First Session at 3rd/Downwind Exits

[nedd]

I am about to make my first trip out to 3rd Ave. I learned to kite last year, and by the end of the season I was riding upwind. But, so far I’ve only kited in Maui (where I took lessons) and Pismo Beach (where some locals took me out) where you can always launch and land on a sandy beach.

I’m wondering about the availability of downwind exists at 3rd just incase I can’t make it upwind. I’ve walked around the launch area just to check out the spot, and obviously unlike kiting on a sandy beach you can’t just get out any place you come ashore. For a first-timer would everyone recommend I just launch at the upper area and then just plan to exit at the lower launch area if I get caught downwind? Are there other exits where you can still walk back to the upper launch?

I’ve read everything I could find online about the spot, but any other pointers for a first-timer at 3rd would be greatly appreciated. I don’t know anyone who kites in the area yet, but hopefully I’ll meet some of you out there soon.

[Thor29]

Beginner and intermediate kiters should ALWAYS launch at the upper launch. The lower launch has much trickier conditions and just isn't worth the hassle for most kiters. If you can't make it back to the upper launch, the lower launch is a good place to exit. Be aware that your kite might fall out of the sky before you get there and there might not be anybody to land it. So if you do make it all the way in you might have to hit the QR. If for some reason you really screw up and drift past the lower launch, there are some small beaches further down but they are under water at high tide. Worst case scenario is that you have to try to get out on the rocks. At high tide, that is really awful because the waves will try to smash you into the rocks and then your lines will get tangled in the rocks and you'll have to cut them. (Don't ask me how I know that). Low tide can mean slogging in the mud, but it's a little bit safer for newbies than high tide. (The waves are smaller too).

Number one piece of advice: talk to the regulars when you go kiting there. A bunch of them are grumpy old guys but they are usually more than willing to point you in the right direction.

[MehYam]

Being confident in your self-rescue is the main thing, in a pinch that'll maximize safety even if you have to scramble over rocks as a last-ditch exit strategy.

Low tide is definitely a good idea for your first time at 3rd, though, that gives you a much wider margin of error, and makes those downwind beaches much bigger.

If you're already kiting upwind, however, most likely you'll end up gaining a lot of upwind ground that will give you plenty of time to land back at the upper when you're done. The main downside I see this season is that the upwind area is eroding to something much smaller, and can get congested. Get a feel for the traffic there and ask around to help you navigate the launch/land of your kite. Assuming you get plenty of upwind, you also have the option of bringing your kite back through the cove on the north side, just to give you plenty of wide open space to walk your kite in without having to weave through the people trying to launch.

Landers are supposed to have right of way over launchers at the upper, but things get pretty tight regardless.

Good luck!

[Aloha]

Definitely go at low tide - walking in, in the mud is better than the tricky lower launch shutting down and the frustration of drift / swim / ending up on the rocks as a newer kiter