How long before a newbie can launch at 3rd Avenue ??

Rascal · Post by **Rascal** » Wed May 10, 2006 11:11 am

Merry Band:

Would appreciate your input on this ... I had my land lesson with Don from Boardsports yesterday and I am totally pumped. Bought my gear etc ... am ready to go. I am a reasonably athletic guy, strong swimmer, with experience in surfing and windsurfing etc.

Alameda is quite a long drive for me, and I am moving apartments, so I wanted to know how many hours in the water at Alameda it would take me before I would be able to safely launch from 3rd avenue, and/or some of the other penninsula spots.

My plan is to go to Alameda everyday for at least an hour either on the water or doing kite skills etc if there is small wind ... for a month, then to launch from Penninsula spots that are more convinient. Is this realistic?

Any feedback on this would be much appreciated ... don't want to sign a lease if its going to result in an extra hour of driving to get to Alameda.

Russ

loserdavies · Post by **loserdavies** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:05 pm

Please understand that I write this for your protection as well as others at the beach. I do not claim to be the person speaking for all kiters at third but I would recommend that you first be able to ride up wind. As well as know and have tested your safety system. Last year I pulled a guy off the rocks who I thought was going to die because he did not know how to use his safety system. This year already I have seen people out of control at the upper launch because the kite was too big and it gusted. neither used their safety system and fortunately their kites hit the ground with little fan fare. Third is a intermediate level spot (Really its Advanced but no one would ever listen to that anyway) Very dangerous launch with a lot of obsticles. Ride safe and have fun

consumer · Post by **consumer** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:13 pm

i'd agree with loserdavies, if you can ride upwind competently and have the necessary safety devices(and know how to use them), then youre good to go at the upper launch(the lower launch i see no reason to launch at, advanced or not).

pipedragon · Post by **pipedragon** » Wed May 10, 2006 2:42 pm

loserdavies wrote:Please understand that I write this for your protection as well as others at the beach. I do not claim to be the person speaking for all kiters at third but I would recommend that you first be able to ride up wind. As well as know and have tested your safety system. Last year I pulled a guy off the rocks who I thought was going to die because he did not know how to use his safety system. This year already I have seen people out of control at the upper launch because the kite was too big and it gusted. neither used their safety system and fortunately their kites hit the ground with little fan fare. Third is a intermediate level spot (Really its Advanced but no one would ever listen to that anyway) Very dangerous launch with a lot of obsticles. Ride safe and have fun

Dude waz up? Long time no see.

I would second that! I did not kite third until I was going upwind very well and had a good quiver of kites. Also wear foot protection when you start here. I cut up my feet bad the first few years. And check your gear and safety system prior to launching here. Also get upwind as far as you can and as fast as you can and stay close to the beach(But upwind) when first kiting here. Always listen to and respect the local kiters here and ask questions or for help. They are some of the nicest kiters I kite with in the Bay area and would rather have a safe beach then attitude. :)

knyfe · Post by **knyfe** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:13 pm

Yes, upwind is a good thing to da at 3rd otherwise its getting difficult to get back at a reasonable place (if you want to keep your kite). And yes as well I am not really pleased with the start into the season at 3rd. I saw several people try to selflauch although other kiters were around, people without signing thumbs up to launch the kite (several at 3rd AND at Alameda), lots of kiter with boardleash but no helmet. All things which shouldnt be there at first.

I also saw the guy jumping head forwards into the rocks last year (smellfish testing day) and thought for 10 minutes he is dead. Its burned into my head.

Always calm down if it comes to a launch especially in the Packed Alameda summer days. Saturday was already bad enough seeing kiter with the bar on the wrong side or lauch and steer the kite srait through the window... Now I stay far upwind with my family as I really had enoght through the last years.

BTW did we say not to WALK upwind at Alameda? Windhorny?!!?

My 2 cents, G

...if you launch at 3rd always have someone holding you on your harness and guide you to the water. ALWAYS.

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:50 am

I totally disagree with about beginner should not kite at 3rd. It depends on the person more than the level. Most of my friends and I not only learned at 3rd but also only kited at 3rd for the longest time. Wind at 3rd is very steady and can almost count on being windy many days in the summer. Beginner can help themselves by asking for the locals advice, picking the time when the wind is around 18 mph and WNW, low tide, small kite with big board, and respect the rock (rock will always win). Some of the injury we had at 3rd are guys who bought big kites for Alameda and then came to 3rd because of no wind at Alameda. I'm at 3rd almost everyday when it is windy, feel free to ask me.

ramsey · Post by **ramsey** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:00 am

I agree with sonny. Also a good time for beginners to go out at third is late in the day usually it clears out a bit and theres a lot of room on the water. Though I would recommend that you are able to ride both directions before heading out.

As for alameda people gotta wrap their lines and move their damn kites. Bunch of lazy asses!

Sonny · Post by **Sonny** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:08 am

I just want to add, make sure you had a very good land lesson. I find that most schools concentrate on water lesson and they skim over the land lesson. At 3rd, the land lesson is critical, you can always go practice in the water by your self.

consumer · Post by **consumer** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:28 am

I think since Sonny is the resident 3rd expert, you are best off Listening to him, seriously.

bhsu24 · Post by **bhsu24** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:03 am

I learned at alameda however i got fed up with the low wind and the drive since i was living in San Jose at the time. I moved to kiting at 3rd ever since unless im in oakland and it is nukin' at alameda. yes the rocks are intimidating but ive progressed so much quicker because of the consistant wind. my brother and budy are learning at 3rd they are still working on staying up wind, but they are very cautious on the land. would definatly recomend wearing a helmet and booties ive just recently gotten rid of the booties because i like the feel better but i am also staying up wind and can predict mostly where i come back in and stay away from the SHARP ROCKS.

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How long before a newbie can launch at 3rd Avenue ??

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