Dawn Patrol

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Just curious what the scene is like at the sandbar early mornings. Are there ussually folk kiting? Anything out of the normal to look for as far as early morning wind forcasts go? Obviously winds build during the day but the forcast often looks rideable early AM.

I'm thinking instead of dodging out of work early and heading east, go the night before, camp, kite in the morning till 9-10. Be at the job by noon. Kinda like I was taught about savings, get mine first, then pay the bills.

Thoughts?

Matt E. · Since 22 May 2008 318 Posts West Coast Sales Rep Obsessed

my experiences are no one will be there when you arrive but when you leave some people will be there.

Hurricane Mike · Since 19 Jun 2006 128 Posts Stoked

Sandbar is great earlie on weekends about 8 or 9, before the crowd shows up. If you can self launch, there's always someone to catch you when you come in. I've had some great sessions before anyone else gets out of bed.

I've said too much, hopefully it doesn't start to get crowded like the secret spot and the other secret spot....

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

I've been thinking morning sessions the last couple of days. There is nobody out in the am.
Very Happy

Mike Hawk · Thu Jun 12, 08 5:42 am

the typical sandbar kiter partys till dawn, sleeps till noon and get to kite in the afternoon, (that way most people can see them do their tricks) then parties till dawn, repeat...the rest are just taking up space...so yeah hit that schizzle in the AM for some drama free good times... Shocked

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 12, 08 7:45 am

Don't be hatin' Hawk. If you want to hit it up in the morning, hit it up in the morning then. Sounds like a decent way to beat the crowds. I think if many people wanted to get out of bed earlier they would just go surfing. Laughing

I save my dawn patrols for gusty sun ups at Rooster. Smile

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

Dawn patrol at the Spit can be sketchy...you luck out about 25% of the time. The other 75% of the time, you are:

(1) Cold...the Gorge has the character of warming up fast, but not before 10:00AM
(2) Waiting... about an hour for the wind to get up to the point you can use your biggest kite.
(3) Dealing... with Gusts and Lulls..until the wind makes up its mind at about 11:00AM.
(4) Watching...to see when the wind will fill in from the right direction...beware of too much south or north in the wind
(5) Listening...to the sound of the cars on the bridge, taking all the happy kiters to breakfast.
(6) Hungry...thinking about the happy kiters at Bettys.
(7) Swimming...your kite in to shore, as the wind either dies, or kicks in with a vengeance
( Cool

Untangling...your lines, after your 3rd. unsuccessful drift launch

Ahhhh, but that 25% of the time, when you luck out and are flying over the water in a state of bliss...just you and Mt. Hood..."King of the World"...

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

kiters dont know hte meaning of the word dawn patrol unless it is RR easterlies late in the season when that is the only goods to get Very Happy

but seriously, i have been out to the sandbar 8 or 9 in the AM on a saturday with the wind just howling, and there was maybe myself and two other kiters there. so a week day, you can probably bet nobody will be there before 10 or later, so being able to self launch or drift launch is a necessity. if the wind is good, the morning can be great session, except you got the sun in your eyes.

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

I got an epic dawn patrol sesh at about 9 weekend before last. Just me and the river for a solid hour before I saw another kite up.