Wind QUALITY - what cha think

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Lyle gets me thinking about wind QUALITY. Every time I've been there it goes from underpowered no energy wind

to

teeth clenching, tail stomping, overpowered insanity in 2sec. Is the wind always like this at Lyle?

Where in the Gorge is the Wind Quality the best?

When is the wind Quality best (ie. just in-front of cloud line?)

Where was the smoothest wind you've riden?

Does the wind Quality affect progression?

I usually think the wind at Stevenson is pretty smooth - but it can be gusty. When it's really gusty, I don't seem to progess as much, and may even degress. The coast is usually my favorite - I end up trying things I wouldn't consider when it's really gusty.

Chris

forrest · Fri Jun 15, 07 8:25 am

Lyle can be smooth. It just seems that lately we've had a lot of clouds in the sky. When you see clouds, you have narly gusts and lulls. That shit travels down the gorge and hits Lyle.

I agree with you that when it's gusty, I can't progress. Though, doing a raley right as a gust hits is fucking awesome!!! Nothing like turning into superman!

Wells Island is the smoothest spot I've been.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Lyle is gusty, Dougs is gusty, and Rowen is too.

The smoothest winds are those with the best fetch when the wind is blowing the right direction.

Yesterday at the event site it was gusty, but then if you head up wind it gets EPIC!! The smooth water from the river by the bridge has got to be the best place to kite in the whole Gorge! Very Happy

Portland Pete · Since 08 Mar 2005 145 Posts HR Stoked

Gusty wind makes you a better kiter
right ?

I think so,
makes you read the water
understand your gear and its limitations
as well as increase your comfort zone of conditions

My efficiency overall has improved thanks to varied conditions
Pete

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I'd say solid wind spots in the Gorge...

Stevenson
Above Wells Island
Secret Spot

It can be gusty at any of those spots, but they are the most consistently good IMO.

Now that's for steady wind, but there are other factors like CHOP for instance. You can handle gusty wind if you ride in flat water (more edging power in gusts and more glide in lulls), but in chop you need steadier wind.

I used to favor solid wind over flatter water, but now with kites advancing and focusing on different tricks, I think butter is better.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 491 Posts Obsessed

gusts are a type of "terrain" while kiting. if you are working on technical tricks you want to make the kiting as simple and predictable as possible by minimizing the terrain. flat water, steady wind. if not doing tricks, you can find crazy terrain and play with those elements instead. gusts keep it exciting. it's also nice to be riding throughout the full range of your gear every session (or every minute) instead of being a bit underpowered the whole session, or a bit overpowered. with crazy devil wind stuff, you get it all. it's like multiple sessions in one.

Bettyboarder · Fri Jun 15, 07 1:22 pm

I think the smoothest wind I have been is actually was at the coast I was just learning but it was nice and steady. Just have to keep a eye out for the troll Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Jun 16, 07 2:59 pm

what is the parking situation at the spot?

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

I've parked ' illegally ' a couple of times - no problems. I've heard others have too. I think about getting a ticket or break-in while I'm on the water though, and that sucks. Evil or Very Mad

I don't want think about that while I'm having fun.

I miss ridin there - nice wind when it's not totally nuked.

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

Lyle was nice 2 years ago, last year was super fluky (crazy punchy 5m shit for me a lot of time - didn't ride there so much because of that), and this year's been okay thus far... Now if we could just get some sun! Cool

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Just got off the water from a measely 1/2 hour session. The wind was so bad that I watched my 7m Torch almost do circles around me. Yeah, the Gorge is gusty... But does not even start to compare to a gusty east day here on the rock! Will be so so so happy when we can really start flying those funny looking new kites on Maui!

I agree with Phillip... Stevenson and about Wells are very very good when the wind direction sets up right. For really nice wind, I think Fort Stevens on a nice 12m day pretty much rules. Also, Jetty Island up in Seattle blows like a perfectly tuned fan when its on.

Personally I think the NW is much better than Hawaii for kiting guys. Enjoy the green grass you have right under your feet.

Bam

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Don't Feel bad, I also got off the water after having shi* wind at HR. I think stevenson was just as bad if not worse-- and EAST, well, --NUKING-- I don't have a 5m yet. Mad

So much depends on the weather. (I thought Hawaii grew some of the best green grass?) Wink

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Maui..... I was really suprised the wind was so gusty in Maui when we were there in April - I thought because of the ' trade winds ' it would be a little smoother. Or, at least smooth out with the N summer trades . The aqua-blue warm water, waves and turtles make up for it. Razz

Hatteras.......Wind is usually pretty smooth, and usually surges more than punches. If it sets up right, ya got Butta & Fan-Smooth wind Razz

This has got to be one of the better places to progress wakestyle.

Great Lakes (Erie/ Ontario)...... In my experience, summer winds can be pretty smooth and come in waves - slowly builds and then slowly fades - builds then fades. I had one of my favorite sessions of the season @ Dunkirk, Lake Erie last summer. Razz

Kiteboarding spots are like Surf Breaks - each one has it's differences that make it unique. Ride a spot enough, and get tuned in to the subtleties - learn to tear it up. Ride different spots to switch it up, and keep it interesting.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

There are 2 reasons that I think this is true:
1. Less stuff in the way~ Long fetch
2. Clouds tend to come up and sit in the Hood River area~

I've had some incredible 9 days at Rufus. Seems like wind speeds are higher and less gusty out east.

IN Hood River the best days for me are 20 to 23 knot days right off of Wells island on the 11meter.

I always try to look at the graph to see what the averages were compared to gusts on my really great days. Seems that Rufus is hard to study due to Maryhill, and John Day sensor.