Spring Break In Florida

[ricki]

The good news is that March may be our best wind month statewide. Despite that there can be lulls between cold fronts and other systems that bring the wind. Usually, the wind may drop for a few days, sometimes longer though. The Keys for a variety of reasons seem to have more rideable days than the rest of the state. Also, they have few waves which lots of kiters appreciate. On the other hand Jax and St. Augustine can have epic wave conditions and even some flatter water at various tides closer in to Matanzas Inlet. Also, being that far north in the state you are a quick shot across the state to the Panhandle and tons of riding areas. Looking further south, lot of other options open up ...

Spring Break is no stranger to Florida with many areas around the state creating their own following over the decades. All of these areas have kiting venues with widely varying conditions, like:

- Ft. Lauderdale, smaller waves, a small technical launch and Party Central

- Miami, smaller waves in the ocean and tons of calm water in the Miami Flats and Party Central, access issues on land here in some areas so have a care.

- The Keys and Key West, endless calm water, diving, partying and the Collegiate Kiteboarding Competition, more about last years event HERE (http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=3670)

- Daytona/Cocoa area, great waves outside and calmer stuff in the Intracoastal and lots of activity on land

- St. Augustine/Jacksonville, great waves, interesting sights on land and no doubt some spring break activity as well.

Moving the to West Coast

- The Panhandle, huge white beaches, long swells, flat water and wave spots and tons of breakers partying

- Tampa/St. Pete, flat water and wave spots and a large community of college guys in place already

- Sanibel/Captiva down to Naples, flat water, wave spots and some partying, I think?!

There is still a lot more than this. Florida is a large state ringed by water with kiting and partying venues.


There is a lot about these spots and more HERE (http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2278) and HERE (http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2329)

Be sure to research and following rules at these launches in advance to avoid access issues. No better way to get the locals down on you is to act in a way that might take their kiting away.

You can see past kiting events held at a number of these locations around Florida, HERE (http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=52)

[jaco]

hmm....i'm going to be in south florida for spring break....with my parents. At 155lbs do think my 12m crossbow 1 is going to be too much kite for the majority of conditions? I'm 18 and don't have much money, espeically with college and stuff, to throw into another kite. But hopefully it's a 9m if i can get one. Does anyone know of a place to find a used or demo-ed generation 1 crossbow or switchblade at a good price for someone like me? Thanks!!!

[BigR]

12m should be your main kite during march. that is typically the best month for wind in FL.

if you are interested, I have a 9m xbow2 in perfect condition. pm me

Raul

[ricki]

I weigh 35 lbs. more than you and hope to spend a fair amount of time on my 11 m flat kite this coming March. If you can hook up with a 9 m, I would try to do it just to have better control and comfort in stronger conditions.

The Crossbow I 12 m has a pretty remarkable low end (less than 10 mph w/a big board) with tuning at the price of some intense bar pressure. I recall the high end went to gusts around 25 kts. at my weight but you want to avoid pushing the bar out to far or depowering by tuning too much to avoid inversion. Depending on technique that might take you at your weight to around 18 to 20 kts.. I believe all this is in the past with the newer related kites not having significant bar pressure or inversion issues. Still, best to not be overpowered if you can help it.