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Bay Area Kiters, I am headed to Sonoma from Alaska for the next few weeks. Not sure what kites, if not all of them to pack. I have the following kites: 6M RPM, 8M Rally, 10M RPM, 14M RPM. Also wonder which suits to bring. I have a Full 5/3 and a 3 shorty. I am an intermediate kiter, hoping to kite Bodega Bay, Tomales Bay, and Sherman Island. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

hey, welcome!
If you're gonna be down for weeks,i'd say bring everything.
you probably wont need a 14M if you're under 200 lbs.,but you never know.
coast and sherm can both nuke,so a 6M is nice to have.
8 and 10,that's bread and butter.
you'll definitely need both suits.

remember to check the tides for bodega bay,needs at least a 2ft. tide to ride.
don't forget dillon beach.
sherman will probably be your spot,as it has some serious
make-up winds coming and should blow like crazy for weeks,...my guess.
oh,and enjoy!!

bring everything! :P

i agree 8 / 10 & both suits ... bring wakeboard

maybe also rent a shortboard surfboard for a few days when you get down here they're usually like 10 bucks / day and it will expand your range on the 10

I fly 8, 10, 12M RPM and am pretty good almost all the time. I would add a 6, and 14M if I had the money. Bring it all its been a fussy year with some nuking weeks and some light weeks. Bodega and Dillon are fun. Bodega can NUKE! but can also be 15mph all day. Sherman is close also. YEEHAW!!!

What ever you leave at home will be what you need the most.

Thanks for the great advice fellow kiters! Dillon beach does look fantastic. Is it a good spot for the intermediate kiter? Also, in AK we have to wear leashes because of the extreme tides (currents). Will I need a leash in CA?

IKiteAK wrote:Thanks for the great advice fellow kiters! Dillon beach does look fantastic. Is it a good spot for the intermediate kiter? Also, in AK we have to wear leashes because of the extreme tides (currents). Will I need a leash in CA?

Dillon is an awesome spot. It's friendly to intermediate kiters if the swell is not too big. You can stay close to shore although the shorebreak can be messy, and it can be just spectacular further out with clean rollers after rollers. No need for a board leash out here. The currents are really strong a Crissy and Ocean Beach but its highly recommended (argued) to not have a leash. Talk to the locals, everyone is really friendly, and get the beach info before going out. Check the tides and be aware of the fog, as it rolls in and out the wind basically follows it.

YEEHAW!

IKiteAK wrote:Bay Area Kiters, I am headed to Sonoma from Alaska for the next few weeks. Not sure what kites, if not all of them to pack. I have the following kites: 6M RPM, 8M Rally, 10M RPM, 14M RPM. Also wonder which suits to bring.

Bring both suits, one for coast and bay and shorty for the delta. Bring the 6, 8 and 10m kites. Your 14 is the biggest, heaviest and takes up the most space and you probably don't need it. If you do, conditions are marginal anyway. For the last couple years, my biggest has been an 11m and now this year is a 10m...

BayAreaKite wrote:

IKiteAK wrote:Bay Area Kiters, I am headed to Sonoma from Alaska for the next few weeks. Not sure what kites, if not all of them to pack. I have the following kites: 6M RPM, 8M Rally, 10M RPM, 14M RPM. Also wonder which suits to bring.

Bring both suits, one for coast and bay and shorty for the delta. Bring the 6, 8 and 10m kites. Your 14 is the biggest, heaviest and takes up the most space and you probably don't need it. If you do, conditions are marginal anyway. For the last couple years, my biggest has been an 11m and now this year is a 10m...

Yes, no need for the 14m. I assume you are bringing a directional board for the coast, so in light wind you should be good with your directional and 10m.