BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hello,

I'm interested in kiting so I have been reading your forums, watching the riders in Rio Vista, and talked to some trainers go get a better idea what it is about. I got a hold of a trainer and want to find a place to fly it around Sacramento. I know that there is consistent wind at Sherman island, but I don't want to get in anyone's way. I see fields around there where it would work, but I don't want to trespass on some farmer's land. Are there any parks or open areas around there I could play at? I saw a park off of 160 on Brannan island right before the bridge to Sherman island. Will that work? Do I even have to go that far? I started watching trees for wind and saw it was blowing pretty good for a while while I was driving home on 12.

Thanks

Alex

There is a large grassy area just before you get to the gate at Sherman, on the left, below the road/levee. The only person who sometimes uses it is Bruce Sheldon for land lessons. Plenty of room to fly a trainer, even to fly it while running back and forth, which is a good thing to learn how to do.

Alex,

After speaking with you and learning that you have a 3m trainer kite, I would say you could find any park anywhere in your area and fly it in very light wind. Please note, 3m is really big for a trainer (in my opinion) and you won't need much wind to get it up. If you do go out to Sherman in more than 15mph you will have your hands full...

What kind of kite is it? Is it 2 or 4 line?

SO get some lessons ASAP after you get better with the trainer and you will be up and riding in no time...

Yeah, most people don't call a 3M foil a "trainer kite". If it doesn't have a wrist leash on it, you may want to make one, just in case you have to let it go wherever you are flying it.

I accasionally fly my 2m powerkite... we should hook up. I know some good spots in town that are perfect for flying. If it's a weekend, both Mather and McClellan AFBs have some good open areas and also some good open parking lots for kiteskateboarding. I also have a 1m trainer if you want something smaller to fly. PM me! :)

Thanks everyone. I have found the people that I have met that are into kitesurfing very nice and welcoming. I did try to fly my 3m Rush2 at Rio Vista and got a big surprise when it caught the wind. It dragged me a few feet until I was able to dig into the ground with my feet and hold it for a few seconds until it dragged me a little more, then snapped a line. Here is what I learned: what the kite could do, what a 25 mph wind feels like and I should be dressed appropriately when I use the kite. I was in swimming trunks and flip flops. (I have road rash from the drag)

I was flying it for a few hours at Mather on Friday and Saturday and at a park near my house on Sunday. I am now able to put the kite where I want it. Launch and Land the kite and I have a feel of the wind window and rotors caused my trees or buildings. Also, I have to launch my self so I made some sand bags out of old socks and duct tape and they work great.

Thanks again

Alex

There are some soccer fields right by the new Granite Park Dog Park on Power Inn Road south of 50 behind the courthouses.

This park is high up, so the wind is good and it is wide open. I flew my kite there many times.

Good luck!