How to pick the best beach to kite at on a given day?

[kiterchick]

Hi,
I am new to the area. I have looked up a few forecast sites but they are either inaccurate (windguru) or they need subscription (ikitesurf). So, I don't know where to go on a given day to find the best wind. I understand that it is the end of the season but still would be nice to know what the conditions are in each site to pick the best spot on a windy day. I am on vacation so I have time to drive and can be flexible.
Thanks!

[WindMuch]

I know it requires a subscription, but with ikitesurf's site, I'm one click away from a customized summary of the wind at all my favorite spots:



For me, it's completely worth it!

Kirk out

[wjb]

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mtr/marineZones.php

[wimboweb]

Go to your favorite site(s) and make friends with the locals... They will let you know when/where the wind is blowing.

See you out there :)

[Willy T]

here's a few links i keep bookmarked, all free:

http://windalert.com/

http://www.wunderground.com/wundermap/? ... ateo,%20CA

http://www.surfline.com/lola-waves/cent ... ounty_2957

and some useful cams:
http://arbor-studios.com/thirdavecam.html
http://ob-kc.com/index.html
http://www.samschowderhouse.com/about-sams/samcam.html

[NCKite_Ryder]

Ikite is a great site. Sometimes when ikite is down I default to this site.

http://windonthewater.com/

Its actually really nice real-time data. Not nearly as good as ikite but its free.

Someone should start the Thread for useful kite/wind/sailing websites and cams. Its nice to have a good bookmark folder on your computer.

[funmilton]

The NOAA site that Wade posted for you is a very good description of what is going on out there. This is what most use all winter as iKitesurf dude heads south to Mexico and we no longer get daily human updates. There are three other buoys that provide valuable data as well. Buoy 46026 is 18 miles west of the Golden Gate bridge and is the indicator for coastal riding. SFO has a wind meter and is good for 3rd ave riding. Port Chicago is a free meter up wind of Sherman Island and can provide useful data as well. Sherman can be pretty easy to figure out, if there is summer fog in the city and Sacramento is hot than grab your small kite and head out.

[Bulldog]

This has been said before, but Ikite will pay for itself in saved gas money in just a few days of kite sessions. You can look at the sensors for all the sites in the Bay and go to whichever is best. The Bay Area has a thousand different microclimates AND lots of traffic; driving around chasing wind is frustrating and time consuming. It can be dead calm at one spot and nuking someplace else just a few miles away.

[Greg]

Marium?
Having fun??
Greg (Alameda)

[elli]

I have to give another good feedback on ikitesurf. I know it costs, but its one of the best returns on my money in this hobby and in general. If you have to leave work to kite, like most of us, then its priceless. There are many free alternatives, but none that I know of is nearly as good and effective and they are time consuming.

If you have to leave work to kite, one fault positive call will likely outweigh ikite cost for an entire year or more. Not to mention gas. Life is short, use it wisely :)