Flock of Dead Birds floating @ 3rd

[jaxonholer]

Correct Ollie. If you see 5 guys swimming in the water, it's time to reconsider launching your kite. If they're swimming, you'll be swimming too! People don't always make the right choice. Yesterday was so bad on the inside that one guy went out and was swimming in 25 yards, so no need for the CG. They actually weren't that busy, only 1 pickup that I saw, but you're right that people use the CG to give themselves some false confidence.

No doubt we could be a little smarted and not waste the CG time, but that's a mouthful.

[Loscocco]

But everybody goes out anyway knowing this will happen and just figures, "The Coast Guard will take care of us..."?

not everyone.. its very often people who go out not knowing the local conditions.. and don't see signs that its time to go back to the beach. Its been 2+ years since i got a ride w the Coasties and i'm there quite often. And that was a equipment failure issue.
Also a lot of people don't know how to self rescue or get back in. That guy yesterday decided to launch at like 6:30 pm when every one was coming back and there were already kites floating coming in. He was drifting off into the sunset trying to swim against the current dragging his kite rather than using it as a sail to drag him in.

[shred_da_gorge]

That's why I mention in my 'newb' post that it's not summer anymore. I know we're not all amateur meteorologists, but keeping an eye on the big picture is going to tell you if it's going to blow or not. Yesterday was mostly a large high filling the region, classic heat wave = crappy thermal winds. Today it looks like the outer buoys are all lined up NW which will typically bank the fog up and fire Crissy and Third (no promises though).

http://windonthewater.com/link.htm?r=ca ... 522278&z=9

Ollie makes a good point: it might be windy at the time you show up but if you're not confident in self-rescuing, riding upwind, or underpowered don't go out. Do you know what the tide is doing? Are you on the water with buddies or alone? Do you have the energy and skills to loop the kite to schlog in? Do you know what's causing the wind you're riding in and how reliable a system that is (i.e. do you understand and are confident in the forecasts)? If the answer is no then err on the side of caution. Otherwise you'll be putting your own responsibilities onto others, and at the very least inconveniencing them (like the windsurfer we watched chasing after a kiter with his board the other night). Remember, we watch each other, for better or for worse.

Looking for fog on the coast, it seems clear and not banked up:
http://www.samschowderhouse.com/about-sams/samcam.html

So Aloha, I'm guessing the coast might fill in today, Crissy later on, maybe Third. But I'm just an amateur and won't make promises! (Let's just say yesterday I banked on a nice bike ride, today I've got the car packed up to go kite 3rd after mid-day housework and errands).

[Sonny]

According to the 3rd Ave webcam, it just happened again...

We're in a high pressure system and the winds are out of the south, big surprise!

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about, I had a great 3 hour session yesterday.

[shred_da_gorge]

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about, I had a great 3 hour session yesterday.

Yeah, that's what Jack just said. SW ain't always bad I guess!

[Sonny]

I'm not sure what you guys are talking about, I had a great 3 hour session yesterday.

Yeah, that's what Jack just said. SW ain't always bad I guess!

It was not SW yesterday

[Aloha]

I was checking steraklines and it almost looks like we're getting Diablo wind from the alley right now and it's meeting up w/ the coast air smack in the east bay / berkeley hills mtn line.

Golden gate looks like it's the only venturi that is working at the moment--Coastal air appears to be frontal and NW and then is filtering up into the north bay after coming through the gate. The air in the south bay and coming through SBPass is super confused right now as it's hitting that Diablo stuff coming from the east, not sure if that's going to sort out or what

[kitenaked]

If you get a ride back from the Coast Guard you are irresponsible, not because you accepted the ride, however because you put yourself in the situation to be "rescued" which is either you didnt watch the wind or your gear was less than 100%. Yes, shit happens, however mosts spots dont require a "bail out" from the coast guard when all else fails.

NO, I havent kited crissy, it is a little farther away for me and not a place which I enjoy the journey ... to ultimately kite. I have been there to help our with BBQ's and watch events, but that is enough for me considering the other alternatives. If you live there, perhaps it is somting totally different and this I udnerstand condiering we have the same issues in Benicia, however a NON coat guard support and resuce group.

I am not down on people that do, however just think like Ollie pointed out (and many others) that it is not a place to take the chance. Yes of course, shit happens and it is nice to see our tax dollars coming into play to save lives, however when personal judgements can be made to reduce the coast guard taxi rides, I much more prefer this form of thinking.

Eventually these rescues are going to come with a price. First a live will be lost and then a spot will be gone.

[Aloha]

I was rescued once by CG this year due to a control bar breakdown near the north tower. I was carrying my radio but it was a pretty gnarly day so the CG was out there patrolling anyway and did a pass and asked if I needed a pickup and I gave the arm wave yes.

I was very grateful and thankful when they got me on the boat and I apologized for the inconvenience and mentioned it was great that they were out there keeping us safe

They told me no worries, that they need to get a certain amt of them in and they were glad they could help because it's a great training exercise for them to be out there doing it. Not to mention they were really cool dudes--We are definitely blessed with an amazing team at the SF CG post, be responsible but also grateful that we have such great people out there patrolling watching out for everyone boating on the bay. There's no spot like Crissy in the world!

[kitenaked]

I would like to have a nice session there one of these days for sure. Some of the bridge videos are incredible.

We kite along C & H sugar plant and under Carquinez bridge. Nothing like it. It ain't the golden gate, but exciting nonetheless.