Forum | Classifieds | Lost & Found | CGKA | Industry | Sensors | Forecast | Spots | Seattle | Decals | RSS | Facebook Events | Photos | Search | Register | Profile | Log in to check your messages | Log in  Florida?? Page 1, 2  Next          Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast previous topic :: next topic   Author Message SpaceRacer Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed Tue Oct 09, 12 10:39 pm    Florida?? Anyone have any 411? What are the best times of year to visit and what are some of the best spots to visit? Please help me narrow it down a bit. Thanks, SR BigR Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed Wed Oct 10, 12 2:08 am     Quote: What are the best times of year to visit and what are some of the best spots to visit? the best months of the year for wind are Nov. , Dec., Jan. , Feb. , Mar. and Apr. the best spots are , working clockwise around the state: <Matanzas Inlet, <Daytona Bch., <Cocoa Bch., <Ft. Pierce Inlet, <Jupiter, <Crandon Park, <Key West, >Tiger Tail Bch., >Sanibel Island, >Sarasota Bches, >St. Petersburg Bches, <Sunshine Skyway and >Ft. Walton Bches < Requires East winds > Requires West winds That's allota driving. To keep it simple (get both East and West winds) you could try just the Keys or the Tampa Bay areas, they work on any wind direction. Blazeheliski Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted Wed Oct 10, 12 5:56 am     BigR wrote: Quote: What are the best times of year to visit and what are some of the best spots to visit? the best months of the year for wind are Nov. , Dec., Jan. , Feb. , Mar. and Apr. the best spots are , working clockwise around the state: <Matanzas Inlet, <Daytona Bch., <Cocoa Bch., <Ft. Pierce Inlet, <Jupiter, <Crandon Park, <Key West, >Tiger Tail Bch., >Sanibel Island, >Sarasota Bches, >St. Petersburg Bches, <Sunshine Skyway and >Ft. Walton Bches < Requires East winds > Requires West winds Cocoa Beach work on any wind direction also. Onshore wind - kite the ocean. Offshore wind - kite the huge flat water river one mile away. You can actually kite the river in any wind direction. There are launches on both sides. That's allota driving. To keep it simple (get both East and West winds) you could try just the Keys or the Tampa Bay areas, they work on any wind direction. Anthony Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed CGKA Member Wed Oct 10, 12 6:19 am     I will be north of Fort Lauderdale in mid - December. Weight 200. What size kites would be best for the wind conditions. I have 7, 9, 11, 14, 17. What two kites? Thanks Anthony SpaceRacer Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed Wed Oct 10, 12 7:42 am    Florida?? Wow Big R! That was the best and most comprehnsive kite scene review ever! Thannks! Which is your favorite spot and why? SR WINDUDE Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted Wed Oct 10, 12 8:19 am     I have ridden Del Rey Beach a lot, it is north of Ft. Lauderdale. At 200lb, I would say 12m & 14m would be safe. Usually a bit lighter winds, unless some good system comes through. _________________ i like to kite the board waynepjh Since 27 Jul 2008 212 Posts jackson wy Stoked Wed Oct 10, 12 9:39 am     Watch the grapical forcast and head to where the wind is blowing. I have ridden a lot a fort pierce and Sebastien inslet. The whole coast is good for kiting just go where it's windy. 12 and 17 would be a good call. Here is a link to noaa's graphical forcast if you don't already use it. http://graphical.weather.gov/sectors/florida.php#tabs Addict Since 26 Jun 2012 101 Posts Stoked Wed Oct 10, 12 10:41 am     Huguenot St Park is a Kiteboarding favorite in N Florida...near Jacksonville. _________________ CGKA Member BigR Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed Wed Oct 10, 12 11:13 am     Quote: Which is your favorite spot and why? I've kited every one of those places many times over the last 15 years and if I had to whittle it down, I'll put it in a top 5 list with maybe a short bio: #1 Crandon Park- not the inside where 100% of the people kite but wayyy upwind between Virginia Key and Bear Cut is my favorite spot in Fl. Waves, chop and flat water all in amazing scenery. I'm headed down there this saturday. http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=225&siteID=255&Isection=Forecast+Graphs #2 Ft. Pierce Inlet- you just Have to love those huge rolling waves..... #3 Matanzas Inlet- is the magic carpet ride on an outgoing tide. #4 Jupiter, Sebastian and Cocoa strip- waves waves waves. #5 Tampa Bay- St. Pete Bches, Sunshine Skyway East Bch; Probably more total places to kite in the Bay area are than anywhere else in FL. Flat water, waves and more downwinders than you can shake a stick at. I didn't include the Keys b/c of extremely limited beach launch areas. SpaceRacer Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed Wed Oct 10, 12 9:47 pm     Awesome Big R. Very helpful. Thanks! SR kieran Since 06 Jul 2011 45 Posts   Thu Oct 11, 12 12:21 pm     BigR wrote: #5 Tampa Bay- St. Pete Bches, Sunshine Skyway East Bch; Probably more total places to kite in the Bay area are than anywhere else in FL. Flat water, waves and more downwinders than you can shake a stick at. BigR, can you give some more details on the Tampa Bay spots? I'm going there to play Ultimate Oct 23-29, and I'm hoping to get some kiting in. Staying in Siesta Key, will have a rental car. Thanks! Gman Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped Thu Oct 11, 12 12:28 pm     You competing at Nationals? _________________ Go Deep! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE BigR Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed Thu Oct 11, 12 1:05 pm     Following at the end is the pretty full list of kiting spots in the Tampa Bay area. I would just say the time period you are coming is about the beginning of our windy season so you are most likely to get milder East winds in the 10-12M kite range if a front comes thru. Watch for the big High setting up offshore the Carolina's for East winds after a front. You won't get the brutal 30-40kts NW, that comes later in the season with waves. My suspicion is that you will need to hit the Sunshine Skyway (Early Morning or late Late Afternoon on those Easts). If you get a West this time of year, it'll be weak. Siesta/Lido key, IRB downwind to SPB strip and back up on the trolley, Honeymoon Island are all good afternoon West seabreeze candidates in the bigger kite category. Good Luck @ Nationals! East Beach AKA EB Most favorable wind directions: NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW. Mostly shallow. Booties are recommended. Hazards: some oysters and broken glass on the bottom. Skill Level: Novice to ... Skyway Backside Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SSW, S Hazards: Boat hull some times under water. Very poor launching area. Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders. Big Beach Most favorable wind directions: SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW Hazards: Moderately strong current at times. Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced riders. Please ride in areas with the least number of ... North Beach Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW Hazards: beach goers and bathers Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders. The park rangers ask that we walk to the northern porti... Shell Island All wind directions. Tends to be very gusty. Hazards: On weekends, can often be crowded with boaters on the "inside" of the island. The "outside" or Gulf facing portion of the island is off lim... Skyway North Most favorable wind directions: NNE (usually gusty), NE, ENE, E, ESE, SSE Hazards: Gets crowded fast. Bottom can have sharp things (booties recommended). Rocks, bridges and the interstate near by.... Skyway South Most favorable wind directions: NE, NNE, N, NNW Hazards: Oyster Beds and rocks. At high tide, very difficult to rig and launch. Low tide is necessary for rigging and launching. Skill level: Inter... Lassing Park Most favorable wind directions: NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE Hazards: Small pile of rocks on the northern tip of the sandbar. Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Pass-a-Grille AKA: PAG Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW Hazards: Beach goers, bathers Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Like most spots, it is recommended you ride in a... Blue Flag Beach Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW Hazards: Beach goers, bathers Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Upham Beach Most favorable wind directions: NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW, S Hazards: Surfers Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Treasure Island AKA: TI Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW, S. Hazards: Beach goers, bathers Skill level: Beginner to Advanced riders This is an exceptionally wide beach, which ... John's Pass Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW, S Hazards: Strong current in the channel. Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced riders. Parking is often a problem on the south side ... Indian Rocks Beach AKA: IRB Parking is limited Favorable Winds: N, NW, W, SW, SSW Hazards: Beach-goers/bathers and a very poor luanching area. Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Sand Key Most favorable wind directions: N, NNW, NW, W, WSW, SW, SSW Hazards: Beach-goers/bathers. Strong current near channel. Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders This spot is often off limits in th... Caladesi Island All wind directions Hazards: Strong currents near channel Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Accessible by boat or jet ski Honeymoon Island Most favorable wind directions: NNW, WNW, W, SW, S Hazards: Beach-goers/bathers and strong currents near channel Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Picnic Island Most favorable wind directions: NNW, NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW, SSW, S Hazards: Very poor launching area. Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Cypress Most favorable wind directions: NW, WNW, W, WSW, SW Hazards: Very poor launching area. Oyster beds Skill level: Novice to Advanced riders Park closes at dark. Boat Hull Ribs of boat. This will kill you. In addition, many channel markers. North Shore Park Most favorable wind directions: NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE Hazards: Not a very big beach and obstacles near by if you get dragged down the beach. One should not ride here if you can't go upwind. It is ea... South Anclote Sandbar Works great on all wind directions but tends to be very gusty on a North wind. You will need a boat or jet ski. The sand bar is much bigger now than when this aerial photo was taken. North Anclote Sand bar Works on all wind directions except a little gusty with a South wind. You will need a boat or jet ski to get out here. Sunset Point (or Beach) Works well on any wind direction with a Westerly component. Shallow bottom. Very limited launching area. Not recomended for beginners without having an instructor. Howard Park Now open for Kiting. More info coming soon. http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?p=47614#post47614 3 Rooker Works in all wind directions. Great for beginners to advanced riders. Accessible by boat or jet ski only. Placemark 26 Exposed Boat Hull South Lido Stay out of swim area - check tide - it flows fast both ways and can kill your wind - also be sure kite with others as relaunching when caught in that current can be super-tuff - same goes for losing ... Siesta Key STAY OUT OF THE SWIM AREA and since it is ALWAYS SUPER CROWDED WITH BEACH GOERS do not fly/jump/get kooky on the beach - head for the water - works from NW to S. - parking ... good luck! Venice Jetty Be respectful of the surfers - ditto on they DO NOT THINK YOU ARE COOL - you want to walk down the beach to avoid the HUGE TREE WIND-BLOCK if you are after the waves - you can always ride upwind to th... Venice Beach stay out of the swim area - you can kite north or south of the public beach - limited parking in season BigR Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed Thu Oct 11, 12 2:24 pm     oh yeah, watch this forecast to figure out which direction for the wind http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.iws?regionID=149&siteID=812&Isection=Forecast+Graphs kieran Since 06 Jul 2011 45 Posts   Sun Oct 14, 12 8:49 am     Gman wrote: You competing at Nationals? Yep, in the old man category. Gman Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped Sun Oct 14, 12 7:21 pm     Burnside _________________ Go Deep! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE kieran Since 06 Jul 2011 45 Posts   Mon Oct 15, 12 8:50 am     Big R, thanks for all the info. Gman, I play with Figjam. Bring it!        Northwest Kiteboarding -> Gorge / Portland / Oregon Coast All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1, 2  Next Page 1 of 2   Jump to: Select a forum Northwest Kiteboarding Discussion Forum----------------Gorge / Portland / Oregon CoastFor SaleLost & FoundIndustry SoapboxCGKA  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum