minimum skill-set for the waves?

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

alright coasties, time to ante up. what is your bottom-line for new wave sailors, those skills absolutely necessary for venturing out for their first time into dorsal fin territory?

i assume good kite skills, riding upwind, ability to handle some chop and swell. but what about the ability to jump throught the impact zone? jibe on a moments notice? ride/jibe a directional?

i am anticipating my first run and appreciate any thoughtful input.
thanks

jimmi

KiteKarl · Since 02 Mar 2005 213 Posts Stockton, California Stoked

Ability to find your board and water start really fast before the next wave munches you.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2575 Posts The 503 METAL

Hey Shasta,

I think it's all the things you mentioned but maybe the most important is just keeping your kite in the air. Not that you can't relaunch in the waves...it's just that the chances of the waves munching your kite and twisting your lines all up is a lot higher....just costs a lot of time to go in and re-rig....and the waves can cause damage to your kite if you're not careful.

There's a lot about the coast that is less threatening than the Gorge. The wind is usually very steady and side on-shore so you get pushed back in rather than up or down river. No barges. No crowds and very few down wind obstacles. If you do go down wind it's usually an easy walk back to where you started.

There are dangers, and you want to be aware of tide changes around river mouths, and rip tides on stormy days. But generally you can always hang close to shore and nibble at the waves while you get used to things.

Cleanline and Pacwave offer guides at reasonable cost if you'd like to be shown around your first time. Just like the Gorge, finding the best wind on any given day can be tricky...

Good luck!
Very Happy

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

One of the most important skills is being able to decide how big and how hollow the surf is. If you don't surf you should go with someone who knows the waves or error on the side of safty and only go out on micro surf days at first and build up.

Robert · Since 22 Aug 2006 29 Posts

Keeping the kite in the air, 1st priority! 2nd, if you drop it, get ready to release IMMEDIATELY!

My 1st time in the waves, perfect! My second time, I stopped paying attention for 2 seconds, and got the kite to low to the right, and the bottom wingtip got clipped by a wave and carried leading edge down right in the middle of the window. The next 7foot wave hits me. I'm under water, upside down, trying to hit my safety release. I had about 5 seconds and didn't release in time. I surfaced just in time to see the wave tear my kite in half Sad

Lesson learned.

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

I've been in waves in Cali, Hawaii, Mexico and Oregon. The cold water and swift currents on the Oregon Coast is not to be taken lightly!

**Dont' go alone!!

**Wear a helmet

***Wear a PFD

** Don't go out farther than you can swim back.

Clatsop Spit is a great place to start. Nice easy launch and you can stay very close to shore the whole way down.

DON't Go OUt Alone.

Have fun Very Happy

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

you forgot to list a key skill!!!

- can swim! Smile

everything else is covered...and I should stress (even though I do it a lot), going out in the surf solo isn't a great idea.

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

thanks mates

jimmi