Either location is a 12 hour drive for me, but lack of wind here is going to force me to make the trip. I am going to pick a 4 day weekend to one of those locations and I will make my decision where based on the best forecast.

I must admit that if you live at either of those places, you will probably want to encourage me to go to the other because I am usually plagued with TKS (travelling kiter syndrome) where the winds die as soon as I show up. The amount of TKS must be directly proportional to the amount of effort you put into getting there, and the number of days you have available.

Regardless, I am going to give it a try and welcome any recomendations.

Tampa in September will probably get you no wind, hurricanes or thunderstorms. Or something.
OBX in September you have a high chance of NE wind, which means dirty and gusty in the sound or dealing with sailing in the ocean. But it's still Hatteras, and warm enough in September.

BWD is right, Hatty is a much better bet this time of year.
We had several good days of solid wind this past week, and the next few days are looking pretty good too.

Gotta run, It's Turtle Watcher Week on DIscovery Channel!

www.kiteboardingtampabay.com

Thanks. Sounds like Hatteras for September. I am a little nervous about NE winds there. Last year I tried to kite at Kitty Hawk (couldn't get to Hatteras while the bridge was out) with NE winds and the turbulence over the dunes turned my kite inside out 3 times (I don't learn too quick). Two days later, south winds were terriffic there. Are there any recommendations for a good location with NE winds? Unfortunately I am not good enough to do waves yet.

I appreciate the response from Tampa. I was hoping maybe Ft. Desoto would be good. Maybe later in the year. It was great last December. I got a really good session on the North Beach ( I know that is not normal, but it was December with no swimmers so nobody cared) and the next day the East beach was great. I haven't gotten to use the Skyway yet, but I will get there.

Hey - sorry to hijack, but I have similar plans - looking to go anywhere in US or nearby, second week of September.

I think Hatteras is best bet (besides Maui) for wind in September, although certainly not guaranteed. Any other suggestions?

Kevin

Just make sure you get all the way to hatteras, it won't be offshore past the bend in the island. Maybe still gusty though.

I rode in Frisco on NE a couple times and it was fine, some weird wind shadows really close in but it was still a great time. Rode straight E at kitty hawk (which is dead offshore there) and it wasn't even that bad, you just had to walk out 100 yards or so. Really any wind direction on the cape is doable

if you want to go to tampa go now while Isaac is still here, we're getting great wind from it on the east coast!

If you want flat water on a NE try Kite Point. Though you wouldnt think so it works fine. It may be side off but the water is mostly shallow enough to stand in. If you like the ocean anywhere from Salvo to Buxton will work on a NE. You should however have quite a bit of ocean experience. The waves, current and shorebreak can be nasty.