My previous exposure to wind has been along the coast where the direction is pretty constant. Now I am experimenting with kiting inland with a mountainboard. Even though I live at the southern end of a long valley with summer prevailing winds supposedly from the north when I'm out with the kite I'm very aware of a shift in direction of at least 30 degrees from NNE to NNW. The wind pulses in not only direction but in strength and seemingly in an unpredictable manner. At my level this is frustrating since I can't seem to develop good power strokes from one side to the other without slamming into an oncoming gust that folds the kite up. I seem to have to fly the kite in a narrow downwind channel that doesn't allow for forward motion. Is this typical for non coastal conditions?

In land wind is not as consistent as coastal winds, but that sounds weird. May be due to hills or trees. If there are any objects upwind of you they will create turbulence in the wind for several times their height in distance. I don't have a lot of inland flying experience but I get frustrated when I even take my toy foils out for a spin at lunch after being used to flying at the coast.

Yes, that can be the bad side of typical for inland winds. That valley is funneling the wind which probably makes the direction and gusts worse but probably enhances the wind speed. Go for super stable kites to fly in those conditions. Racy lifty kites won't like winds like that. When you are ready, closed cell kites like an HQ NEO or Peter Lynn ARC (among others) can help you deal with winds that aren't top quality.

I fly nasa wings in gusty inland winds. They have kept me safe so far.

Susan (npw goddess)

Your wind is very typical, especially if you are in the Eugene area trying to fly. A couple of us were in the center of Washington State (Quincy) last weekend at a 200 acre turf farm, Temp-85, and the wind was 0 to 15 in seconds and WNW to ESE in a mater of 2 to 5 minutes. Prevailing wind is mostly W, but with the summer comes thermal activity that causes its own wind. As BeamerBob said, race kites,(high AR) don't do well. We tried many kites and I had the most fun with my 8m Pepper II.

sounds like inland wind to me... i had wind go a complete 180 on me last nite... from dead east to dead west in under 2 mins... nuts

Yes, very typical of inland winds, and like Bigkid said summer is the worst with the thermal activity. My PL Reactors work very well in these inland winds. Had a great time last weekend with Bigkid with my 4.9 and 8.3m. Even managed a PR for speed. Still slow in comparison to many of you but it was great to have a big area to run in.

Thanks for all the responses, I feel better that the frustration is not only mine.
The wind shifts that I refer to happen in a fraction of a second and without a pattern or a warning, at least as far as I can tell. I guess what I'm going to have to learn is to drive the kite within the narrow range that the wind shift will allow because now if I fly it, even a tiny way, into the new direction the leading edge instantly folds back and the kite drops all crumpled up like a rock - a scary situation indeed.
There aren't any significant upwind obstructions as I've chosen a field with only some scattered trees far upwind therefore I'm pretty sure that is the best case scenario in the valley.