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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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 Tue Mar 03, 09 11:03 am Where to kiteboard with in a 60 min. drive from Eugene? |
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Any one knows were you can do some kiteboarding in Eugene or with in an hours drive of Eugnene, give or take a few minutes?
Does any one in this area kiteboard or is every one from Hood River?
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DROCK999
Since 31 May 2007
852 Posts
Left Coast
Opinionated
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 11:18 am |
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Florence is the closest for consistent kiting, I've tried fern ditch with no success but I know people have gotten sessions out there. It's generally difficult to get a good launch from fern ridge/get good winds but it can happen. I've thought about trying dexter but never gone up there. But I'd say Florence is going to be the best spot for wind.
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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 11:30 am Where to kiteboard with in a 60 min. drive from Eugene? |
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| I would love to go and try florence. I'm new at the sport, and a little iffy about going out in 25 knots wind. Hopping to find a place that won't throw me against the jetty rocks. The wind is going North at this time of the year. I know I was playing with my practice kite over the weekend. PS do you Drock999 live in Eugene? Do you kite a lot? I also was hoping to start were there is no waves. A lesson I learned years ago when I got into windsurfing.
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strachman
Since 09 Aug 2007
170 Posts
Stoked
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 12:32 pm |
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| If you don't want to ride in the ocean head to Floras lake, its about three hours away, safe spot to learn.
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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 12:51 pm |
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| I heard about lake Floras, where is it exactely?
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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MasViento
Since 03 Mar 2009
235 Posts
97031
Stoked
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 2:10 pm |
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http://www.floraslake.com/flw2.html
Was there last summer. Will likely go back as soon as it warms up a bit. Im also a beginner and also live in Eugene. Good place to learn, but lots of pole dancers in the water, so must share nicely since it has been a windsurfing spot for many more years. The ocean is just on other side of the berm for a wave session of you have the skills. Camping there is good w/ clean facilities.
Florence is good but is NO JOKE ocean kiting. Must have your shit together and not good to venture out alone. Fog rolls in afternoon in summer & fall.
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1365 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 2:53 pm |
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Another option for Florence might be the Suislaw, on the inside of the jetty on the opposite side of the river. I lived in Corvallis a decade ago and windsurfed there, parking on the side of the road leading out to the Coast Guard station (IIRC).
I don't know how it would be for launching but I've seen kiting pictures that I swear were the same place. I remember there was a rock ledge that you sat on, and it was hollowed out underneath so it seemed like there was a cave under you. A little eerie, to be frank, and the reach is not that long, but it seemed a reasonably safe place (i.e. no waves, little current at the time).
I've windsurfed at Fern Ridge twice. Super light winds, but there's doubtfully a great place for a kite launch, as Drock says.
There may also be kiteability at some of the lakes to the east; I remember checking out and windsurfing at Waldo Lake, if I remember the name correctly. Even tried Dayton Lake up by Salem. The problem with that area was always wind consistency, though every time I bike commuted there seemed to be a pretty stiff headwind...
Good luck!
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DROCK999
Since 31 May 2007
852 Posts
Left Coast
Opinionated
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 3:23 pm Re: Where to kiteboard with in a 60 min. drive from Eug |
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| frenchy wrote: | | I would love to go and try florence. I'm new at the sport, and a little iffy about going out in 25 knots wind. Hopping to find a place that won't throw me against the jetty rocks. The wind is going North at this time of the year. I know I was playing with my practice kite over the weekend. PS do you Drock999 live in Eugene? Do you kite a lot? I also was hoping to start were there is no waves. A lesson I learned years ago when I got into windsurfing. |
If you're looking to go in a spot with no waves I'd suggest Floras lake, it's 3 hrs south of Eugene, I go I-5 -> Drain/elkton exit -> turn south on 101 at reedsport -> floras lake (take a right off 101 just south of langlois and then another left, then there's a right turn and another left) I can't remember road names right now though. Hood River is also about a 3 hr drive from eugene, as far as no waves go I'm not sure. I absolutely recommend that you be comfortable with your kite flying skills before heading out into the ocean, but during the summer the waves are generally pretty mellow, and usually the wind is north, which won't blow you into the jetty if you're launching from the south jetty. My first few times out I just stayed on the inside in the breakers and would walk back up the beach. But floras is certainly the best spot for beginners, it can get really crowded sometimes though. I generally go to Floras as much as possible, it's a bit of a haul but a very mellow spot.
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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 4:45 pm |
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I don't mind tha long hall if it's worth it.
what about the winter time.
I want to go kitboarding right now. this weekend. I'm tired of just playing with the trainner. I want to go and play with my big toy. the winds are comming out of the south on the coast. does that make a difference at lake Florase.
Help, I really want to go and have fun. If someone local wants to go play and help, I will do the drive. I have 7mm suit and dry suit. Some one make the choice for me.
I think dry will not give me as much movement and comfort.
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MasViento
Since 03 Mar 2009
235 Posts
97031
Stoked
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 4:47 pm |
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DROCK999,
Have you or others tried to launch & kite on the river side of the south jetty ? There is a spot that has a nice tide pool on the west side of jetty near the little pier that people do crabbing from. Do you know the spot ?
Was tempted to launch there last summer a few times since it was howling NW and no waves in Siuslaw river there.
Have u tried this ?
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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 5:05 pm |
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It's funny that you ask that, I was just looking that spot over just Sunday. It is definitely possible. I don't know if there is a lunch area big anough. There is an area, but I would have to look at it closer. So Where do people go now this time of the year?
Waldo would be a great place, but finding a place to lunch, I don't know about that.
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pjc
Since 06 Mar 2005
649 Posts
Addicted
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 5:16 pm |
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There are a bunch of folks that kite at Florence when the conditions are nice. I have never seen anyone kiting in the Siuslaw. I think there are good reasons for this - lots of rocks downwind of you, and potentially serious current.
People kite in the ocean sometimes very close to the Jetty. As long as the rocks are upwind of you, this is pretty safe. When rocks are downwind of you, things are a bit more serious.
So N winds = kiting at S Jetty. S wind = N Jetty. Distance is your friend.
In general, with kiting, there is something to be said for following the conventional wisdom. Not to sound like a grump, but I'd hate to see someone get hurt.
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jdubs
Since 21 May 2008
36 Posts
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frenchy
Since 03 Mar 2009
88 Posts
Eugene, Florance, Newport, FLoras, Gorge
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 6:40 pm |
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Waldport has a lot of potential. I'm not good anough to go try new places. I just want a place to go now! this time of the yearl.
Any recommendations for this time of the year.
Can you kite Florase this time of the year?
Any body?
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DROCK999
Since 31 May 2007
852 Posts
Left Coast
Opinionated
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| Tue Mar 03, 09 8:29 pm |
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| MasViento wrote: | DROCK999,
Have you or others tried to launch & kite on the river side of the south jetty ? There is a spot that has a nice tide pool on the west side of jetty near the little pier that people do crabbing from. Do you know the spot ?
Was tempted to launch there last summer a few times since it was howling NW and no waves in Siuslaw river there.
Have u tried this ? |
I know the exact spot you're talking about, It's on the right side of the road out to the jetty, I've never tried to kite out of there, but as mentioned before me, probably for good reason.
As far as waldport goes, I've never kited there but I know that Shawn Richman got a cover shot there two years ago.
Floras is definitely kiteable right now. Solkiter has been out there in january I think, But I don't think that Will has his lesson's up and running if you need lessons/gear. North or south wind floras is kiteable so that doesn't really matter.
It really matters where the wind is going to be, and this time of year that can be anywhere and be on and off.
I tried to get Fern Ridge last march with no success, but you certainly can try, I would say with the lack of rain we've been getting the water level should be way down and make launching somewhat feasible from the muddy lake bed.
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