Power Kite Forum - Typical Winds at JI? What to bring...

Typical Winds at JI? What to bring...

Proletariat - 30-4-2013 at 09:04 PM

Hiya. I think I've been through all the relevant FAQs and previous threads, but I didn't find my answer. Please forgive me if I missed the answer to this question somewhere: What is the typical wind range that goes on down there this time of year?

Remember, I'm coming from a land locked state where the wind direction varies by 270 degrees a lot of the time (while gusting ~40% of average). So I actually have 0 idea of what to expect. I'd rather not bring everything, but still retain good coverage so this is what I was thinking:

Bringing for Sure:
- 6m Cabrinha (20~30 mph)
- 13m PL Venom I (13~23 mph)
- 15m PL Phantom I (7~17 mph)
- My landboard (0.1~0.2 mph)

Bringing Perhaps (based on some advice):
- 8.5m Blade IV with UDS Mod (in progress)
- 8m Cabrinha SB2 - I haven't been able to find it for weeks. I'm afraid it may have been stolen / lost.

Bringing only if someone is interested in buying/trading/decorating:
- 13m Waroo - or -
- 18m PL Guerilla I

I'll be buggying and landboarding, although I would love to try my hand at actual kitesurfing, if that's a possibility. I'm usually pretty comfortable riding slightly underpowered. I'm regular-footed and I suck at going switch/fakie so that exacerbates my fear significantly. I've been working on it. Anywhoo... Any wind advice or historical stories? Thanks a ton in advance!

knkmannthey - 1-5-2013 at 03:45 AM

:cool:

Check with tridude he has offer to teach some of us water in the roll call section. He is a great teacher. I'm sure one more will not be an issue for him. Some of the other ones would know the wind better but I have flown JI once before and the afternoon seabrease changed the wind from a 5-6 mph wind to a 14-15 mph. In researching JIBE i was some that said bing kites for all wind conditions. The bringing for sure look list looks like you are covered.

flyguy0101 - 1-5-2013 at 05:43 AM

@pro- normal expected winds/ seabreeze are usually 10-12 mph but because it is mother nature it can vary last yr it spent a lot of time blowing in the upper teens :thumbup:

which allowed for the water guys to ride as well. as for wind conditions if you are not familiar with clean wind ie inland flying you are in for a real treat- i have found that a lot of times i will size up one or two sizes on the beach because of the clean winds and ability to have the kite fly like it was designed to, it truly is amazing. As for what to bring, obviousily i would say bring them all because the one you leave at home will be the one you want, but my experience has been that when i am boarding at jekyll i fly either my 13 venom in winds 8-16 mph and then will upsize to the 19 venom if it is blowing from 15 to 25mph. I like the bigger kite in more winds for floaty landings and the 13 in lower winds so i can work the kite more (19 turns a little slow:D) as for buggy its what you like i am a fb flyer in the bug and will generally fly down a size because i am a little wimpy when it comes to buggying
Scott
ps look forward to flying with you in a week

tridude - 1-5-2013 at 04:38 PM

Scott is spot on with wind speed and sure I can get you comfy body draggin, and board starts.........the water at low tide is very shallow quite a ways out from shore making JI and ideal learners spot.........if you have a 2mm rash guard, bring it..........mother nature is keeping the water a bit cooler than normal but no wet suit required........cooler temps/water should help increase wind speeds.........see you on the sandz.................. :thumbup:

:duh::duh:

soliver - 1-5-2013 at 06:48 PM

I concur with Scott and Don,... The few times I've been to Jekyll, once the afternoon sea breeze kicks in, it's onshore winds (not directly but close) right around 10-12mph,... Typically that is... I have experienced other stuff there, but usually when it's overcast or something weird going on.

I personally like a good 4 or 5m on JI, cuz there is VERY LITTLE (if any) resistance once you start rolling. The hard pack is solid as concrete and once you are moving, you are seriously moving.

Every time I've ridden there with Angus, he always has out his 15m phantom.

shehatesmyhobbies - 1-5-2013 at 07:18 PM

Yup, when I was at JIBE, it's like a light switch at 12:30-1pm, 10-13mph winds! Something to be said about a place where generally mother nature just wakes up and turns the switch on, bammmm! Wind! Enjoy yourself, and always expect the unexpected, be ready for what ever she may throw at you!

erratic winds - 1-5-2013 at 07:22 PM

Dave I think you are gonna be loving the v1 13 on your board, you will come back with no weak side.

Nfish - 1-5-2013 at 09:09 PM

I'm also trying to get my foot wet with kitesurfing as well. Is the speed 2 10m big enough at these wind conditions? Not sure whether that's a tough kite to learn on...but that's the best option in my quiver. I'm light BTW, 150lb.

tridude - 2-5-2013 at 04:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Nfish

I'm also trying to get my foot wet with kitesurfing as well. Is the speed 2 10m big enough at these wind conditions? Not sure whether that's a tough kite to learn on...but that's the best option in my quiver. I'm light BTW, 150lb.

I have a couple light wind options (check my siggy) if need be but bring your 10m.............I understand the 10m S2 is quite the machine........ :lol:

:duh::duh:

my Ozones are great beginner kites and the HQ guyz should have their new inflatables and Matrixx available...........

most would argue inflatables are better to learn on but as long as you are comfy/proficient on relaunch and self rescue then go with what you know......the Speed 2s can be a handful at times but flown in their wind window makes for a sweet session................. :lol:

:duh::duh:

Nfish - 2-5-2013 at 11:03 AM

Thanks Tridude! I'm difinitely bringing all my kites (not that many...). I'm a little nervous on starting with the Speed2 since I have not had a chance to take them out of the bag yet, but that's on my list for day 1. But I think it shouldn't be much of an issue for body dragging at least.

tridude - 2-5-2013 at 11:18 AM

current conditions at JI..........next couple of dayz look the same!

http://www.windalert.com/spot/47431#forecast

tobytobsen - 2-5-2013 at 11:39 AM

Yes, 10-14 knots usually. If you look at the forcast then you can see that some more wind is forcasted as well.

I am a local and landboard on JI and SSI with my PL Venom II 13 most often. I also like my 4m HQ Scout unhooked if the winds are more gusty.

I have slowly progressed to the water as well. I have a PL VII in 16 for more windy days and a GK Trix 15 Tube for the low wind days. In case it picks up even more I would switch to the VII13. I just started being able to go upwind in the water, and I am most comfortable riding in groups.

I ride a pretty big board as I like to be underpowered.

Looking forward to ride with you all.

Toby

tridude - 6-5-2013 at 06:28 AM

Forecast on wind alert is beginning to show the afternoon side on south easterly flow the JI and JIBE are known for............... :lol:

:duh::duh:

Proletariat - 6-5-2013 at 04:36 PM

Thanks, everyone! I'm getting really excited! Now I'm just debating on 2 things. Perhaps one of you could advise. I modded my 8.5m Blade IV to be more depowerey, and my theory works, but it was a lot to hold on to in 16mph winds (just used handles, didn't clip in at all -- mostly out of fear). Anyway, I was going to leave her home for more tuning when I return, but is anyone interested in checking it out? If so, I'll bring her.

Then the last decision is whether or not to bring my 3m Hornet. Waste of space on a plane for this particular trip?

Proletariat - 6-5-2013 at 04:38 PM

Oh, and one other last thing... I use a waist harness, but the waist harness is HORRIBLE in the buggy. Think I could either buy or borrow a sat harness down there? If not, I'll just pack my old climbing harness and rig something up, but I thought its probably a pretty good bet that someone will be getting rid of a seat harness.

Okay, that's really it. See you gents on the sand tomorrow or Wednesday!

acampbell - 6-5-2013 at 05:01 PM

WTF I can't believe I missed this thread so long but the info here is good. I am concerned that the NOAA forcast calls for so much south westerly components, but today I saw a lot of convection (clouds). So if we have strong sun, then anything with south in it can turn east. But the weather is good for all you blokes (love ya') from the north and inland so it is all good.

Really looking forward to meeting you Proletariat.

tobytobsen - 6-5-2013 at 06:59 PM

Tridude is selling a seat harness in this thread http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=25498&p...

Proletariat - 7-5-2013 at 09:31 AM

Awesome. Thanks, Toby.

Almost packed...

tridude - 8-5-2013 at 01:15 AM

Forecast showing light winds.........big kite week......

knkmannthey - 8-5-2013 at 03:16 AM

Will be on my way in about 45 min see you guys in later today