NW winter kiting options for beginners

h2ojump · Since 24 Oct 2013 10 Posts Portland, OR

You've all seen me. I'm the guy walking up the beach with his kite high in the air, getting pulled in every damn direction, because I can't ride upwind yet. I'm wondering if there are good beginner spots around Oregon during the winter months, meaning a spot to get out of the water downwind so I can hike my ass back up the beach. And if so, how I can check to see if wind is adequate.
Thanks so much!

airon^ · Since 07 Aug 2013 290 Posts Durango Obsessed

BAJA

good for beginners and experts alike. that's why anyone who can is down there.

kidding aside, it is generally much harder to find wind in the winter, and tougher to gear up. less people, so you need to have a bud or be able to self launch/land. less consistent wind--no thermal gradients to bring good consistent wind to the Gorge. the occasional Easterly will happen (more than occasionally recently), and the Coast is occasionally good (but often pretty burly wave conditions in winter, and of course cold).

I'm sure others will have good input--after all I'm just out of beginnerhood myself.

I've been kiting my brains out (almost averaging 4 days per week) over the last 2 months, but it is getting harder and colder. More and more I am looking to snow (skiing and boarding) and dreaming of 1-2 trips to warmer and windy climes during the dead of winter.

good luck

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2099 Posts PNW Bigfoot

It's called the Pacific Ocean and it's hit and miss with the s/sw wind that comes with the storms. It is way easier to hit if you actually are living at the coast or for an extended stay (lots of peaks and valleys on the wind meter). Other note, you should really never be walking up wind w/a kite at 12. Sure it is easier, but way more dangerous. One has no leverage upon the kite and if a gusts comes (like the winter storms we get) your going to get lofted and then dropped. You should walk zigzag upwind on the shore with your kite low to the ground, like at 2:30. Walk one way till there is no more room or if your getting to close to bad terrain or something hard like diftwood, stop, rotate your kite from 2:30 on one side to 2:20 onto the other side, start walking upwind again.

Sounds to me like you should be kiting with someone else if you ever go. Great rule of thumb to follow no matter one's skill level.

The rivers are getting colder by the day, and really dangerous with just the temps if something should happen.

Never kited the Sietz bay south of Lincoln City, but others have and posted on this forum. With any ocean bay, one has to contend with flood and ebb tides that add extra danger. I think you want SW to W wind for that bay and probably want to hit it when its ebbing and becoming more full. Use the search function if your interested.

Prehaps you should hire someone who can drive and be your kite caddie. Have someone follow you on the beach with a car. Do a downwinder and don't waste your energy walking backup wind and apply it towards your edging and trying to stay up wind. Buy them beer, pizza, and or trade the favor. One can drive from 10th street in Gearhart up to the south jetty of the Columbia--15 miles approx--(shipwreck to jetty this time of year allowed). Although sounds like you should stay miles away from the jetty.

As for how to predict, here is a start for the Northern waters of Oregon:

http://newweb.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/marine.php?marine=pzz250[url]

SPI, La Vantana, Outer Banks of NC for learning are good for our "off season".

Nak · Wed Nov 13, 13 2:20 pm

Winter riding for a beginner is best done in Hawaii, Mexico, etc. A situation which might be funny in the summer can be deadly in the winter. The water in the Columbia is 53 degrees now, and dropping steadily. It'll be in the 30s not too long from now. There are fewer people on the river to assist you if something goes wrong. A lot of people use the 100 degree rule. If the water temp plus the air temp is less than 100, don't go unless you damn well know what you're doing. Breaking the 100 degree rule is expert territory, not beginner.

If you insist on going out, make sure you dress for the swim and not the ride. You need to be able to float in the river for at least 30 minutes without worrying about it. If you're not experienced with cold water operations, get experience in that first. Gear up, go jump in the river somewhere safe and sit there for 30 minutes. If you can do that without getting chilled, consider what damage your gear might sustain and how you would be affected, how you would react. Know what different temperatures will do to you. Have a plan. Don't count on anyone else helping you. Be completely self sufficient regardless of what adversity befalls you. Help is nice if it comes, counting on it will kill you if it doesn't.

All that said, Rooster will have beach for a while yet. Hike upwind before you launch, so that you have room to go downwind. Don't go when it's nuking. The coast has miles of beach, and it's warmer than the river in the winter.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Nak pretty much nailed it. You have to worry about hypothermia in the winter - shit is for real.

You may want to consider heading out to Texas or Hawaii or Mexico.

You can also do some snowkiting. Snow kiting is good to build up your skillz seeings how you don't have to worry about sinking. you can rig a small kite and just practice your kite flying skillz.

Idaho has some excellent snow kiting spots. The snow kiting in Oregon is hard to predict and is totally hit or miss.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 614 Posts Addicted

Is Floras an option in the winter? should be safer than the Pacific but a bit of a drive. never been in winter.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2099 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Aeolus · Wed Nov 13, 13 4:16 pm

Lots of great advice from the crew here /\ /\ /\ /\

h2ojump · Since 24 Oct 2013 10 Posts Portland, OR

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated. I actually had a trip to SPI planned but the wind looked sketchy so I cancelled. Maybe I'll look at La Ventana, wind seems to be a bit more reliable though I could be totally off on that.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 799 Posts Opinionated

I spent Thanksgiving in South Padre a while back and improved my kite skills greatly in just one week.
I credit that trip with giving me the confidence to weave through the crowds at the sandbar the following summer and the ability to get upwind away from them as well.

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1734 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

As for winter kiting for beginners, I'm familiar with spots north on I5
if you got a day or two to kill, spend a couple of hours in the car and drive to Damon Point (3 hours) in Ocean Shores or head straight past Seattle and hit Double Bluff (3.5 hours) on Whidbey Island. Also, in Bellingham (4 hours) they offer year round lessons at Locust Beach where the conditions are great for beginners.
All three spots up north have shallow water (based on tides) so no worrying about deep water issues in cold water. the PS Kiters go year round and have some great spots and most of those are beginner friendly.
at the top of this page is a link to "Seattle" I encourage you to check out their forum and learn about these spots if you want to ride this winter without driving too far.
When conditions are just right, check out the Astoria Ponds at Fort Stevens (2 hours). Can be good on an easterly, but can be finicky with the tides especially if winds are on the lighter side.

idahor8rfan · Since 22 Apr 2010 50 Posts Southern Idaho

If it snows(I wanted to say when it snows), take a trip out out to "The Prairie" in Southern Idaho. Snow kiting has a lot in common with kite boarding, but it is much easier for a a beginner. You will be able to stay up wind much easier and when you crash things slow down. You are not being drug through the water and without the risk of drowning it is easier to focus on the task of relaunching your kite.
The main goal for a new kiter is to log time under a kite and you can get a ton of time under a kite on a good weekend of snow kiting.
A quick search on this forum will give you the 4-1-1 to plan your trip.

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

The Ponds on good easterlies mind the tides, but mostly waist to knee deep, but a 5/4 wetsuit, gloves, booties and beanie or hood is required. If the sensor on the Astoria bridge is 15 mph or higher in the morning, it's on!
Downwinders with a buddy on SW winds will work, stay on the inside, some points along the beach you will find some pools with small chop where you can work on some skills.

I would stay away from the Gorge till April, but you will still need the 5/4, boots, gloves and booties

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Siletz bay south of Lincoln Sity is a great place for beginners if the tide is not creating problems. But in the winter time - Oregon is not really safe for beginner with the water temps what they are. Plus - Siletz bay has this green mud that is super, super slick. If you are walking a lot - you will find yourself doing a new sport - mud kiting. Safest close option would be snow kiting just outside of Boise as mentioned above. Of course - a warm kite trip is even better!

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

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Relax and just pick a spot and don't think about it so much. SPI, LaVentana, Maui, Fukui, Cochiti F%^& lake, what ever!!

Life is to short to look for the perfect spot to learn to kite. I started flying big 4 line kites in Stiletz Bay. Guess what, it was perfect!! My 11 meter Caution with 2 inches of non-existent de-power.

I took lesson's from Storm Warning in April because I knew the potential kill myself was real. My lesson's were great! I learned to fly a 8mtr. Slingshot GTO. I think my instructor's name was Chris. (Brave Dave would know.)

After my lesson's I was working in Willamina and it was only about 30 min. to Stiletz Bay. I would drive my 72 vw like a mad man down there and wait for wind. It was about a 30% hit or miss. When it didn't blow I would sit and wait.

I would practice rigging my kite. I would take a run. I would talk to Scout(my dog)may he rest in peace.

Then like a miracle sometimes it would all come together, but never on my terms. That's what makes kiting so cool. During the no wind times I would meet people see bald eagles eating fish and other really cool natural shit you never pay attention to unless you're posted up waiting for "that magical moment."

Good luck finding yours! I'll be getting mine in Maui, but I'd settle for the Oregon Coast any day of the week.

It's where your at and not on your terms.

Very Happy

mitchl3000 · Since 19 Jul 2010 67 Posts

I kite the event site all winter. I just stay in either the ponds or upwind of sandbar, and ride the skim. Nobody's ever out and if the wind dies I just walk it in. Don't risk a swim.