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waltstafari
03-14-2008, 07:02 PM
Virginia Beach is cool to ride, not really a kite travel destination, but we have a core of local riders moe than willing to lend a hand or advise the visiting kiter of where is best to kite. This is a list of locations by wind direction, ability level and general conditions for that location.

OVERVIEW OF VAKB LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY WIND DIRECTION:

45th Street & 88th Street (Virginia Beach Oceanfront) = N, NE,S, & SE
Waves from 1'- 12', sandy bottom, surfers, swimmers, kayaks, a pier, rock jettys and strong currents. Side/side-onshore winds Best winds April - October 10-30mph winds - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sunset Beach Resort (Eastern Shore Chesapeake Bay) = S, SW & SSW
Small to medium choppy waves, mild to strong current, beachgoers & trees. There are "pound net poles", and other hard objects/obstacles in the water. Side/Side-Onshore winds. Best in April - November 10-30 mph winds. Parking permit required. & $20 toll bridge - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Cape Charles, VA (Eastern Shore Chesapeake Bay)= S, SW, WSW
Small to medium choppy waves outside and a smooth glassy inside section made by a rock jetty with boardwalk viewing area, mild to strong current, beachgoers, There are "pound net poles", and a "rockpile" is directly downwind of the launch. Side/side-onshore winds. Best in April - November 10-30 mph winds. also a warm shower + a $20 toll bridge - Beginners to Advanced Riders

First Landing State Park (Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay)= N, NE, E, ENE, NW, WNW & W
Small to medium choppy waves, boating channel, strong currents, a pier, large pound pole fishing nets, swimmers and sunbathers on a small narrow beach(@ hi tide) mostly onshore winds. Best winds April - October 10 - 30 mph $$4 park admission w/ showers - Beginners to Advanced Riders

Jade Street(Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay) = N, NE, E, ENE, NW, WNW & W
1' - 8' small to medium choppy waves, boating channel=lots of boat traffic, strong currents, a bridge, a pier, large pound pole fishing nets, some exposed some below the surface, swimmers and sunbathers on a hotel lined beach. mostly gusty onshore winds. April - October 10 - 30 mph best winds.- Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sandbridge (Virginia Beach - Oceanside) = S, SE, N, & NE
Waves from 1'-12', sandy bottom, surfers, swimmers, kayaks, a pier and strong currents. Narrow beaches, rusty steel bulkheads line some areas, tons of beachgoers, Side/side-onshore winds Best winds April - October 10-30mph winds - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sandbridge (Virginia Beach - Back Bay / soundside) = S, SW
Waist to chest deep water, small chop, sandy/mud bottom, booties optional, wooden & metal duck blinds spot the bay, few boats, rugged launch with trees, mud, snakes and bugs. Few pullouts and limited access to the water, no beach here! S / SW winds glaze this place to a smooth butter in spots. April - October 10-30 mph
Beginners to Advanced Riders

* * * * * V V V V V V V General Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines apply in addition to these area specific rules V V V V V V V * * * * *

ALL KITERS VENTURING OUT TO ANY OF THESE LAUNCHES SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
- SELF LAUNCH AND SELF LAND YOUR KITE SAFELY - SOMETIMES NECCESSARY DURING A DOWNWINDER IF KITE FALLS
- PERFORM A SELF RESCUE - GETTING YOURSELF & YOUR KITE BACK TO SHORE SAFELY AFTER A FAILED RELAUNCH
- PERFORM BODYDRAGGING UPWIND - TO RETREIVE A LOST BOARD ""BOARD LEASHES CAUSE HARMFUL BODILY DAMAGE""
- LEARN TO RESCUE/ASSIST ANOTHER KITER DURING A FAILED RELAUNCH -grab Leading Edge of their kite & tow kite, lines and bar to shore & secure on land, "THEN" tow kiter in using your kite
-HANDLE YOURSELF, BE A SELF SUFFICIENT KITER, HAVE YOUR SELF RESCUE PLAN IN ORDER & THEN HAVE A BACKUP PLAN, DO NOT RELY ON LIFEGUARDS/COAST GUARD TO SAVE YOU!! thanks & happy safe kiteboarding!!

http://groups.yahoo.com/vakb
go to "files" , "area specific guidelines", then " overview2.txt" for a summary of the local launches and their wind directions and area specific rules and pointers! please review and contact a VAKB member for any questions or assistance.

vakboverview.notes.2006 (C)

linhster
05-30-2012, 06:18 PM
Thanks for the info. This was really helpful. Looking to get some riding in tomorrow (5/31/12).