Hitting the Oregon coast this Summer really made me miss surfing. The smell of ocean, the cool air and sound of seagulls made me home sick for the beach. So I broke down and moved to Ventura California.
So have you ever wondered what Ventura (C-Street) is like? Don't give a shit? Then stop reading here...
If your curious though.
It's usually 74 degrees everyday and 64 at night. The water temp is 61 degrees. It blows pretty much all year round here. Not hard but super steady. No smog, no traffic, super clean neighborhoods.
Glassy surf in the morning then the wind comes up at 2pm like someone hit the switch, 17-20mph. Virtually no one rides twin tips or wake boards. It's all about the surf here.
The riders in Ventura are in a whole different league on surf boards. The locals here are killing it! Ian Alldredge has the best style I've ever seen in my life. WTF? does he use super glue on his board instead of wax?
The locals are really nice here! Everyone has been super friendly! I really miss all my Bro's in the hood though. Shout out to everyone!!!
boardrider
Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
Sat Aug 29, 09 8:40 am
V E N T U R A R O C K S
Cool, laid back people. Great for water sports.
I moved here 1 year ago, and have been on the water average 4-5x/ week since.
Don't tell too many people tho Last edited by boardrider on Sat Aug 29, 09 8:41 am; edited 1 time in total
blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2026 Posts
Windward
Sat Aug 29, 09 8:41 am
so no riding at the point anymore?
boardrider
Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
Sat Aug 29, 09 9:28 am
the Point or Emma Wood is where it's at for kiting.
'C' street proper for mostly longboard surfing.
if that was your question Blowhard.
Ventura reminds me of Hood River in alot of ways.
'C' street - Bonetti.jpg
'C' surf.jpg
REV & RATSO.jpg
ventura.jpg
stringer
Since 31 Jul 2007
694 Posts
Chucktown
Flying Tomato
Sat Aug 29, 09 11:01 am
Maybe most of the videos I see from there are wrong, but I'm sick of seeing one hit wonders.
I see so many people just ride out fast and use the wave as a punching bag.
I wanna see some better down the line riding!!!
So many kiters can't bottom turn on the wave to save their lives!
boardrider
Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
Sat Aug 29, 09 2:37 pm
Honestly - I think kiters in general don't ride waves very well (my self included) - They are often in the wrong spot on the wave or powered up on the kite. Of course there are exceptions, but most of those riders are good surfers as well. If you want to ride down the line with no power in the kite on a 5'10" board - you have to have a pretty powerful wave. Even a BIG mush ball isn't going to drive you down the line that well (on the average board people use to kite). I think alot of these Ventura guys are surfers & when the surf goes to wind blown crap, they grab a kite and take a few hits or practice their airs.
Ian A, the 'one hit wonder', won the surf division of SSS this year. Quote; ' Unarguably, Alldrege's technical strapless style put him in a league of his own ' (Kiteboarding Sept. 09). He truly is impressive to watch.
Poleboarders seem to ride the waves pretty well. Impressive to watch the good ones, specially at Hookipa. If you REALLY want to RIDE waves tho, you may as well surf IMO. Then you really get the concept of riding the wave, bottom turns and off the lips.
bulae99
Since 12 Jul 2006
1691 Posts
I give out bad advice.
Sun Aug 30, 09 6:25 amNice video
that looks like a great spot. _________________ Hey, I'm being hahahahahrassed!
blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2026 Posts
Windward
Sun Aug 30, 09 6:34 am
Very true Board rideR
most are somewhat comical to watch
the one hit crowd is workin on it
that Ian dude does tear it up
but not really surf style
To me the best way to get your mojo workin is to ride a small kite 8.o or smaller in a protected from the wind area,, say a large pile of rocks just upwind
some largeish waves 6' or more
and be able to turn the kite everytime you turn the board ,without too much speed so you don't outrun the the peaking wave and stay in the pocket
"follow your kite"
pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
Sun Aug 30, 09 7:31 am
doesn't look foggy enough for my standards
FlyDunes
Since 09 Oct 2007
1034 Posts
Aloha
XTreme Poster
Sun Aug 30, 09 7:39 am
boardrider wrote:
the Point or Emma Wood is where it's at for kiting.
'C' street proper for mostly longboard surfing.
if that was your question Blowhard.
Ventura reminds me of Hood River in alot of ways.
What about river-mouth? That used to be a great spot to ride. And isn't the PM onshore nuke usually pretty much straight onshore? _________________ Lets FLY
Old Yeller
Since 08 Jun 2009
33 Posts
Mosier
Sun Aug 30, 09 7:42 am
blowhard wrote:
Very true Board rideR
most are somewhat comical to watch
the one hit crowd is workin on it
that Ian dude does tear it up
but not really surf style
To me the best way to get your mojo workin is to ride a small kite 8.o or smaller in a protected from the wind area,, say a large pile of rocks just upwind
some largeish waves 6' or more
and be able to turn the kite everytime you turn the board ,without too much speed so you don't outrun the the peaking wave and stay in the pocket
"follow your kite"
I'm actually very impressed with some of the riding I've seen since I've been here. Even the old guys are ripping! Most of these guys have been surfing for 20+ years and you can tell. They have style...
At my age it's all about fun. Oh yea, and not being injured! No need to impress anyone (except clients). I'll let you young guys worry about killing it on the water.
Kite surfing is a true art form. The guys that rip work the kite as much as their board. It's a lot harder than it looks. I have a lot to learn! I'm a total kook in the waves! Much respect out to all the C-Street locals!
Joshiebaby
Since 14 Oct 2007
569 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Addicted
Sun Aug 30, 09 8:11 am
Exactly.
boardrider
Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
Sun Aug 30, 09 12:12 pm
I like that technique Blowhard. The wind at Leo, and 'C' street are semi protected side shore -> slightly side off wind (mostly).
blowhard wrote:
that Ian dude does tear it up
but not really surf style
Ian actually borrows heavily from the surfing world, and has had a lot of praise from pro surfers. He has surfed in comps among some of the worlds best.
Quotes from pro surfers on IA:
“Ian’s style is full surf. He reads the waves like a surfer and does the same turns he would do surfing” —Ben Wilson
“Ian is damn good. He rides like a surfer, and there’s not too many people who do that. On top of that, he is doing crazy airs that you don’t see other people doing kiting.” —Josh Mulcoy
“Ian has a really good bottom turn and does a good hook. He really throws a lot of spray. He has the technical airs down and does some good combos,” says Curran. “He makes it look cool.”
A lot of guys at 'C' street are damn good - and they have taken it to the next level. Some of these guys surf almost daily &/or and have done so for years. They know surf style and sure as shit know how drive down the line & bottom turn. I'm sure there are a few of you OR coast guys who surf &/or kitesurf a lot as well & are pushing the limits. Props to you guys - it takes a lot of dedication to be a good surfer, and to translate that to your kitesurfing.
blowhard
Since 26 Dec 2005
2026 Posts
Windward
Sun Aug 30, 09 7:26 pm
ok he really rips,
I've seen vids only short board style
in smaller waves,
I'm sure he rips it the big stuff too
I forget a lot of surfers down south rip it
in the small stuff
while most all the surfers here wait until it's bigger to go
but he rips surf style like the kids do in S. CA.
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