Oregon Kiteboarding

[kitediva]

Captured this photo at Fort Stevens, 10 miles outside of Astoria, OR

A bit different then my stomping grounds in St. Pete, FL

Will check out the Gorge next weekend----

http://www.fksa.org/albums/album365/AstoriaOR_KB.jpg

[ricki]

Looks incredible. They have some intense winter conditions up that way, large seas and strong winds. Did some preliminary mooring design for the area, the rigors of keeping things in place are intense up there. What sort of wind and water temperatures did you have there?

[kitediva]

Rick,

Being a newbie, I did not kite, however the water temp was about 56 degrees with winds 20-25mph. The action was taking place in the cove area below the jetty...(white circle area on map)

How were you involved in the mooring design for the area? I did some oceanographic current studies monitoring eddies approaching oil rigs in the Gulf

Denise

[ricki]

Hello Denise,

Great conditions up that way but challenging ones as you know. Your average Florida kiter might get in over their head fast in a good autumn blow up there. Some different, powered frequently hypothermic conditions.

I went through Ocean Engineering a coons age ago. Designed some midwater artificial reef or Fish Aggregating Devices for deployment all over. Ft. Lauderdale was fairly easy, the NW or even in the wind belt around the ABC islands, different story. Did some physical oceanographic and reef surveys in the Gulf Oil Patch myself back in the day around the Texas Flower Gardens. Where did you do your work out there?

[kitediva]

Hey Rick--

I worked 20 hours due south of Port Fourchon, LA, near the Orca Basin. I had to monitor "Extreme Eddy" which pinched off the Loop Current and was migrating around an oil rig. I monitored the currents at different depths which provided data for them to maintain position.

You are right about that water temp in the Pacific...last time I was in it, it was 52 degrees-it would be quite a shocker now....

D

[ricki]

Hey Denise,

Sounds like fun, way offshore in the Oil Patch. Sounds like a semi-submersible. Wonder who was doing realtime current monitoring during Ivan? No one I hope at least not on a tender!

Those guys in the NW have a lot of wind and waves on the coast but it is pretty nippy too. Things you get used to.

[BigR]

Hey Rick,

Lori and I have been out kitesurfing that exact spot on the oregon coast last two summers, it is a blast!

http://www.fksa.org/showthread.php?t=6776

But it really isn't that cold at all, water in the 58-60 deg range and air in the 70's if the sun is out

I was easily in my 3/3 NP steamer and Lori in her 4/3 full

Waves have long periods so it is pretty easy to get out

[kitediva]

I'll be out there next time! Can't wait----D

[kitediva]

Ok-I promised a photo from the Gorge--This was taken last Saturday in the late afternoon. The wind was just starting to pick up.


D

Its all good in the Hood--