Going Postal On The Coastal 2012

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Hello Potential Kiteboarders,
My name is bulae99 and I'm a kiteboardhead,
Friday was nice wave-sailing at Clatsop Spit, just a wee bit outside of Fort Steven's and smack in da between from Astoria and Seaside!
If you are interested in asking questions about how to sail the Ocean, Kanaloa, then come out and meet her.
The forecast looks good and kiting at Clatsop is fun!! If you would like to fly a trainer kite and ask any question you like then email me.
Slingshot Crew is going to be a Del Ray and there will be plenty of kiters bumming rides back to lot B.
As always if you are interested in a lesson contact me via email or my phone, thanks
Ron
Friday was a beautiful day and Saturday should be even better! So pack a lunch and get your binoculars and come to the beach and celebrate the 5 days a year we get like this!!

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rockinbach · Since 11 Apr 2010 52 Posts Vancouver, WA

bluae99, do you have any links to tips on riding the Oregon Coast particularly the Seaside North to Ft. Stevens era? I'm used to river riding and want to try to coast Sunday. I've been looking for some sort of post that has tips. like How to handle the waves, maybe easier places to test yourself out on coastal riding, any tips on getting caught in a riptide if your kite is down, etc.

Thanks!

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Lot B at Ft. Stevens is a good place to try ocean riding. If you're comfortable riding without looking at your kite and can transition easily without stalling in the water, I'd say go for it tomorrow.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

My advice to you is to not kite alone, ever.

On my second run on Friday I was down-looping and turning and just dumped my kite. I was unable to relaunch before the 2nd wave taco'd my 14mtr. RPM(love it, great kite!!).
I was in white water and about 300mtrs. from shore and could not get my kite to relaunch. My first thought was the man in the white suit, aka Jaws. I had seen a dolphin and lot's of birds and I know that means fish are present.

The thing I like about kiting down from lot B to Shipwreck is that there are always kiters present. Generally speaking other kiters are good about checking on somebody who seems to be struggling. However, if you are not confident in your ability don't risk going without some support.

If you get caught in a rip tide swim parallel to the beach.

http://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/

Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

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Pepi · Sun Jul 08, 12 11:20 pm

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Pepe is right and the rule is anything big up wind will make for disturbed win 8 to 10 times the height of the obstruction downwind. So the south jetti is 25 feet tall and that means that about 250 down wind there will be disturbed wind and possibly disturbed kiters. I'm disturbed!

Being aware of the depth is important as well while kiting. Tides are a big part of the wave action and if you don't pay attention you will bottom out. A good way to be on top of depth change is to watch for brown waves. While coming into shore, left hand is forward in a nnw wind be aware that you are moving from deep to shallow shore line. This means that waves can break in front and behind you more frequently when close to shore. It's very fun!!!

Treat a wave the same as a big piece of chop. Just go straight at it and jump! The back of a wave is the same as the front of a wave. Bigger waves will pull you under, but don't panic, just keep you bar straight and kick your board off. As soon as you pop up find your kite, lol, it will be connected to you.

If you are interested in a lesson that is wave specific pm me an ill set one up. Of you just want an orientation and shoot the bull the email me. Kiting the Oregon coast is one of the most wonderful experiences a kiter can have. It's the crowning jewel of all kiteboarding for me and many others love it as well.[img]

lekaks · Since 02 Apr 2008 151 Posts Hood River, OR Stoked

Had a great weekend at Florence. Overhead bowling surf at the South Jetty. Solid 9m and sunny. Sunday Reo Stevens was out ripping with a couple of pros.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

florence overhead... Damn I only saw like waist high must have missed that sweet spot or I didnt lean over enough. Wink

lekaks · Since 02 Apr 2008 151 Posts Hood River, OR Stoked

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 10, 12 11:27 am

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Bettyboarder · Tue Jul 10, 12 9:20 pm

hahahaha that wasn't covered by the warranty.....we still have it in a bag downstairs anyone want a smoking deal on a brand new shredded 9m fuel Laughing

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

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barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

Boolay you have taught us all a lot about how to negotiate waves and be safe in the ocean. Ft Stevens is unique in that there are both people downwinding and those point sailing on sandbars (we surf these sandbars when its not windy so don't always want to downwind when it is).

Everyone (including experienced wave riders) makes mistakes or misinterprets the intent of other riders from time to time so this is not a bitch session. Waves are a precious resource and people work hard to search out and find a good wave offshore.

Just because you are taking off on a downwinder gaggle does not give you priority on waves for those point sailing at good sandbars (i.e. lot b and lower) - wait until it is clear and go out and find/chase your own wave in, chances are that someone is keying on it and has priority -

1) It is not ok to short jibe a wave if someone is tracking on it - classic downwinder move, just cuz you are downwinding doesn't give you special rights

2) It is not ok to be tracking on a wave and then fade or decide to fall back on the next wave because you think it is better - someone is probably on it tracking it too

3) When heading back out and someone is on a wave coming in, make your decision quickly to:

> To go downwind hard to avoid the wave rider (don't make him/her guess)

> OR pinch hard upwind to avoid the same rider (this means you may hit some whitewater so know how to "hike" or float the whitewater)

> OR transition/jibe back to the beach

* DO NOT keep your tack and head straight at the wave rider causing him/her to adjust just because you don't want to lose ground - regardless of starboard you do not have priority in this case.

4) Up the line vs down the line. We get a lot of onshore wind so going up the line can be fun but if you are going up the line on a wave where another kiter is going down the line, you do not have priority.

5) Upwind kiter has priority. This is tough sometimes. If you are on a wave that is facing up but hasn't broken and someone upwind of you gets on the wave after you've already started to track on it, that is tough. In surfing this isn't an issue, the surfer deeper on the wave has priority, but in surfing you have to be in the right spot, you can't paddle fast enough when out of position, then go right to the deepest takeoff point like a kiter can. I don't know here but usually I don't race to drop in on someone if they're about to ride a wave. The exception is if they don't know what they are doing AND they are quite a ways down the line and obviously not in the right position (shoulder soldier).

Have fun, be safe, and start drooling for 6-8' this weekend (that's head high) - these rules are more important when the swell is in. Cool

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

To the salty coastal veterans: which is a better spot to get my feet wet in the surf, Newport or Florence? I've kites matzo and shipwreck a couple times but am by no means totally comfortable yet. Working in Eugene and am trying to get out toward 3 or 4 today if anyone cares to impart some wisdom.