One month visit in SF

[stef]

Hi all,

I'm planning to visit San Francisco area for one month (from mid-March to mid-April) with wife and nearly one-year son.

I want to bring with me my kite gear and was wondering which sizes I should bring for this period. What is the typical wind in the SF bay area during this period? Depending on the airline fares, I thought that I'd bring only my kites + harness + wetsuit and buy a not too expensive surfboard when I arrive (craiglist seems fine for that?).

As I'm much into waveriding and I'm looking for a wave spot not too far from where we should be living (woodland avenue, SF) -- mainly because of family/kite trade-offs. Is there one (I'm surfing as well)? (some indications on rules and hazards would be very much appreciated!)

Many thanks and, by the way, I'm French leaving mainly in between the UK and France (travelling the rest of the time).

Stef

[windhorny]

Last year early spring was VERY strong. avg. 30+ days all around the bay. As you will be coming in at the very beginning of spring it is hard to say what we will get. Depending on your weight/skill I would say bring a 7/10 or 9/12 or if you had to bring one kite a 9 or a 10. You will definately be able to find great kiting within an hour of the sf bay area to play in.

I am not a wave rider so I cant help you much there other than where to go. I am sure you will get some input shortly here on that.

Yuri

[adamrod]

yeah, you need to give us a bit more information. how much do you weigh? how experienced are you?

1. yes, you shouldn't have too much trouble buying a surfboard for $300 or so on craigslist.
2. for wave spots, the premier spot is waddell creek, and then you've got gazos, HMB, OB.
3. March-April is when we generally get really strong NW winds which is good for coast wave riding.
4. if you're gonna be on the coast riding a surfboard, 7m and a 9m is probably a good combo.
5. make sure you have at least a 4/3 fullsuit, or even a 5/4. I don't know what the water is like where you ride, but it's pretty cold on the coast here.
6. the swell can get pretty big, so i hope you're proficient strapless if you're buying a standard surfboard, or else you might want to pick up a used kite surfboard...

[stef]

Many thanks!

So my weight is 65kgs and I'm riding foils (Flysurfer). I think i'll bring with me 6 and 10m (i have also 8 which is perfect in 20-25 knots but i'm afraid it will be too much to bring with me). I'll bring a 5/4 wetsuit (the one I'm using in the UK + booties). What is water temp, around 13°C or less?

As for my skill, I ride mainly strapless except when it is big (overhead) and side-off shore (+ backside). I guess with NW wind, I will be mainly frontside in the surf (I'm regular)? I'll try to bring with me my all around board (quad 5'11 with inserts that I can surf as well) depending on airlines fares. I'm used to strong winds as in South of France we have regularly 30-35 knots with gusts up to 40-45 (not very pleasant by the way).

How long is it to drive to Waddell Creek? Is it possible to ride all along the coast - there should be plenty of (mushy) waves all around (i saw that some of you were talking about ocean beach).

Again, many thanks fro your answers!

Ate logo,
Stef

[stef]

By the way, when you say 30+, is it mph or in knots? "30+ days" would therefore mean 25 to 30 knots, wouldn't it? Is it gusty?

Stef

[adamrod]

well, if you're living in SF, the drive to waddell is probably about 45 min. OB can be good too, but not as reliable and a bit lighter, plus, the waves aren't as good, but it's a huge beach which is nice.

you'd be hard pressed to find a place with 30+ that's not gusty, (the only place I've found is Jericoacoara), but I'd say it's surprisingly smooth for 30+. We usually talk mph here, so that's 25-30 knots yes.

water temp is around 11C.

it's not really possible to ride all along the coast as much of it is jagged rocks and sheer cliff. with that said, half moon bay and ocean beach are huge beaches, so there are some pretty big stretches that are rideable.

[starboard]

Bring all your kites, your harness, and a good wetsuit, 4-3 if possible. March/April mark the start of our season here in Northern California. You never know what you are going to get so be prepared for light, medium, and heavy winds here.

Good Winds

[KillaHz]

well, if you're living in SF, the drive to waddell is probably about 45 min. OB can be good too, but not as reliable and a bit lighter, plus, the waves aren't as good, but it's a huge beach which is nice.

I'm going to have to disagree on these points. It's easily an 1+ hour drive to Waddell and I believe the waves at OB are better. Waddell may be easier but that's it. It's a left that we kite right on. the waves are pretty much always bigger and more abundant at OB and for the skilled wave rider offer better juice and more down the line potential than Waddell. Waddell gets so crowded that you actually wind up with chop on the waves from so many riders. Everyone is battling for 2 - 3 wave sets all with just one main peak and like I said, it's a left and we kite right on it, leaving a fat closeout section for a one hitter after your first or second bottom turn. That said, there are some great wave riding spots down that way if you drive around a bit...

[stef]

Many thanks for all this information. This is very hepful indeed (I live in the UK as well so I try to put this "indeed" here and there to get integrated).

Good news from your post KillaHz is that (if I get it right from google earth) OB is not very far from where we should live! (is this somewhere near "Seal Rocks" on Google earth?)

I'm now looking at airlines websites - things are getting more and more complicated for kite and surf gear these days! But i'll try to bring 3 kites + one board then.

I may see some of you on the beach though - i'm easy to find out: i ride FS.de and I have... well... a strong French accent (and I eventually eat strange things). I may well speak to one of you once on the beach to get some info on 'local customs" and things not to do.

Ate logo,
Stef

[vdeub]

OB is right south of Seal Rocks, walking distance. PM when you get there , i ve got the same kind of weird accent - ;), live in the neighborhood and can get you a tour. maybe we could share some drive to spots too.
cheers