[Sacramento] Sherman Island Guidelines

[le noun]

Watched a guy back roll less than 20 feet from the sand.

Yup, probably the same guy.

[chojny]

Hi guys,
thank you for guidelines.
I've just joined bayareakiteboarding to find more info about spots in North California.

I'll visit Folsom in one week, will be for 2-3 weeks and definitely want to try some of your spots.
Will the Sherman Island work in the middle of April (chance of wind, direction, locals on spot)? What other spots do you recommend? Folsom lake?

The other thing: do you know where can I rent just a board? Can be old one.
Maybe somebody from you has a spare one and can share? I can pay of course. And can take my straps&fins:-). Unfortunately cost of taking a board in a luggage is bigger than its value:-/
I'm int-adv rider, using the gears responsibly.

Anyway, can't wait to meet some of you:-).

BTW, if you want to know anything about spots in Poland especially Pucka Bay feel free to contact me. We have great and safe spots for beginners and advanced riders if you like flat water.

Bests,
Chojny

[Rakky]

Welcome. Not sure how much water Folsom Lake has - due to our drought. You may want to try the Bay Area - plenty of recent blogs with the local information.

[jjm]

You should sign up for an ikitesurf.com (or windalert.com, same site/company) free 2-week trial. You can check wind in real time, set alerts to smart phone/email, etc.

You can also check out the historical data. April in aggregate doesn't look bad at first glance but it looks skewed by N(NNW) winds. You want W, WSW, WNW. I've seen Sherman pop-up on my site list with decent winds but it will start getting more consistent toward May.

[jjm]

On a related note, some people were asking for an M12 station on ikitesurf again. Did the guvment ever rebuild a permanent Marker 12? Last I remember it looked like they had something temporary up.

[chojny]

Thank you Rakky and jjm for suggestions.
I'll definitely try Alameda first.

[mcfly777]

Hey Folks,
I see this guide was changed in 2004. Any changes since then ? I'm planning to hit Sherman this weekend if winds are favorable. Perhaps someone could update this post if there are many changes ?

thanks !
Leo

[kitecrazy]

Talk to the people there. There's always someone standing around waiting for you to hand them a beer and willing to share the rules.

Stand back and watch for a few minutes before you pump up and lay out your lines.

Dont be a dick (not saying you are, but everyone has a "dick" button that can be pushed.)

If you are not proficient at staying up wind, pay attention to the tides. Ebb tide is good for staying upwind and for swell. Flood tide is good for flatter water and for getting washed downwind if you suck.
Ebb is starting from sunup until about 1pm on 6/28/14 and 6/29/14.

Once you are in the water, get away from the launch.

Watch out for other beachgoers and fisherman and polehuggers.

Dont hog the flatwater by the islands by dropping your kite every pass.

Do bring beer.

Do have fun.

If everyone is rushing to get to shore...might be a good idea if the wind is dying.

There is Little Baja if you get washed downwind...look for a wind meter, carpet and a couple couches on the levee.

Dont ride in the playpen where the polehuggers launch.

Be careful when riding through the polehugger lane.

Right hand forward has right of way.

Pass on downwind side if possible.

When passing by a kiter, downwind kiter keep kite low, upwind kiter keep kite high.

Pay your park use fee.

Double check your rigging before you launch.

If someone tells you that you are putting up way to much kite and that's your smallest kite, drink beer and watch.

If someone yells punch out or pull your release, dont hesitate....just pull it. Your hide and your ass will thank you.

One path goes out to the beach/water, one path comes back to the rigging area.

Help others launch and land if you have a moment.

Keep kites stored outside or at the edge of the rigging area.


Did i miss anything?

[jjm]

If it is your first time, or for the less experienced, use the launch closer to the water.

Stack your kites!