Good spot for a Newbie?

lykaneagle · Since 14 Apr 2011 76 Posts Oregon City

Any recommendations of a good place for a Newbie to go and practice, learn and make mistakes w/o getting in the way close to PDX? I have some lessons under my belt, have purchased my equipment but I don't want to be that idiot on the beach getting in the way of things. At this point all I really want to do is some body dragging to get a feel of my kite so I don't need huge winds. Also, would I be an idiot to go out and practice solo? I am the only one cool enough out of my friends to do this so it's just me. I'll be practicing self launch and self landings etc. I just want a safe place to learn that I won't get my self in danger and won't get in the way of other kiters.

Any lakes around? Anyone ever try Vancouver Lake.....?

Thanks!

Middle Aged Kiter Wannabe

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

I recommend you do want people around you, tons of good advice. Don't go isolate yourself. Pick your wind conditions carefully, don't go when its big!
Sauvies or the sandbar in HR I imagine. I went to flores lake in southern OR coast, wow what a great place!!! go there if you can.
Last year was my first and I buddied up with another newb so we helped each other, took turns etc. You will meet new friends.
Be safe, have fun

You'll be riding upwind in no time.

lykaneagle · Since 14 Apr 2011 76 Posts Oregon City

Thanks for the vote of confidence! I was actually just looking at Flores online last night. Looks like a great place to bring the fam and do some camping/kiting/. I wish you could reserve a spot. It seems it's all first come, first serve. We have a place in Waldport that's only a few hours from Flores. Will have to check it out soooon! Speaking of Waldport.........anyone kite in the Alsea Bay or the Ocean in Waldport? Any dangers I should be aware of in Waldport?

If you see me, say hi. I'll be the guy crashing my kite

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

If you go to Floras - be sure to bring your puffy coat - even in the summer. It can be quite cold. 2 wetsuits if you can. It takes forever to dry them out. Don't worry about the reservation. There is always room. I spent a month there last summer. You will need a lot of quarters for the shower & flip flops. Loved the shower there post kiting. Bring an ax to split your kindeling. They sell firewood, but it is pretty wet. They are also pretty strict with dogs. Always on a leash. They WILL fine you. And from what I heard, it's over a $100 for the fine. The beach walks are fantastic! Absolutely beautiful.

This probably won't be a popular opinion...but even though it is a friendly newb spot, you are not the only one there and it is a small space. Some of the better riders like the top spot. It's all butter. Great to practice tricks. Please stay downwind of other kiters if you are learning. You can always get out ocean-side of the lake & walk up a bit and be out of the way. In any new place...ettiquette is key. Ask questions. Most people are super friendly & helpful. Take a lesson from Andy if you can. He is a great instructor. Worth every penny.

Good Luck in your new adventure. It is an amazing sport and a great community.

Nak · Sat Apr 16, 11 12:30 pm

Vancouver Lake sucks.

Sauvies is a great newb spot, but the wait for wind can get tedious. A lot of people learned to ride at Sauvies and there's a great vibe at Kitebeach there. DO NOT leave valuables in sight in your car.

Jones is great earlier in the day. It starts out very light and picks up throughout the day. Get there at 1100. If it's not windy yet have a beer and lunch. Rig up. When it's windy enough, do your thing. As the wind approaches the top of your comfort level, come on in and have a beer. Very Happy

If you have 4WD you can drive on the beach, just don't park your car where you could get slammed into it.

Rooster can be a great beginner spot. Wait till you can see the bottom of the pilings on the webcam. Easterlies can be way too strong for beginners, but often die down to newb friendly levels in the afternoon. Watch it though, because when dying down it can go straight to zero. Westerlies sometimes work at RR. (Very light) Look for 8mph or better at Troutdale. It almost never gets stronger than 12 mph on westerlies, but I have seen it at 15 to 18.

If you have a boat, there's lots of other places.

Have Fun!

Aeolus · Sat Apr 16, 11 1:05 pm

always the reliable NWkite archives available via your friendly search button:

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-5724-0-asc-17.html
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-6048.html&highlight=alsea
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-400.html&highlight=alsea

I second the plug for using Andy's services at Floras...take an hour or so lesson involving self-launching and he'll dial you in to lake traffic etc.... can get pretty busy there in summer...

south of Floras...limited for learning...but if you make it to Gold Beach / Pistol bring small kites and we'll point you to the safe places..

Good luck...good winds.

lykaneagle · Since 14 Apr 2011 76 Posts Oregon City

Hey thanks all for the great input. Moral of the story seems to be where there's water and wind you can make it work. Plenty of water lately......where's the wind? Thanks for the nudge towards the "search" tab. That'll come in handy. Alsea Bay seems like it's going to be bum most of the time. I was hoping that would work out. The Waldport beach just may work for me. I'll wait for a side onshore and would prefer an incoming tide. There's only a few sets of breakers. Couldn't I just body drag through the impact zones and get out past all of it and do my practicing out there? When I'm done.......body drag through it all back to shore. Any reason why that wouldn't work? So far, Frenchman's Bar seems like the place for me to show off my learning curve without the fear of bothering anyone. Sound like there's a good place to fly on land so I can practice self launch/land.

Thanks again all!!

Troy

lykaneagle · Since 14 Apr 2011 76 Posts Oregon City

Anyone ever notice that just downriver from where the Willamette dumps into the Columbia there is a Wildlife Recreation Area name Shilla"poo". Fitting isn't it!?!

Nak · Sat Apr 16, 11 5:32 pm

soundwave · Since 02 Jul 2010 21 Posts Astoria

Jones rocks... took my kiteboard lessons there from air pirates kiteboarding. praticed there many times since and really love the place. good steady wind and tons of wide open places.

if your near the coast I just tried a spot on the washington side, take the bridge from astoria to wa and head toward chinook, just after the tunnel there is a huge flat water spot and shallow water. Had a ton of fun there. plus the park has a bathroom for changing out of the cold weather.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Rooster Rock

backdoorkite · Since 19 Feb 2011 18 Posts

Jones beach is a great place to kite,

I keep hearing good things about air pirates
It sounds like he's got a good rep

If I meet this pirate I will be sure to give him some rum
Hahahahaha

KP · Since 05 Apr 2011 23 Posts

ditto to Jones, wide open and almost no one there, which could be a drawback for you.
But more importantly if you hike to the west end and don't go out far there's a catcher's mitt aspect to it. With the usual cross-on wind and a messed up set of lines you'll come back to the beach every time, sooner or later.
Not often true of Sauvies, but way more people to keep an eye out for you.
One trip to a shallow flat water spot like South Padre or the Outer Banks with instruction will teach you in one week what might take months otherwise.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Another vote for Jones Beach and Air Pirates. Wide open space (very few obstacles like trees and rocks) - there are usually other kiters there to lend a hand if you need, but not so many to make it crowded - winds usually from teens to mid 20s - a little bit closer than going all the way to the coast.

lykaneagle · Since 14 Apr 2011 76 Posts Oregon City

Thanks for all the input. It has given me plenty to work with for sure. I took a day last weekend to drive around and see some places first hand. Sauvie's will work out well. I felt comfortable about the length of the beach, etc. Piles of fisherman when I was there but I think salmon season closed on Tuesday so that should be taken care of. I then shot up to Rooster. That place should be great too. Does it typically blow a little harder at Rooster compared to Sauvie's? I like that there's enough other things to do at Rooster that should help keep the wife and kids occupied. As if watching my crash and burn exercises wouldn't.........Rooster is also about 15 minutes closer for me, so I may just call that home! A question popped in mind as I was at both places that I was hoping you guys could help me with. Is the tidal current something I should watch for? It seems like the current works against the wind which will be good for me but does it ever get sketchy when the tides going out or coming in hard? Might not be relevant at all, I don't know. Is one tide better for learning than the other? Specifically at Rooster and Sauvie's.

Thanks! You guys have been a huge help. I owe you all some beers!! Maybe we can hook up w/ Melokitegirl and spend a MONTH at Floras like she does. That sounds NICE!!

Nak · Wed Apr 20, 11 3:02 pm

Rooster is great when it blows, but Westerlies are rare there and the Easterly season is about over. Not really family friendly either... Take a Rooster session when you can get one, but home will likely be Sauvoes or Jones. Your family will like Sauvies better. Less blowing sand...

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

i think jones rox at any point in your kite progression. The good and downside for a new guy is that it is empty often. When i think about Sauvies and being new, you will likely sacrifice time on the water while you wait for wind. If you go to Jones on a day that it is forecast to be good (most days mid june to mid aug), what you give up on the drive you'll get back in ride time. This isn't an absolute rule, but probably more often than not.

I think the big advantage for folks new to the sport at floras is the shallow water. The flat part is nice, obviously, but i think that is more of a collateral benefit. If not being able to touch the bottom while on the water freaks you out, then absolutely go to some place that is shallow. Not being freaked out while learning, to include using a GoJo (not saying you need one, but for the guys that think they are going to lose their board and start taking chances it may be good), I think is important.

You'll hear this again. If you want to get out there and get riding, spend the bucks on lessons and find a way to dedicate 3 or more consecutive days. The dough backs people off of doing the smart thing often, and you'll see proof of that through peoples posts here over the next couple months (same thing every season). I've noticed that the people that say they are taking this shortcut or that one (no lessons, cheap gear, etc) often stop posting. This makes me think that they gave up. If you drop the lesson dough, get the right gear, and spend the time, you'll be sessioning in the gorge and on the waves at the beach this season easy. Shortcut folks often dont get through and into the sport, or spend 3 seasons trying to figure out how to stay upwind.