Summer Florida Kiter Survival Guide

[Polaris]

I'm still on board. How can I help?

[ricki]

Thermal wind ...

It is VERY good right now. Will it continue, who knows? For now though it is great and rarely are there the usual storms sweeping to the ocean from the Everglades. Historically, thermals go in May, ease in June, pick up in July. I guess we'll have to see what comes this year.

Case in point, what blew through Delray last night, Friday, May 5, 2006:



and through Delray on Saturday, May 6:



and through Delray on Sunday, May 7:


I see it is going yet again Monday, May 8, a bit lower 15 gusting to 17 kts. Still respectable useable wind.

windgraphs from Jay's windomatic

None of this wind was forecast by NWS. Sometimes they mumble something about a "sea breeze" but not currently.

There have been a lot of thermal winds lately and often without the storms. The later factor is presumed to be related to the drought conditions. The guys from Tampa report similar good thermal winds, it is probably going off statewide I would imagine. Although all areas don't seem to have thermal winds at the same times necessarily.

Often good sea breezes seem to come to our area after a hot, clear warm day. If it clouds up in the afternoon, the sea breeze often fails to fully develop. The sea breeze is usually sideshore and may overwhelm more regional winds. For instance an advancing cold front may have shifted the wind to the SW, W or NW. An afternoon seabreeze can create a local sideshore wind at the coast. NOTE: as sunset approaches the sea breeze can die suddenly, often after but sometimes before sunset. The wind then shifts offshore in short order. You don't want to get caught out by the wind shift. Guys have lost boards and they themselves could get lost as well.

More about sea breezes at:
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/fw/sea/htg.rxml
http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/75846.pdf


The seabreeze can start as early as noon, but more commonly builds up around 3 to 4 pm.

Enjoy it while it lasts!

[mocean]

get an old surf board and chuck some foot straps on it and ride in lighter winds.
(when you make the pug hole marine tex bonds realy well to foam/steal/fibre glass don't put it though your stringers , drill on the side of the stringer)


aj

[ricki]

It's almost that time of year again, the winter wind post was mothballed yesterday, so why not pull this post out of the sailloft and throw it up again?

Repeating, with some additions ...


On average, summer is NOT a good time for kiteboarding in Florida. The wind is often too light or too unstable.

Jonesing for a wind fix when the season typically offers little in useable wind, much of the time, is a way to set yourself up for some trouble.

There are exceptions of course, thermal winds before the afternoon squalls and lightning set in, the odd late season cold front or other useable weather system. Thermal winds are better and more reliable in some years than in others and perhaps in some places (like Tampa???).

Here is some advice for kiteboarders to get through the Florida summer:

1. Plan a trip(s) to a reliable wind destination over the summer (e.g. OBX, SE Texas on the Gulf, one of the windier spots in the Caribbean, etc.. It will give you something to look forward to and allow you to try to dodge some of the shortcomings of riding in the conditions described below.

2. If clean, useable wind comes up be prepared to use it, while checking out all the normal weather Internet info sources first MORE HERE. Keep your eye on conditions and if some unstable stuff moves in, call it a day BEFORE it arrives. USE AND MONITOR HOWZAWIND? and other resources on this site. Thermal winds can come up fast and localized. If you see it, share the joy.

3. In your weather planning avoid squalls associated with tropical systems (e.g. waves, depressions and hurricanes). Some guys don't take this seriously despite all the past accidents and obvious hazardous conditions. We're talking fatalities, brain damage/coma and severe fractures, still guys keep at it despite this sad legacy. Sigh ... there will always be volunteer cannon fodder stepping up for avoidable injury sad to say. Doing proper wx planning, radar, satellite image and forecast analysis can help, look for those large holes. Monitor conditions at the beach even having someone use a PDA or laptop w/aircard at the beach tuned to radar to try to make sure nothing narly moves into your area. Even green colored systems on radar can toss out dangerous gusts at times.

4. Have other interests to carry you through the lighter wind months, diving*, standup paddleboarding*, wakeboarding, WINDSURFING! Yes, windsurfing, as long as you aren't struck by lightning, you might consider going out in squally conditions with a windsurfing rig, IF you know what you are doing. You might still break or strain something but it is harder to get severely injured (read taken out!) windsurfing in unstable wx than kiting. Just have something lined up to try to take the edge off of your wind lust. Wind lust can force us into taking some stupid chances speaking from personal and collective experience.

* Stay tuned, more to come on these activities, soon!

5. Have your light wind gear ready to hand if the wind turns on suddenly. Say a couple of boards, a big twin tip, surfboard, skimboard or the like. I find it easier to change boards than kites. Find and learn how to tune for variable power a good light wind kite. Since bows have been out my largest kite has ranged between 12 and 14 m at 190 lbs. Tuning and board size can really make a big difference.

Be of good heart, the frontal winds typically don't turn off until mid May in many years. There are other activities to do during the summer and there is that good wind destination trip to look forward to. Before you know it those nice clean cold front winds will be back in the fall. Hopefully, without a severe hurricane interlude this time around.

[ricki]

So, where are folks heading to cope with the doldrums of summer? Paul's deal to Brazil sounds real attractive as does Karen's package to Cabarete. Lots of options out there and a common need driven by wind lust, most years. So, what plans do you have?

[The Kite House]

Go stand up surfing...small shitty waves, who cares, you might find some nice ones and it will keep you in great shape. I am in Turks, standup in morning, kite in the pm....also bringing 2 boards to leave in D.R. a bad day on the water beats the best day you will have in the office, get out there and do something!

Aloha Paul

[ricki]

Good advice! We even have a forum for Standup Paddleboarding now:

http://fksa.org/forumdisplay.php?f=90

[firstcoastkite]

For the past few years May has been one of our most consistent months for wind here in NE Florida. While S. Florida goes flat and windless, we typically start to pick up a 15-20 knot afternoon sea breeze each afternoon in late May. This May has been exceptional with back to back northeasters and large surf, but that is not the norm. However, we have been known to get northeasters any month of the year.

Last summer was exceptional for N. Florida kiteboarding, because we never got the monsoon that typically plagues south and central Florida with afternoon thunderstorms as soon as the sea breeze kicks in. Keep an eye on it, because if the monsoon is late or never kicks in for us like it did last summer, we could have waist to chest high trade swell and 15-20 knots sea breeze every afternoon and evening again! Last summer it lasted until early August, like clockwork, every day.

Typically the wind will blow out of the SW each morning, switching from the east at 10-12 knots around noon, and then gradually increasing to a peak somewhere in the late afternoon hours around 4 or 5. It typically stays at that peak wind speed until after dark, clocking slowly more sideshore, until dying and switching offshore in the late evening after dark. Keep a watchful eye on the sky for afternoon thunderstorms which will spoil the fun!

Enjoy, and feel free to call with any questions on spots to ride in the St. Augustine area.

Eddie Toy
First Coast Kiteboarding
http://www.firstcoastkiteboarding.com
904-347-6872

Yeah,

Last summer was a mindblower for me. I am not use to riding that much in the summer in Fla.
What's up with the rumors (fact probably) about OT getting closed around 6:30 pm due to turtles? How much beach does that affect and how long will policy be in play?

[Outer Banks Kiting]

With summer doldrums and windlust on the way to Florida....consider a trek to Hatteras! June-July-August conditions on Cape Hatteras are excellent for riders of all levels. Water and air temps in the mid 80s with the predominant winds from the S -SW 12-25mph nearly everyday. Locals take advantage of summer evening thermals and session into the sunset. Hatteras has miles of shallow uncrowded smooth waters in the Pamlico sound, perfect for learning to ride and ocean riding on the north or south side of the island depending on wind direction, for more advanced riders. All this is what makes Cape Hatteras one of the best wind destinations and the best place to learn to kiteboard. Lodging can be found for whatever you need from basic camping (some waterfront) to luxury homes fully loaded w/ movie theaters, pools, spas, whatever it takes to keep everyone happy. Day of no wind.. no worries Hatteras boasts some of the best surfing on the east Coast. Or try some wakeboarding to dial in some board skills to bring to your kiting. Check us out...outerbankskiting.com Come on up- get some riding in or learn to ride this summer and be ready for Floridas fall and winter winds..or maybe that winter kiteboarding trip!
See you on the water!