Thanks for the input Jo. Putting your comments into the following:Mr Jo Macdonald wrote:When out with a big kite in a nice constant thermal wind if you start seeing black clouds on the horizon or low white puffy ones or lots of whitecaps comming in, or sand or spray getting blown up, GET OUT FAST and wait to see what the weather's doing because these are all signs of big wind coming.
If you get hit by big wind some people say it's better to stay out and ride/jump it out rather than trying to come near land, I dunno.
Imo it's definately a good idea to stop before you get to this stage but if you do get caught out, stop planning before you get near to the shore, then come in bodydraging with the kite low, unhooked and/or ready to ditch it immediately if things are lookin doggy. Better to have someone ready to catch it.
I hear you, Wx prediction and real time condition sites do vary substantiallly from country to country. One of better setups that I have come across to date dealt with New Zealand. Don't sell the UK short though in terms of heavier Wx, from what I have read you guys have some whopper storms/squalls in many seasons of the year. That is quite a few impressive loftings. I have come across some Wx internet sites over that way. I recall that some weather types frequent the BKSA site and I need to go over there and repost this thread soon. Thanks for helping me on to the site!sq225917 wrote:rick:
you've got the benefit of much more accurate weather monitoring in the states than in the uk, its a bigger area there are more sample points and particularly you guys track systems moving up the coast, hurricane warnings and the like, in britain its just not that big a deal.
so.
whenever i'm out on the water i make sure that i've been watching the long range forcasts for a couple of days prior, to get a general feel.
when i get to the beach i'll wait round for a bit if the wind is up and down.
if its stormy then i'll always make sure that i'm looking into the wind every couople of tacks and looking at the chnages in the cloud formation.
if theres any obvious change in the light this usually signifies a change in the wind.
like wise cloud fronts and inversions are important to watch as well as the sea condition.
couple of months back a little squall came through. now you could see it five minutes beforehand, but it didin't look too bad. but if you were being cautious you could have come it. however a lot of people didn't and got lofted in 40-50mph winds when it had been blowing 18-25 five minutes before.
send pilch a private message, he was out in it, i was jsut watching it come up the beach.
RickI wrote:Thanks for the input Jo. Putting your comments into the following:Mr Jo Macdonald wrote:When out with a big kite in a nice constant thermal wind if you start seeing black clouds on the horizon or low white puffy ones or lots of whitecaps comming in, or sand or spray getting blown up, GET OUT FAST and wait to see what the weather's doing because these are all signs of big wind coming.
If you get hit by big wind some people say it's better to stay out and ride/jump it out rather than trying to come near land, I dunno.
Imo it's definately a good idea to stop before you get to this stage but if you do get caught out, stop planning before you get near to the shore, then come in bodydraging with the kite low, unhooked and/or ready to ditch it immediately if things are lookin doggy. Better to have someone ready to catch it.
Country: Italy
Area: Adriatic north-east coast
Local Unstable Weather Name: Constant thermal wind Scirocco SE, pressure induced storm winds but pretty constant most of the time Bora/Grecale E, Tramontana NE,
Time Of Year: Spring to autumn, afternoon SE thermals (6-12 knots), known to pick up towards dusk, winter means kiting in unstable stormy weather, mostly onshore and bloody cold too (bora E-NE, usually 10-20 knots but can hit 50, normally hits during the night and drops off as the day passes, but can last 3-4 days), the scirocco can also be a stormy winter wind that lasts for weeks, very gusty and unpredictable in the winter.
Characteristics: Strong steady winds that may be accompanied by dark or white puffy clouds moving in on the horizon. Or, with a moving front of white caps or visible blowing sand, things may be changing and even stronger winds are likely on the way.
Predictive resources: ? http://wind.surfreport.it/, teletext is pretty acurate too, always ask the locals if in doubt
Appearance: A moving line of dark or white puffy clouds that may be accompanied by strong to very strong gusting winds, and (?) lightning and wind reversals(?)
Comments: If you get hit by big wind some people say it's better to stay out and ride/jump it out rather than trying to come near land, I dunno.
Imo it's definately a good idea to stop before you get to this stage but if you do get caught out, stop planning before you get near to the shore, then come in bodydraging with the kite low, unhooked and/or ready to ditch it immediately if things are lookin doggy. Better to have someone ready to catch it.
Good points and it is important to realize that more than a few riders have been injured by reacting or coming in, TOO LATE. Including the fellow that flew 250 m horizontally in Cabarete and poor Michele in France among others. If in doubt or if you see trouble on the way, get in a secure soon. If you are near shore and thinking it might hit the fan soon, depower your kite and swim in the rest of the way if local conditions support this.
Thanks again!
Country: USAAnonymous wrote:Rick. No worries mate.
Puerto Rico
All year
Gust fronts ( squalls) associated with unstable cumulus and cumulo nimbus developing over inland mountain ranges
Occurs during dissapating stages of thunderstorms inland
Results in strong unstable wind gusts occasionally exceeding 30knots followed by rapid offshore wind direction changes and dropping wind velocity
The weather station does not predict it but NOAA sometimes warns on the marine forecats. Easilly recognizeable due to huge black cloud and heavy rain spreading from the inland mountain ranges to the shoreline. Lightning may be present.
Winds will be gusty and varying in direction.
Avoid it mostly due to gustiness, lightning and offshore wind direction and velocity changes.
Aloha Royce.
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