I spend a lot of time in the US for work in the LA area. Has anyone had any experience in Kiting in and around the Coastline from Malibu to San Diego? Is there any kiting shops or schools anyone could put me in touch with in the area?

+1 for seeing Kitesurfari. Got my 7m edge from them on the way up to the gorge last year. I'll be in L.A for a few days end of next month so if your in going to be there then give me a pm and we'll catch up then.

Thanks for the tips guys. I did not realise the season was so short. I will be over there in mid June for work and will be there on a weekend. Thought I might give Seal Beach a go. Although I have heard you really need to be competent in going up wind to ride there successfully?

Santa Barbara also sounds interesting. I will be in the Bay Area during the week so may drive down PCH1 to SB and board there. Will certainly PM you Blakes.

Thanks for the tips guys if by chance you are in the states mid June let me know and we could meet up over the weekend for some fun.

The season in Socal (Oxnard down to Long Beach) lasts about 4-5 months... Santa Barbara and San Diego have very little wind during the year and they are lucky to get 8 weeks out of the season.

Socal has some amazing places to kite. C-Street just north of Oxnard is one of my favorites (especially if you like surf). County line has some awesome kiting and you can often do some great 5 mile downwinders from there to Zuma beach. If you're looking to kite further south, just around Seal Beach will be your best bet. If you're into flat water (although a bit choppy), you can kite near Long Beach. You'll often get over 100 kites out and there will be a ton of beginners in the water.

If you can get away for a weekend, you should try and take a trip down to Baja Mexico for some GREAT kiting locations.

Good luck

kitebt said..

Thanks for the tips guys. I did not realise the season was so short. I will be over there in mid June for work and will be there on a weekend. Thought I might give Seal Beach a go. Although I have heard you really need to be competent in going up wind to ride there successfully?

Santa Barbara also sounds interesting. I will be in the Bay Area during the week so may drive down PCH1 to SB and board there. Will certainly PM you Blakes.

Thanks for the tips guys if by chance you are in the states mid June let me know and we could meet up over the weekend for some fun.

It sounds like you are not getting upwind yet. Belmont Shore in Long Beach is LA's protected, consistent place for working on that. It has one drawback: stingrays everywhere right now, and only gets worse as the water gets warmer. Seal Beach is the same. Vigilant feet shuffling might get you out off the beach safely, or not. I always poke the sand ahead of me with my surfboard. Lifeguards have a room just for treatment with buckets of hot water for all the people that get hit, you soak your foot in the hottest water you can stand.

The most consistent place for wind however is up in the Bay area, warm fresh water can be had at Sherman Island, just over the bridge from Antioch....There are plenty of instructors if you like, and you can do fun downwinders in the warm Sacramento River. The wind can pick up to very strong, 30-40 knots in a hurry though. If you are not upwind yet get an instructor to keep you out of trouble. I am still traumatized in high wind from being teabagged in 40 plus on a C Kite there when I was learning. Great place to reach the next level with the nonstop wind, the place to go if you are not ready for the surf yet. It's a beautiful natural setting with flocks of wild birds and lily pads and reeds and little islands with flatwater in the lee. Not to be missed for sure. No waves or stingrays or sharks. One instructor teaches there named Bruce Sheldon, he has a shop in Rio Vista (10 minutes away). Sheldon Kiteboarding. He is the most experienced person for teaching that I know of, and can make sure you learn the various launch areas safely. The river is lined with rock levee, and getting in and out can be sketchy until you know the place. Best to learn from the best there. Check his website for contact details.

Septic I will be in the Bay Area as well. I never knew you could Kite in sacramento River. It sounds like a lot of fun. How far from Palo Alto is the area you are talking about?

Thanks cauncy

All set....I am heading to Rio Vista in the Bay Area on the weekend of June 15 and 16. I can not wait. Escape winter and get some consistent breeze for a couple of long sessions. Thanks for all the tips guys. If anyone is going to be in the Bay Area and wants to come join let me know. Should be a fun weekend.