SOUTH Winds - ride to the leeward

[ricki]

Great news, more kiteable wind on the way over the next several days per the forecast. Stronger south winds aren't all that seasonal but we'll take them, right?

Many kiting areas have nearshore boundaries, guarded beaches, inlet, jetties, groins, etc.. Barriers or out of bounds areas in other words, stuff you want to stay away from.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH AVOIDING THESE AREAS, in southerly winds anyway, ride in kiteable areas to the NORTH OF THEM. These options exist in lots of areas, not all but many parts they do. Also, just because lots of guys go there much of the year is no reason that YOU should go there if less than ideal winds are on, if a better launch area is available for the conditions.

For instance, kite beach in Delray is immediately south of a big guarded public beach. There is a law on the books that says if you ride within 100 yards of shore or have a kite up on the beach you are subject to a $400. fine. Why would anyone want to deal with that?

If you head further south or north, to other kiteable areas you don't have to deal with staying out of this out of bounds area when the wind keeps pushing you there. In NE winds, you are pushed away from the out of bounds area at this launch in Delray.

There are lots of reasons why you may not readily stay up wind and away from an out of bounds area downwind.

- Wind and/or waves are too onshore and perhaps the wind is too light
- Lack of experience
- Lack of experience in waves and/or longshore current
- Too small a board and/or kite
- Can't be bothered to tack far enough offshore
- Get careless, something breaks, kite goes down in the water, lots of reasons.

Solution? Ride to the lee of out of bounds areas, not to the windward.

More people need to realize this and act upon it. Too many folks creating hassles downwind for lack of awareness of this.