Contact   Imprint   Advertising   Guidelines

I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Forum for kitesurfers
PullStrings
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 2279
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:54 pm
Kiting since: 1999
Gear: LEI's & Surfboards
Has thanked: 245 times
Been thanked: 276 times

I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby PullStrings » Sun May 13, 2012 2:01 am

When the wind is side onshore the drift is horribly strong. I can't get out past the break easily and
end up way far downwind with a twin-tip. So many times i have to walk back. ( i know some call it walk of shame) Do i need a bigger kite or twin-tip? Should i learn to ride a surfboard. Would that make it easier to get out? Are straps better if there is a lot of whitewater also? Do i really have to do downwinders first to learn the surfboard?
Thanks for any help.

14ToeSide
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1021
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 am
Favorite Beaches: Sandy Spit
Gear: North, Ozone, Naish, Flysurfer
Brand Affiliation: What ever works Best that year
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby 14ToeSide » Sun May 13, 2012 2:17 am

Wow!! I understand!! I learned to kite in those same kind of Bullwash conditions. It's a Pain In the Wazola! You need to get a hold of that 100M Kite that we saw in San Fran Bay a few weeks ago. Gtd to get u out. Makes up for drift and any other condition killer. Don't worry about the walk of shame. No one on the beach knows about it. Just tell them u are getting exercise. Don't worry about wearing a life jacket for now. Sounds like you are not making it out deep enough that You cant touch bottom. :happybirthday:

Don't give up!!!

User avatar
dyyylan
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1754
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:45 pm
Gear: N/A
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby dyyylan » Sun May 13, 2012 2:19 am

When the wind is side onshore the drift is horribly strong. I can't get out past the break easily and
end up way far downwind with a twin-tip. So many times i have to walk back. ( i know some call it walk of shame)

Do i need a bigger kite or twin-tip?
maybe

Should i learn to ride a surfboard.
no

Would that make it easier to get out?
no

Are straps better if there is a lot of whitewater also?
no

Do i really have to do downwinders first to learn the surfboard?
no

14ToeSide
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1021
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 am
Favorite Beaches: Sandy Spit
Gear: North, Ozone, Naish, Flysurfer
Brand Affiliation: What ever works Best that year
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby 14ToeSide » Sun May 13, 2012 2:24 am

+2 for the surfboard

plummet
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 6819
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:25 pm
Local Beach: EE
Favorite Beaches: NZ
Style: Terrain riding
Gear: Old wornout ozone.
Plummet hydrofoil and mutant
Brand Affiliation: None
Has thanked: 11 times
Been thanked: 224 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby plummet » Sun May 13, 2012 3:18 am

yes you need more power. more wind or bigger kite.

heres a some tips for cross on conditions. downwind out past the breakers. once in deep water you wont have the current. you should then be able to tack back upwind.

Use a wave to tack back upwind. you will be able to crank harder upwind as the wave will give you more aparent wind in the kite.

wait for a lull in the waves sets then haul arse to get out back. trying to pound out through big sets and white wash is hard until you have the skill to jump them.

just keep practicing yourl work it out in the end.

User avatar
dyyylan
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1754
Joined: Sun Jan 02, 2011 11:45 pm
Gear: N/A
Has thanked: 0
Been thanked: 1 time

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby dyyylan » Sun May 13, 2012 2:59 pm

Every spot has different conditions for different wind directions, and you need the right gear to line up with those conditions for it to work. For your spot, it sounds like you need more wind or more kite because the current is so strong. Yes a surfboard might help, but only because it gives you a little more bottom end. If the wind was 1-2 knots stronger it probably wouldn't make a difference.

It's not just you, at my local spot you can't ride onshore wind unless it's 17-18 knots+, or you will never be able to get out because of the lovely south florida condos 10 feet from the ocean. I can't ride my 9m unless it's like 25 knots+ because of this. which means once you get out into the ocean you're overpowered

different spots, different conditions

PullStrings
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 2279
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:54 pm
Kiting since: 1999
Gear: LEI's & Surfboards
Has thanked: 245 times
Been thanked: 276 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby PullStrings » Sun May 13, 2012 4:29 pm

Thanks everyone.Those are all great suggestions.

sarc
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1627
Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 4:01 am
Has thanked: 37 times
Been thanked: 133 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby sarc » Sun May 13, 2012 5:01 pm

Sounds like you are talking about a rip current without knowing what it is. How old are you? If you don't know the ocean you would do well to read about it in surfing or windsurfing mags, read up on weather (recognizing clouds, weather patterns), talk to surfers on the beach (they are the ones who understand local hydraulics!!). It will bring you more enjoyment but also higher safety.

Just sayin'

p.s. yes a surfboard will go upwind more easily (if you have good skills not much different than a twin tip but if underpowered or a beginner it will help)

14ToeSide
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 1021
Joined: Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:16 am
Favorite Beaches: Sandy Spit
Gear: North, Ozone, Naish, Flysurfer
Brand Affiliation: What ever works Best that year
Has thanked: 4 times
Been thanked: 19 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby 14ToeSide » Sun May 13, 2012 5:42 pm

Mr. Pullstrings, what part of the world do you kite in? BTW, I like your KF handle. :happybirthday:

PullStrings
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 2279
Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:54 pm
Kiting since: 1999
Gear: LEI's & Surfboards
Has thanked: 245 times
Been thanked: 276 times

Re: I have had it with the drift in the ocean

Postby PullStrings » Mon May 14, 2012 2:00 am

14ToeSide wrote:Mr. Pullstrings, what part of the world do you kite in? BTW, I like your KF handle. :happybirthday:
I do not usually joke around like all you guys.But let me try.I kite Niagara Falls


Return to “Kitesurfing”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: AKBL, andrzej351, Baidu [Spider], Bartolo, Breze, diogoveb, Exal, Gonzavala, Google [Bot], i_love_storm, jannik, jyka, magnusod, mati, Mikkelza, Pera, Trent hink, Ventum, Yahoo [Bot], zlatko23 and 164 guests