When to go...?

hnltopdx · Since 15 Oct 2015 7 Posts Portland New Member

Hi all, as we anxiously await the start of the 2016 season, I have a question about when it is fit to kite.

I'm sitting at home in Portland, seeing the sensor at Sauvies is showing 16 mph. This seems sufficient to ride, although not ideal. At other times I've seen RR or HR looking ok, although I'm sure very cold. I'm relatively new (1 season of kooking it up) and don't own a drysuit, so how should I judge whether it's safe / warm / windy enough to start kiting? It's a little intimidating as a newbie to be the first one on the water.

Any advice or tips are appreciated. Thanks much!

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

hnl brah:
what your seeing on the sensor is front-driven southerlies. generally gusty and unfriendly, coupled with elevated winter river flow makes for muy mal scenario. To avoid major kook kitemares wait for the northerlies at sauvies. Remain calm... you'll be tuned in to the wind rhythms of the region in no time.

user124 · Since 02 Aug 2012 391 Posts Portland Obsessed

Your instincts are correct - if you are uncertain about whether it's safe or good to kite you should not be the first one on the water. Best to get at least another season under your belt before you pioneer questionable early season conditions. Storm winds are usually gusty and potentially dangerous. Wait for clear, sunny days with smooth winds (northerly days at SI, westerlies in the Gorge). Everyone else will be out those days too, but for now it's good to follow the crowds for now - there is safety in numbers.

hnltopdx · Since 15 Oct 2015 7 Posts Portland New Member

Thanks for the info. I guess I just have cabin fever and am excited to resume the progression.

More generally, do people just watch the wind to start riding in the spring? Like if there was a 20 mph westerly day in HR would everyone be hitting it now? Or is there a magic temperature that makes it bearable? (I have a 3/4 wetsuit btw, but perhaps a thicker one is needed for spring riding?)

Thanks again.

Mrlaroo · Since 02 Jan 2007 181 Posts Bend Stoked

http://thegorgeismygym.com/

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

First off, as others have said you should avoid riding on your own for now. $hit goes wrong all the time out there and it’s a must when learning to have others close by IMO

Everything comes down to how good you are and you don’t speak to this in your post. I will assume you are able to at least stay upwind after one year of kiting. A lot of folks use the 100 degree rule (water temp + air temp combined) before going riding. In your case thou I would be careful as you will be spending a lot more time in water that most folks you see riding in March/April. Body dragging for prolonged periods of time in cold water is terrible, think the worst ice cream induced brain freeze you’ve ever had plus without the proper gear your body will get cold fast. If you do intend going out soon for sure invest in a good 5mm WS (with hood) and booties (I really like my Oneill mutant).

Predicting wind – ikite has a pro forecast but it will be some time before they start it back up for year. This site is awesome and well worth the 25 buck donation to get added to the email distribution http://thegorgeismygym.com/

Here is useful web cam site. http://www.sailworks.com/bp/Gorge_Wind_Cams.html

Water temp - http://fpc.org/tempgraphsnet/NETFullYear_tempgraph.aspx

As far as launches go some are more suited to beginners than others. Whereever you do decide to ride don’t be shy about asking people for local information.
Stevenson- you can forget about this spot if you are beginner
Rooster – only works on an east wind (99% of the time). this time of year the water level tends to be too high to allow you to launch.
Hood River Event site – I would strongly advice against launching from the grass until you get more experience. Sit and watch for an hour or so during peak months and you will see why.
Hood river Sand bar – awesome but can be very busy. When I was learning I would try to be on the water by like 10am to avoid the crowds.
Jones Beach – I think this is probably one of the best beginner spots around. Highly recommend starting out here as there is lots of room, super helpful crowd and steady wind. This spot tends to go off in the afternoon starting at 2ish and can last all night. some local beta for you - get out of the water when the massive ships come through as they cause a wind shadow plus don't not rig in the lower area of the beach (massive ship = massive displacement = you loosing your kite Smile

)
Sauvie Island- can be awesome but it will take you some time to figure out the conditions. There is a facebook group page for this spot and the who crew are very friendly and willing to help with predictions. For sure have either a big kit (12,15,17) in your quiver or a foil if you intend to ride at SI.

Hope this helps

Occupied Columbia · Since 12 Nov 2011 376 Posts Columbia City Obsessed

The coast, especially fort stevens, is a great place to go in the winter. That's where I learned. Stay close to shore. If things go wrong you end up on the beach. I'm not saying it's safe or easy, but, better than floating down a cold river for up to an hour trying to swim in.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Lot D at Ft Stevens is a great winter spot. It works for beginners on East and South and the water is far warmer than the Columbia this time of year. If the tide gets low, there isn't as much area to ride inside and a West wind would blow you towards Astoria. North wind would blow you towards the trestle but at mid tide the whole area is waist deep. Lot D and Jones are the best beginner spots IMHO. The Clatsop sensor is notoriously low, so look at Cape Disappointment for Southerlies and the Megler bridge for Easterlies. I've been out to Lot D a bunch this winter and mostly not worn gloves, probably around 50 degree water but the Gorge is close to 40 and Rooster is flooded from now until June. Launch from anywhere South of the Birdwatching structure, usually the point. Beware the Dunegrass is especially damaging to kites. I've heard the North side is kite able in the summer NW winds but I'm out at Lot B, Shipwreck, or Manzanita when they are going. Here's a good info site:

http://www.windsurforegon.com/oregon-north-coast

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

lots of good responses in this thread. regarding sauvies on these pre-frontal winds. the storms tend to bring in quite a bit of rain. yeah the current can be strong, but a bigger concern would be water quality coming from the upriver mouth of the willamette. lots of rain usually brings the water quality down and willamette is already in a pretty bad state.
on the 100 degree rule, I'm going to call bullshit on this. we've experienced quite a few days where temps are above 60. 40 degree water can be brutal. I couldn't imagine a 30 minute self rescue in a 4/3 right now. yeah it's possible to kite in a 4/3 but you absolutely need to dress for the swim. I know this first hand.
the coast riding spots will be warmer water. also consider road tripping it up to the puget sound or damon point. damon point is just west of aberdeen and is just like astoria ponds, just 100 times bigger.
puget sound is home to double bluff. this is one of the biggest and friendliest beaches in the region. keep in mind while the wind can be great the tides are important to consider before just jumping in your car and heading there. low tide conditions make the beach large and shallow enough to stand. high tides will make your launching foot print so small it's a challenge for newer kiters to do.

as for when its time to hit the river, sauvies is best when the northerlies hit so you're still a month or so out.
columbia is starting to warm up, but has a long way to go. currently around 43 degrees. you probably want to see it hit at least 50 so give it another couple of weeks. event site will be a great spot to get back into kiting this spring because on a westerly you have the safety of the sand spit just downwind in the event the wind backs off or you cannot stay upwind. plus you can launch on the grass right now.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

This is for the Gorge. It's my guideline after kiting & windsurfing here for 25 years.
And seeing beginners that require rescue in the early season (April).
March - Most people wear 5 or 6 mil suit with hood, booties, and gloves augmented by extra layer like a fleece or neoprene vest. No beginners.
April - 5 or 6 mil suit, booties, hood, extra layers depending on the air temps. No beginners.
May - 5 or 6 mil suit, booties, hood depending on the air temps. Ok for beginners.
Late May or early June - 4 mil suits with or without booties depeding on the air temps.

I learned to kite in 2009 late May. I took lessons and body dragged for 2 hour sessions.
I wore 5/3 suit with booties and hood.
I was warm for the first hour but by the time I came off the water I was shivering.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

i remember twinfin body draggin stevenson in March in a wetsuit - kinda badass

your experience may vary...

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 482 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Come off the winter hibernation, couch cruise, jump into 42 degree water, crank it up to 11. What could go wrong?

Every few years, the river gets an early season enthusiast. Search and rescue, body recovery, news stories.

Don't be that guy.

Take it slow and safe.

Even in May, a 5-3 and booties only buys you an hour of swim time. More than that and it's really cold. A dry suit isn't a bad idea for today's weather.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Great advice by all! If you're really jones'in for a session head down to SPI.

Dress for the swim not the air temps.

The bid dig aka big pipe in PDX to contain overflow into the Willamette still can be overflowed. Yes, April and May showers can bring CSO (combined sewer overflow) to the waters downstream at SI.