Fort Steven's Beach Assault Kite Camp!!

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Jul 23, 10 6:36 pm

sounds like fun but I have to be in O-hi-O all week.

Minimum qualifications to kite in the ocean.. Actually less than kiting in the river IF you are able to stay in the shallow water and the waves are not that big. You'll have a much better time if you can actually manage to water start quickly to avoid getting saltwater in your ears when waves break on you.

If you want to kite on the big outside sets or even play in the shorebreak when there is a big swell, you better have your shit together or be a strong swimmer.

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

I think I'll make my way out there tomorrow then. I'll try to be there around 10-10:30.

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

Would love to make this, but I'll be "stuck" in manzo with the fam. Gee, oh no! Plan to get out around high tide tho.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I'm gonna be at the KOA front parking lot at 10am til 11am. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone who's coming out. I'll be in a grey Ford Econoline 150 with a riser top with Wa. plates.

I'll put a bright red t-shirt on my antenna and park right in front of the KOA. Let's meet there and decide where to go. More than likely we'll just end up there at my campsite(thanks Paul!!).

Be prepared to participate in some activities, I'm a special ed. teacher, designed to get you talking and thinking. It'll be fun!! Kids are welcome too!! We'll just have a good time, then let's get into some kiteboarding stuff!!

In the future we can plan these more in advanced, but the wind doesn't always cooperate on the coast. We can discuss some possible strategies for having things set up earlier. One option is to plan a camp in the eastern Gorge area like Roosevelt.

See you soon!!

Ron
Very Happy

arkay · Since 06 Jun 2008 192 Posts Manzo/Hillsburrito Stoked

Can't wait to hear how it was! A consistent 30 all day at manzo.

bix · Since 03 Feb 2008 12 Posts Wishing I was kiting

Did the downwinder from C to Sunset. Took about 2-1/2 hours to make the trip. loved the nice little 4' waves and 9m conditions. My garbage surf board was a lot of fun.

Then came back for a second trip from C to Shipwreck. Slashed the faces all the way down in about a 25 minute trip.

Nice day!

Sitting on the deck in HR looking at about 16mph at the bar. Might have to cruise down for some lawn mowing.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I was listening to OPB today on my way home from Seaside and heard about a guy who wrote a book titled [img][/img]KOOK. I'm looking forward to reading, but wondering if I should write a book titled, "KITEBOARD NEWB." I guess the guy had six months and wanted to be a surfer. So, he goes to Huntington Beach and buys a surfboard and some shorts and goes out, LOL, gutsy for sure. Try that with kiting my friend and you will be in trouble. Kiting is a highly skilled adventure filled with twists and turns and surprises all the way along the path. Everyone has different stories, but everyone is eventually humbled at some point.

I'm always scared when I first rig up at Fort Steven's. Double check my lines, check my kite, check this and check that all the while butterflies are having a kegger in my stomach. Nervous energy compounded by the fact that there were more kites on the beach than any other day I've seen in a while. I'm thinking, "will I make a fool out of myself and get yarded?!"

Luckily for me it was one of the best days of my kiteboarding life. I'm mid 40's and I put sunscreen on my bald spot, I've changed from worrying about my body to wondering if I have excessive ear hair, ya know? If your not 40 you don't know what I'm talking about.

Anyways, thanks to all the brave people who came out to the Kite Camp to share your stories, experiences and smiles.

Here's to my new friends,

Very Happy

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Nice pics, Ron. That last down winder was a hoot. Best sets of the day.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Great riding Saturday. Thanks Ron for taking time out to share experience. I'll take a lot more days like that Thumb's Up

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Hey Hein,
I think that last run there were 4 kites out. Paul, Mark, me and you were the only guys out there and the waves were easy pickings!! Awesome day!!!!

You were absolutely rocking that wakeskate!! I was telling somebody that you were on a wakeskate and that you build em, amazing.

When I'm on my deathbed this day will be one of my memories for sure. It was the best wave day of my life, so far!!!

Why am I yelling?!!

R Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It was great to meet you and kite with you.

I'm gonna buy you a new flashlight!!!

Let's do something this next week out east if the conditions permit.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Thanks for noticing me on the skate. At the last minute, I dove into the basement and grabbed my 1st gen skate out of the pile. It's a little rounder and bigger than my current skate which I left home for my daughter to use with the ski. Forgot what fun that sucker was in the surf. I chased the G-man down with it on the previous run. Thought about swapping boards with him but then he was gone.

Just to be clear, I don't sell these. But I'd license the design.