be a lot more support boats out there than usual along w/ the good old Coast Guard.

Just bring a board leash and a warm wetsuit and if something happens wait it out and someone will come.

You'll be able to spot the race pack pretty easily. You don't have to completely avoid the course per se just make sure you don't cross the course area when the racers are coming by and if you run into any stragglers give them right away on their race tacks (racers will be wearing numbered jerseys)

Welcome to California and come say hi

-Phil

ummmmm........don't bring a board leash. Come chat with people, but board leash = i'm not ready for crissy.

Good point eag!!!

But the problem is what if he rode for 3 years without a board leash and then showed up at Crissy with one--It means previously he would have been ready for Crissy but not anymore :shock:

Or wait--maybe he could keep the board leash in his car and then be ready for Crissy again, and when Crissy wasn't looking throw it on his board?

Man oh man, for those of us raised in the California Education system this is gonna be a hard one