I'm heading to the USA mid August for 3 weeks. Flying into New York, then will probably head to Chicago, San Fran, and then end up in LA for end of trip. I have done a little research on net but was wondering if any crew that have been could help with suggestions for what is sickest spots! I have been kiting for 3 seasons so am after something challenging...Normally into wave riding, but also like flat water for boosting massive airs so am flexible where to go
My quiver at moment is a north fuse 9m and 12m, and also a Ozone Edge 17m.
Would be stoked with any useful suggestions , or decent contacts over there for more direction......cheers
Cape hatt, a few mates have been from the UK and rated it as one of the best spots
Also Chekhov www.Kiteworldmag/travel wicked in detail reviews of all the top kite spots worldwide,
It may pay you to hook up with the NYC Kiters group on Yahoo groups for advice about where to go in/around NYC. There's flat water kiting on Great South Bay - contact NY Kite Center - www.nykitecenter.com/ or try friending them on FB -www.facebook.com/kiteboardingisfun - they do day trips out to the island (apparently) but are a bit strong on the $$$.
Other options are kiting in/around Gilgo beach but (like everywhere), there are some local rules etc that are strictly enforced, apparently by local Park ranger types as well as local crew.
Can't comment on Chicago unfortunately, but there are very good winds in & around San Fran. There's a big kite racing community over there. Apparently.
If you're into waves & have a car or transportation, you might want to try Waddell Creek, about 75kms south of San Fran, just north of Santa Cruz.
The best bit of advice I can give you is to take a steamer. If you're kiting on the west coast, northern Cali, you'll need a very very warm/thick steamer. Recent experience taught me this. I'd also strongly suggest booties, and if you want to go the whole hog (esp for Northern Cali) a hood. Crew might laugh that this is an over-reaction, but the water over there is cold. Colder than any thing we get in WA.
PM me if you want more info.
Rio Vista in the Bay Area is worth a look. I posted a trip summary I did there on this forum a month ago. Link to the thread below:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Trip-Report-Rio-Vista-California/
Sherman island is a great flat water and windy spot couple of hours inland from San Francisco and cheap camping too
+! on the wetty and cold weather gear for the Cali area, had to buy a 4/3 once I got dunked and realised how cold the water is
I have just got back from 2 weeks in Hawaii with my family, and as it is part of the USA, would highly recommend kiting there if you can. Even though it was a family holiday, I still managed to get some kiting in by hiring equipment. I was charged $85/day for gear, and this includes the first hour with an instructor, to make sure that you can kite. If they are satisfied, they will let you loose straight away, or stay with you to give some advanced training if you want it.The gear I used was all near new North gear, which is what I ride back home, so all good. I took my own harness, as there is nothing worse than a uncomfortable harness! Most kite shops have big vans right on the beach, and that is where I hired my gear from. The locals are really friendly, but study their rules first, especially kite beach on Maui! Qantas/Jetstar?Hawaiian Airlines all charge about $35/sector for kite gear, so if flying, for example, Adelaide/Sydney/Honolulu/Maui, return like we did then it gets expensive to take your own gear! Here are some good links if you decide to go to Hawaii.
www.mauiwindcam.com/streaming/kanaha/
www.mauikiteboardingassociation.com/kitemaps.html
localkitespots.com/kitesurfing/Hawaii
www.kailuasailboards.com/kitesurfing.html
nice pics, Im liven in canada currently and all the crew from here go to hatterus north carolina in march they rave about it. They are currently in hoodriver oregon where slingshot is based. There reporting 6m for the past 2 weeks!
O And btw i buy my kites from mac kiteboarding out of michigan. they have epic deals online atm but you could always email them for details on kiting in chicargo and lake michigin. There sweet to email there friendly as about everything they would defo point u in the right direction bro
Just spent 4 weeks traveling around usa. Hood River in Oregon is prettt sweet. See the boys at big winds and they will look after you. Super spot and a friendly atmosphere. Dont even bother with maui or hawaii at all for that matter. Yeah theres wind but thats about all it has going for it. Overly crowded. Most 50 year old men in maui have decided that instead of using their surfboard for what its intended for. .I.e. the surf that they are going to grab a kite and cut in front of everyone on flat water on their surfboards and generally be a pain in the arse. They don't understand the right of way rules at all.
Thanks for the info guys. I have contacted New York Kite Center to get things started and will work on San Fran next ....cheers
