First Post! Eugene(Area) Kiting Partners + Travel Advice

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

Greetings. Nice Community you've got here...
I'm a novice rider here in Eugene. My buddy and I took 3 days of lessons in the Gorge earlier this month and just had our first day out - south of Florence. It was great; super mellow winds, and a deserted beach w/ all the space we needed to be comfy/ feel safe from distractions. It went well despite the amount of seawater I drank. It was my first day on my new switchblade2 12m. Sooo many lessons learned, and many more to come obviously. Basically, I'm amazed that people learn to ride at crowded spot. Our training was on a 5, then we took a pwc downriver at the gorge on the 3rd day to try ride for the first time. I was so stoked to have all the space we wanted yesterday...
Anyway, I'm looking for people in my area interested in kiting the coast, or people who'd like to rendezvous at the central or south, including floras lake. Also, for anyone interested in local kiting at fern ridge when the opportunity arises. My schedule is very open, and unfortunately my buddy can only ride either sunday or monday, and maybe sneak off from work here and there. I wanna get out as much as possile. I'll drive and/or split gas. I started snowboarding 20+ years ago, I mountainbike, surf a little(also looking for anyone wanting to surf), etc, and am a pretty easy-going, positive person w/ a ton of interests/pursuits.
I'm also looking to travel and would appreciate any feedback on the scene at padre for learners like myself. I just don't want to throw myself into a hectic, dangerous situation; i'm taking my time before i launch the sandbar at hoodriver. I figure if i can learn in the waves, I'm getting a pretty decent start... I would seriously dig some warmer water, people. If not padre, where should I be looking this time of year through mid august? namaste

Mr.Onepump · Since 11 Sep 2006 66 Posts Albany

Welcome to the forums Very Happy

I have tried kiting fern ridge a couple times but never hit it on the right day, I'm sure it could be good though. As for places to kite close to eugene, I have had a few good days at lookout point reservior, and odel lake has plenty of kiteable days. A boat is practicly a necessity for bothe of those.
If you ever get any kiting done on fern ridge, post some pics I'd like to see it, wouldn't mind giving that lake another try myself.

Ron,

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

look for strong west wind at the ditch , sorry fern ridge, that really rocks that place. i have also heard of some great sessions at fall creek res. and lookout res. personally I have not been so fortunate, I stick with the sure things these days.

jason

ansarha · Since 01 Jul 2006 112 Posts Redmond Oregon Stoked

Welcome---- im from Florence and if you looking for someone to kite with when your here let me know
Alex

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Regi how you and Blowhard gonna deal with all these new additions at the beach, place is getting crowded for your standards.

Hope ya'll are killing it

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

fernridge has room for everyone. Cool

ansarha · Since 01 Jul 2006 112 Posts Redmond Oregon Stoked

so does Florence plenty of room for everyone...

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

See you at Orchard Point

SKB · Since 24 Apr 2007 5 Posts Eugene, OR New Member

Howdy all,

I'm pura vida ones' Buddy he speaks of. As he said, I'm mostly available on Sundays or Mondays. I would love to connect with some experienced kiters in the area.

I just picked up an OMEGA 12 and a north dragon 138. I will be adding more kites to my quiver as I can, and hopfully another board.

A little bit about my background-

- Grew up 4 houses in from the beach in CA. Bodysurfed, surfed, skimboarding, etc. -haven't been out surfing in recent years....need to brush up.

-I have a great repect and love for the wind- I took up Hang Gliding for about 4 or 5 years while living in Bellingham, WA. Flew several mountains in the Coastal and Cascade Ranges. Spent alot of time towing with a speed boat. My instructer had a boat equipped with a reel/winch that had about 4500 ft of spectra line on it. The glider was mounted on the back of the boat held by a safety line attatched to the nose. The boat would be brought up to 20mph wind speed- the controller of the winch would release the nose line by pulling a release pin- the glider and pilot would begin to take flight paying out to about 4000 ft while the winch operator monitored the line tension making sure the glider was positioned correctly in the window. Once the glider got up to altitude, the pilot would release the tow line connected to his harness and fly until landing on the lake (the glider was equipped with pontoons)
The winch operator would then reel in the 4000 + ft of line and wait for the glider to land.

I stopped hang gliding about 7 years ago.

- My wind hobbies continued with flying slope soarers at the coast. (RC Gliders)

- In the past year I've been noodling around with a really cheap parafoil kite at the coast (small trainer)

Anyhow, love the wind, need more board skills, would love to get together to geek out.

I'm also based in Eugene.

Ryan

Wink

kitekid · Since 15 Apr 2007 170 Posts Stoked

im based in medford it is pretty close to eugene

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

To fully enjoy the oregon coast one has to have the quiver and knowledge to enjoy the afternoon and not infringe too much on others.(coast guard , picnicing families, gun toting red necks, ect.)
There has been some bites and fatalalities over time so dipin into a powerful realm with the wrong or even marginal gear is not setting yourself up for the best of LUCK. Yesterday with Orcas scaring the seals into 1 foot of water really makes you wonder how enjoyable a swim would be.

Rule of thumb the southern oregon coast ( south of Yachats) blows hard most the summer. from newportish down 7 meters are a handy thing.
I fly fives a ton even further south. My seven is pretty much bagged out from 1.5 years of service. my nine is still crispy and the same age. I weight 180. If your a after work kiter small kites are the one to have.
If your on the beach at noon get a 10 and 15 to.

The florence area has miles of open beaches.
It may be one of the most dangerous areas along the coast as well.
It as also been known to have some brutal currents.

I saw someone ripin up north of the north jetty around driftwood shores yesterday and it looked like a great spot.

Also south of florence a bit on sparrow road has good beach access.

The greater eugene area has probably a dozen plus kiters. Half of which may only get to enjoy the coast when the time is right. A few more are not into getting pumelled by waves and sand so they enjoy the sport in the fresh water arenas like fern ridge and the fall creek areas.

there is even a suedo kite shop in eugene. I can't remember the name sorry.

if it seems that you got a great place go for it.
I have heard there is great sailing at crescent lake to.

The Northern coast is the goods. They have great winds great surf miles of beach you can actually drive on and tons of other stoked kiteboardes who are willing to do group down winders and watch your back.
Fort Stevens has been taughted the best for years hands down.

Alex I have an old duffer friend who you should pair up with he likes someone around to get his board for him and watch his back. Laughing

have fun
its a great sport.

be safe.. are you certified??

Twisted Evil

dcrowe · Thu May 24, 07 11:42 pm

I'm in complete agrrement with Regi. I didn't step foot in the central coast ocean until I was riding upwind, body dragging upwind (most important), and jumping at hood or Floras. The Pacific is the real deal and things can go really bad in a hurry if you're not a very solid rider. I've seen pros struggle out there in big conditions. Just use your heads and get a small kite. We'll see you at orchard Wink

South jetty Very Happy

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Nice boys. Keep it up. I'm gonna be down there in a couple weeks. Ditch daze 2007!!

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

thanks for the responses; i'll be pm'ing some of you guys. i'm interested in going out this weekend - twice!
well, i like the perspective on the pacific, and especially the specific info on conditions/locations. plus the info on appropriate kite size is illuminating.
one question for sure, registered: "There has been some bites and fatalalities over time so dipin into a powerful realm with the wrong or even marginal gear is not setting yourself up for the best of LUCK." what bites are you referring to? sharks? yeah, they happen but are very rare on our coast. i surf, as do lots of others, and it comes w/ the territory - it's worrisome and i don't make light of it. i'd prefer being in the water w/ orcas, as it's less likely you'll be attacked by them AND less likely there will be a shark around. like swimming w/ dolphins in a way, you can know that you're safer... fer sher.
so, i will be careful w/ currents et al. but i'm perplexed by people's neglect of my point about the dangers of crowded spots. i'm a novice and hesitant to head out at the sandbar b/c everyone is zipping around. how do you deal w/ that? i mean, i want to get away from that sandbar, but not get downwind too far... peas
i appreciate the vibes everyone. peace

registered · Since 12 Jul 2005 1319 Posts tsunami Sandbagger

a surfer was bit last year at the river mouth rock thingy and a windsurfer passed last year or maybe two years ago now.

The coast guard is just across the rive and up stream a bit though.

theres no sharks . Twisted Evil

they are like mermaids. or unicorns..

I have never launched at the sandbar in 5 years. Wink

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I love sharks, and want one as a pet, but don't like even thinking about them when I'm in the water... That's why the Gorge is good! Wink

Here's a little article on the Florence attack from last year.
http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/news/shark_attack.html

pura vida one · Since 22 May 2007 80 Posts

i think that's the point regarding bites: one surfer was bitten last year and it made big news. i was surfing that day, but up north at agate. statiscally it's rare in the US; it's more likely that i'll die in an auto accident on the way to surfing than get bitten by a shark when i jump in the water. however, floras or the gorge sound very appealing despite the statistics! avoid all deep-seated human fears of being down on the foodchain, stalked by something you can't see, and both drowning and being chewed to bits.
i'd choose alt spots if my buddy ryan would go! fuck, i'll drive t floras w/ out him if someone wants to go