Bay Area Kiteboarding Party/Club Sherman 2012 {Merged}

[okclimber]

Hey all,

I got the BAK email on this and have been following the thread. I'm fairly new to kiteboarding - I'm working on getting up/staying up on the board and learning how to ride upwind. I was hoping to hone my skills at Alameda this weekend, but I'm interested in meeting more of the community so I'm kind of torn. My only concern is I understand my skills aren't quite where they need to be for Sherman. Any thoughts/suggestions?

[Greg]

Come watch, learn and understand....
Meet. greet, contribute-

Then PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR!!
(and throw up in the bushes with the other rookies) :D

Welcome to kiteboarding
L.M.G.

[le noun]

If you can't go upwind yet, just go there to party then. Don't even think about getting in the water.

[OliverG]

Yeah, like the others say, consider it a good opportunity to come out, see what everything is about, how it works and know that at least when you're solid and ready to kite there you already have some local info.

Then hang out, enjoy the bbq and do like Greg said (you'll probably want to drive up in something you can sleep in)...

The first time I drove out the Sherman was many years ago. I drove out and it seemed like forever before I got there. I turned onto the levee road and started thinking, am I there yet? Where is this place? Got out there and parked. This was back when there was only the lower launch and it was tiny. It was blowing about 30 that day. I went down to the beach, looked at the launch, felt the 30mph wind and said 'Hell no, I'm not going out there!' and went home...and I didn't even get to party...

[zgur]

"and said 'Hell no, I'm not going out there!' and went home"....and now the same person throws massive kite loops 30+ feet in the air in the same conditions....

....my only words of advice: don't rush the journey of learning this awesome sport...savor every step in the process.....come to sherman to experience the depth of what this sport has to offer.

Get sum, Z

[Greg]

Reminds me of back in the day when we'd actually WARN rookies NOT to go to Sherman (tell they were advanced kiters)

It's really NO FUN having people get all busted up and bleeding, brings down the tone a bit..
L.M.G.

[jono]

Regarding the question about power above, as I discussed with Ollie last week, I have two Honda 2000i generators that can be x-linked into one 4K watt genny, I'll bring them, adapters for shore power to 3-prong, but please have gasoline on hand, not sure I can transport the fuel. Captain Chris generally has all kinds of fuel, I'll try to buy some off him if needed.

[quaninamillion]

Hey there,

I'm new to kiteboarding and looking forward to checking things out at Sherman Island. Just wondering if there's a specific spot where this party will be. Directions from San Francisco would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Looking forward to Saturday.

[jono]

Hola! Party and kite launch are here:
http://goo.gl/maps/3Xgs
[you can get directions off that map]

Bring sleeping bags, warm clothes and camping gear/food. Ask around for me (or whomever, everyone is cool and will help) and I can give you a walk around of the launch, beach, etc. and answer any questions -- I was new at Sherman once too ;).

[windhorny]

just keep in mind you technically arent supposed to camp there unless in a vehicle. As we are on this ice with the park, let's at least try to not break rules. I know some like to sleep in the asparagus patch and wake up smelling like skunk and brussells sprouts but that aint fun either.

Jon, please bring the popcorn maker. it will be auctioned off.