ikite Or man, do i really pay money for this shayte?

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

can anyone tell me why ikite will list a gven knot prediction for a site, like "floras lake 5-7", this in the meteorgram, and then in the Extended Wind Forcast (in the verbage offerred by the meteorogist/weather guesser) that may read something like "southern coast 12-15kts" for the same day?

tell me grandfather, what is the secret to making money in this life?
"excellent qiuestion grasshopper: advertise the moon and stars but sell crap to americans". . .

ah, so...

Slipin Lizard · Since 23 Sep 2005 88 Posts Hood River, Oregon

It's because one is a computer generated model forecast, while the other has been looked at by a meteorologist. The model forecasts always tend to under-estimate the wind strength, so go with the text forecast for a more realistic prediction of what is likely to happen.

shredjim · Since 07 Jun 2006 186 Posts Stoked

I agree with the lizard, but would add that the accuracy of the meteorologist varies quite a bit as well. George is the man, he is usually right on, too bad iwindsurf bought him, he used to have a free web-site.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

i guess i don't understand why they don't adjust their computer algorithms if the computer model is always less... i've just about given up on ikitesurf...

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

IWindsurf is invaluable for their sensor network and WAP interface. Their narrative forecast is nice to have, but I use it only as one reference, I always check NOAA as well.

You never really know what your going to get around here. Do they really know that between 4-6pm its going to between 18-22knots at one particular spot? No... I am not sure why they even try to estimate it. McClean's old forecast was better than that I think, 15-20, 20-25, etc..

When you talk to guys on the beach, espoecially the guys who've been around since windsurfing day, there are 4 levels:

1) dead
2) light
3) good
4) nuking

Just plan for everything and have a kite quiver that covers you 10knots-30.

Also keep an eye on the clouds and where they are (especially how far they go west to east in the Gorge) that will usually tell you a lot about what the wind will be like.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

how do you get I kite to stop billing ??
MESOWEST has all the info and we already paid for it (taxes)

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 13, 06 8:20 am

Just log-in to ikitesurf and cancel your subscription. If you intially signed up for a year though your going to get hosed.

I initially didn't dig ikitesurf that much but since they got a better meaterologist and I set-up the cell phone DL of info I love it. I can log-in with my cell phone and get all the current info and the forescast while I'm sitting in traffic, in a meeting, or racing home to grab my gear.

I really don't know why people complain about the cost. It's $14 dollars a month people, and that is with the downloadable cell phone option.
People will spend $1,200 on a piece of nylon and then gripe about .50 a day.

To each his own, ikitesurf, ikitesuck, whatever you want to call it, its a pretty cool service.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

I have no need for the service and I don't pay $1200 for kites anymore ,I'm a Besty now ,i get 3 kites for that dough
the ass time in traffic is very low in the hinterlands ,the forecast for Florence never in 6 yrs match the actuals
Oh and 2 guys seem to pretty much tell everyone what to do on the forum,
both pimpin
better info here and more diversity at least in my mind

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 13, 06 10:59 am

Bummer about the forecast in florence. There are allot of options up here for us Gorgians so sometimes its nice to see whats going on all over.

I hear you though, this forum is great for the current info as well. Kudos to all those getting the word out ahead of time!!

skydiveblake · Since 28 Jun 2006 63 Posts San Diego

Dude, your avatar is extremely disturbing.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

we get folks showing up all the time expecting light wind and then the fun begins (for us),
It can pick rather fast here, ha ha