New to The Bay Area

[Jacob]

Hello from London,

I'm arriving in San Francisco late July and staying for a couple of months.

I can hold my own kiting and, living in the UK, I'm used to kiting in cold water :mrgreen:

I'll be living in mission bay (working at UCSF) for the time I'm in SF and I'll have all my kite gear with me but sadly no car.

So.... I'm fishing for some information about where people kite (so I can make sure that there are kiters around to safely launch/land with), how good/strong the wind typically is in July/August, and any hazards I should be especially wary of.

Any other useful information would also be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Jacob

[bart damner]

Jacob:

Welcome to the Best Coast (aka the West Coast). July - September are typically some of our best wind months, then the wind is starts to shut down and depression and prozac for most of us. Living in Mission Bay can be tricky for kiting as the best spots need a car to get you there, as public transportation won't get you all the way.

Crissy Field is probably your closest spot, numerous local kiters, can be tricky with tides and the wind shadows, recommend a directional board here (with right tide you can get away with a twin tip), the locals will give pointers. Public trans can get you close, but not all the way.

3rd Ave. San Mateo - consistent wind, tons of kiters to launch/land (probably most popular spot in Bay), friendly locals, twin tip friendly and a good wind shadow from driving range (totally avoidable from upper launch). Difficult to get to from public transportation (CalTrain) - will required a cab ride to complete.

Alameda - beginner spot in Bay. Needs wind to fill across bay, good launch and landing spots (read the rules for the place). Not sure on Public Transportation here.

Sherman Island, Delta - good consistent wind most summer days, warmer water, popular kiting spot, tricky launch and land (if experienced 1st time only), friendly locals and 'real' fiesty local gang chicks. Public Transportation aka BART will get you to Pittsburg from there it is a cab to and not sure how you would get back to BART.

Ocean Beach, MUNI serves, but wind is inconsistent, but when good it is really good! Big waves on a beach break with shifty currents, definitely not for inexperienced kiters. (Kiter was killed here last year :( ).

Waddell Creek - Great waves, consistent wind, requires a car/ride.

There are always kiters willing to give you a ride, reach out when you get here, you might just be surprised how fellow kiters respond to a small cooler of cold beer and a few quid for petrol :mrgreen: !

Welcome and Enjoy California

Bart

[ramsey]

quids are not accepted here. only dollars :)

[Jacob]

Welcome to the Best Coast (aka the West Coast). July - September are typically some of our best wind months, then the wind is starts to shut down and depression and prozac for most of us. Living in Mission Bay can be tricky for kiting as the best spots need a car to get you there, as public transportation won't get you all the way.

Bart

Thanks for the reply. I may well be posting quite regularly to try and sneak a ride in people's cars... i'll be sure to pay up (in dollars :) ) for petrol money....

Is windguru and/or windfinder accurate for SF winds?

[jwest21]

Is windguru and/or windfinder accurate for SF winds?

Welcome to the bay! I've using this for wind forecasts, since it seems to consider the unique characteristics around each wind station more than any other free service I've found.

http://www.ikitesurf.com/windandwhere.i ... model=true

I'll be taking my lessons the following weekend and begin hitting up Alameda or 3rd for some ol' fashion body dragging and happy to fill my car with fellow kiters. PM me your phone number and I'll call you up when I'm heading out to windy lands.

[Ragman]

Rule #1. For the love of God, never ever refer to the Bay Area as 'San Fran'.

[perukite]

or "Frisco" - that one is even worse.

[Jacob]

Rule #1. For the love of God, never ever refer to the Bay Area as 'San Fran'.

haha- noted and changed

[le noun]

or "Frisco" - that one is even worse.

:shock: :arrow: :roll: :arrow: :evil:

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

but yes. I'll be happy to give ride as well.
sherman/waddell/3rd ave.

[Jacob]

I'm now in San Francisco and up for kiting next weekend (30th and 31st July)

Anyone got any plans? And, if so, would like to give a poor Brit a lift? I will repay fuel of course (+ a beer :) )