Info on local kite spots (rookie)

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

Hi !

I just learned how to kiteboard last week up here in Bellingham but now I'm coming home from school for the summer and need some info on the local kiting spots. I really would like to know about sauvie island since it looks like a good place for a beginner. I have a 7m kite and a 14m kite. Is there a better place to kite for a beginner, I would love the input!

P.S. I don't mind high winds its just i don't want it to be too crowded !

thanks
Jamie

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Omn top of the NWkite page one of the tabs is called "spots" It has most of the locations.

Also here: http://www.air-pirates.com/kitespots.html are more locations.

Jones beach is a great beginner spot that isn't crowded. Lots of people learning to kiteboard at jones beach. If time is an issue try your luck at sauvies.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

You're definitely going to need a 9m kite in your quiver.

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

Okay I'll give Jones a try!

Thank you

Jamie

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

How important is it to get a 9m? as much as I would love to go a lot I'm sort of broke college student :/

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

7m & 9m for the Gorge, 14m will be good for the coast

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

This would be a good start for your 9M

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-22247.html

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

7 to 14 i s a pretty huge gap. I make do with a 7 and 11 but I sure wish I had something like a 6/9/12 quiver.

Your 14 will be good at Sauvie which is typically a light wind area. The 7 will do in the gorge if it's windy enough. You really should have something between them but you could probably skate by with those to if you planned your trips carefully and made sure to sit out when veterans on the beach tell you your kites aren't right for the wind.

FYI sauvie is pretty much under water at the moment. Probably at least a month until there will be enough beach for a beginner launch (and few enough fishermen). Jones or the Gorge on the weekend is your best bet IMO.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Its all good advice. But need to understand what just learned to kite means? Does this mean one lesson. If so, you should probably consider the kite beach/sandbar at Hood River. Continue to play with your small kite in appropriate winds. True there are more people which increases chances of a run in but there is also safety in numbers with plenty of folks keeping and eye on you.

I would be a little concerned about sending a newbie out to Sauvies or Jones solo -considering that this years water level is high fast and cold. If you go I would definitely have a experienced kiter with you.

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

Thanks for all the advice..
Ya i wish i could get another kite but I can't afford it this summer Sad

Ya I'm pretty new to kitting, I can't really stay up wind yet. So it sounds like to me that my best bet is to go to hood river and Jones and then Sauvie once the water level has gone down.. Oh and ya I don't know anyone else that kites in this area, so I would definitely be going solo

also when do you think it would be okay to go to Hood river, i haven't seen it yet since I'm still in Bellingham

thanks again

Kruse · Since 21 Oct 2005 63 Posts

Do you need the 14 for Bellingham? Because if not I would put it up for sale today and get a 9 meter. I am 185lbs and I ride my 8 90% of the time in the gorge. There is no way I would own a 14m. If it is 14 meter conditions I have other things to do. IMHO- try and hit Hood River during the week when its not so crowded, maybe Jones on the weekend. Stop by Stevenson and check it out, get to know it, the launch is a little tricky and you have to be able to stay upwind to be able to land where you started from but it has some of the cleanest wind, 40 minutes from Portland and all kinds of room once you are on the water. Plus a super cool crew that kites there.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Woodland has similar conditions to Sauvie and is a shorter and quicker drive from Vancouver. Blows at the same time so if you see postings predicting Sauvie then Woodland will also be going (and may be better). Drive out to Dike road, Woodland and you'll find several places you can access the river. Lions Park is one but isn't my favorite. It's probably a bit crazy at the moment with the high water.

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

Ya I do need the 14 meter for bellingham so I won't be selling it but what kind of wind conditions are at Jones? would I be able to use my 7 or 14 sometimes? Also would i be able to use my 14m at the coast?

thanks

jamiep0 · Since 15 Feb 2010 12 Posts B-Ham, WA / Vancouver, Wa

woodland sounds like a great idea, when do you think it would be okay to start kitting over there?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

please - don't even think of kiting on the Columbia by yourself until you've mastered staying upwind.
the only appropriate place for novice's who cannot stay upwind is the Hood River sandbar - but that's not an option now as the sandbar is 3 feet under water due to the high water flow.
option 1 - floras lake on the coast.
option 2 - wait until July when the water will be down and the sandbar should be back.
option 3 - find a buddy with a jetski to help.

when you come to Hood River - get there early - 10a.m. to beat the crowds.
don't even think of showing up at 2:00 in the afternoon.

regarding kite size - best wind for novices is light wind (IMO).
i live in HR and my first 20 days kiting in hood river i probably used my 13m 70% of the time.
i launched early in the day before it got too windy and had the river to myself (along with a few other novices). good times......

good luck!

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

With the water this high (NOAA is forecasting current flow through mid-July), the sandbar is completely under water (by 3 feet). Coupled with the strong (and very cold) current from the Hood River, it is not really viable as a beginner/learning spot. The water current and fickle wind on the inside is making it very difficult to relaunch your kite (assuming you drop it) as the kite drifts upwind in the water current.

Couple that with the only options for launching in Hood River are the Event Site Grass, Spit or Marina. All three of these spots have fickle wind that can make it tough to launch & land.

So with all of that being said and you are able to launch, if you are not able to stay upwind, there will be no sandbar to collect you when you get too far downwind.

I won't even comment on the kite size spread because I don't want to sound way too negative/discouraging. This is just turning out to be a tough year to learn to kite in HR early in the season. It will be just fine in mid-late July.

....just trying to save you some gas money (so you can buy a 9m) from driving all the way to HR, only to be disapointed

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

This chain is pretty high on the Forum listing.....a few below yours.

....just elaborates a little more on the challenges of the Event Site launch these days:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-22211.html

Cheers, Mk