Location to practice kite control in water

[Zaneta]

Hey,

I'm a beginning kiteboarder local to SF. Took a few lessons, got to the point of standing up very :) occasionally and bought the gear (8m kite). Now I'm trying to strike out on my own.

Before getting out with a board, I'd like to practice kite control. I was told that getting a trainer at this point may make little sense since i do well with the basics of flying, but want to get more practice so that things become intuitive. So I'd be looking into using my full sized kite. Preferably in the water so I don't destroy it in crashes, and somewhere where I can reach the bottom (I'm 5'2" and ~125 lbs). Any suggestions for a good location? I live near Ocean Beach, could that work with no swell?

Cheers!

Zaneta

[tgautier]

Toll plaza on low tide is your best bet. Ocean Beach? No.

[Xor]

3rd on low tide would work as well if you don't mind the mud

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[mcfly777]

Hi Zaneta
Welcome to the sport. Unfortunately the regular wind season is now over. What we get now is the occasional storm front, and that should be reserved to experienced kiters. These winds are generally gusty and inconsistent, so practicing in those winds if you are a beginner is not a good idea. There are a few days left this month (probably), so you could go to Alameda for example.

If you really want to practice your kiting skills, you can always get a trainer kite and go to an open field. That presents little risk, and I think that nailing down your kite skills will help you tremendously when you hit the water. I disagree with a trainer kite making little sense. I wish I had spent more time with the trainer, would have saved me a few hours dragging around in the water.

One alternative if you have the time is to go to a 1 week training camp in Baja this winter. Lots of water time and instruction, and you could come out riding ready for the 2016 season.

Lastly: do not practice on land by yourself with a full-sized kite. It's a recipe for disaster unless you have an instructor with you.

Good luck!

Leo

[NorCalNomad]

"Ocean Beach...with no swell?" that's a good joke

[Xor]

With our end of season and 10-12 kts (or less depending on kite if it can stay in the air) is good conditions to practice in the water, especially as he had basics and lessons. But trainer would be better for sure, just easier to get most out of land session in unpredictable conditions we are in this time of a year.
Besides the kite training I would strongly recommend wake cable park (unless you are wakeboarding already).

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[Zaneta]

Hey All,

Thanks for all your answers and support!

Xor - no, I do not wakeboard but I do surf. Cable wakeboarding looks amazing - I'll try to find a spot near SF where I can try! Also, I'm a she. :)

Leo - yes I know, I picked the wrong time of the year to learn but now that I had a taster of how awesome kitesurfing is and with the gear all ready to go, it's hard to be patient. Upon thought, I agree that practicing with a full sized kite on land is a bad idea (in my defense: this was suggested by an experienced kiteboarder). I'll stick to water; today looks like a good wind day, I may make it out to Toll Plaza with just the kite and practice bodydragging.

Kitesurfing in Baja is actually what I'm trying to prepare for, but the only time I'm free is over Christmas and I've not found a camp that would offer that time slot. So I'll be just kiting on my own/ may take some individual lessons. Would be good to get some more practice before then.

Will do more research on a trainer - my initial impression and the advice I got was that they fly differently from a full size kite (no sheeting, different speed), and that as long as I can get a full sized kite in the air any skills I learn won't apply. But they look like fun regardless of kitesurfing practice, so maybe that's worth the purchase.

Thanks once more, have a great weekend!

Zaneta

[le noun]

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT LAUNCH A KITE TODAY.
Wind is going to be shifty, gusty and powerful. Not a practice day at all.

Please read this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=13907

"velocity park" is probably the closest cable park.
I would go for a 2 hours pass on your first day, it's really tiring for your forearms on your first day. Try to go on weekdays as it's less crowded.

Like it's been said, sadly for beginners, season is pretty over. Better go to Baja this winter and get ready for Alameda in April next year.

Welcome to the club!

[Zaneta]

Wow thanks le noun, I'm definitely staying away from kiting today! Really glad I mentioned my plans. Also, feeling like a fool for not realizing that a 50% increase in wind speed during gusts means BAD IDEA.

No bid deal though - surfing looks amazing. :) Gotta love the reverse seasonality!

Thanks for the suggestion re: cable park, I'm doing that next weekend.

Cheers!

Zaneta

[Xor]

Hi Zaneta, glad you are easy to let it pass today, definitely not a beginner day, even for advance beginners it is dangerous.
You can go to either velocity or wakeisland, they are different in the cable direction, velocity is clockwise so good for regulars and wakeisland is counter clockwise, so good for guffy. But anyway, practice riding both sides even if it feels completely awkward at first.
Good thing (at least at wake island) you can buy 2hr pass, use it and after a lunch break upgrade to another 2hr for just 10$.

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