advice to learn to kite in waves

wiseguy2 · Since 22 Feb 2009 89 Posts

Hi All,

I'd like to learn to kite in waves. Can anybody tell me typical scenarios for learning without getting killed.

Where are good beginner spots? What are typical wave heights that a beginner (wave kiter) can handle?

How long does it take to be competent (given that I am no longer a beginner flat-water kiter. I can stay upwind, jump, transition, etc.)

What are the best places in the world for learn to kite in waves?

Any tips are most appreciated.
-m

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

I certainly am no expert. I am only starting my second season. I went to the coast a few times this year. I stood in the water with my kite in the air holding my board and just watched the sets of waves for about 10 minutes. I noticed a break in the sets and headed out then. I kited mostly outside the waves. I went in a few times.

I went once and the the waves looked too big - so I didn't go out.........

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

Get a surfboard, learn to ride it / transition in the flat, then take it in the waves.
I used to use my TT in the waves and hated it. I was like "Y do people kite in the ocean!"

Then I got a surfboard, learned to ride it and took that in the waves... got on a few and yes ... that's why people kite in the waves!

Good luck.

Aeolus · Thu Aug 25, 11 6:20 pm

no answers yet 'cause all the people in-the-know are wave kiting Very Happy

:
sun going down soon....

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

check out www.thekiteboarderschool.com

It is the new home to our instructional content and houses 8 years of articles for all levels. People have been finding our surf section especially helpful;-)

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

One of the better kitesurf ethical items to know is that the kitesurfer riding the wave has right-a-way and it is the responsibility of the other kiters heading out to sea to give that guy plenty of room and not interfere with the his wave riding. This is contrary to the starboard tack rule in sailing and boating.

It is good practice when jibing on the inside to look out beyond the surf to see where kiters might be about to pick up waves and plan your route back out thru the surf around their possible path of surfing the waves. Remember, kitesurfers can burn up huge distances downwind very quickly while riding waves.

Aeolus · Fri Aug 26, 11 8:23 am

This is only my first full summer of kiting in the waves and I suck...and since regular floggings are fresh in my memory I'll relay some hard won info.....if you're on the forum regularly...you know all the folks who are the experienced salty dogs and they say some funny shit and know what's up...Here's my $0.02 anyway:

1.get a surfboard and start riding it all the time...flat water is great for learning and I wish I had more of it down here Gold Beach/Pistol way, but I don't....lot's of falling...
2. wait for a day of mellow waves and moderate wind....get familiar with NOAA forecast for the beach you're going to frequent and start calibrating your eye to what they're saying. The Oregon forecast coming this weekend looks sweet to go try things out. Take your twin tip and go hit it. If the Oregon ocean sounds big & looks big from the parking lot...you're going to piss yourself out there if you have problems.
3. act like a surfer and obsess about waves..dream about them, watch them, read about them....
http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/tutorials/wavebasics.shtml
know why a big long period swell is going to crush your body to smithereens.
4. Make sure there is enough wind when you go out...if you're underpowered on the beach and the current is running with the wind...you'll hit the water and your life will be shit.
5. All these tips will become apparent after you generally don't heed them:
http://kiteboardingmag.com/how-to/2010/02/08/20-secrets-to-wave-riding-excellence/
6. Know how to relaunch your kite...if you suck at it in flat water...the ocean is not going to be fun.
7. watch people who know what they are doing. Pay particular attention to what they are doing with the kite as they are riding down the line.
8. I realize as I write this there are tons of things to pay attention to. So I'm just going stop....

Here's a picture that Gman posted on another thread and I printed out and put in my truck for inspiration....gonna get there....

stringer · Since 31 Jul 2007 694 Posts Chucktown Flying Tomato

Chanson style!!!!
Already been said, get a surfboard, get your jibes down, get comfortable with it, love it.
Then I would pick a day with no real groundswell. Go out to ft stevens or whiskey run and do some downwinders. It's so much easier to learn without having to worry about staying upwind.
Figure out your timing, and work on wave/kite cooperation.

Oh, and remember rule number 1, DON'T PUT THE KITE DOWN

Best places to learn?
How about somewhere with steady wind, waves and miles and miles of uncrowded beach for downwinders?
Now where could that be? Hmmm...

kiteboard117 · Since 02 Mar 2005 450 Posts PDX McLovin

Opinion B: First try the twin tip is going to be a hell of a lot easier, not as legit but its still going to be fun. Get a taste for the waves then try out a surfboard. I dont think there is anything better than clean long period swell on a small kite and a strapless surfboard but for the majority of the days we see around here the coast offers up some solid kickers and flatwater.

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

The Oregon Coast is one of the best places in the summer. In terms of learning the basics of wave kiting, it is in my opinion, one of the best locations around. Small waves, steady wind(in comparison to the Gorge) and miles of wide open ocean beaches. If you are comfortable staying upwind, charging out in even sizable waves is totally doable. You should be able to easily see if it is out of your league(too much wind, waves). Relax, tune in and you will know. In terms of boards, becoming comfortable on a twin tip the first few days is completely beneficial. If you want to make your time worthwhile though, learn to ride a surfboard asap, it enriches the whole experience.

wiseguy2 · Since 22 Feb 2009 89 Posts

thanks, these are all good tips.

once i get my nerve up, i'll head out.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

Hi ,
I was at the coast at Ft. Stevens .
I tried the waves for the first time . Been back a few times since .
I got my ass kicked and loved every dam minute of it !
I figured it out ( as best a beginner could ) after a few retreats back to shore with a mess as the waves ate me and the kite .
If your kite is down and a wave is coming on it , your supposed to unhook and or try to go with the kite or the wave could rip it .
Keep it in the air !
The smile on your face may hurt your cheeks after a while on those waves so don't fret it's normal .
jackz

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

anywhere on the coast without rocks is good Very Happy

Shipwreck is a great spot, but it depends where you live... like a broken record if you know the basics then just grab a board and get going, and stay on the inside. The 150 mako or mako king are good TTs that allows you get your surf on too.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

Get a surfboard and practice riding till you get comfortable toeside
Use a smaller kite than normal
Plan a downwinder
Go with a friend
Keep the kite flying
Small waves can be plenty at first
Have fun!

Aeolus · Sun Aug 28, 11 6:23 pm

keep flying the kite!

http://vimeo.com/27673870

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

Advise... yes... GO TOMORROW! Doesn't get much better for learning with 20mph wind 1-2 foot swell and 19 second period!

OR- Gorge West forecast valid for Thu, Sep 1, 2011
Issued 8/31 at 7:00 PM by meteorologist Benjamin Miller - Next scheduled update: 7:00 AM
Special updates issued as needed.
Seasonal Forecast Survey
Moderate westerlies that are more focused on the Corridor and Near East. Strong northerlies at the coast.

The North Pacific High looks to lean more toward the Cascades and an exiting upper trough allows higher pressure over the East. This means that westerly pressure gradients ease. However, with plenty of sunshine in the East and the marine stratus continuing to infiltrate the western and central Gorge, modest thermals should kick in. Look for moderate afternoon westerlies to result with the strongest winds probably for the Near East, but the Corridor filling in in the afternoon as well. Meanwhile, winds at the Coast really fire up.

Oregon Coast: The North Coast seeing NW afternoon winds reaching around 20 with Manzanita a bit stronger. The Central Coast seeing afternoon NNW near to low 20's. The South Coast reaching N winds in the low to maybe mid 20's. WSW swell building to 1-2 feet by the evening with a 19-20 second period.