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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6548 Posts
Couve / Hood
Site Lackey
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Wed Jun 20, 07 9:04 pm How big is kiting in the Gorge? |
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Consider these other major U.S. kiting centers:
Bay Area / Sherman Island
Florida
Cape Hatteras
Hawaii
Now how do you think we stack up against those guys? And if someone feels like I left a big one out, let me know... I was going to say South Texas but they seem to be pretty light on locals, mostly travelers. Mostly looking for a locals only estimate (kind of throws Hawaii off a bit.) |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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Wed Jun 20, 07 9:11 pm |
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SoCal - probably a few kites Ventura to San Diego |
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bamboo
Since 24 Jun 2005
165 Posts
da 'chung; taiwan
Stoked
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Wed Jun 20, 07 10:21 pm |
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the lakes region in the midwest? there's some die hards there for sure, and they all have weird accents. and how 'bout new england along the cape and long island. they might not have the wind but they have the addiction...kind like their mtns and skiing.
i'd be curious to even expand this notion and see how America's kite scenes stack up against the international kite scenes. it seems the euros have gone ape sh*t over this sport.
btw, SPI is a very very strange place....i'm not even sure that qualifies as being IN the united states. |
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hedquista
Since 13 Apr 2007
72 Posts
Salt lake city
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Wed Jun 20, 07 10:46 pm |
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pismo beach cali is a huge spot. |
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registered
Since 12 Jul 2005
1319 Posts
tsunami
Sandbagger
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Thu Jun 21, 07 6:00 am |
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seems to me the shops in portland are going backwards. Tried to stop in and grab some parts at both shops testerday and the Asi guy didn't even know what a chicken line was and did'nt know what G.P. carried for manufacturers. wow maybe the kite scene is dying maybe name should be surf only industries. try to give money to a shop, only to find out I wasted my time and should have shoped online. Portlands got a big kite community you would think it could support a decent shop. |
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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Thu Jun 21, 07 6:19 am |
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I told you ASI would be useless, should of just gone to Stevenson with us. |
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6548 Posts
Couve / Hood
Site Lackey
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Thu Jun 21, 07 6:25 am |
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I'd say density would be key for identifying the most popular area, you'd need to draw the line somewhere... so say 100 mile area max.
I'm going to be in California this weekend, probably hit Sherman or the Bay... I've heard Sherman is nutso crowded, we'll see how it compares to the Gorge in the summer. |
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registered
Since 12 Jul 2005
1319 Posts
tsunami
Sandbagger
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Thu Jun 21, 07 6:32 am |
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from lurkin internationally via my laptop I would say that Tarifa, Spain is the capitol. I have seen many pics most consistantly have hundreds of kites in the air. It must be the girls that draws the kites which unfortunately are mostly men.
I would go to waddell. I have always wanted to go there sporting my pull over orange life vest buckled up. See what the cali boys are doing in the waves. Last edited by registered on Thu Jun 21, 07 6:34 am; edited 1 time in total |
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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Thu Jun 21, 07 6:33 am |
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I've kited Sherman 4 times and never seen it as busy as say HR in summer.
3rd Ave gets a little busy too but can be a fun spot to kite, as long as you are cool with Chocolate Milk H2O |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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Thu Jun 21, 07 7:28 am |
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I spent a little time in Florida this summer and you would think I landed on the beach in a UFO from the looks I got. But then gain, everyone was so old they were almost dead.
I thought the gorge was the undisputed capitol??
In case you haven't heard the commercials, ASI is for bikini's and fashion shows, not KB gear. However, most of them can answer difficult questions about kites though, like... where do you put the air in. |
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chanson
Since 31 Jan 2006
1873 Posts
WISCONSIN
Chimey
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Thu Jun 21, 07 8:12 am |
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MIDWEST
South Haven > Chicago> Milwaukie......One big half-circle around the lake!
www.chicagokitesurfing.com
-but still not close to NW _________________ Shallow Dive Design, 2nd Wind Sports, Airush, Trident Sports |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4907 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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Thu Jun 21, 07 9:18 am |
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pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | I spent a little time in Florida this summer and you would think I landed on the beach in a UFO from the looks I got. But then gain, everyone was so old they were almost dead.
I thought the gorge was the undisputed capitol??
In case you haven't heard the commercials, ASI is for bikini's and fashion shows, not KB gear. However, most of them can answer difficult questions about kites though, like... where do you put the air in. |
Where in florida where you? The folks in Jupiter on the East Coast were killing it when I was down there last fall (maybe 25 kites out ) |
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pacifichigh
Since 11 May 2005
1004 Posts
ATX
Texan
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Thu Jun 21, 07 9:26 am |
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According to ASI the new kites are so safe you don't need lessons.
Brilliant |
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scottnorby
Since 23 Sep 2005
538 Posts
Cascadia - Seattle - Encinitas
Addicted
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Fri Jun 22, 07 7:27 am |
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When working for Liquid Force I dove into this data a lot.
No question that Florida has, by far, the most kiter density.
At one point in 2004 the kite sales in Florida alone were equal to the sales in the rest of the U.S.
It's probably evened out a bit more but there is no question Florida is the 'surf city' of kitesurfing. The scene in the gorge seems big but it really isn't in comparison to places in Florida.
Oregon is a small market...very seasonal.
In addition, if Florida had a Hood River scene, all of the River folks would move out to the coast. So Oregon's movement is still 'behind' in realizing the true potential of a 'scene'. I predict the biggest Oregon kiteboarding scene will be on the coast of Oregon. But it will be quite a few years as most people in Oregon still visualize kiteboarding as a hot weather sport where you tan between sessions. I met a wealthy couple from Europe 2 weeks ago and they have traveled the world kiting for 5 years. They said that Nor Coast Oregon was the best downwinder they have had yet.
International outlook on the sport?-----it's a different story.
50% of the market wears full wetsuits year round.
Australia is an enormous market...cold and warm water. Surfing is their country sport so kitesurfing is growing fast there.
And the entire international market completely dwarfs the U.S.---- by far.
To many rules in the U.S. Too much litigation from sue happy people. Too many limitations compared to international locations. And too many companies and riders who are concerned about the 'look' of the sport. Not enough 'go getter' types just getting out and doing it. Europe has a lifestyle that promotes the idea of being adventurous. While the US promotes fear on the news......and encourages lawsuits that put manufacturers and retailers at risk as the sport grows.
Just my two cents.... |
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blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2025 Posts
Windward
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Fri Jun 22, 07 7:59 am totally lame venues |
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I would say also Florida
Just because there are so many people there and in the light wind they can go ,(something to do besides greasing up on the beach )
Some day some people will tire of slow to react giant kites
and want more (north coast hopefully)
However all the places I've been to with wind (7.0)
are so remote ,SPI,HATTERAS,PROGRESO, BAJA,HAWAII
I doubt they will ever become anything for the masses
just like this sport
few people and fewer locations with high wind
We are a long ways from a mature sport,
so who knows
I know for me IF I had to ride flat water I would quit. ( 8 yrs.is a long time for doing anything) full time.
I went to the lake to try the OCTANES last year,
after an hour I was bored out of my mind and went out in the shore break ,
which was hellish also
But watching Fish blow up and get worked in the shore pound was worth the drive |
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endoshred
Since 22 May 2006
232 Posts
HR
Stoked
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Fri Jun 22, 07 10:45 am |
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ventana in the winter is pretty packed with kites also. |
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Bonetti
Since 29 Apr 2007
411 Posts
So. Cal./Oregon
Obsessed
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Fri Jun 22, 07 12:02 pm |
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So.Cal. for sure!!! |
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