Self Rescue @ Crissy Field

[cela]

basically what he's trying to point out in a nice way is that there have been a lot of folks out lately who aren't good enough to ride Crissy who have gotten into trouble. This happens every spring.

I just had the following conversation recently: New kiter with twin tip: "What's it like out there?" Me: "well it's flooding pretty hard" Kiter: "is that good?"

rule #9 wait until you know what you're doing

I have kited Crissy ~10 times and spent a substantial amount of time before every session chatting with people heading out, asking about the conditions and what not. I’ve also done my HW and scoured this site and others collecting as much information as possible about the warnings, and various conditions at Crissy. (One of the most helpful here: https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... ect#p50996 )

Despite this I am still nervous every time I venture out and tend to keep my sessions pretty short, as I feel like I’ve cheated death every time I come back in.

I have solid kite skills, have a basic understanding of tides and visual wind reading, am always aware of what kiters are doing out on the water, but I still feel uneasy heading out Crissy.

What the elements, or equipment that I NEED to know/ have before going out? Maybe im just overly cautious bc of all the stories… I dunno

[jwest21]

I don't think it's possible to be OVERLY cautious at Crissy. Although I'm a long ways from having the skill to venture out there, I totally understand the part about "cheating death" at that spot; it's a brutal location with almost no forgiveness for stupidity or bad judgement. I'm going to be livid if this spot gets taken away before I ever get a chance to ride under the Golden Gate Bridge.

I read a person on this forum mention bringing a pair of fins in a backpack when kiting here— always seemed like a great idea.

[Aloha]

Kiting with a pair of fins biner'd to your harness grab may appear completely ridiculous but you'll look pretty handy should the time come you have to use them

That being said if you're kiting outside of my described risk zones 1 and 2 you probably will be going on an adventure rather than a swim in the event you do breakdown

Even the stories don't do the risk of the spot justice - if you knew the extent of what could happen to you out there you'd realize you can't be cautious enough

[NCKite_Ryder]

I read a person on this forum mention bringing a pair of fins in a backpack when kiting here— always seemed like a great idea.

In Idaho we traveled with snowshoes in our backpacks... three miles of postholing can be worse than a Crissy swim.

As for Crissy on the day in day out.... basically its further than I am willing to swim in.

[keithdkd]

Kiting with a pair of fins biner'd to your harness grab may appear completely ridiculous but you'll look pretty handy should the time come you have to use them

I've never heard this suggestion before. What are the fins for? Are you talking about board fins, or scuba fins for swimming back?

I'll add:
- check the tides before http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.i ... tion=Tides
- emergency radio in waterproof bag
- mirror and whistle - these are cheap at West Marine

Haven't needed the radio yet

[NCKite_Ryder]

'?'?

[Aloha]

I've never heard this suggestion before. What are the fins for? Are you talking about board fins, or scuba fins for swimming back?

I saw a guy out last year with the setup. It was on a late summer / fall classic bubble swim kind of day and I believe he had bodyboarding fins clipped on as they look a little more manage-able.

Fins range up in size from bodyboard -> snorkel -> scuba

One day this summer I may test it on a self-rescue with the smallest size and see how much they help making ground with kite / board in tow. I've used them before in the surf and they help a ton but not sure if you'd need something more like snorkel size to make an impact once you've got gear dragging

Does anybody have any experience trying bodyboarding fins on a self-rescue / swim?

[Greg]

basically what he's trying to point out in a nice way is that there have been a lot of folks out lately who aren't good enough to ride Crissy who have gotten into trouble. This happens every spring.

I just had the following conversation recently: New kiter with twin tip: "What's it like out there?" Me: "well it's flooding pretty hard" Kiter: "is that good?"

rule #9 wait until you know what you're doing

I have kited Crissy ~10 times and spent a substantial amount of time before every session chatting with people heading out, asking about the conditions and what not. I’ve also done my HW and scoured this site and others collecting as much information as possible about the warnings, and various conditions at Crissy. (One of the most helpful here: https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... ect#p50996 )

Despite this I am still nervous every time I venture out and tend to keep my sessions pretty short, as I feel like I’ve cheated death every time I come back in.

I have solid kite skills, have a basic understanding of tides and visual wind reading, am always aware of what kiters are doing out on the water, but I still feel uneasy heading out Crissy.

What the elements, or equipment that I NEED to know/ have before going out? Maybe im just overly cautious bc of all the stories… I dunno

maybe your just paying attention-
BTW: that little chill on the back of your neck gets ALLOT WORSE when your broke down in the fog and it's getting late.. (:

[Greg]

everyone strikes out eventually-

[Greg]

I don't think it's possible to be OVERLY cautious at Crissy. Although I'm a long ways from having the skill to venture out there, I totally understand the part about "cheating death" at that spot; it's a brutal location with almost no forgiveness for stupidity or bad judgement. I'm going to be livid if this spot gets taken away before I ever get a chance to ride under the Golden Gate Bridge.

I read a person on this forum mention bringing a pair of fins in a backpack when kiting here— always seemed like a great idea.

Anyone want to bet against me: I'll wager $100 that kiting gets CANCELLED at Crissy BEFORE the 2016 Olympic Games.... Wouldn't that be amazing?? Kiting being banned at the place Course Racing began and developed into a real sport.... ``

One thing I'm sure of; kiteboarding is going to get real interesting once the first (local) ban is put in place.... @!. Kite Shops are going to be BUMMED- Just takes ONE MAJOR MISTAKE to make HEADLINE NEWS reguarding PUBLIC SAFETY and ALL STATE BEACHES will fall like a deck of cards....

I suspect the "issues" will start down SOUTH and then move North.., thats my guess, but thats easy cause you'll already get a $1000 fine for just bonking someone with a frisbee in LA..