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Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Was hoping for some head high swell and side-off goodness, but the off-off and small swell sent us to Plan B

http://vimeo.com/8287898

EY · Since 06 Jul 2008 76 Posts NW, Florida, Asia Made in China

Gman, Geez you got props from me. I was thinking hitting that lake before but thought of the water might be pretty nasty. was that gusty west wind?

When it blows west, you might want to try Key Biscayne, it is right next to miami. It has more clear wind. Me and the florida crew hit that up last year and it was a blast!

Have fun down there, I will see you in a week or so.

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

I would not suggest Key Biscayne (Hobie Beach by the Sea Aquarium in photo above) for your West wind kiting adventure.

Hobie beach has transformed in to a kook fest over the years. Besides the Keys or west coast of Florida, it is the only real west wind riding spot from shore. Lack of respect for courtesy to each other, other beach goers, and the general rules of kiting have made that place very dangerous. Add on to the fact that the beach launch is feet away from a major causeway. A lofting incient just occurred there that caused a kiter to be lofted over the causeway and land back in the water. No injuries but can you imagine how cars could have been in an accident because of it?

http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=8477

Hobie Beach Key Biscayne will be lost very soon. Stay safe. STay away is my motto for that beach. You have teh option of going to the miami flats with a boat taxi or to the Keys with a Bay Side boat taxi as well.

Now Key Biscayne Crandon North Beach is an awesome kite spot (but not for West Winds. It is however, very heavily regulated due to past issues. Level 3 IKO requires, insurance required, $50 annaul membership required, oversite by a private concession.

That lake looks interesting. Very gusty conditions with lots of lulls looks like. PM me if you need info for your next FL trip but it sounds like you are from FL.

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

nice video G!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

You partyin all nite westsyde!

thx Krazed - yeah I did my first body draggin at Hobie beach 2002 on a crankin northerly - drew a crowd of concerned onlookers as my bros lesson plan "anybody can bodydrag - just send that kite as hard as you can across the window - see how high you can get..."

guess somebody smashed a van and scored both lanes of A1A sans bathingsuit a few weeks earlier

Now you got be a level 6 vegan to kite there...

Yo eric the water wasn't so bad but have seen some sizeable gators with Kara a few years back when I was giving her tour of old Twin Lakes High

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hey all ,
I read this post and imagined what it would feel like to be in that situation . The lofting one .
I have taken lessons in several locations . I don't recall but 1 or two of the instructors talking about the importance of paying attention to the weather .
One in Hood river did , among many other things that most don't as the students don't want to listen to much , they just want to kite . This the instructor told me , the impatience of beginners .
The other was in South Padre and made it clear that it was very important !
I was in Hood river two years later and didn't see the fella I took my lesson from . Too bad as I feel guys like that are doing everyone that rigs up a kite a very big favor ! Others around the kiters as well .
Some don't agree that you should have a IKO or similar to kite in certain areas or at all . I would like many others suggest lessons to all entering the sport but my main concern is the instructors , they need to be able to relay the importance of all the aspects of the sport . Not just let someone get out there without realizing the impact the weather has .
I live in an area that has a lot of gusty winds so it's important to know ! It's very important everywhere else too !
Talk to the locals and ensure your and others safety to get the most joy out of the sport .
Jack