Power Kite Forum

DC Area riders

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Frathouse - 25-10-2009 at 08:33 AM

If anyone is around I will be at Colmar manor in Bladensburg from noon until my arms fall off.

-Brad Degen

lad - 25-10-2009 at 08:40 AM

Is that the park - near the riverside?

power - 25-10-2009 at 08:41 AM

I'd love to go, winds are just too light right now though. How often do you fly around here?

Directions

Frathouse - 25-10-2009 at 08:57 AM

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&a...

Follow the link I made a google map of the park. I fly here all the time. I been wanting to meet up with ragden to kite the bowl but its never worked out.

-Brad Degen
301-395-9657

Maven454 - 25-10-2009 at 08:58 AM

How's that Scout treating you Frathouse?

Frathouse - 25-10-2009 at 08:59 AM

Love the scout it will be perfect for high wind days. Had it out last Sunday just to fly it a bit.

power - 25-10-2009 at 09:02 AM

Frathouse- How gusty are the winds there? It looks fairly big but surrounded by trees.

Maven454 - 25-10-2009 at 09:02 AM

Glad to hear it.

And while I'm asking after my old stuff. Have you used that Atom yet, power?

Frathouse - 25-10-2009 at 09:16 AM

It can be gusty depending on the wind direction but its fairly high up on the southern ball fields. Its a old capped dump so like today with the winds out of the north I will be down at the southern fields so that the wind is not as turbulent. the best days their are when its out of the south west.

Frathouse - 25-10-2009 at 09:16 AM

Off to the field later guys

power - 25-10-2009 at 09:17 AM

I took it out last weekend and unfortunately, the winds were gusty but strong when I got there. When I acutally got going it was so much fun and I went quite fast. I even had speed wobble at one point. The board is real smooth, and I couldn't have asked for more. I gave up after about ten minutes- the winds were going from 0 to 20 every other minute and with a fixed bridle, that's not so easy to deal with. Hopefully next weekend I'll get some better winds and give it a good test.

lad - 25-10-2009 at 11:46 AM

video u guys...we need EVIDENCE! :cool:

Look, once my knee clears up more I will be down there the next time if it's a fershure get together!

Todd - 25-10-2009 at 11:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
video u guys...we need EVIDENCE! :cool:

Look, once my knee clears up more I will be down there the next time if it's a fershure get together!


Man, you must have really got jacked up...

lad - 25-10-2009 at 11:59 AM

Weird pain/strain on the little inside bone knob that doesn't want to clear up entirely. I can, and have, buggied a little since. But I'm still not back to my normal bouncy self. I'm afraid they'll tell me I need some big brace or crutch to get it finally healed (which is nuthin compared to the injuries some of the other metal0implant guys here have).

Todd - 25-10-2009 at 12:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
some of the other metal0implant guys here have).



:lol: hey, just cause I don't pass through airport security to well....

I still have a sore knot on my upper calf when I fell off the front of the boat :dud:

Maven454 - 25-10-2009 at 12:06 PM

I just wish my shoulder would stop complaining. But I suspect the only way that's going to happen is if I wear a sling for a while so I stop irritating it :(

Todd - 25-10-2009 at 12:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
I just wish my shoulder would stop complaining. But I suspect the only way that's going to happen is if I wear a sling for a while so I stop irritating it :(



What did you do :puzzled:

Maven454 - 25-10-2009 at 12:33 PM

It's from before Wildwood, when I was using my board for downhill and clipped a bush. Oddly, it never seems to complain while kiting, just while doing random stupid stuff like taking off a shirt.

ragden - 26-10-2009 at 04:52 AM

How was Colmar Manor on Sunday? I forgot to check the winds in DC, but was hoping you guys got out for some fun while I was trying to drown myself at Cape Henlopen. :)

power - 26-10-2009 at 08:50 AM

I don't know how colmar manor was but the winds were awful.

ragden - 26-10-2009 at 09:12 AM

Thats too bad. Maybe we can get something together for this coming weekend. Dont know what the winds are doing yet though... Too early to tell...

power - 26-10-2009 at 09:22 AM

Can't tell for sure yet but as of now Saturday's supposed to be good. Anyone available?

Maven454 - 26-10-2009 at 09:24 AM

I am.

power - 26-10-2009 at 09:28 AM

The direction is supposed to be out of the southwest, perfect for west potomac park. I hope it holds true till the weekend.

snobdr - 26-10-2009 at 09:33 AM

Its to far out do believe anything. I dont start looking till thursday or friday, even then you cant believe what you see.

dtoast - 26-10-2009 at 10:01 AM

You can't always even believe what you read when your standing right there with your kite. The other day it was predicting 12 knots at that current time, but I was standing there with my kite on the ground in 1 knot. Some little girl came up to me asking what I was waiting for.

Wish I could make it out this weekend, but I’m not going to have any time.

ragden - 26-10-2009 at 10:12 AM

Hmmm.... southwest winds... I hear Dewey beach calling my name... Thats the perfect sideshore conditions for New Road... :saint:

If that direction holds, I might have to go kitesurfing again. Dont know how many more chances I'll get before the water gets too cold. If it turns more west, then I might hang around DC to hit Anacostia, or "the bowl". However, it is way to early for any of the predictions to be right... :frog:

lad - 26-10-2009 at 10:17 AM

I can make it to The Bowl at a moment's notice...but it seems the right conditions there are pretty rare.

ragden - 26-10-2009 at 10:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
...but it seems the right conditions there are pretty rare.


Unfortunate, but true... :(

lad - 26-10-2009 at 10:21 AM

Plus...it's a relatively small and, uh, apparently a well "urbanized" area.

Instead of driftwood and dried jellyfish, you prob. have to watch out more for discarded glass pipes! :ninja:

But, it IS close to me and is a proven spot.

ragden - 26-10-2009 at 11:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
Plus...it's a relatively small and, uh, apparently a well "urbanized" area.

Instead of driftwood and dried jellyfish, you prob. have to watch out more for discarded glass pipes! :ninja:

But, it IS close to me and is a proven spot.


I've never had a problem with debris in the field. I've seen wrappers, plastic bags, the occasional soda can, but nothing major. I normally pick up what I can while I am there. My way of giving back to the field after tearing the heck out of it with my massive power slides... :saint:

Wind in the right direction for that spot is about as rare as SE winds at Wildwood. :smilegrin:

lad - 26-10-2009 at 11:39 AM

Confession time:

Actually, having not actually made it to the bowl yet, :(
I was only relying on humorous second-hand reports (and educated conjectures) about the area. :cool:

My experience at other waterside urban areas tells me to expect less than oceanside consistency in wind.

But the bowl-shaped aerodynamics sound interesting...

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 05:32 AM

When the winds are right, its a really fun place to fly. Probably my favorite spot in the DC area. Nothing beats Wildwood, but this is a good substitute :)

Todd - 27-10-2009 at 05:40 AM

It's a great little place... just watch out for that one sink hole at the base of the hill. Anyone wanting to scope it out can watch the video of Ragden tearing it up.

Wrecking Ball Video

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 05:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Todd
It's a great little place... just watch out for that one sink hole at the base of the hill. ...


This is why its always a good idea to walk the field before you ride so you can tell if there are any "invisible" dangers. I've hit that same "hole", but it didnt jar me nearly as severly as it did Todd.

dtoast - 27-10-2009 at 07:13 AM

Nice video, looks like a great spot too.

Had my first experience with a sink hole on Friday. There is a nice new sink hole at Haynes Point with sticks shoved in it. I happened to ride into it and now I have a flat tire on my board. It's kind of in the middle of the field, but more towards the west side. Next time I am out there I plan to bring a bag of dirt to fill it back in.

lad - 27-10-2009 at 07:44 AM

Zow, if you guys come all the way from DC, VA & Soloman's just to kite in Harm...er, CHARM City, it must be an exceptional place! And here I've been scoping all the regional waterside parks with little enthusiasm.

Sinkholes (and downed lines) - that's where those little construction marker flags from the hardware store can come in handy!

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 07:50 AM

:)

power - 27-10-2009 at 09:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtoast
Nice video, looks like a great spot too.

Had my first experience with a sink hole on Friday. There is a nice new sink hole at Haynes Point with sticks shoved in it. I happened to ride into it and now I have a flat tire on my board. It's kind of in the middle of the field, but more towards the west side. Next time I am out there I plan to bring a bag of dirt to fill it back in.

Were you really able to board at Haynes Point? When the winds are just 10 miles an hour its too small for decent static flying with a 4m. And yes I know of that hole its annoying.

Maven454 - 27-10-2009 at 09:07 AM

That hole must be fairly new, I never encountered it while flying there.

dtoast - 27-10-2009 at 09:44 AM

My kiting experiences are limited as I have not really been outside DC yet for land boarding, so to me it’s probably not as disappointing of a place as to others who have been all over. I do just fine with my Crossfire and board when winds are from the east, runs are short, but I have not experienced anything longer yet. :(

Must be new because it was not there the last time I was there either. You don’t even see it until your on top of it.

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 10:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dtoast
My kiting experiences are limited as I have not really been outside DC yet for land boarding, so to me it’s probably not as disappointing of a place as to others who have been all over. I do just fine with my Crossfire and board when winds are from the east, runs are short, but I have not experienced anything longer yet. :(


You'll just have to come out to Wildwood with us next time we head that way...
:smilegrin:
If you need a ride, let me know, I might have room...

Maven454 - 27-10-2009 at 10:16 AM

I'd be likely to have room as well. Though you're responsible for your own place to stay ;-)

dtoast - 27-10-2009 at 11:03 AM

I can't wait, are you guys making trips up there all year round or just mainly in the warmer months? A tent always works for me; sure you can find a cheep hotel around there too.

Maven454 - 27-10-2009 at 11:07 AM

Can't do warmer months :P Kiting is banned on that beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day... too many people.

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 11:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
Can't do warmer months :P Kiting is banned on that beach from Memorial Day to Labor Day... too many people.


Unfortunately, Maven is dead on. We arent allowed on the beach during the summer months. So we are relegated to other locations. Which is unfortunate. Personally, its a good opportunity to hit the water. :saint:

However, we are in the colder months now, so Wildwood is open for business (for us). Might head down this weekend, if winds cooperate. We are also looking at a possible thanksgiving trip. I am working on seeing about getting some group lodging arranged, but I dont know yet. :ninja:

Maven454 - 27-10-2009 at 11:27 AM

This weekend you say... hmmm.

lad - 27-10-2009 at 11:32 AM

I could be heading that way too! :bouncing:

ragden - 27-10-2009 at 11:40 AM

Yeah, the only thing really holding me back is lodging... I dont like driving 8 hrs in one day...

edit: ugh, wind directions dont look right for wildwood though... Temperatures look high enough, might have to go kitesurfing both days as wind directions look right for water in Dewey... Only time will tell...

dtoast - 27-10-2009 at 12:19 PM

No kites for me this weekend, too much going on.

Frathouse - 28-10-2009 at 05:07 AM

Colmar wasn't great. Had moments of good wind but I had a good time with my friend charles anyway we had a huge spread of food that we chowed down on and just enjoyed the day.

ragden - 28-10-2009 at 05:08 AM

Sounds like good times. :)

ragden - 29-10-2009 at 05:47 AM

Current wind predictions are showing NW winds Sunday. Looking at two different weather predictions and both are saying the same direction. Wind strengths vary, but it looks like a Sunday afternoon jaunt to the Bowl might be the place to be. I'll keep checking the weather predictions and will update this post with what I see.... :)

Maven454 - 29-10-2009 at 06:20 AM

Bowl, bowl, bowl. That's all we ever hear out of you :smilegrin:.

lad - 29-10-2009 at 06:31 AM

/furiously flipping browser tabs between Wildwood and Baltimore weekend wind forecast screens/ :cool2:

ragden - 29-10-2009 at 06:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Maven454
Bowl, bowl, bowl. That's all we ever hear out of you :smilegrin:.


Yeah, well, its one of my favorite spots to ride in DC. And you probably dont want to hear about what I am doing on Saturday anways... :)

I'd consider Wildwood, but its too far of a drive for a day trip, not to mention NW winds arent the best for there. If I had lodging arranged for Friday night, I might consider a day trip for Saturday, but I really cant afford a hotel stay right now. Wife is giving me enough grief about my day trips to DE as it is... :(

lad - 29-10-2009 at 07:20 AM

As related to me by Don, the rule-of-thumb for prime WW tides is every two weeks (this will be the 2nd prime tides weekend since the Fall Bash). This doesn't account for weather and wind, tho.

But the Bowl is a heck of a lot closer, just not as spacious as WW (nothing is!)

ragden - 29-10-2009 at 07:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
As related to me by Don, the rule-of-thumb for prime WW tides is every two weeks (this will be the 2nd prime tides weekend since the Fall Bash). This doesn't account for weather and wind, tho.

But the Bowl is a heck of a lot closer, just not as spacious as WW (nothing is!)


I agree with the two-week factor. Its almost dead on. Saturday would be a really fun day at Wildwood. South winds are fun on the south beach. Its not quite dead-on shore, more side-on, but if you have a kite that goes upwind well, you can take off from the pier, go down to the south fence, and then scream back up. The upwind tack takes some practice, but coming back is always fun.

NW winds are Wildwood are rideable, if you have enough wind. Since these are off-shore winds at south beach, I would recommend making sure that wind strenghts are consistently over 10mph. Anything less, and it doesnt seem to quite work. Not to say that you wont have a good time, I just dont make a day trip if winds are predicted that low.

The Bowl is a lot closer, and hopefully everything holds steady for that... :smilegrin:

Todd - 29-10-2009 at 07:31 AM

Saturday will be Solomon's OR a last shot at the water... Sunday is shaping up nicely for the bowl!

ragden - 30-10-2009 at 05:09 AM

Predictably, predictions for Sunday are now down the toilet. With decent amounts of rain fall predicted, and very very light winds, I am not sure it would be worth the trip. If things change in the next 48 hrs, I'll update this post. As of this posting, I'm thinking Sunday is a day to vegetate/shop with the wife. :(

lad - 30-10-2009 at 08:55 AM

Baltimore weather for Sat.:
Mostly cloudy skies. Slight chance of an afternoon shower. High 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph.

Is it the SE winds that are preferable at the Bowl?

70's & south winds in WW too tomorrow. When you mention South Beach, you don't mean actually being able to go around the tip to the inlet, do you.

ragden - 30-10-2009 at 08:58 AM

NW is the only direction rideable at the Bowl, unfortunately.

For Wildwood, when I say "south beach" I mean anything south of 2nd Avenue, which is north of the Boardwalk. Typically, when launching on south beach we either launch from the fishing pier on crocus avenue, or from in front of The Apollo. I hope that clears things up for you. Saturday could be really fun at Wildwood. I'll be in Dewey, out on the water...

dtoast - 30-10-2009 at 02:05 PM

I can't get out this weekend, but would like to plan something in November so I can look at some kites and have some questions answered because I'm dying to buy another kite, but I don't know what to get. (Flysurfer, Peter Lynn, Montana, Frenzy…) NEED MORE HANG TIME :borg:

Todd - 30-10-2009 at 02:30 PM

We plan to hit Solomon's Island tomorrow, should be a huge day there if anyone wants to make the trip.

Maven454 - 30-10-2009 at 03:08 PM

Tempting Todd, but I've been shanghai'd into a masquerade ball.

lad - 30-10-2009 at 03:28 PM

Todd - I might try to make it - let's see how the wind is tomorrow.

Frathouse - 31-10-2009 at 07:14 AM

Whats solomans island? Are you kitesurfing there or buggying?

Frathouse - 31-10-2009 at 07:34 AM

I'm thinking solomans island is the place in your binary lies video todd right? Looks like a great place is that public or private land?

-Brad

lad - 31-10-2009 at 07:55 AM

It's like a public field- wedged between a Museum, a private farm (watch out for that sod!) and a big bridge / boat launching facility. The winds have to be coming in a certain way and speed to get moving like in Todd's video.

Todd - 31-10-2009 at 07:57 AM

And they are right now... I'm out the door!

lad - 31-10-2009 at 08:01 AM

Then I'm packing and going soon too! (hope it isn't/won't get) too wet!

lad - 31-10-2009 at 09:13 AM

DRATS, RAIN!!! :ticking::thumbdown:

Frathouse - 31-10-2009 at 09:19 AM

Going to colmar

Frathouse - 1-11-2009 at 03:52 PM

Dam what a day Saturday. It was a little wet but perfect winds for my 5m. Lots of fast runs through the baseball fields at Colmar manor.

Hoping for great wind next weekend!!

ragden - 2-11-2009 at 08:59 AM

Saturday was a great day on the water. Amazingly enough we didnt see any rain until we were packing up at 1800hrs!!

Did an ocean side downwinder in Ocean City (seemed like a good idea at the time). What we thought was going to be a 2-mile downwinder turned into 7 miles!! ("thought you said 42nd street" "no, 142nd")

Then we went to New Road in Dewey and had a blast on the flat water. I was so sore sunday I almost didnt make it out of bed. Great weekend... Too bad it rained all day Sunday... :)

lad - 2-11-2009 at 11:29 AM

I am feeling a bit jealous, Ragden! :piggy:

Has anyone looked into Druid Hill Park - that place seems HOOJ!

Maven454 - 2-11-2009 at 11:32 AM

And covered in trees if you look at it in sat view.

lad - 2-11-2009 at 11:51 AM

There is one heck of a big clearing there too, though (and some water ways). I would think as much clear area as at the Bowl.

Maven454 - 2-11-2009 at 11:58 AM

I looked at the clearing. It looks like it's got an amphitheater at one end, leading me to believe that it's probably bowl shaped. Which means the winds are very likely to be useless. I might be wrong however as I've never been there.

ragden - 2-11-2009 at 12:03 PM

Looks like an interesting location. However, it does not have what the Bowl does, a large body of water next to it for winds to clean up when coming across. I have a feeling winds would be gusty at best. Unless it is up on a hill... :(

lad - 2-11-2009 at 12:13 PM

The part I noticed was that it WAS quite elevated - at least on the fenced edge I saw looking up from the turnoff of I-83.
It may not have been part of that big clearing, tho.
(I was on my way downtown to check out the Bowl - and "The Avenue").

dtoast - 3-11-2009 at 12:53 PM

Wind looks good today in the city anyone going out flying today? May just leave work early.

ragden - 3-11-2009 at 01:02 PM

Considering sunset is at 1706 EST, and I wont get home from work until 1715 or close to it... I'll have to pass on this one. And no, I cant leave work early. The first bus that leaves back towards my house leaves at 1615hrs. Once I'm at work, I'm pretty much stuck here until that time...
:(
Friday though, that looks interesting. Question is, will that forecast hold until then?

ragden - 4-11-2009 at 09:09 AM

I have to take my car into the shop Friday morning, and I'll be working from home after that, but I'll probably take off early to head out to Anacostia park for some riding time. Looks like winds are going to be WNW - NW. If the current predictions hold, I'll be there. Hope some of you guys can make it as well. I might stay until dark, don't know for sure. I don't fancy the idea of getting stuck in traffic in DC on a Friday night... However, if winds are good... I'll ride until I cannot see anything...

lad - 4-11-2009 at 09:15 AM

I think I had other plans for Fri - but keep me posted!

ragden - 4-11-2009 at 09:18 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lad
I think I had other plans for Fri - but keep me posted!


I'd prefer to hit The Bowl, but there is too much west in the wind. That makes the The Bowl dangerous and not at all fun... :(

This is actually the wind direction I've been meaning to try at Anacostia... :)

snobdr - 4-11-2009 at 09:18 AM

whats the weekend looking like? I told power i would get down there and help him with his new gear so ill be in the area.

Maven454 - 4-11-2009 at 09:20 AM

Assuming the winds hold for Friday, I'll be at Anacostia as well.

ragden - 4-11-2009 at 09:29 AM

Weekend looks like crap...

Low winds predicted all weekend. There is a peak at 8mph on Sunday... Wow... Hold onto your horses, I dont know if I have anything small enough... :puzzled:

Wind directions don't really look good either. Maybe Colmar Manor on Sunday, but Saturday looks like a bust... Course, at this point, all these predictions could massively change. Hard to say..

power - 4-11-2009 at 09:53 AM

Friday wind speeds look good, but direction isn't great for west potomac. I won't be able to get out to the field on friday until after 3.

ragden - 5-11-2009 at 06:27 AM

Forecast for tomorrow is still looking good. Though, I am seeing a lot more north in the winds now. I'm in debate... The Bowl... or Anacostia... D'oh! Who else is coming, and where do you wanna go?

Maven454 - 5-11-2009 at 08:51 AM

I'm planning on taking a half day on Friday. My plans were for Anacostia, but I guess I could go to the Bowl.

ragden - 5-11-2009 at 08:54 AM

Scratch the bowl out. :(
Looked at Baltimore predictions and they are showing more west in the wind than in DC. Unless something changes between now and tomorrow, I'd say Anacostia...

dtoast - 5-11-2009 at 09:17 AM

I have a meeting until 2pm, I'll be out after that as long as the winds are still up. Looks like it is going to begin to taper down around 3pm, though they are not usually right.

lad - 5-11-2009 at 09:18 AM

20-30mph winds at WW Fri., if only NW - might head there briefly in the afternoon.

dtoast - 5-11-2009 at 09:40 AM

Highest I see is 17...if it is between 20 - 30 Crossfire will be most likely staying in the bag. This site usually works well for me, but it’s only good for short term predictions as it is only a 24hr map.

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/ofs/cbofs/wind_forecast.sht...

ragden - 5-11-2009 at 09:48 AM

There is no way I can make it to Wildwood on Friday. Which is a bummer, that much wind there could be a lot of fun. It will be offshore winds though. I'd recommend heading out at the pier, or at the Apollo. Just be mindful of the fact that your kite is going to get dragged out to sea if things go bad. :) Oh, and tides arent really in favor for this weekend. Hope you have fun though!

shehatesmyhobbies - 5-11-2009 at 11:30 AM

Isn't it crazy figuring out where to ride. My wife is in the process of finishing my buggy seat so I can catch up with Rian and do some flying over here today. Gonna have to pull the ranger out. Winds are only going to be around 7mph here. Tomorrow will be a different story.

Wish I didn't have to work this weekend, I would make the trip to fly with you guys tomorrow. Catch up with you guys soon.

May the winds be with you!

ragden - 5-11-2009 at 11:34 AM

Friday looks like a pretty crazy day on the coast. If I didnt have to work at all, I would consider heading to Dewey for some kitesurfing. Would be a blast. But, not making that trip. Would like to actually ride with some of the local DC guys on land. Something I keep saying I am going to do, but dont... :saint::dunno:

power - 5-11-2009 at 03:56 PM

I'd love to fly Friday afternoon but I have no ride:(
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