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Offshore Wind

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kitegirls
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Offshore Wind

Postby kitegirls » Fri May 11, 2018 4:18 am

Is there anything to know about kitesurfing waves in offshore wind? Its a shallow inside reef break with smallish (3 to 5 foot) waves, safe launches and landing zones both to the north as well as to the south. The break isn't right on the sand but its never more than 30 to 50 yards off the beach. Guess I mostly would like to know if its worth it? ie Is it hard to catch waves with dead offshore wind? And lastly is it super mega crazy dangerous ;-) or just a bit unsafe?

Oh, and i'd be mostly alonish and no, I wouldn't have boat/ski backup. But swimming in and/or self rescue a mile or two downwind would be an option where the wind is more side shore.

So all that being said I guess I'm mostly interested in fun factor and ease of catching waves in dead offshore wind?
Last edited by kitegirls on Fri May 11, 2018 5:16 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby Rojbrown » Fri May 11, 2018 5:02 am

I've had some experience in offshore conditions. Can't speak to the nature of the waves as it's limited. And my focus at the time was not to f***-up (i.e. keep the kite in the air) as the consequences were unappealing. And I had the option of a rescue. My advice....for what it's worth, which is nothing....live to kite another day. Situational awareness....if the sh*t hits the fan can you survive...and how? If you don't have the answer don't go. Murphy lives here.

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby iriejohn » Fri May 11, 2018 6:01 am

Rojbrown wrote:
Fri May 11, 2018 5:02 am
...if the sh*t hits the fan can you survive...and how? If you don't have the answer don't go.
This ^^^

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby BOEMIX » Fri May 11, 2018 7:17 am

Have you sold your old relics?

This is the kind of situation I think windsurfing still beats kitesurfing...

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby andylc » Fri May 11, 2018 8:15 am

Are you sane? Have a family? Then probably give it a miss.

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby Beardytello » Fri May 11, 2018 9:08 am

I'm not as experienced as most here but the thought of kiting in an offshore wind without rescue sounds reckless.

Risk vs Reward...

Onshore wind to me is like a safety blanket, self rescue becomes less of a fight for survival and more of a "hang on" until you're brought back to shore.

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby ciscokitesurfer » Fri May 11, 2018 5:19 pm

if you can switch stand on the surfboard off shore wave riding is very good depending on the off shore angle. In regards safety is the worst you can do unless you have a boat that %100 is going to be there to save your and your gear for any unforseen problem.


example on the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60MYv6wb9HY
cheer

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby matth » Fri May 11, 2018 7:25 pm

Getting dragged out to sea is a very unpleasant experience. If you don't have an escape plan .....forget about it :angryfire: :angryfire: :angryfire:

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby Mossy 757 » Fri May 11, 2018 7:29 pm

It's super safe if your friend in a boat/jet ski is spotting for you outside the lineup.

Otherwise, offshore is a no-go unless it's in a protected bay where downwind leads to more land.

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Re: Offshore Wind

Postby plummet » Fri May 11, 2018 7:47 pm

The more offshore it is the the more you need to point upwind just to stay on the wave face and get close to the pocket. Theres a point where all you can do is churn up wind and bearly stay on the face.

Look at cross off winds.

There's a perfect cross off angle where it is still possible to get onto the wave face then when you turn down wind the line the kite is in the perfect position for wave riding. When you get to that angle with a decent wave its the best wave riding you can do. Its truely awesome. I recon that angle is a bout 20 degree cross off.

Be prepared to ditch your gear and swim in if the shit hits the fan. That is the dice you roll riding in cross off conditions.

PSS I've done a reasonable amount of cross off in the waves over the years.
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