VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK • looking for help...
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looking for help...

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:30 am
by kitehobo
I live in the Dominican Republic, i am a Canadian, my wife is an american. This summer we are cruising around the west coast looking for a place to call home, one of the spots we are looking at is Victoria. I will be there for a week in late July and am hoping to get a couple of days on the water, here are my questions:

space is limited as we have just had a baby, what one kite will i need for this time?
is there a place that rents gear? If i brought my bar and harness, or if i brought my kite, bar and harness could i get a board?
can one rent a wet suit? I sail in the caribbean!
are the odds good that i will be able to get on the water at this time of year, or is this a pipe dream?

the other option would be to grab something used but as this is towards the end of our trek it would have to be a pretty sick deal.

gracias,
marco

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:38 am
by JL

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 7:52 pm
by kitesurferdale
hey dude, July is a great time to sail on the island, as for what one kite size, well that depends on your skill, what type of kite (bow...C...) and you size. As JL pointed out, Strong Kiteboarding would be a good contact in regards to possiblilites with gear.

Re: looking for help...

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 8:57 pm
by KUS
kitehobo wrote:here are my questions:
what one kite will i need for this time?
is there a place that rents gear? If i brought my bar and harness, or if i brought my kite, bar and harness could i get a board?
can one rent a wet suit? I sail in the caribbean!
are the odds good that i will be able to get on the water at this time of year, or is this a pipe dream?
the other option would be to grab something used but as this is towards the end of our trek it would have to be a pretty sick deal.
Hey Marco-
sorry mon, ya can't move here, we're all filled up :oops: But do come to visit :P here is some info to your questions:
1) check wind archives under archives/stats (top menu or http://www.bigwavedave.ca/archive.htm) for Kelp Reef (SE, NE)/ Race Rocks (W)/ Sheringham Pt (W)/ Ogden Point (SW, SE) for July, they pretty much tell the story, you know what you'd need in those winds, most guys seem to use (old) 12's for average days, but what do I know, things are changing
2) you got the link, try Strong but bring what you can, makes it easier
3) yes, there is a wetsuit rental, Sportsrent, http://www.sportsrentbc.com/summer_rent ... atersports
4) yes, odds are better than 50% it'll blow somewhere locally, again check the stats
5) lots of used gear abounds, guys would probably rent you their stuff they are trying to sell, I know I would if I had some 8)

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:25 pm
by JL
Nice work 'Kus'...12m is the bread & Butter kite...New school: 12m 'flat'.

Vancouver Island

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:24 am
by asscrack
Kiting can be epic here on the Island during this time,coastal winds,are warmer and lifty.A 12 meter kite is the size of choice.But,on the coast, you definitly need a suit.5 4 3 mil.neo.a must.Or drysuit.Especially after Carribean water sailing.The water temperature is cold.There are some good deals around for pretty much everything locally,suits,boards,kites,whatever you need.Some rentals for suits only.If you have kites now,bring them.Save buying more.Lots of locals to help with whatever your needs.On the inland sailing sites,the water is much warmer,you can get away with a shorty,or thinner 2 3 mil suit.So,have a good stay.Safe sailing. :lol: