Fun afternoon at north coast (Seaside)

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 203 Posts Portland Stoked

Nothing spectacular but fun nonetheless. Winds were 12 to 20, high tide was around 1:00 pm so there was plenty of water at the mouth of the river. Six kites on the water.

Choice between very flat water or victory at sea. Attached are a few pics.

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 203 Posts Portland Stoked

Here's another one. Hard to get a good picture when everything is grey.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

looks like a great day! glad to see the winter kiters are out in force:-)

do you access it from Gearhart state park or off 12th street in the residential area. where do you park etc. as not to upset the local residents??

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 203 Posts Portland Stoked

I typically access from 12th street. I have seen people kite downwind from Gerhart in the summer but don't recall seeing anyone in the winter. Probably because when the wind blows in the winter, its from from the south/southwest.

There is only parking for a few cars at the end of the road. If there is no parking, I try and park on a corner about a half block away so I am not in front of someone's house.

Its a funny place to kite especially in the summer because a number of beach goers walk in the area so you get the weirdest questions from people that have never seen a kite.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

Hey Bill,

Nice job! I watched the Gorge yesterday but, it just looked terrible gusty so I help my daughter with home work.

Looking at a map of Seaside, do you walk down Franklin to get to this spot? Is it good in a South?

thanks
kt

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Sweet pics you guys!! Looks like a sweet spot with all that flat water/wave option. Is it kite-able on both South and North wind??

Bill C · Since 15 Sep 2005 203 Posts Portland Stoked

Either Franklin St or Columbia St. There is probably more parking at the end of Franklin. You could park and walk out to the beach from any of the east/west cross streets north of 13th or 14th. It just isn't that far of a walk to the entrance of the estuary.

I am not the foremost expert on kiting there, I just happen to have a vacation house in Seaside so its convenient. If it is blowing directly from the south, you'll have to sail off the beach. It just gets too squirrely in the estuary. You also need high tide for any water in the estuary, but I have done mini-downwinders off the beach south of the entrance on south/southwest wind if its low-tide. The river entrance works best on southwest to northwest.

If the tide starts flushing out, be careful. The water in the river mouth can move like a freight train. Your kite lines can come back on you if your kite is in the water. You are better off sailing off the beach south of the entrance.

In the summer, there are often better places to sail such as Manzanita or Gearhart. Seaside doesn't get the wind like the other two places, but when it works, for me its a treat.

Stop in at Cleanline if you go. Its a great shop.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 763 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

Hey Bill,

Thanks very much for the info. Always looking for a 'safe' place to kite a south as the surf usually get's pretty heavy.

kt

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted