nfleech - 15-2-2010 at 09:48 PM
A group from Sullivan's Island last year kited from Sullies to Myrtle Beach. I would like to get some people together and possibly try a downwinder
from Hilton Head to Folly/Sullivan's. Preferably in the late spring or early summer.
Anyone have ideas or knowledge of the area between?
PHREERIDER - 16-2-2010 at 07:23 AM
It's a great idea. but i run the 20 mile stretch from tybee to below st. helena and current never lets you stay close, just too much current, 3-5
miles out its better and you really can make head way.
some session 4-5hrs long, horizon and back all day long and out to the shipping lanes out of SAV.
also on a catamaran with the same points of sail as well. a much better option because of the light air in the summer
i'm local for over 20 years with lifetime local windsurfers on the crew, and even Olympic level in the mix with almost every kiter is an instructor
, and we run year round, hit EVERY session doable. N to S downwinders all the time.
if your comfortable riding 3-5miles out . swells(with the kinda wind needed for a solid ride 6-8feet) and ton of current you have to stay away from
all the inlets. and tide changes every 6 hours so its always a factor. in the ideal 20-25mph S , SSW, rising tide, its doable in the summer time.
ride time about 3-4hours for a stretch like that.
for the conditions to arrive it would be great, but the chance for solid days and tides to match maybe 1-3 days a month between june and july. so a
possible 6days out of 60 days total =10% chance and hoping the tides is low at the start even reduces it. not to mention the wind can just shut off
and have huge dead spots.
A S to N ride is doable but again you have to ride a ways out, and i am usually alone or with a windsurfer running the same lines and never see
any other kiters even remotely close.
i have ridden just about every point from sulli's to Jekyll on every wind look and tide.
and the low country wash out is a factor below CHAS. the cooper and the ashely and edisto are BELOW sulli's so it a factor not to mention getting
past ST. helena sound . in some spots the current may not let you make progress or even to get further out.
be glad to ride it with you! but i'll be out anyway on a day like that! and if it feels right will JET. wife won't be happy.
tridude - 16-2-2010 at 07:45 AM
how about the south end of Folly to IOP..............does that sound like a parent or what?
:duh::duh:
PHREERIDER - 16-2-2010 at 07:55 AM
much more reasonable for sure. the winds at the CHAS are just a fraction better.
a 2 island hop is a better IMHO plus you ride back.
i'm a round trip rider, i like to always get back to launch spot .
i'll say a better combo is a upwinder to tybee I. (which is my favorite pinch) from HHI then we can down wind back. this i can do ...with style .
nfleech - 16-2-2010 at 09:43 AM
There is a guy named JP Lurkin that plans on making the trip with 4 or 5 others around summer time and he has a boat. I am going to try and hook up
with him and make the trek (much easier with support from a boat)
PHREERIDER - 16-2-2010 at 09:56 AM
i know JP have sessioned with him. he's been in Miami off and on.
He's back in CHAS now. wives hang together with the kids.
He's local here. certainly will jump on if someone's got a boat! no sweat
I'll ring him.