Letting the cat out of the bag....

scottnorby · Sun Oct 25, 09 10:44 am **Letting the cat out of the bag....**

I have finally decided to share a secret I found three years ago.
I have had it all to myself but I see too many days it goes unridden when I am surfing or fishing.
It's a shame---especially since it is an ideal place to teach people to kite.
And it is really a good call for winter.
And if the wind sucks there is plenty to do in nearby Astoria----or maybe even surf if the winds shift east on you.

I am a little concerned about people being safe and I don't it want to get out of control----because it is a small space.
But the shallow and flat water is ideal since there is a sandbar to the west which blocks all swell and makes for butter smooth water in even the hardest west winds.

Chinook Washington ----just on the other side of the bridge from Astoria.

Nor Bay. (northbay)

When my wife and I found it a fisherman told me that they call it Nor Bay.
And it's crazy that is our last name----so it stuck.
To top it off there was a fishing vessel in the harbor named NORDBY.
Pretty coincidental.
We have been riding there now for 3 years all alone.

Mid tide---it's waist deep.
Minus tides it's all sand.
Flat water.
SE, S, W, or NW wind
but not North or East winds.
North American speed record for windsurfing has been made there 2 times.

It would be very easy to make sliders or kickers and leave them on the beach.

It would also be ideal for a grinch.

It's perfect for wakestyle kiting all winter.

http://washington.hometownlocator.com/wa/pacific/chinook.cfm

Fun spot.
Tired of kiting it alone and finding someone to catch my kite.
So have at it.
Respect the local community.
Be safe so it doesn't get shut down.

You can find windsurfing speed record data about the spot online if you dig.

Chooch · Sun Oct 25, 09 11:00 am

Thanks for the info Scott Exclamation

Gonna check that spot for sure Idea

Is that the same spot that has the great SUP breaking wave?

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2573 Posts The 503 METAL

Awesome Norb, but didn't you already let this cat out? Smile

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1523 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

the pictures look very enticing. Is there a parking/ staging area to get ready. I noticed some tire tracks near the shore in the first pic. do people drive down there at low tide. thaks for the guidance, blake

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

You did let that cat out last fall, but I've still never made it there.

Andy

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Does it blow in the summer too????

Thanks for the info!! Looks like our kinda spot!

Sella · Sun Oct 25, 09 2:41 pm

Very cool Scott. Thanks for posting and good to know WA options are becoming more "uncovered" with waist deep / South Padre type options while being big enough for a few amigos to play.

tautologies · Since 24 Aug 2006 602 Posts Oahu Addicted

Etymologically speaking doesn't you name name mean North City / Manor?

Nor = North
By = City / Manor / Fort

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 202 Posts Portland Stoked

Thanks for sharing again. I drove out there three times last winter and I always seem to arrive when the wind was blowing like stink and the water level was against the rocks and trees.

Does it work best on a south wind?

What sort of tide level does a person want?

scottnorby · Sun Oct 25, 09 4:39 pm

I think I told about another spot over by Altoona sometime last year.
Really haven't talked about this one to many people.

It does blow all summer. West and NW winds.
Wore a shorty wetsuit in July---trunked in Aug and Sept.
Shallow water warms up nice.

And it does well with South and South west winds too.
Even SE winds but SE winds are pretty rare here.
Souths are common but can be gusty.
The NW and SW winds are the best because they are basically side shore.

And as you know it stays around 50 degrees in the dead of winter here.
So it will feel balmy compared to the hood in winter.

Best tides are a low tide around 2 to 4 foot....and a high that is under 7 foot.
Today it was a low of around 3 foot and a high around 6 foot.
Barely any change.
Outgoing tide is always fun because you know it going to get shallower as the day progresses so you just have that much more beach when your done.

And yes, you can drive a 4x4 right on to the sand....but it's not necessary.
Sandy beaches in front of the houses are good enough to set up kites during most tides unless they are above 9 foot tides.

If you get it on an epic day you are going to be looking at property for sale...and thinking about opening a kite school....ha.
Already had those thoughts.

House right on the beach there---with private sand beach---$375,000.

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-11221-0-asc-0.html

Hass · Since 06 Sep 2008 16 Posts

Sounds like a great place. We're in Longview, so not as far as all the PDXers.

What are the best sensors to use (wind on the water). How accurate are they to the spot (for example, does 10 in Astoria equal 10 at Chinook?)

Thanks, maybe we'll see you out there sometime!

Joel

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 202 Posts Portland Stoked

OK, I need to get specific. Is it just east of the marina or do you drive down Chinook Park Road.

I'll gladly catch your kite.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

also check out ilwaco beach behind city park.

Pepi · Sun Oct 25, 09 8:15 pm

Been wanting to check these locations out after hearing from the windsurf Speedsailing crew who have been using the Chinook Landing spot for speed runs, but they kept complaining about the low tide problem with the water only being 6"-1' deep at many times.
Kept thinking that maybe we should bring a gps out and see what kind of speed runs a kiter might bring in on a big SE day (?).

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 561 Posts Hood River Photographer

hmmm... i think everyone owes the man a case of beer.

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

Yep, the spot is legit. gorgebob spilled this site for me too when I mentioned to him my interest in speed sailing. I definitely will hit this spot when the conditions are right. Thanks for sharing.