Moving to LA in June, Any decent kiting down there?

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Getting a job in Los Angeles after I graduate in June and will probably be living near the beach, either El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, or Redondo Beach.

1. How is the wind there? Is kiting even really allowed on those beaches?
2. Any living location advice?
3. Do you know of somebody in that area that needs a roommate?

Feel free to PM me with the roommate info if you have any.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 901 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I grew up down in Palos Verdes/Redondo Beach, but moved away at 18 to go to college in NCal back in 1978. Obviously that was way before kiteboarding was invented, but returned quite often for short trips to visit my mother. Saw kiters out in SW clearing winds during winter months at Torrance Beach and Rat Beach, looked like fun conditions, but almost dead on-shore winds.

Summer winds are all thermal oriented and happen at Seal Beach, Cabrillo Beach and up in the Malibu area. Beach closures are everywhere during summer as the beach scene is very busy with little kids, bikini babes, fat tourists and everything else under the sun. No room for kiters with flying death machines!!

If you are willing to drive 2 hours north up to Ventura Point (C St.) you will find some of the best point surf with kiteable winds on the west coast. This happens mostly during fall and spring, but can be found any time of the year.

Loneski · Since 18 Dec 2010 103 Posts Washington Stoked

Just north of seal beach is a popular kite spot with a kite only beach. Light side on winds. Usually a tent with large kites for demo and sale. Just be sure to watch out for sting rays that cover the bottom. Shuffle your feet or feel the pain. Just made me appreciate how many amazing kite spots we have in the N.W. Smile

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Nice Spike! You'll like it down there. Kiting well explained by the others. Southerlies in the fall, spring and winter on all beaches but you can kite up at Dockweiler too (Playa del Rey). It is almost always empty of beach goers.

Living in Manhattan is a singles mecca but expensive. There are so many recent grads there you could probably find a message board with those looking for roommates. You might still be able to find affordable places within a 1/2 to a mile of the beach up in Playa, Venice and West LA/Mar Vista. Not far from El Segundo either. Try to stay west of the 5 though. The commutes will drain your soul. We lived in Venice and West LA and loved it. Appears rougher than swanky beach towns to the south but a great mix of culture.

Don't forget weekends to Raul's in Rosarito, KM39 on Mex1. Great wind/waves in the spring and summer. NorBaja might be pretty scary now. It wasn't 10 years ago.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

some good stuff here:

http://new.scka.org/kitespots

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jan 11, 11 1:07 pm

Nice Spike, glad you finally got your break in the gay porn business.

2009 newb of the year award winner, going to miss that red helmet man.

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

Spike,

I think you will find the conditions here pretty favorable. Leo Carillo/County Line has very consistent wind in the summer, we get clearing winds and storm fronts in the winter, but it's never that cold that you need more than a 4/3.

Summer time the winds are very consistent, and I think you will find not as gusty as the Gorge, but a bit lighter. My 12M is my staple kite here for the summer, usually 17mph average most days.

Could be worse, you could be moving to Nebraska.

Nak · Tue Jan 11, 11 4:33 pm

Sella · Wed Jan 12, 11 4:39 am

Florianopolis....huge congrats on the new gig. Your engineering skills will no doubt take you very far anywhere in the world amigo. Currently in Brazil they say there is no such thing as an unemployed engineer and the salary wars to get any kind of crap talent are brutal so US firms are setting up "consulting" firms to do reverse outsourcing into booming new regions. (just a hint for you smart peeps to start thinking global, not local.)

I'm coming out of the South America region this week to begin setting up camp in the Santa Cruz - Los Gatos area so whenever you're heading north to Oregon you will always have a place to crash so you can ride Waddell, or the Bay area. (Crissy Field, 3rd Avenue and Alameda, Sherman Island etc)

Enjoy this last bit of freedom at school and maybe you can finally take care of that whole "virginity" issue.

Cheers!

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Florian,

I will tell my friends from Rat Beach to look out for you. Do you still ride T2s and use the purple helmet?

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

Nak · Wed Jul 20, 11 5:04 am

Cool. Congrats Spike!!!

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Spike, you are just a short hop over to Cabrillo Beach. It will take a little while to figure out how to park in the neighborhood so you don't have to pay but it is the best place to pick up afternoon thermals in all of LA. Will be kiters out there too. Rig right in the grass by the lifeguard station. Captain Kirk's is right on the bluff.

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Location sounds pretty sweet dude - bound to be a little warmer than the Siletz too (water & air)!
Take some pics once you're down there!

Wow, currently Cabrillo water temp is 64F... but it's is having some sewage issues right now: http://watchthewater.org/beach.cfm?bid=17!