11/16/07
We haven't had much wind for a while now. The forecasts from Wind Guru and Buoy Weather keep promising strong winds in the near future and then change the forecast when the time gets closer. Once in a while a few of us get out for an hour or two but usually a bit underpowered. Yesterday there wasn't a breath of air. It was so still it was a bit spooky at the beach. Today the wind couldn't get much over 10 knots. Tomorrow should be better according to the predictions. They have been calling for a few days of really strong winds next week and then this morning they changed the forecast to almost no wind for the whole week. The only chance looks like tomorrow and Sunday. Water is still fairly warm and it is almost Thanksgiving - what's going on?
20+
11/18/07
Finally we had a windy day. The forecast was for light winds and it started out that way but it kept building and soon we had winds over 20 knots. First time I've been able to use my 12M kite in a while. I had forgotten just how much I like that kite. Too bad they don't still make a "C" shaped Rhino anymore; they switched to a bow hybrid design. Anyway, we are hoping for a repeat today and then more strong wind for the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a few boats in the bay yesterday and thankfully they stayed out past our windy area.
Finally we had a windy day. The forecast was for light winds and it started out that way but it kept building and soon we had winds over 20 knots. First time I've been able to use my 12M kite in a while. I had forgotten just how much I like that kite. Too bad they don't still make a "C" shaped Rhino anymore; they switched to a bow hybrid design. Anyway, we are hoping for a repeat today and then more strong wind for the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a few boats in the bay yesterday and thankfully they stayed out past our windy area.
Weekend Wind
11/25/07
Not much wind this week until Friday, which was light. Saturday was good. Strong winds, gusting to 25 knots or more. The wind was coming out of the north a little too much which results in it passing over and around obstructions on land instead of blowing in clean from the sea. That gives us wind that is gusty and swirly. Even though conditions were not ideal, we had a lot of kiters out. At times there were seven or eight kiters in a fairly small area, but most people find a slot to kite in and can avoid crowding anyone. I tried taking some videos with my still camera to see how it does and to have something to post now that this blog supports video. I didn't get anything really good, but I am posting one anyway, just to see how this works. Hoping for wind all of this week but the forecast keeps changing. We'll see what happens.
Well, the video failed to upload all the way and I got an error message. I'll try again later.
Not much wind this week until Friday, which was light. Saturday was good. Strong winds, gusting to 25 knots or more. The wind was coming out of the north a little too much which results in it passing over and around obstructions on land instead of blowing in clean from the sea. That gives us wind that is gusty and swirly. Even though conditions were not ideal, we had a lot of kiters out. At times there were seven or eight kiters in a fairly small area, but most people find a slot to kite in and can avoid crowding anyone. I tried taking some videos with my still camera to see how it does and to have something to post now that this blog supports video. I didn't get anything really good, but I am posting one anyway, just to see how this works. Hoping for wind all of this week but the forecast keeps changing. We'll see what happens.
Well, the video failed to upload all the way and I got an error message. I'll try again later.
Howling Wind
11/30/07
The wind is howling. The only problem is that it is 9 at night. We've been waiting weeks for a good blow so when the forecast called for a storm to move through here with 25 to 40 knot winds we got excited. Christian drove down from Phoenix this morning but there was very little wind all day. Finally about 3:30 it started to pick up. I went over to Chris' house to tell him it was starting and he said let's go. So off we went to the beach by Pilar Condos and set up our equipment. The wind would pick up a little and then die off. It still hadn't picked up enough and we were running out of daylight. Finally I said it was now or never and we got out for a few short runs. Apart from a gust here or there, there really wasn't enough wind. We stayed as late as we could and it was dark by the time we got packed up and headed back to town. Right about then the wind came in. And it kept building. Right now it is blowing 25 - 30 knots with stronger gusts and the surf is breaking way out. Too bad it is 9 o'clock at night.
The wind is howling. The only problem is that it is 9 at night. We've been waiting weeks for a good blow so when the forecast called for a storm to move through here with 25 to 40 knot winds we got excited. Christian drove down from Phoenix this morning but there was very little wind all day. Finally about 3:30 it started to pick up. I went over to Chris' house to tell him it was starting and he said let's go. So off we went to the beach by Pilar Condos and set up our equipment. The wind would pick up a little and then die off. It still hadn't picked up enough and we were running out of daylight. Finally I said it was now or never and we got out for a few short runs. Apart from a gust here or there, there really wasn't enough wind. We stayed as late as we could and it was dark by the time we got packed up and headed back to town. Right about then the wind came in. And it kept building. Right now it is blowing 25 - 30 knots with stronger gusts and the surf is breaking way out. Too bad it is 9 o'clock at night.
Not Our Normal Weather
12/7/07
Warm nights, wind out of the south, fog, rain - not our normal weather for December. The water has cooled some, it is down to 66 or so but feels warmer, maybe because the wind isn't as cold as usual. We got in three good days of wind this past week. Haven't had any wind since Monday and not expecting any until next Wednesday. That will make eight straight days without wind. I mean nothing.
Warm nights, wind out of the south, fog, rain - not our normal weather for December. The water has cooled some, it is down to 66 or so but feels warmer, maybe because the wind isn't as cold as usual. We got in three good days of wind this past week. Haven't had any wind since Monday and not expecting any until next Wednesday. That will make eight straight days without wind. I mean nothing.
New Kite Babe!
12/17/07
We have a new female kiter on the beach. Sue has been learning to kite the past few weeks under the watchful eye of her husband, Glenn. She is doing great.
I don't have too much more to report because I am in Tucson this week, not San Carlos. I was in San Carlos last Wednesday when a windy stretch of days started that continued through the weekend. After a short break the winds look to start again middle of this week. The winds have gotten stronger but also colder, and the water temp is down to about 62. Winter has finally arrived.
12/22/07
I am back in San Carlos and so is the wind. Looks like we'll have several days of 20+ knot wind, although the forecast is indicating that it will be a little more northerly than we like. That will make it pretty gusty. Yesterday the wind was switching all around but it finally settled down for a great session.
I am back in San Carlos and so is the wind. Looks like we'll have several days of 20+ knot wind, although the forecast is indicating that it will be a little more northerly than we like. That will make it pretty gusty. Yesterday the wind was switching all around but it finally settled down for a great session.
Why We Like San Carlos
12/26/07
The wind has been blowing every day for several days and the forecast is for it to continue for at least another week. Yesterday it was blowing 15 - 25 knots. Some days it is blowing more, others less. On a couple of days it has blown really hard and Glenn and I get out the 7M kites. We know it is going to blow when the birds are all hunkered down in the bay as in the photo below.
Most days there are only a few of us out on the water but the other day a bunch of kiters, all brothers, came down from Hermosillo. None of them were really prepared for how cold the water is but that didn't stop them from getting out there and ripping it up.
The wind has been blowing every day for several days and the forecast is for it to continue for at least another week. Yesterday it was blowing 15 - 25 knots. Some days it is blowing more, others less. On a couple of days it has blown really hard and Glenn and I get out the 7M kites. We know it is going to blow when the birds are all hunkered down in the bay as in the photo below.
Most days there are only a few of us out on the water but the other day a bunch of kiters, all brothers, came down from Hermosillo. None of them were really prepared for how cold the water is but that didn't stop them from getting out there and ripping it up.
Keeps the Crowds Away
1/1/08
The wind has been great for at least ten days now. Strong wind and flat water - what more could a kiteboarder want? How about water that wasn't frigid? I'm not talking about Alaska frigid, but 54 degree water is still numbing cold. This is the coldest that I've seen the sea in the 13+ years that I have lived here. A lot of people are braving the cold to hang out at the Soggy Peso Bar on the beach where we kiteboard and all seem to enjoy the show we put on. Sometimes there are seven or eight kiters of all levels out on the water. Some of the spills have been spectacular.
The wind has been great for at least ten days now. Strong wind and flat water - what more could a kiteboarder want? How about water that wasn't frigid? I'm not talking about Alaska frigid, but 54 degree water is still numbing cold. This is the coldest that I've seen the sea in the 13+ years that I have lived here. A lot of people are braving the cold to hang out at the Soggy Peso Bar on the beach where we kiteboard and all seem to enjoy the show we put on. Sometimes there are seven or eight kiters of all levels out on the water. Some of the spills have been spectacular.
New Year, Old Friends
1/10/08
The new year is shaping up well. We just started what promises to be a week long blow, the weather and water seem to have warmed up a bit and several kiters from past years are here. I'll try to take a break from kiting long enough to get photos of everbody. Not much going on of real interest, just good times at the beach almost every day, even when the wind doesn't cooperate. Hard to find a nicer place to hang out.
The new year is shaping up well. We just started what promises to be a week long blow, the weather and water seem to have warmed up a bit and several kiters from past years are here. I'll try to take a break from kiting long enough to get photos of everbody. Not much going on of real interest, just good times at the beach almost every day, even when the wind doesn't cooperate. Hard to find a nicer place to hang out.
1/20/08
We have had several days of nice wind but the forecast calls for very little action this coming week. The only good thing is that the warm days should heat the water up a little more. Next weekend there is a big kite expo at La Ventana in Baja. There will be competitions and most of the kite companies will be there with their latest gear available to demo. The only thing that they won't have is wind. The forecast looks terrible.
Lots of days the wind has been cold and gusty but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the kiting and it hasn't stopped people from coming out to the Soggy Peso Bar to watch us. The flat water is great for trying out new tricks so the spectators get to see lots of great maneuvers and lots of great crashes. Everything takes place in a small area just off the beach because that is where the wind and flat water is due to the configuration of a spit of land connecting to an island off the point. We have to stay within 200 yards of shore or we would go behind the island and run out of wind.
We have had several days of nice wind but the forecast calls for very little action this coming week. The only good thing is that the warm days should heat the water up a little more. Next weekend there is a big kite expo at La Ventana in Baja. There will be competitions and most of the kite companies will be there with their latest gear available to demo. The only thing that they won't have is wind. The forecast looks terrible.
Lots of days the wind has been cold and gusty but that hasn't stopped us from enjoying the kiting and it hasn't stopped people from coming out to the Soggy Peso Bar to watch us. The flat water is great for trying out new tricks so the spectators get to see lots of great maneuvers and lots of great crashes. Everything takes place in a small area just off the beach because that is where the wind and flat water is due to the configuration of a spit of land connecting to an island off the point. We have to stay within 200 yards of shore or we would go behind the island and run out of wind.
Here is Joe, about to leave the beach for a session. He is still struggling a little bit with his technique and so was using a board leash. Unfortunately he got lofted out on the water and the board hit him near his ankle hard enough to do some real damage. He will be out of action for a few weeks. It has been a bad week for ankles as Glenn hurt his Saturday when coming into the beach. I haven't heard how bad it is but it looked like it will put him out of action for at least a little while.
Paula and Scott stopped in for a few days of kiting on their way to Ventana. The ferry was delayed due to high seas so they stayed longer than planned. Paula is an awesome kiter. She also let us try out the new Freak Dog kites. Nice kites. Thanks Paula.
Below is a photo of Paula's dog. He loves to bring her board up from the water for her when she is done with a session.
New Equipment
2/6/08
The wind died off for a whole week so I went up to Arizona to visit friends and take care of some business. Got back in time for the next sretch of wind but it only lasted three days and it shut off again. Now after another four days of windless days we are back to kiting again. Hopefully it lasts a while. I brought back with me a new board (2007 Sky Walker Dimitri Pro 131) and a new kite (Best Nemisis 10M 2008.) Both are great.
The number of kiters has been dropping as a few people have ended their vacations already. Some come for just a week or so but others had been here for a while. Dave and Jackie left as did Joe, and Glenn and Sue will be leaving shortly.
The wind died off for a whole week so I went up to Arizona to visit friends and take care of some business. Got back in time for the next sretch of wind but it only lasted three days and it shut off again. Now after another four days of windless days we are back to kiting again. Hopefully it lasts a while. I brought back with me a new board (2007 Sky Walker Dimitri Pro 131) and a new kite (Best Nemisis 10M 2008.) Both are great.
The number of kiters has been dropping as a few people have ended their vacations already. Some come for just a week or so but others had been here for a while. Dave and Jackie left as did Joe, and Glenn and Sue will be leaving shortly.
Kiters Coming
2/10/08
This week the wind has been up and down. Most days there has been enough to get out, although it has been gusty. I came down off a big jump and bruised my back on Wednesday and haven't been out since. I may take one more day off before getting back on the water. This coming Wednesday looks to be the only day this week that the wind is not going to blow. On Saturday a group of ten kiters from Arizona are coming down and will be staying at the Paradiso Hotel, which is right where we kite. It will be great to see a bunch of new people on the beach.
Here is a shot of Gerald. He has made some real progress and is getting lots more time on the board, but still has to walk back up wind some. He is an inspiration for a lot of people. If I remember correctly, he should be 78 years old this year.
This week the wind has been up and down. Most days there has been enough to get out, although it has been gusty. I came down off a big jump and bruised my back on Wednesday and haven't been out since. I may take one more day off before getting back on the water. This coming Wednesday looks to be the only day this week that the wind is not going to blow. On Saturday a group of ten kiters from Arizona are coming down and will be staying at the Paradiso Hotel, which is right where we kite. It will be great to see a bunch of new people on the beach.
Here is a shot of Gerald. He has made some real progress and is getting lots more time on the board, but still has to walk back up wind some. He is an inspiration for a lot of people. If I remember correctly, he should be 78 years old this year.
And here is a photo of another nice day in San Carlos.
Presidents' Day Weekend
2/18/08
As predicted, Wednesday had little wind but then Thursday came with a kiteable south-easterly breeze. I didn't get out because I thought that the waves would be too much for my back as the water was pretty rough. Would have been fun, though, to kite our regular spot with wind from the opposite direction. A couple of kiters down early for the weekend did get out to enjoy it. The group from up north that arrived in force the next day got good wind the following four days before they had to go back home.
Friday a film crew from Mexico City, http://www.ifstudios.com.mx/index.php?goto=2&sub=1,
came to the beach to film us as part of an ad campaign that they are doing for the Mexican Tourism Council. The video crew was great with incredible equipment and even used a helicopter to video us out on the water. They were also taping lots of other activities staged just for them such as boating, kayaking, and jet skis and there were lots of spectators so it was a real festive atmosphere. Hopefully they will send me a clip or two that I can post on this blog.
2/26/08
After a great weekend of kiting last week we had a few days off before the next good blow started up. During the break we saw air temperatures into the 90's, well above normal. Yesterday it was 86. This also means that the water temperature is also finally starting to warm up, although it is still in the low 60's.
This Saturday and Sunday had nice wind and then it got a little nasty on Monday. It was real gusty with sand blowing head high down the beach. It was still fun, though.
I've been flying my new kite in all conditions to get a feel for what it can do. The low end is incredible. It is a 10M Best Nemesis HP and I've had great sessions down to 10 knots. The high end has been a little disappointing as it gets to be over powered above 25 knots. The stated range for this kite is 13 to 33, and to be fair, I did still have a couple more adjustments at the kite that I could have used to depower it more. Today it is supposed to nuke again so I'll have a chance to try it again in 25+ knots. Boosting big air with this kite is the best that I've experienced. Hang time is great.
A few of us (6 so far) are making plans to go to South Padre last week in March and first week of April. I went last year and we all had a great time. Only problem is that access to the best kite spot on the bay, Holly Beach has been cut off. Hopefully the conditions will be good for wave riding as we are staying at the Holiday Inn right on the water on the Gulf side. If anyone else is interested in going and wants more details you can write me at kite420 @ gmail.com.
After a great weekend of kiting last week we had a few days off before the next good blow started up. During the break we saw air temperatures into the 90's, well above normal. Yesterday it was 86. This also means that the water temperature is also finally starting to warm up, although it is still in the low 60's.
This Saturday and Sunday had nice wind and then it got a little nasty on Monday. It was real gusty with sand blowing head high down the beach. It was still fun, though.
I've been flying my new kite in all conditions to get a feel for what it can do. The low end is incredible. It is a 10M Best Nemesis HP and I've had great sessions down to 10 knots. The high end has been a little disappointing as it gets to be over powered above 25 knots. The stated range for this kite is 13 to 33, and to be fair, I did still have a couple more adjustments at the kite that I could have used to depower it more. Today it is supposed to nuke again so I'll have a chance to try it again in 25+ knots. Boosting big air with this kite is the best that I've experienced. Hang time is great.
A few of us (6 so far) are making plans to go to South Padre last week in March and first week of April. I went last year and we all had a great time. Only problem is that access to the best kite spot on the bay, Holly Beach has been cut off. Hopefully the conditions will be good for wave riding as we are staying at the Holiday Inn right on the water on the Gulf side. If anyone else is interested in going and wants more details you can write me at kite420 @ gmail.com.
Nothing to Report
3/6/08
I know that it has been over a week since my last post but I've been in Arizona and haven't had anything to write about. My kiteboarding buddy, Christian, and I are starting a floor care business in San Carlos and this trip was mostly about that business. Today I will be driving back down to Mexico but won't make it in time to get a session in today. The wind hasn't been great lately and the forecast doesn't look much better. After some strong wind today and tomorrow they say it is going to shut off again for several days. South Padre is looking better all the time. Puerto Progreso in the Yucatan is very consistent this time of year as well. You can see reports for these places if you scroll down at my wind guru page.
I know that it has been over a week since my last post but I've been in Arizona and haven't had anything to write about. My kiteboarding buddy, Christian, and I are starting a floor care business in San Carlos and this trip was mostly about that business. Today I will be driving back down to Mexico but won't make it in time to get a session in today. The wind hasn't been great lately and the forecast doesn't look much better. After some strong wind today and tomorrow they say it is going to shut off again for several days. South Padre is looking better all the time. Puerto Progreso in the Yucatan is very consistent this time of year as well. You can see reports for these places if you scroll down at my wind guru page.
3/10/08
Friday and Saturday were nice days out at the beach and we had several kiters show up for the Saturday session. More and more local Mexicans are getting into the sport and since they don't get out to the beach very often, they bring a lot of enthusiasm to the session. Sometimes it is as much fun to watch the other kiters as it is to get out on the water.
Sunday was on off day but we are hoping to get a couple of days in today and tomorrow. Today started off with the the sea completely covered with fog.
Friday and Saturday were nice days out at the beach and we had several kiters show up for the Saturday session. More and more local Mexicans are getting into the sport and since they don't get out to the beach very often, they bring a lot of enthusiasm to the session. Sometimes it is as much fun to watch the other kiters as it is to get out on the water.
Sunday was on off day but we are hoping to get a couple of days in today and tomorrow. Today started off with the the sea completely covered with fog.
Flying High
3/11/08
Well, the wind never came in yesterday and today doesn't look any better which means that the whole week looks like a wash out. Normally we don't get more than a couple of days in a row without wind but this year hasn't been normal. Next week is both Spring Break for the University of Arizona and Semana Santa so it should be quite the party. The forecast says we should also have wind that week. Below is a video that Helmut took of me showing off how great my Best Nemesis Kite is for high floaty jumps.
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