1st session of the season

Ravenquest · Post by **Ravenquest** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:42 pm

Looking to get out in the water this week. Looks like Wed will get up over 10knts according to ikitesurf.com. I'm new to the Bay area and would like to start getting out there. Anyone actually out at 3rd ave or Alameda yet?

It looks like 3rd ave might get to 13knts but i am a bit concerned going out alone there as it seems a bit tricky to Launch and land. Would rather get the lowdown from the locals in person. Alameda seems like it might be a bit lighter but i'd be cool by myself.

Whats the chance there would be someone out at 3rd Ave or even Alameda in the early afternoon on Wed?

Dan

Waroo 9 16
Criminal 130
Spleene 159

Bulldog · Post by **Bulldog** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:28 am

If it's windy enough to kite, someone will be there.

13 knots is borderline if there is any tide at all running downwind(remember, we have tides here). HOwever, the guys at Alameda just seem to love kiting in as little wind as possible, so that's probably the place to head.

Your best bet for this week will be kiting in the waves at OB or Waddell; the wind is going to be much more solid on the coast.

bobbyboom · Post by **bobbyboom** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:11 pm

If there is wind there is definitely kiters. No joke, they smell the wind. No matter what spot there will be people for sure especially Alameda and 3rd. I was at Kite Wind Surf the other day and it was blowin' about 8miles and hour and freaking Max was out on his 12m and the glide. It was nutzo! People are crazy and I love it.

If you are "new" I would recommend going to Alameda first as it's got a lot of room for "mistakes." 3rd is a bit less forgiving.

3rd was SWEET today. It was great to see more than a dozen kites on the water. Woo hoo!

-Bobby

Jason Martin · Post by **Jason Martin** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:04 am

Yesterday was so sick!!!! I hope the wind turns on again today. :supz:

adamrod · Post by **adamrod** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:23 am

looks like it will. with the tide so low, consider doing a downwinder from coyote. it's a really fun time. I'll be looking to do one, so if anyone reads this who is planning on riding 3rd this afternoon/late afternoon, send me a PM.

jowall · Post by **jowall** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 5:15 pm

Hey you 3rd riders. I hit 3rd 2 weeks ago and there just wasn't enough water. I walked through 100 yards of mud and kited another 300 yards and was still in 12 inches of water. The mud was so deep at one point I thought I was going to have to send the kite to get out.

What are the low tides to avoid there? Today shows a 0 ft tide at 4 PM. Is that enough water to kite?

Thanks,

john

mota · Post by **mota** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:18 pm

:mrgreen: It was beautiful out on the river Today. I was kiting in my own secret spot just east of the Antioch Bridge at Big Break. the wind was from 12 to 16 - I flew a 18m vegas6 and used 3 boards - 137, 158 and my Door 64. Anyone driving over the Bridge could see me frolicking in the wind. did U C me?
cheers

Ravenquest · Post by **Ravenquest** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 6:42 pm

Great 1st session. I think i caught some of the only consistant wind today at Alameda. 1:30-4pm The down side is my leading edge blew :( Looks like it will be a while till my 2nd session unless the wind picks up enough for my 9m. Doh

adamrod · Post by **adamrod** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 11:06 pm

John-

3rd ave was ROCKIN today! to the dedicated 3rd ave rider, no tide is too low. Today the tide was negative, meaning that there was a sandbar in the middle of the bay. Which means that the water was butter flat and that there was a cool obstacle you could practice jumping over. There were probably at least 20 people out.

There are some key tips to dealing with super low tide however.

1. Launch at the upwind launch. (the mud isn't so bad up there)
2. You have to be okay with riding in 12 inches of water. it's so flat it's awesome! just get up on a plane and keep your kite powered so you don't sink.
3. when coming in, keep your kite powered and high. this will provide some lift so you don't sink into the mud so much. if you happen to drop your kite, you're in for a long painful slog through the mud, so, do whatever it takes to keep that kite flying.
4. if you ride a crappy old board, you could do some mud kiting, where you ride out on the mud. takes a bit of practice, and scratches up the board, but it does get you out across the mud quickly.

low tide is some of the best kiting 3rd ave has to offer. flat water and shallow enough you can stand all the way to the channel marker. but i agree, the mud is pretty nasty and smelly.

average_male · Post by **average_male** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:41 pm

Really?, You can stand up at or near the channel marker on low tide days?

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1st session of the season

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