Power Kite Forum

trip to Virginia Beach 55/1 - 5/6

flyhighWNY - 27-1-2013 at 09:53 AM

Planning a trip to Virginia beach in early may. Want to know where I can get lessons (kiteboard/ buggy) or meet up with some locals who might let me try a buggy (even just to see how comfortable)? Also any restrictions on kites at local beaches? Will be staying at Barclay Towers on Atlantic Ave. Haven't done too much research but did request some info on lessons and waiting for replies. Thanks for any recommendations that you have.
Brian

joedy - 27-1-2013 at 10:31 AM

There's a pretty active KB scene down there.

Here's a helpful guide that went out a few weeks ago:


Quote:

OVERVIEW OF VAKB LAUNCH LOCATIONS BY WIND DIRECTION:

45th Street & 88th Street (Virginia Beach Oceanfront) = N, NE,S, & SE Waves from 1'- 12', sandy bottom, surfers, swimmers, kayaks, a pier, rock jettys and strong currents. Side/side-onshore winds Best winds April - October 10-30mph winds - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sunset Beach Resort (Eastern Shore Chesapeake Bay) = S, SW & SSW Small to medium choppy waves, mild to strong current, beachgoers & trees. There are "pound net poles", and other hard objects/obstacles in the water. Side/Side-Onshore winds. Best in April - November 10-30 mph winds. Parking permit required. & $20 toll bridge - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Cape Charles, VA (Eastern Shore Chesapeake Bay)= S, SW, WSW Small to medium choppy waves outside and a smooth glassy inside section made by a rock jetty with boardwalk viewing area, mild to strong current, beachgoers, There are "pound net poles", and a "rockpile" is directly downwind of the launch. Side/side-onshore winds. Best in April - November 10-30 mph winds. also a warm shower + a $20 toll bridge - Beginners to Advanced Riders

First Landing State Park (Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay)= N, NE, E, ENE, NW, WNW & W Small to medium choppy waves, boating channel, strong currents, a pier, large pound pole fishing nets, swimmers and sunbathers on a small narrow beach(@ hi tide) mostly onshore winds. Best winds April - October 10 - 30 mph $$4 park admission w/ showers - Beginners to Advanced Riders

Jade Street(Virginia Beach Chesapeake Bay) = N, NE, E, ENE, NW, WNW & W 1' - 8' small to medium choppy waves, boating channel=lots of boat traffic, strong currents, a bridge, a pier, large pound pole fishing nets, some exposed some below the surface, swimmers and sunbathers on a hotel lined beach. mostly gusty onshore winds. April - October 10 - 30 mph best winds.- Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sandbridge (Virginia Beach - Oceanside) = S, SE, N, & NE Waves from 1'-12', sandy bottom, surfers, swimmers, kayaks, a pier and strong currents. Narrow beaches, rusty steel bulkheads line some areas, tons of beachgoers, Side/side-onshore winds Best winds April - October 10-30mph winds - Intermediate to Advanced Riders Only

Sandbridge (Virginia Beach - Back Bay / soundside) = S, SW Waist to chest deep water, small chop, sandy/mud bottom, booties optional, wooden & metal duck blinds spot the bay, few boats, rugged launch with trees, mud, snakes and bugs. Few pullouts and limited access to the water, no beach here! S / SW winds glaze this place to a smooth butter in spots. April - October 10-30 mph Beginners to Advanced Riders

* * * * * V V V V V V V General Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines apply in addition to these area specific rules V V V V V V V * * * * * ALL KITERS VENTURING OUT TO ANY OF THESE LAUNCHES SHOULD BE ABLE TO: - SELF LAUNCH AND SELF LAND YOUR KITE SAFELY - SOMETIMES NECCESSARY DURING A DOWNWINDER IF KITE FALLS - PERFORM A SELF RESCUE - GETTING YOURSELF & YOUR KITE BACK TO SHORE SAFELY AFTER A FAILED RELAUNCH - PERFORM BODYDRAGGING UPWIND - TO RETREIVE A LOST BOARD ""BOARD LEASHES CAUSE HARMFUL BODILY DAMAGE"" - LEARN TO RESCUE/ASSIST ANOTHER KITER DURING A FAILED RELAUNCH -grab Leading Edge of their kite & tow kite, lines and bar to shore & secure on land, "THEN" tow kiter in using your kite -HANDLE YOURSELF, BE A SELF SUFFICIENT KITER, HAVE YOUR SELF RESCUE PLAN IN ORDER & THEN HAVE A BACKUP PLAN, DO NOT RELY ON LIFEGUARDS/COAST GUARD TO SAVE YOU!! thanks & happy safe kiteboarding!! http://groups.yahoo.com/vakb go to "files" , "area specific guidelines", then " overview2.txt" for a summary of the local launches and their wind directions and area specific rules and pointers! please review and contact a VAKB member for any questions or assistance. vakboverview.notes.2006 (C)

joedy - 27-1-2013 at 10:33 AM

Good guidelines that the VaBeach Yahoo Groups put together:

You'll be bear Ted of Flysurfer USA. It would be a good opportunity to try some of his demo kites and boards.

-joedy


Quote:

Virginia Beach Kiteboarding Safety Guidelines 5/07 -Respect other Beach Goers, Locals, Swimmers, & Surfers. Give 100' buffer to all. Be courteous to non-kiters.-Assist Other Kiters "Whenever" Neccessary.-Kiteboard within YOUR Limits.-Know a few Self-Rescue Techniques. (water relaunches, swimming in, bodydragging in, ) -Always Do A Preflight Check over your Gear. -Don't Ride if Wind is Blowing Offshore . -BE AWARE OF THE WEATHER CONDITIONS (approaching storms, fronts, lightning & offshore winds)- Ride & Stay outside of swimmers/surfers , Stay Away from Crowds.- NO RIDING / FLYING - 1st Street to 40th Streets (Memorial Day to Labor Day).- Use Designated Launch / Landing sites :++ 45th and 88th streets (Atlantic Ocean, N,NE, S, SE winds) Intermediate to Advanced Riders++ First Landing State Park (Chesapeake Bay, NW to NE winds). Beginners to Advanced Riders- Follow standard Right of Way Rules: Left Hand/foot forward riders give way to Right Hand/foot forward riders- Upwind riders stay clear of those Downwind (kiters, swimmers, surfers)- Give Launching Kiters Right of Way, Stay outside if someone is Launching.- Board leashes are Dangerous - Don't use one without a Helmet. See "Know a Few Self Rescue Techniques" instead.- Assist other kiters with launches and landings. Use "Thumbs Up" signal for Launch and "Pat Your Head" signal for Landing. - Anchor grounded kites and disconnect lines when not in use. First-timers, do not attempt to launch a full size kite without first getting professional instruction. This will cover not only kite flying and board riding, but essential safety issues and procedures, relaunching the kite after crashes, and self-rescue techniques. (Novices should consider learning at more forgiving locations in the nearby Outer Banks, with flat, shallow, safer and less crowded waters). http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VAKB - Never let your lines wrap around you. - Faster riders give way when overtaking others. Give extra space to inexperienced riders.- Pass downwind or reverse direction -- don't kite thru their area.

joedy - 27-1-2013 at 10:36 AM

If you can get away with the drive down the the OBX, there are several excellent places to take lessons. The drive is about 2 hours from Virginia Beach.

With the calm, flat and shallow waters of the Sound, it's a great place to learn.

-joedy

WELDNGOD - 27-1-2013 at 12:08 PM

Get up with me when you get in town. I am the ONLY local buggier at va beach.Exceept for my wife and my best bud Chris. But they use my gear ,so they don't count.
There are alot of Kitesurfers out there ,and we coexist :). I'm sure they could help ya with the water stuff. I am strictly land traction ,buggy,ATB,and kitebike.

Here is a recent vid of us at VA Beach https://vimeo.com/53914152

flyhighWNY - 27-1-2013 at 03:53 PM

Ty everyone... Not as good a swimmer as I once was so a bit intimidated by the whole water thing.... However, I am an outstanding (better than average) walker, so land based activities always my first choice!! WELDNGOD I'll hit you up when trip gets closer... Daughter has cheerleading competition 5/4 or 5/5 so I have atleast one weekend day to play!!

WELDNGOD - 27-1-2013 at 05:58 PM

If nothing else , I'll bring some demo gear and my buggies and my Trampa (just to gawk at). We can almost always static fly somethin". Looking foreward to flyin w/ya!:wee: