Wind on Sunday

Not as good, maybe 15-18mph. We were on 9m's having an ok time, but it was gusty... sounds like it was better up there (no surprise).

Thanks for that info.
There has never been any doubt in my mind that it is windier north of about Madeira on due North winds. Some days (this really was true 3 seasons ago) it would blow solid 20 all day up at Sand Key and not even really blow south of Madeira.

I don't care too much about chasing "more" wind these days as much as I am interested in solid, stable wind.
If it's solid 15 or more, I am good to go. Any more is nice, but not necessary.
Sure it's fun to boost huge in the gusts and all, but doing my 3 unhooked tricks in that stuff is a nightmare if gusty (for me, anyway).

It was gusty where I was, imo, and I resorted to riding hooked in. Still fun and great out.

Thanks for the info.

[Danimal8199]

Whitey was the only one that said where he rode today. What about you guys, Scott and Tom?

I had the backside of east beach pretty much all to myself. When I got there around noon or so Steve Sadler was there, Abomb and a few others. Abomb and I were able to ride our 15's for a while, real light though...

As soon as we put them down it cranked back up to about 18-23. Chad, Daniel, and a few others showed up, but no more than 6 or 7 people all day.

I switched to my 12 and was lit. A little later in the day it backed off just enough to put the 15 Rev back in the air, I cruised over to the Skyway to say hi to Randy, cruised back to east beach and rode till about 5.

I'm interested to hear where everyone else rode. The wind kept changing directions from NNE to what seems to be NNW and straight N at times.

wierd

I rode at someone else's semi-secret location. If he hops on and announces it, that's cool.
I just assume not, though.
It's out in the middle of nowhere, very limited access.
The surroundings were gorgeous, the wind was adequate, the launch left much to be desired.

It sounds like the wind was about the same where I was compared to BS EB.
It was changing directions a lot, until it turned NW at around 2:30 or 3 or so, then it stayed out of that direction and was more stable.
I doubt I will be going back there, mainly because of the drive and the launch. BS SW is literally 3 minutes from my house... so.

[kiteUSF]

Well, I got to north beach @ like 9 this morning and there was zero wind. I saw the clouds coming in so I went to pass-a-grille to wait for the line. Around 10 it started to pick up a bit and a did a underpowered downwinder to north beach. Around 11/12 it started cranking and Sam and I were lit on 12's until around 4 when it started to drop.

[Steve-O]

A little advice for what it is worth.....more and more folks seem to be using the backside of East Beach.....and walking kites through the mangroves. There can be some nasty updrafts coming off the mangroves and very gusty conditions. It might seem harmless, but when things go wrong it can get really ugly fast. Very risky IMO. Walk your gear already inflated and lines attached through the cut at the roundabout and launch on the other side. Even at high tide, you can wade out a bit a have a much better launch and avoid the risks of you or your kite in the mangroves. I saw one guy eat it last week in the mangroves, and another kite land in the mangroves on a landing. No one got hurt, but again this sport is all about minimizing the risks. I tried walking through once, and although nothing happened, I felt it was risky. The nice thing about that place like today is it works on NNE, N, and NW. Your covered in varying wind directions like today that can drive you a little nuts.

Had a great time today at Three Rooker with all the team riders from Watersports West. That place has so many possibilities.

[Whitey]

Access at 3 rooker is very limited too. From now on that's our secret spot. But come on out and join us it's beautiful and wide open. Butter flats on one side and big nastey waves on the other. Gabe did a complete lap around the island today. Went up wind on the inside all the way to the north end and did a down winder on the out side back to the boats. Then we let the two riders with the least experience ride from 3 R down wind to the north end of Honeymoon. I went down to pick them up and found them riding back and forth in the baby pool inside the pocket, had to force them to put the kites down and go home at 5:00 PM. Last Sunday I was the only one riding up there nuked on an 8m for 5 hours came home and read about you guys on 12's. You could not have put a 12m kite up at that place last Sunday. It just goes to show what a diverse place we live in. That's why we drive to east beach when we have to. Friday at east beach was a blast. Rest and honey do's on Saturday Sunday at 3R. Enjoy the power of the wind.

[vstone511]

i gotta agree with steve-o the backside of east beach is really Sketchy if you dont know what your doing or if you get to close to the mangroves but over all it was a good session with danny and chad

[Chad085]

backside eastbeach is definetly a little on the sketchy side, but it works. The potential for gear wreckage is pretty high though, and walking through the mangroves with a kite up is not for the faint of heart!!!! I was disappointed to see people trying to ride the frontside of EB again with an offshore wind. Why would you do that???? It gives the wrong impression too, a newbie was pumping up his kite over there, and kept looking around seeing kites on both sides. He looked a little confused, and when i approached him he asked "is today a good day to practice?? ive only been out twice." Without being a dick i tried to explain the situation, and suggested maybe he sit this one out. His uncertainty was confirmed when he watched danny launch me from a wind shadow and i ran through the mangroves with a fluttering kite. Decent wind though, probly 13-18 knts with some gusts, rode a 14sb3 for about an hour then got on my 16sb2 til 5:30 or so. Went from NNE to NNW later on.

[bayflite]

the grille waz nice side on.
scott were you @ tent beach?