The Coast!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Ok here is another post of the obvious things that advanced kiters who go to the coast know and begs. do not. So, this is for the begs. and Intermediates:

1. Don't use a smaller kite it's better to be overpowered than under at the coast.
2. If you drop your kite and can't relaunch unhook it and let it wash to shore. It will.
3. Stay close to shore and avoid going to far out. Only go out as far as you can swim back in.
4. Go with friends or make some when you get there.

Chooch · Tue Aug 19, 08 10:01 am

You might want to be a little bit more specific with #2.....letting go of your kite is the last thing you want to do if you have no flotation device on. Probably good to elaborate a little more instead of just posting vague saftey tips

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

the experts i know often use a bigger board but not necc a bigger kite.

wear a thicker wetsuit than you think you need (dress for the crash, not the ride). this is probably the single biggest thing.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

I think the main thing people need to realize while kiting the ocean is surfer's rules. I was at Newport a few days ago and they were blatantly disregarded by most kiters, who obviously are naive to them.

1. When choosing a wave the first person on it has priority, even if the wave is a half mile offshore.

2. Whoever is closest to the peak on a given wave has priority and the other person needs to clear the way. For example two kiters jibe onto the same wave, the one closest to the peak(part of the wave beginning to break in either or both directions) has rights to that wave and the other person needs to clear a reasonable path(read: jibe off of it) as to not hinder that person's ability to ride that wave.

3. Everyone riding back out through the surf needs to clear a path for anyone riding a wave, even if it means turning around or altering your path drastically.

If these three basic rules prevail all should be somewhat orderly on the water, even if the water is crowded.

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

You got to be kidden me.

Best advice I can provide, is to go with another kiter that is way better then you, someone you can trust, and someone that can save your ass if you really fuck it up SUPPER BAD!

When you get worked repeatly the shit starts happening, trust me it will happen, the two things you really need to do are: 1) Stay calm and dont fucking panic,
2) Make sure some witnessed your total distruction or got it on film, (I have never had this happen to me..........yet)

I hope Im scaring the Newbies, if not you should be, I am. Everytime I go out Im scared and excited at the same time.

If you find the flow out there it will wind up going all Zen.............. if you let it.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

The coast is always a downwinder. I don't know anybody who goes to the coast and thinks that they are not going to do a down-winder.

My favorite Coast down winder is at Fort Steven's from parking Lot B to the Ship Wreck. Lot B allows the shortest walk to the beach and the best wind when direction is NNW from 15 to 25!

**For those who have never done the coast here is my advice.***
1. Respect the cold oregon ocean. Take your experience in warm water and forget about it. The cold water will take your breath away and put you in a bad situation much quicker than you think. Respect the cold water and the currents.

2. I don't wear a PFD, or a helmet, but I'm a swimmer. I'm not scared to drop all of my shit and start body surfing in. I'm also aware of what to do in rips, and big surf. If you question your swimming ability then wear a PFD, helmet and bring a whistle.

3. Kite relaunching in waves can be a little bit of a trick. If you drop your kite in the impact zone you will need to relaunch it really fast. If a wave catches your kite and spins it and you are hooked in you risk the possibility of ripping, bow ties, and ruining your kite. ***Unhook your kite and let it go to shore, bar and all*** It will make it in to shore as will your board. Here's my story from last weekends heat wave: Launched in marginal conditions on an 11meter a fuse 153 from lot b. Got out and went downwind about half way to shipwreck and my kite went down. Couldn't get it up before a wave hit and I let er go. I had already lost my board and knew it would wash up on the shore. It did. I body surfed about 200 yards to shore and got to my kite. Set it up and relaunched it after I found my board.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

[quote="bulae99"]The coast is always a downwinder. I don't know anybody who goes to the coast and thinks that they are not going to do a down-winder.

No one in Florence does downwinders
and most don't in Newport either Confused

some of the other stuff is correct Razz

There is a bit of difference between small surf and large surf .

Staying either on the inside or the outside is a big help for newbs
small fast turning kites and a large board that can enable you to redirect quickly
would be a smart chioice

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2624 Posts The 503 METAL

Tip #9

Watch out for wankers like Bulae that so desperately need to spew out advice but only know about half of what they are talking about.

Go away Cliff!

Mad

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Say that to my face. You got balls on a keyboard let's talk face to face.

wanker?

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

Wow There must not be any wind, This forum is the best, funny shit going on here everyday!!!!! Lol!!!! Keep it up I love it!!!!!!!!!!

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

WANKER!!!!!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

Hey, I got a pair of boxing gloves I can bring to the beach that might be fun?

scottnorby · Wed Aug 20, 08 8:11 am

Last Friday I was riding a downwinder from the Iredale to Gearhart with Capt. Kirk (from La Ventana)
It was his first downwinder in Oregon and we had a good time.
Some of the set waves were overhead when I was riding down the line.

Two thoughts came to mind while I was riding down the line of and a thick lip was throwing out to boost the fear factor.

1. Riding waves that are over head high are more surfing than kiteboarding. You get so much speed on the face of the wave that you can very easily run toward your kite and lose all tension in the lines. I really believe that the best kitesurfing is on a bigger board with surf under head high. You can really utilize the kite better. Too fast down the line and you lose all steering of the kite.

2. Riding big waves and small waves require the same technique---just very different consequences if you fail.

Until you experience the consequence of being overly ambitious on too big of a wave, you are best to stay in surf shoulder high or below and be well powered and properly dressed.

It's just like a day on the mountain.
You don't under-dress while snowboarding.
And no one ever asks you 'are you cold riding in all that snow?' when you are snowboarding.