Netarts / Oceanside

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

Despite all the hairy-scary warnings, there are MANY-o-day that you can go down to Schooner's and find a nice steady wind filling in right to the shore line.

At the right tide, there are knee deep pools where you can practice your body drags and water launches. It's not a "destination" learning spot, but given that your right there...you can definately make use of it without driveing all the way to the Gorge. Thumb's Up

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

sweet pics slither....!

like the rest said, good times and bad times.. just be wise.... check the tides, and watch for seals and the landy with yer eyes.. Cool

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

dude,bro,man · Since 26 Aug 2009 1 Posts New Member

Hey my bro
just do it

and remember dude
pee like a man Wink

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

A few things I learned the half dozen times I kited in Netarts when learning with BarFly.

1: What Barfly said: don't go across the channel/bay unless you can make it back.

2: The area across from Schooner beach on the other side of the bay probably has the best flat water and wind exposure with a NW wind. The area is shallow; ankle to chest deep. Avoid going south of the jetty at Schooners as the wind becomes more unpredictable/shadowed, especially on the west side of the bay on the spit where there is all the sea grass/dark shallow water.

3: when walking around the shallows in the bay on the spit side, be careful of the (for lack of a better word) quicksand. This isn't really quicksand be very soft liquefied sand that you will sink into. The danger here is stepping in the sand, getting your leg buried/submerged, and then having the kite pull you in a direction you don't want. The sand will not let go of your leg. "What was that sound? Oh, that was just my left knee getting torn apart like a piece of fried chicken". Same thing can happen with your board and if you have a board leash on and you get a gust and or fly the kite in the wrong direction, the leash with act like a slingshot and send that board fly towards the person it is attached to.

4: IMHO, the spit side of the bay is way better for learning as it has better winds, tons of room to land and launch with no real objects to avoid unless there is a pack of seals chilling on the beach. The objects to avoid over on Schooners side are any of the rocks over there, especially the ones with barnicales on them and of course the downwind hazard ie the jetty by the boat launch. Tons of shallow water, little to no current over on the westside.. If you had a boat, load it up when the bay starts to flood, head over to the westside. Less boats travel over there and less and or very few pot are set over there as the water must be too shallow.

Welcome to the addiction.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Forgot to mention #5, stopped by the new restaurant located in the Happy Camp area/boat launch area. Thumbs UP!!!!!!!!!! Sweet seafood, big ass pitchers of PBR for $6, inside and outside seating, excellent service with a smile , good prices on the food too.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

I've scouted the launch at Kalama a couple of times and I drove by it yesterday on my way back from Seattle. It got me thinking. . .

The access to the beach makes it an extremely popular fishing site. What tide do fishermen like to use to aid them to catch fish? Is it an ebb tide? It makes the fish hold up, thus easier to entice with bait or tackle? Whatever the tide it is, clears the beach a bit of fishermen and thus makes it easier to land and launch and rig and or piss off fishermen like Snaggle Carpus http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7778624606260162350 minute 1:23

So here are my questions, what is the water and wind quality on the Oregon side? That water front property across from the Kalama launch looks sweet, but probably owned by a corp, thus no access, even by boat?

How long is the downwinder to Woodland (exit 22)? 6 miles? I know there are some nice butter spots, with hidden hazards of course. Talking about all the logs/pilons. If I recall, did Tucker try to name the area "Tucker Flats"?

I also have scouted out the Woodland Exit 22 launch, but never sailed it. That place seems to have more harzards than Kalama and that beach definately has a SI facor to it ie better hide your wallet in your car pretty good.

boredbrain · Since 16 Feb 2006 352 Posts Hood River Obsessed

Kalama was a light wind spot that took a NW pretty well. Family oreinted beach.

The Ultronz wrote a song about it.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

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

thefiestysoldier · Since 24 Aug 2009 7 Posts Happy Valley New Member

Be sure to order chicken wings @ the schooner