How big is kiting in the Gorge?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

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.)

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

SoCal - probably a few kites Ventura to San Diego

bamboo · Since 24 Jun 2005 165 Posts da 'chung; taiwan Stoked

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.

hedquista · Since 13 Apr 2007 72 Posts Salt lake city

pismo beach cali is a huge spot.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

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 Twisted Evil

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.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

I told you ASI would be useless, should of just gone to Stevenson with us.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

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.

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

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. Crying or Very sad

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.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

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

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 21, 07 7:28 am

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. Smile

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

MIDWEST

South Haven > Chicago> Milwaukie......One big half-circle around the lake!

www.chicagokitesurfing.com

-but still not close to NW Wink

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

According to ASI the new kites are so safe you don't need lessons.

Brilliant

scottnorby · Fri Jun 22, 07 7:27 am

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....

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2025 Posts Windward

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

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

ventana in the winter is pretty packed with kites also.

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

So.Cal. for sure!!!