I went out to the beach with my Viper 3.8 for the first time. First time on the beach, not flying the kite. Winds were in the 25-30mph range :o and it was scary! After driving all the way there, there was no way I wasn't gonna fly for a bit. I know the Viper isn't known as a lifty kite but I definitely got some air time! I pretty much just kept it at the edge of the window the whole time, drove it through the power zone a couple times and both resulted in a semi-superman. I'm not used to scudding on sand so it was a different experience. Never really did get used to it, though. Just have to learn to lean back further and lift my toes! In the grass I barely need any wind to get me scudding down the field, I use some old skate shoes that are worn completely down. They were left in my car for a long time so the rubber got baked and hardened to a really slick surface. I get going pretty fast in a good (15-20mph) wind!

Anyway, just thought I'd post my experience. If you guys have any tips/thoughts/recommendations feel free to let me know. : )

Good to hear that you're getting some more beach time. It's just a matter of putting in that time to get used to it. I totally prefer the beach all the way around - wind, surface (sand), and just the ambiance of the beach I find just soothing. From what I saw on Google Earth you're about 60 - 70 miles from the beach as the crow flies. Give it time and you will learn to love it.

Yeah, just need to put in more time. It's only an hour and a half away so I'm not too far away from the sand. You're right, the ambiance of the beach is great. Much better than the soccer field I normally fly in!