BayAreaKiteboarding.com

All right so I'm a liar but now that you're here you might as well stay and read on right?

So I'm heading out west from Florida (ewww) to see my lady friend who lives in Emryville. The winds in the gulf have been shiite all summer long so I'm really wanting to do some kiting in the bay while girlie is at work. Just to let you know I'm still a beginner, I've been on a board probably ten times, but my fundamentals are pretty good (still no consistent upwind tack though) as I flew the kites for about 6 months before I ever put a board on.

Anyway she lives close to the Alameda launch and since I've been lurking around here for awhile, I've gathered that that is probably the best place for someone of my skill level to ride. As for gear though, what should I bring? I've got a 9, 12, and 15 but I'm not very familiar with what the wind is doing right now in your area.

And the water quality. I've read some ups and downs on it and have basically gathered that I shouldn't get in after a heavy rain. Is this a consensus opinion for you guys who actually play in it or is it a bit overly cautious?

And how do I get my board on the plane without paying an arm and a leg? Any suggestions or does anyone have an old one they wouldn't mind loaning/renting out for a couple of weeks?

I shouldn't need a wetsuit should I? I've always heard the west coast was much colder but over here it feels like bath water. Bring it yay/nay?

Sorry about the long post (and the trap) but I really just want to be prepared and have some great sessions while I'm out your way. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Bring your 12 and your 15 to Alameda.. Don't bother with the 9..You should wear a wetsuit.. the water is cold..

Board: golf bag..
don't worry about the water.. its fine.. I've only gotten sick a couple of times. ..

Your 9 may come in handy at 3rd. but the wind lately has really really really sucked..

yeah um, let's see.

definitely need a wetsuit. 4/3 or 3/2 fullsuit. i spent a weekend in Miami and well, damn you've got some warm water there. compared to there, it's pretty cold here. we've had some balmy water temps lately, but as you're a beginner, you'll be spending a lot of time in the water, so you'll get cold.

alameda has crappy wind but a big long beach. your best bet is to go to 3rd ave or pay for a downwinder from kitopia at sherman island. the latter is super super sweet for beginners.

i don't see you really needing your 15 unless you're like, um 300 lbs. then again, you didn't say what type of kite it was.

water quality? well, you're right that you shouldn't swim in the ocean after a very heavy rain, but since we don't get rain in the summer, that's not really an issue. in other words, it's not that dirty, and if you're scared of a little dirt, you're in the wrong sport anyway.

if you put your board in a snowboard bag, you can bring it for free. golfbags can be hit or miss...smile and tip the cubside checkin guy and you should be fine.

gee whiz a wetsuit? man the water is so warm over here it's actually kind of gross (think of swimming in your own pee).

i ended up buying a golf bag and all of my gear will fit neatly into there so my 9, 12, and 15 are all coming along, they're 2007 Cabrinha Omega HD's to clarify.

Arod do you have any more info on the Kitopia downwinder? Specifically the "pay" part and how to get to Sherman Island? If it's the Sherman Island on google maps it seems to be about 40 or so miles from the ladyfriends house and it looks like BART will make it to Antioch but not on to the island. Which side of Sherman do I ride on?

and I'm not scared of dirt at all as I ride Bald Point with it's black water and year round bacterial warnings, I'm just a little concerned about industrial types of runoff from a major metro area...heavy metals and such.

If anybody is interested in hooking up and showing a noob around your (beginner) kiting areas that would be most appreciated.

Thanks again for the information fellas.

try www.Kitopia.biz

you're going to have to drive to sherman, or bum a ride off someone . . .but yeah, it's the the same sherman island you see on googlemaps. you'll know you're in the right place when you see gobs and gobs of kites in the air.

Kitopia doesn't really do downwinders, you need to get in touch with Nat @ Edge Kiteboarding. Search around on the forum and you will find his contact info.

There was a recent accident involving someone participating in a downwinder. Check out the thread: http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/viewtopic.php?t=5967.

He went out on a 12m (presumably the right size at the time), and got lofted when he was coming into the launch area. Check with the locals on the conditions, for example the common "mid-day lull" which might make you want to rig larger than you should.

The downwinder is roughly 2 miles, with not much between the Kitopia launch and the main beach. You should be self sufficient, and prepared to self-rescue if necessary. Nat will keep an eye on you, but will likely be giving a lesson, and not able to come to your aid immediately.

All that said, if you're up and riding, it's the ultimate way to get some quality water time. Have fun, and be safe.

well I got in just fine though I wish I could say the same about my gear as the airlines managed to break one of my fins off my board. Anyway the guy at Kite Wind Surf hooked me up with a new fin and, like everyone else, told me to get in touch with Nat to do a Sherman downwinder.

The ladyfriend has offered me up her car while she's at work so if anyone wants to exchange their knowledge/information on riding at Sherman for a ride to Sherman, hit me up at 828.406.1669.

Adam