Southerlies?

kiterbiker · Since 12 Jun 2010 65 Posts

howdy
So I have heard people talk a little bit about kiting southerlies on the coast, but do not know any specifics. What spots do you usually go to for them? Best things to watch for forecasting? Ft Stevens? Or are there better places to kite on southerlies?

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Southerlies are a risk anywhere you go. It's frontal wind so anywhere can be good to bad depending on when you get there. Best to be at the beach and ready to go since it can be good one hour and crazy storm or dead calm the next. That said, probably a nice big beach for safety and downwinders is good. Near Seaside for example. You can try ride near a jetty somewhere potentially to block some of the wind swell/chop, but that never seems to work as well in the gusty unpredictable conditions on Southerlies (vs Northelies). Watch for the wind to start picking up and try to get your ass to the beach ASAP is usually the plan of attack. Good luck.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Southerlies: The water tends to be much warmer as warmer waters and currents from the south come up. Conversely, the N/NW winds of the late spring-summer bring down the cold waters from Alaska. This is especially evident when the NW winds blow for days on end. The first day is relatively warm for Pacific water, the second day is tolerable, then next few, booties are desired and probably a thicker wetsuit, too.

As for southerlies and where to ride and when to ride. With the forecast like it has been this past week, it has been really consistent and easier to score, but a general rule of thumb is that southerlies are inconsistent, tend to have more variances than N/NW wind and can be up and down. Coming from PDX it is harder to predict, but if your at the coast you have the luxury of being able to pounce on it when the wind comes up. Count on getting wet usually and count on times of wind and times with no wind.

As for locations, I would go where it is forecasted to be windy and stay away from downwind jetties (south jetties at river mouths with south wind) as there is probably a strong/nasty rip current. Same holds true with N/Nw winds in the summer with Northern Jetties of any river mouth. Same applies to more secluded beaches and headlands.

The mouth of the Columbia is probably the windiest spot for southerlies on the Northern Strip on average. Del Ray to Sunset is about 5 miles and a good distance to bite off for a downwinder, but 3 miles probably is better with southerlies as the wind can die off and will make any walk-of-shame, due to breakdown or lack of wind and or increase of wind, more manageable.

That is my experience, but there are more experienced folk out there regarding this subject than I.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Would like to set up a downwinder on Sat, around Seaside if forecast holds.

Bargeslayer · Since 08 Jul 2012 100 Posts Stoked

I'm down for a Saturday downwinder also. Leaving in the morning from Portland.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Cool, I'll be there around 11:30 I will pm you my contact info.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

It is all about direction!!

The more the direction leans towards west the better the wind gets in terms of being solid and steady. The more the direction leans towards easterly the more screwed up the wind gets. I have found that 190 degrees is the cutoff between doable and not when kiting the open beaches around Newport. My favorite is when it is really starting to come out of the west, like 210 degrees or more. Those tend to be the magic sessions with super steady wind and big smooth water slicks on the inside. Here is what is can look like under good conditions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgDteKGeHCQ

Aeolus · Thu Nov 01, 12 9:17 pm

'tis the color bleed season

Wet kites for all!

Big swell can get a lot of water moving this time of year. Inside rips can get impressive. Take that into consideration when choosing kite size. Its going to take a few sessions to dial in.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

argos · Since 07 Apr 2010 66 Posts

Tried to kite the south winds last week on the OR Central Coast but either the surf was too big for me or too much east in the wind or a combo of both. Drove me crazy sitting on the beach watching some beautiful faces rolling in. Don't know if there is anything worse.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

Downwinders all afternoon, from Del Ray to Sunset, Very Happy

sjobeek · Since 09 Aug 2012 22 Posts

The waves were an 8ft washing machine, but the S/SW wind was steady 9m all day long!

A few drizzly showers here and there, but it turns out fall kiting on the coast can be great.