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View Full Version : FLORIDA GUIDE - Panhandle, Panama City


ricki
09-01-2006, 06:38 PM
Panama City

Provided by Mark Rush, Emerald Coast Kiteboarding
http://www.emeraldcoastkiteboarding.com/

Launch locations
We have numerous launch spots....some secret spots on some of the inland
Bays.....there are huge lagoons on the east end of Shell Island.....a
spot we call the Berm on North Bay.....there' also RedFish Point in East
Bay.....but the real killer spots are on the Forgotten Coast by Cape San
Blas.......check our site:
http://www.emeraldcoastkiteboarding.com/local_launches.htm
and characteristics e.g. waves,
We have great waves, but usually wind generated....a spot called Amazons by some and the Pass by locals has the best breaking waves on the Gulf
Coast....it only breaks when the surf is big....it peels for 200 yards
and is inside of Saint Andrews State Park which is a block from our
shop.


typical winds,

Winter time fronts from the NW that suck in SE off the gulf a few days
in advance of the fronts.....tons of wind in the spring and fall,
usually SE, S and SW. A short boat trip to Shell Island and you have a
great downwinder for 7 plus miles in super flat water.....our favorite
is to start at the East end of Shell Island and downwind to the State
Park...ride up into the kiddie pool and walk across 50 yards to the gulf
and continue downwind in the gulf to Pineapple Willies bar and grill
which is another 12 miles down the beach. You can do this in reverse on
a SW wind.

air and water temps in various seasons,

Water temps vary from mid winter at 47-52 and then in mid summer at 82 degrees. We wear a dry suit about three or four days a year but you have to own a full suit for sure. Then we have bath water in the summer.

unusual spots,

As far as unusual spots, Bear Point and Alligator point are interesting
spots on the Bay with small, tight launches. Planet of the bugs, which
is a bombing range on Tyndall Air force base is a great launch....just
don't go too far up on the beach and heed the bombing range signs.

Retail shops and schools

At this time, Emerald Coast Kiteboarding is the only kiteboard shop on
Panama City beach. There are two shops in Fort Walton Beach which is 70 miles west of us. All of the shops have schools.

Panama City Beach has a small airport....ASA, Delta's small airline flys
in and out.....Eglin and Tallahassee have commercial flights and are an
hour away. We have a big airport being built that will accommodate large
jets.
schools, etc