Anyone gonna kite today?

tgautier · Since 22 Oct 2016 49 Posts

I see some wind on the graphs.

Still new to the area but expert kiter from the Bay Area. Would love a pal to go with if anyone's up for it?

Unless I'm just crazy and it's still too early/cold?

I've kited many a cold day at Ocean Beach - got a 5/4 with hoody and boots. I see some south wind in the direction. Is that a problem? Gusty?

Thanks for any tips!

tkaraszewski · Since 21 Oct 2016 41 Posts Hood River

Where are you thinking of kiting?

I'll probably head down to the event site around lunch if I see anyone else out, or if the wind looks reasonable. The river is 38 degrees, so way colder than SF Bay. I don't know what the coast is doing.

tgautier · Since 22 Oct 2016 49 Posts

Yep that's my plan. Event site around noon.

tkaraszewski · Since 21 Oct 2016 41 Posts Hood River

Send me a message when you're headed over there and I'll come check it out.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4909 Posts Portland Unstrapped

tgautier · Since 22 Oct 2016 49 Posts

Yeah - good point. Well it's a very toasty 5/4, however I do also have a neoprene outer jacket. Though if I really need that, I may just skip the whole thing.

Gonna at least dip my toe in the water. I learned the hard way last summer that the current is strong - usually swimming back in the bay area is a good option, but tough around here, so I'll probably try to stay close to shore.

Thanks!!

guest · Guest

Good chance you will see the PDX foil crew out at Event Site, wind readings are all over the map, should be interesting.

https://youtu.be/L5aD7MPRB98

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

FYI - SW winds are the norm for spring time.
SW winds are preferred.
It can be holey at the launch site on the event site grass..... as the topography and buildings create dirty wind.
If that's the case - once you get your kite into the air - keep it low and body drag 50 yards (or more) towards the middle of the river before you water start.
Stay close to the sandbar... worst case if there's an issue you can swim to the sandbar.
Have fun - Ventus capere!

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2088 Posts PNW Bigfoot

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

5 guys out at noon - 3 dry suits and 2 wetsuits.
Guys on foil killing it (9, 10m), guys on twin tips struggling to stay upwind (12m).

TAK · Since 04 Aug 2009 94 Posts

Foils rule and here's a picture to prove it haha!!! This was a few minutes after I saw some dude standing on the red channel marker so I figured there would be a board floating down the river. Fun short session but it's preseason so anything is good for me!!!

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

a coast wetsuit (5/3) is not sufficient for the Columbia River in winter...

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1731 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

a couple of us out at rufus. wind shifted out of the north but seemed to get better again later in the afternoon.
before you head out to the river understand it is still chilling at around 38 degrees.
I'm unsure if your wetsuit will cut it in the event you spend more than a minute steeping in the water.
just so you know I know some kiters that wear wetsuits under their drysuits!
windance still has a bunch of these drysuits if you want to go that direction. if you go the drysuit route, make sure you always close your pee zip before you hit the water!

tgautier · Since 22 Oct 2016 49 Posts

Sella · Thu Mar 02, 17 9:17 am **Re: Foils rule!!!**

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

Had a strong 3 pack out at Arlington yesterday to break in the season. Not too bad on the cold factor.

sleestack · Since 07 Dec 2006 182 Posts Land of the Lost Stoked

[quote="tgautier"]

I was one of the kiters out at noon yesterday. Struggling on my 12m with a twin tip. I had the following gear:

- Ride Engine 5/4 wetsuit with hoody
- 3mm booties
- 3mm gloves

I dare say I was toasty. However, I want to stress that yesterday was by no means a day anyone that doesn't feel super confident in their skills should go out on.

That water is super cold. Hypothermia is no joke and it's hard to know that it has hit you because it makes your judgement bad.

Yesterday's light wind and fluky conditions only added to the difficulty level. With 9 years kiting cold conditions at Crissy field and light wind all over the bay and two years kiting the gorge feel I have the skill set and local knowledge to go out on such a day. Having a few extra kites in the air made me feel better but even still I almost didn't.

[/quote]

Sorry for the Dutch Uncle rant/advice here. . .

The SF Bay is a way different animal than the Columbia, especially in the winter and Spring. Many more vessels out on the water and eyes upon someone kiting out at Crissy if something goes wrong.

Wise of you to ask about what should be worn in the river this time of year, but it also shows your inexperience with your 2 years for riding on the Columbia.

One takes on a significant risk level going out into/onto the Columbia this time of year with the water temps, water level, strong current, debris, snow pack melt relative to the late Spring and summer months.

Your gear breaks or you hurt yourself, you're not going to last too long in the river this time of year, period. And hoping someone comes in a timely manner and or helps you or saves you is a low chance event. Your going to have to dig/swim yourself out of a kitemare in all likelihood.

GOOD ON YOU for helping someone else out who was in need in the cold waters!

Part of the secret to success and longevity in kiting is knowing when to back down even if your suited up and ready to launch and jones'in for kite time on the water. Just ask Kevin Kearney or one of the many turtles that he saw.

Ditch the Twin Tip and get a foil or surfboard. Either will keep you up out of the cold waters and extend your time out in/on the cold waters this time of year (assuming you can ride either). This is also assuming the winds are strong enough. If the winds seem marginal, well re-rig to something bigger, or pack it up and back down.

Sorry to be so harsh, but this is the time of year when the experienced and well-equipped kiters, coupled with the materializing favorable kiting wind conditions start to go out for kiting sessions. It brings out the newbies and under-experienced and the ones that shouldn't be out on the river just yet.

I'm not trying to squash your stoke, but trying to point out that this time of year it is all business on the river when kiting. Those that are out doing it right now and into the Spring make it look easy, but that is because they know what they are doing, are very experienced, and are equipped with the proper functional and well-maintained gear and probably have a default game plan if something goes wrong out there. They are also probably riding with a buddy, too.

Dutch Uncle rant over.

Have fun, be safe and use your smarts. . .KITE ON!