borntofli - 7-2-2011 at 04:46 PM
Winter time kiting here in Port Aransas the good winds are usually some degree of offshore..... Looking at the map linked here.
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=27.829209,-97.044725&...
What degree of offshore winds would you kite in?? The jetty is 1/2 mile long, and the distance from the pier to the jetty is about the same...
When I have someone to kite with we kite in almost straight offshore winds, but stay close....
Keeping in mind you have the jetty to swim to in case, what direction would you call it quits in if kiting alone????/
I have lots of flatwater spots to go to, but don't find alot of enjoyment in them...(granted, I have lots of skills I need to work on, but..........)
I can hear the groans from some of you, KITING OFFSHORE ARE YOU CRAZY...
But the waves are so clean.....................
Let me know your thoughts
BeamerBob - 7-2-2011 at 05:00 PM
I would only kite in winds that takes me to the jetty if I do nothing but wait for the winds to blow me there. No other options. Being able to stand
up might loosen me up a bit.
borntofli - 7-2-2011 at 05:04 PM
I should have specified the wind direction... It's usually North to NW blowing from the jetty towards the pier.... and somewhat out to sea...
carltb - 7-2-2011 at 05:17 PM
alot of factors come into play when kiting in off shore winds. the wind is usually more gusty, is there a rip tide? is there a shelf where the sea
bed suddenly drops? are you a VERY strong swimmer? are you willing to ditch your gear and swim back to land? can you get a rescue boat to watch you
while you surf?
if you are aware of all these risks and can cope with them then fly in off shore winds but, and this is a hard and fast rule, never fly alone!!!!!
tridude - 7-2-2011 at 05:24 PM
Im thinking 270--330 degrees.............looks doable for sure as you say with a partner......................the other side of Port A looks good for
a NW ohshore..........first time Ive seen a Port A aerial.....................looks a bit like here and Phrees area
as long as you can stay upwind and walk in from the beach sure.......not sure Id like to walk back with gear on a jetty but I understand the jonesing
thing....................
Kamikuza - 7-2-2011 at 05:30 PM
I've been out in just cross-off and it gave me the willies cos I really didn't want to ditch the kite if I had to ... be prepared to swim and or lose
the kite 
PHREERIDER - 7-2-2011 at 06:23 PM
love offshore with crazy flat!. here it can be seriously rough wind at times 15-35 with biggest gust of the season in spring like 45-50. Also its
much easier on the legs and the sessions can go the full tide swing
offshore wave! like at county park folly beach, ultra smooth wave spot.
gotta to know whats going! like carl said it can be challenging got know how to handle current and ready to swim
dylanj423 - 7-2-2011 at 07:10 PM
i kited once in side-off winds... was kiting alone, but there were people around doing their own thing...
all was fine until i bow-tied after a crazy gust or wipeout (cant remember)... in the excitement the wind had shifted a bit and it was blowing a bit
more off than side...
i was 100 yards or so out and hit the safety when i realized that the kite was directly downwind and i was getting blown downwind faster than i was
swimming sidewind... a scary feeling
and then the swimming with 19m in tow... swimming and swimming and swimming... thank God the waves helped a little...
it was exhausting and i packed up afterwards... dont think i will ever repeat it, either... there is a good enough spot close that works way better
for offshore...
but if you wanna buggy, go right ahead, just watch out for a righteous OBE, it could get ya wet and that water is freakin cold
action jackson - 7-2-2011 at 07:16 PM
As you know, ne is ideal at this location. I would stay away from nw. I had some sweet sessions at port a on ne during the harvest moon
regatta!............aj
PHREERIDER - 7-2-2011 at 07:20 PM
wife just bumped me off her unit!
yeah gotta have spotter esp. at a running tide spot.
some parts of the water can be just boiling with current you can tell what its doing then turn to the worst washing machine chop right next to a
speed pool deluxe!
def premium sessions , compared to open ocean and swell which is fun more like wild rodeo motoX riding while flat is more full throttle F1.
you need to be around people who are doing it. when you see guys with good position control, stable rotation for passes . watch and repeat.
typically everybody hangs in the shallow spots if its present. its flatter and everybody gets amped.
most unnerving element, high current area and wind starts to fall apart and your 3/4 mile out. oh at this point a kite never felt so much like a
pair of wings as your brain fills with the hope of a nuclear blast to come along AND SOON!
WELDNGOD - 7-2-2011 at 07:22 PM
I has been my experience that offshore winds are lumpy ,turbulent,at times sketchy, but it is wind none the less and I will go out in it ,even though
I know it is less than favorable.