Power Kite Forum

Buggy locations in georgia

XXL - 3-7-2017 at 07:09 PM

Where are some of the good beaches and any to avoid in georgia might be heading that way. Also what sizes would one bring?

soliver - 3-7-2017 at 09:07 PM

Firstly, reach out to Angus Campbell of Coastal wind sports. He is the best resource for buggying Ga beaches.

The best beaches to ride in Ga are Jekyll island and Saint Simons Island. Just know that wherever you ride on Ga beaches, you won't be able to do anything at high tide. In Ga, dunes are protected and there is nowhere to ride if the tide's all the way up. But there is usually plenty of Beach by 1-2 hrs after high tide.

On JI, the primo spot is to put in at Dunes Park. From there you can go as far north as you can reach depending on wind and tides and as far south as the south water tower (those have always been the boundaries for JIBE at least). With favorable conditions, a couple of JIBE-ees have gone from the south water tower all the way north to the farthest northern point of the island and even on around to the fishing pier. It gets really difficult up north around Driftwood Beach, as there are entire trees turned to driftwood up there. If memory serves, the trip was about 6 miles. That was Markite and Demoknight who did that run.

On SSI the best spot to put in depends strongly on wind direction, but I always like to walk on the the beach at the Coast Guard station at the end of the East Beach Causway. From there with a good Easterly, you can easily make it all the way north to Gould's inlet and as far south as you want to go... but it's easy to get stuck on beaches that are really skinny as you get further south... if you end up on SSI, U2U JimSSI, he's a local and can really offer good advice for where to go in what conditions.

I've also buggied on Tybee Island, but it's much more crowded and the beach isn't as good.

JimSSI - 4-7-2017 at 12:18 AM

Like Spencer doesn't know those two islands blindfolded.

If you know people, Sea island is amazing. Zero crowds and runs end to end.

During summer, South end of JI is most empty, especially if low tide dawn or dusk

For all three islands, Low tide +/- 2 hours, ideally winds NE to SE.

Kite size dependent on buggy and pilot size and skills. All hard pack, so working range of 5-30+ kts, usually around 8-12. My 5.5 and 6.9 reactors get most use, usually a bit overpowered.

Onshore summer wind late afternoon, often stronger than forecast direction, "bending" predicted wind more East.

I'd say your three smaller Vapors would cover. Big wind not until late Autumn and Winter.

Or hurricanes.

BeamerBob - 4-7-2017 at 05:36 AM

A bit of a correction from a JIBE charter attendee and return participant in 2018, buggying to the shipwreck around the south point was once the ultimate challenge to accomplish. Sometime after 2011, we were asked not to go past the water tower to avoid disrupting the mating of the plovers.

Now I'll have to buggy to the northern end of the world if I can make it!

Wind_dog - 4-7-2017 at 06:35 AM


Bobby -
What?
Buggy to the shipwreck and back?
Buggy to End of the World?
Plover restrictions?
It sounds like you are talking about Northern Oregon beaches.
Alas, you have gone to the mirror image of us out West.
Lucy already misses having you on this side of the Rockies.
Cheers.

XXL - 6-7-2017 at 04:15 PM

What s the scope on Hilton head

XXL - 25-7-2017 at 08:38 AM

going soon thanks for the help

BeamerBob - 26-7-2017 at 07:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Wind_dog  

Bobby -
What?
Buggy to the shipwreck and back?
Buggy to End of the World?
Plover restrictions?
It sounds like you are talking about Northern Oregon beaches.
Alas, you have gone to the mirror image of us out West.
Lucy already misses having you on this side of the Rockies.
Cheers.


I hadn't realized how many similarities there were! I can't wait for Lucy to lean into me again for a good rubbing!

soliver - 26-7-2017 at 08:33 AM

Hey Bobby, if Lucy is a dog (which I am hoping)... I have a Lucy for you who always comes with us to JIBE.

Demoknight - 2-2-2018 at 12:10 PM

Speaking of buggy locations in GA, Anna and I just finished unloading our moving truck in the Peach State this week. We are residents again! No more 18 hour drives in a rental truck to Jekyll every May! Spencer, hit me up because I want to come fly with you in one of the super secret JWC locations real soon.

Randy - 2-2-2018 at 02:19 PM

If you are in the Atlanta area let me know. I have sort of taken over at least one of Spencer's not so secret spots and have found a new one that is small but usable at times. I know of a few other possibilities as well, but haven't tried them.

soliver - 2-2-2018 at 05:58 PM

Sweetness!!! Welcome back to GA, Errol. I (and Randy) mostly ride at the southernmost part of Jim R. Miller Park (aka The North GA fairgrounds) in Marietta.. but kiting is a rarity for me these days. I spend the majority of my time remodel the house and plucking the Mandolin. Its been pretty windy here a lot lately and Ive been thinking about getting out but Im just too busy.

J R Miller is fair, but it may be much smaller than youre used to. Theres a bigger park about a half hour west of Marietta in Dallas called White Oak Park, but I imagine that would be quite a haul for you for just an afternoon of riding.

I sent you an email... I can maybe make a Saturday free.

mougl - 16-4-2018 at 08:34 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BeamerBob  
A bit of a correction from a JIBE charter attendee and return participant in 2018, buggying to the shipwreck around the south point was once the ultimate challenge to accomplish. Sometime after 2011, we were asked not to go past the water tower to avoid disrupting the mating of the plovers.

Now I'll have to buggy to the northern end of the world if I can make it!



I miss doing shipwreck runs!!!!

markite - 16-4-2018 at 09:22 PM

it's too bad we can't just offer the plovers the entire west side of the island and maybe trade them driftwood beach for the southern access again.
although if the wind is right it is interesting going by driftwood and then a nice open quiet section from there to the north tip

Randy - 17-4-2018 at 09:08 AM

Thanks for posting that. I've always stayed pretty close to base camp - wasn't sure what lies ahead or the boundaries. Hope to take in more of the beach this time around.

jeffnyc - 17-4-2018 at 12:15 PM

Was fun seeing you in that vid for 10 frames, Randy! Nice vid, Mark, looks great there. Loved you weaving between the trees, and seeing you so excited about it back at base :D