Kiting Manzanita in the winter?

livaudais · Since 02 May 2011 9 Posts NE Portland Kook

I'm looking for insight from anyone who has kited Manzanita in the winter months.

What are the winds like there this time of year, typically?

I've been told a 6m is often enough. I'm 5'11'', 170. I flew a 9m, with a twin tip in the Gorge over the summer, but never have kited on the Oregon Coast.

Besides avoiding the sharks, any other tips for my seminal ocean voyage?

Thanks!

West

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

You can get just about any kind of conditions this time of year, but this picture is pretty typical. Thumb's Up

jeremy · Since 18 Aug 2006 276 Posts Manzo & HR Obsessed

Hard to get good wind in the winter, conditions never predictable, wind can quickly drop off or gust to 40. Plus you'll most likely be out by ourself in knarly conditions, not the best setup for a coast newbie.

Nehalem Bay is safer, works on the south and east winds, but launch can be tricky. Half the time it's blowing S, it'll also be raining and will make your kite heavy / fly sluggish, and on the E winds it'll be super cold, brrr.

Another option is to head north to Seaside, it'll get better S wind than Manzanita and can have a bigger inside to play around in.

Good NW winds start up in April usually, worth the wait from my experience unless you live out at the coast and can jump on the days it's working.

The best winter sessions for me were always just when it starts to blow. After about 4-8 hours of a S wind, the ocean usually gets too stormy / crazy, but if you catch it before when it was calm, it can be fun.

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed