Hood river in May 10m+7m or 10m+14m?

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

Can anyone suggest the best kite sizes to bring to Hood River, for the second half of May?

I'm a intermediate / advanced 100+Kg (220+Lbs) rider with a 140/40 twintip.
I can only bring 2 kites so I have to choice between bringing a 7m or a 14m as a second kite.
My 10m has a huge wind range, so I'm pretty save either way, but I don't want to bring a second kite that I will not be able to use.

Because it’s a thermal wind the normal wind-sites are not very useful.
Google did not help much either.
I’ve heard people say that the Hood River is kiteable almost every day of the week.
How realistic is that?

Ps. This questions probably comes back several times per year but I could not find it. Sorry for that.

forrest · Thu Apr 29, 10 7:58 am

8m/12m would be the right two kites. 7m/10m Work as well. It's rarely 14m.

Vankiter · Since 24 Jun 2007 34 Posts Canvouver

I vote for the 7m + 10m.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

I gotta go with Forrest on this one. 14 just isn't used all that much in the gorge. 7 and 10 would be better than 10 and 14. 14 is good for Sauvie Island - which is north of Portland - but that probably won't blow regularly until June (if ever). Some years it doesn't even blow.

As for riding every day. In the heart of the season July and August - you can ride most days fer ser. But May is early for riding every day. Maybe someone who lives in Hood River could chime in and give an average number of rideable days in May.

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

14m days are not my favorite so that sounds good.

I'll be there for 2 weeks so I don't NEED to go every day, but with that 7+10m advice, it sounds like it would be unlikely if I will not have at least a few great days.
Can't wait.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Apr 29, 10 8:33 am

you will be money with that combo. Don't forget your wetsuit, the water is still quite chillly that time of year

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 184 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

[quote="Moto"]I gotta go with Forrest on this one. 14 just isn't used all that much in the gorge. 7 and 10 would be better than 10 and 14. 14 is good for Sauvie Island - which is north of Portland - but that probably won't blow regularly until June (if ever). Some years it doesn't even blow.

As for riding every day. In the heart of the season July and August - you can ride most days fer ser. But May is early for riding every day. Maybe someone who lives in Hood River could chime in and give an average number of rideable days in May.[/quote]

Dude, why don't you losen up your ankle weights and or take them off when your not kiting; they must be affecting your blood supply to your brain.

May is a great time of year to ride the gorge. It may not blow at HR "everyday", but it is going to be windy somewhere; whether it be Stevenson, Llye, the Dalles, Rufus, Rosevelt/Arlington, 3 mile. Plus there are less people during the week and weekends. And no it isn't going to be windy every day during the summer or in the Spring time.

As for the guy only bringing two kites. I read on another post that someone just shipped their extra gear via FED EX ground. Three kites are always better than two. There sometimes is no wind in the gorge and windy at Sauvies and or the coast (rare, but it happens). Ship them to a shop or something and pay them alittle extra storage fee.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1867 Posts XTreme Poster

For the most part it's either windy here, or nothing. All a 14 will do for you is get you out 5 minutes before it turns into 7m, or dies completely.

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

@pdxmonkeyboy
As for wearing a wetsuit :
I'm dutch. Our climat isn't exactly the same but the temperatures are.

@sleestack
That also pretty much rules out FED EX ground shipping, but thanks for the tip.
I'll rent a car so I can find the right spots on the right days.
I'll have to do some research into what those are, but thats another topic (if I can't find it myself)

thanks

Joshiebaby · Since 14 Oct 2007 569 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

14M will be good for going to the moon in the gorge. That is about it.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Sleestak - I didn't say it wasn't a good month. Its just not everyday. I plan on riding as much as possible this coming month - but I don't plan on riding every day.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

[quote="Martin_6453"]@pdxmonkeyboy
As for wearing a wetsuit :
I'm dutch. Our climat isn't exactly the same but the temperatures are.

Holland's got glacier runoff? (not really that bad end of May...)

Martin_6453 · Since 29 Apr 2010 26 Posts

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

You should be set then. I think water's getting close to 50F and it should get warmer as summer gets near.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Martin,

Understand this info your getting is coming from the epi-center of small kite snobbery...most of these guys weight under 150! Laughing

For a 220 pounder, I would not be wanting to leave my 14 at home! Find a way to bring em all! Shove that 7m in your carry on!

Cool

robkov · Since 03 Jul 2006 90 Posts 97031

10m and 14m, I am or at least was 220 when I was intermediate, and big was better, better then swimming the width of the Columbia on a not so rippin day.

Rob

mbirch · Since 17 Jun 2008 41 Posts underwood

most people in the gorge don't ride 14m. It is a good kite size to own in the northwest but people usually use this size on the coast or for snowkiting! The current is so strong on the river in May that even when the wind is light a 10m will still work.