Ready for OB?

[Live4kiting]

Just began kitng last year...I am going up wind pretty consistently but have yet to get turning mastered. I kited in Jupiter, Fl and in La Ventana in the past few months and there was plenty of chop at these places but I am wondering how I will know when I am ready for OB. I am going to the Kite Expo at Pismo next weekend.

What should I expect from OB and does anyone have any tips or thoughts on this? Would it be safe for me to go out at OB alone?

[CdoG]

if you can kite crissy or 3rd...reGuler
give it a go......and
do take a buddy

[ledhead1191]

I am in the same boat. I've been kiting for a year mostly at 3rd and have ridden Roosevelt, HMB and Kanaha, Maui, so is OB really a big step?

Live 4kiting, drop me a pm if you'd like to meet up and try it with me one day.
-Evan

[Bulldog]

To kite at OB on a reasonable day (less than overhead waves, 9M or lighter wind) you need to be able to: go upwind on a flood tide, jump at will going right hand forward, and reverse direction very quickly. Also, you need to have very good relaunch skills but preferably know how to not drop your kite when you fall. And you need to be able to very quickly body drag to your board and get back on before the next wave hits, or you'll find yourself spending most of your time chasing your board back to shore while trolling for Whitey. The waves at OB come from different directions, sometimes at the same time.

And don't forget that if you drop your kite in the water and can't relaunch it quickly, jettison it completely to avoid getting pulled under and possibly saving damage to the kite. If and when you end up out there without a kite and a board, it's good to be a strong swimmer and be able to duck dive/hold your breath while getting pounded by the waves.

I went out at OB for the first time about six months after I first learned to stay upwind at Sherman. I had a blast and think it's a great place to hone your riding skills, but it's definitely not for everyone.

[average_male]

good tips there Bulldog, thanks

[Live4kiting]

Perhaps I am too eager....but I just know myself...I am ALWAYS up for a good challenge!! I cannot turn on a dime...not even close. I think though that sometimes when you put yourself in a situation that is a bit overwhelming you learn FAST or you suffer the consequences. I have not ridden at Crissy yet either. However, I was at OB a month or so ago with a friend( I was observing only) and it seemed that the waves were much more manageable when the tide was quite low and still going out....
So, what if I just I ended up going down wind (which is usually south toward Sloat) and just had to walk back a bit? I rarely drop my kite these days and wonder...even if it wasn't the longest, best session...would it not be worthwhile to challenge myself... we only get better by challenging ourselves...Yes...
Curious to know more...Thanks again

[bayardo8]

like any other site in the bayarea, it depends on the day. some days at OB are easy, some... dont even try it.. know your self and your ability... but its good that you are asking..

[mrafalek]

I think Ocean Beach is great. You can go downwind , so what just find a nice spot and sometimes you will just jump or cross two bigger waves and come back on a flat water very close to the shore.The only thing is if you go too far south it could be a long walk , don't go on the weekend there is a lot of people of the beach. I haven't done a lot of kiting and like OB.You have to be able to turn fast but you know once you see the wave coming at you, you will learn in no time.
Go and try. Just take it very close at first and you will be fine.
I have found that I cross small waves using legs in stead of kite to pull me most of the time so after 2 hour session my legs just can't anymore, but that means you can cross the small wave just lifting you front leg a little bit not even worry about kite too much.I have been on OB just 5 times and am a beginner so if I am wrong let me know guys.
Be safe Joey.

[jbirdmarin]

Having just recently moved here and a mid-level kiter (3 yrs), I think OB should still be taken with care. Safe in that winds are generally on shore and wide-open beaches, but unsafe in that it can gust up crazy and you really need to heed to experts who know the breaks. Abilty to navigate serious whitewater and instant turns can't be understated. I've surfed my entire life and felt pretty dang confident about jibes - until I kited OB - it will REALLY test that in you. 10 seconds in the water for jibes in a decent swell - either be confident in toe-side wave hopping or forget it.

That said, maybe there are enough of us mid-rangers to be able to launch and land south of the experts and still have fun without getting in the way of serious whitewater experts.

[KirkTalon]

I think though that sometimes when you put yourself in a situation that is a bit overwhelming you learn FAST or you suffer the consequences.[quote][/quote]

Buddy I'm really sorry to be that guy but here it goes...Kitting 3 years, surfing 37, professional fireguy for 25 years. We don't send a rookie firefighter into a burning building without a veteran to guide him through, we don't let him drive the fire truck for 3 years, we practice procedures time and time again getting better and then bitting a little more of the apple everytime.

It is not about knowing yourself and challenging the furies and all that romantic stuff. It is about being humble enough to accept that there are dues to be paid, is is about having enough respect for the next guy on the beach to not put him in the position of having to risk his neck (which most of us are willing to do ) to pull your over eager, under prepared self out of a bad spot.

I am not talking about you but about the general attitude of not taking the time to show the respect that the ocean deserves. Ocean beach (according to an article on the Chronicle a few years ago) is one of the most dangerous ocean/ urban interfaces in the continental USA. Talk to any surfer who has tryed to get to the lineup on a good winter day.

Take a breath, learn to ride in friendlyer places, know your equipment and when you are ready to do it the right way do it under the wing of one of the folk who has paid his/her dues and knows what's up.

Sorry to be a downer, I have just dealt with too many dead people who were not prepared and didn't think things through over the last almost 40 years.


Respectfully a member of the tribe

Kirk