BayAreaKiteboarding.com

Hi there,

Hope someone can help me with a couple of questions...

Im moving to Monterey from Denmark in August and I want to bring mi gear (10+12m Royal Era).

Are those size useable in that area?? I have about one years experience and can normally keep my hight and so on...

Also does anyone know if its normal for people to commute to other spots? Cause I probably wont be having a car (I'll be a student at MIIS).

One more thing, how thick a wetsuit or suits would be suitable for the different times of the year??

Thanks in advance,

Thue Madsen

dags!

you'll need a 4/3 full suit all year round. the ocean is cold here. all the time. maybe buy a hood too.

most of the time you'll probably end up driving to scotts creek or waddell...either way, you should invest in a 7m for those spots. most of the time people are on 7s with big guys on 9s there.

i bet you could find someone to carpool with...not much kiting in monterey but lots of kiting within 30 min drive.

The 10 should suit for now, mostly 9m conditions at Waddell, pretty consistent, @ 70 miles from Monterey which is @ 1:15 each way w/ traffic. Other spots 3rd Ave is @ 90 mi. and 110 to Alemeda.

I am relatively "new" to the area and would be interested in carpooling to either Santa Cruz (Wadell is the hot spot there) or the San Francisco bay area, if you're interested. I have a 4/3 suit (with booties) and love it. I think the Oniell surf store in Santa Cruz is having a sale on wetsuits this Memorial Day weekend. Of course, if you've been kiting in Denmark, I'm sure you're already used to kiting in cold weather. Anyways, PM me if you want to carpool. I won't have time though to kite until after June 9th.-- (I'm a teacher and that's our last day.) I will have more flexibility after that. ~joy (in Salinas).

PS: WELCOME! Oh... just looked back on your email. You're not moving here until August when school starts. silly me. I will probably be moved from this area by the time that happens so this will no longer apply. Oh well. Sorry. Your'e welcome to PM me anyways, just in case. Maybe by then I will know other people in the area for you to carpool with.~joy

Thank. Sounds good. I guess ill bring my gear and try to find someone to carpool with...

@kiteaddict thanks but yeah I dont get there before august. And yes im pretty use to cold water here 6/5 suit in winter so a 4/3 will be nice :)

Think ill wait a little and invest in a smaller kite to add for spots you are talking about.

Will I ever get to use my 12m?? (a little info, im about 84kg/185pounds)

Again, thanks for the help!

Oh yea, keep the 12. I'm about your weight and skill level and I use my 12 on light days in the bay and on the coast. Buying a 7 or 8 is a good call. You'll love it here. It's pretty much awesome.

One thing no one else has mentioned here is that the coastal spots closest to Monterey are primarily kite-surfing spots, i.e., wave riding spots. The local kite culture is all about waves, not about freestyle/twintip riding. The coast north of Santa Cruz is one of the best places in the world to surf waves using a kite. If you are a dedicated freestyle rider, you will be heading to San Mateo to kite in SF bay. Either way, you will need a ride to get to a kitespot.

I don't know much about Denmark, but here, most kiters on the coast ride directionals (surfboards), which require less kite power. Almost no one under 200 lbs. needs a kite bigger than a 10M, and a 12 will sit in your house gathering dust. If your plan is to kite in the ocean, sell the 12 and buy a 7M kite and a good kite surfboard. You will ride the 7 meter kite more than half the time,and there are plenty of days when you will want a 5M.

Thanks again for al the help.

I have only ridden TTs, so it sound like ill have to invest in both kites and board, hmm...

Might just end up paddling in Monterey. The thing is that I dont think ill be able to afford that much more gear and a ride but ill have to see.

Anyway, thanks :)

Thue