When at North Beach???

Am still getting familiar with different launches in the area and was wondering about what wind directions this group launches from North Beach on Ft. de Soto. Yesterday I went there on a NW wind expecting to find some other riders and found none. I road alone from about 3:30 to 5:00 having a good session on some sweet swells.

The fact that no one else showed up at North Beach yesterday tells me its not the best place to go on NW winds. In this regard, would appreciate some local knowledge on when its best to launch off North Beach. Am assuming after yesterday that on anything NW that most in lower Pinellas who like waves go to St. Pete Beach....

On the colder air and water temps in Chicago and around the great lakes we use the 80 degree rule for combined air and water temps for safe kiting. While some ride in even colder temps, on a sunny day with a 5/4 suit plus hood and gloves I've found the 80 degree combined air and water perfectly tolerable...

Regards,
Tim

[robertovillate]

North Beach works on NW, as long as it does not go even slightly East of North and then it gets very gusty. (works on SW also, but other options then as well). I usually head to NB when it's super windy from NNW and avoiding the option of heading to Clearwater from St. Pete (hate that drive for some reason)

Was out yesterday doing a downwinder on the Gulf with one other friend. Surprisingly, only saw 5 or 6 other kites (and 3-4 windsurfers at PAG) the whole way in 2+ hrs!!! It was rockin' nicely though, 9m kites lit and some nice waves toward the end of the day.

Water and air temp not bad yesterday...could have been in a 3/2 - the sun helped a lot! A beautiful day on the water.

Roberto,

Thanks for heads up on wind directions at North Beach. Hope to see you around soon.

Regards,
Tim

[Jake]

Originally Posted by tog0713

On the colder air and water temps in Chicago and around the great lakes we use the 80 degree rule for combined air and water temps for safe kiting. While some ride in even colder temps, on a sunny day with a 5/4 suit plus hood and gloves I've found the 80 degree combined air and water perfectly tolerable...

I used to use the 100 degree rule, but now am up to 110. I can't imagine 80 degrees . I don't think the water temperature here has ever dropped below 50 to my knowledge. So I usually don't kite when the air temp is below 55 or so. I guess I'm just getting thin-skinned from living here in Florida for 50+ years.

Keep warm!!

[robertovillate]

Originally Posted by Jake

I used to use the 100 degree rule, but now am up to 110. I can't imagine 80 degrees . I don't think the water temperature here has ever dropped below 50 to my knowledge. So I usually don't kite when the air temp is below 55 or so. I guess I'm just getting thin-skinned from living here in Florida for 50+ years.

Keep warm!!

Jake, roger that...but we're crazy fecks, accustomed to the waters of Lake Michigan...we feel blessed when it's over 45F water and 45F air when its windy and not frozen over. I do tend to lose my tolerance after being in FL for 5 months, and it takes a while for my system to reacclimate to kiting up North. But with a thick suit things many things are do-able and safe.