New to Vic. Where to launch?

General discussions about kiting: equipment, setup tips, safety, where to go, where you should have been, lost and found
Post Reply
skywalker
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu May 26, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Neverland

New to Vic. Where to launch?

Post by skywalker »

Hi,

Moved here from Nova Scotia. I'm an OK rider, can self launch and recover. Looking for sandy launch spots and not the kite ripping mayhem of Dallas Road.

Any suggestions?

Also what are good kite sizes for around here? In NS a 14 was all you needed for a 190lb rider. I hear you need at least a 10m out here.

Laaaaast question,

Roughly what time of year do you see lots of riders out?

Thanks

L.
User avatar
KUS
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 2783
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:32 am
Been thanked: 2 times

Re: New to Vic. Where to launch?

Post by KUS »

skywalker wrote:Looking for sandy launch spots and not the kite ripping mayhem of Dallas Road
Be sure to let us all know where you find it on the south island. 8) Try Whitty's Lagoon on a SE. Might need to wait til next winter tho :cry:

The sailing log will tell the story of who and what size and where :arrow: don't think too many own 14-16's anymore. For a bigger guy 10-12 is probably the money kite :!:
Wish less, sail more!!
Vancouver Island Windsports
Chinook /Takuma /KA Australia (Tribal) /Aztron

You're either in or in the way....
Doing things the hard way since 1963....
User avatar
cguygo
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Jan 20, 2011 11:47 pm
Location: esquimalt

Post by cguygo »

If you spend enough time browsing this site you will come across every little piece of info you will ever need... ever

see you on the rocky/driftwood covered beaches :D
User avatar
Cj
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:09 pm
Location: moss st

Post by Cj »

10m and 8m mainly. If you have a 6m you will use it once in a while too.
Nitinaht during the summer is your best bet but no sandy beaches unless you try WWW! That's what I hear...
somebody said " go fly a kite".
User avatar
Teabag
Posts: 312
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:44 pm

Post by Teabag »

Hi “L.”
I am 200-210 lbs and like to ride quite over power.

The size I use the most is 12m, followed by 10m (Nitinat Lake) and 15m respectively, 8m occasionally (Nitinat, Island View winter or cookst if we get lucky).

Like CJ said, @ 190lbs, 10m should be your kite of choice, followed by a 8m for Nitinat. Keep your 14m for light wind days, which often happens at: WillowsBeach/Cattle Point, Island View (spring) and Patcheedaht Renfrew (sandy beach launch).


You’ll see lots of kiters out at Nitinat, CookStreet/Gordon Beach and Island View when its windy throughout the year. Check upisland spots as well. Oh yeah, make sure to check out Kelp Reef island, wicked spot but you need to take a ferry to go there, check on their website :)

Did you kite Lawrence town/Martinique beach in NS?
User avatar
JL
Posts: 2610
Joined: Thu May 22, 2003 8:57 am
Location: Saanichton / Shirley (French Beach)
Been thanked: 2 times
Contact:

Post by JL »

Teabag is joking about Kelp Island, It's just a rock with a weather station ... This http://www.bigwavedave.ca/wiki/index.php/Sailing_Guide will help. 8)
Thermals are good.
User avatar
Vik
Posts: 254
Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:46 am

Re: New to Vic. Where to launch?

Post by Vik »

skywalker wrote: Moved here from Nova Scotia. I'm an OK rider, can self launch and recover. Looking for sandy launch spots and not the kite ripping mayhem of Dallas Road.

Any suggestions?
Welcome!

Sand beaches are not really part of the equation I'm afraid to say. If you want a relatively easy/safe launch with reliable wind and have wheels go to Nitnaht Lake. This is my 3rd year of KBing with trips to Baja in the winter and I'm still not overly excited about the launch at Dallas Rd!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapprove ... 103088345/

There are some folks in Port Alberni working on creating a kite/WS destination. The kite launch isn't in full swing yet so stay tuned for that as it develops this summer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vikapprove ... 732131301/

I'm 170-175lbs and ride a 6m [20%], 8m [60%] & 10m [20%] at Nitnaht.
Safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com
skywalker
Website Donor
Website Donor
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu May 26, 2011 11:41 am
Location: Neverland

Post by skywalker »

Thanks for the replies!

Sounds like I'm going to have to get a 10m.

Yes I did use to kite lawrencetown and martinique in NS. Didn't realise how spoiled I was in NS with miles of sandy beaches everywhere!

Dallas road it is then. Will check out some of the other spots.

See you out there.
User avatar
mortontoemike
Posts: 513
Joined: Sun May 02, 2004 3:08 pm
Location: Sometimes here (Van)... sometimes there (Nanoose)
Contact:

Post by mortontoemike »

Skywalker. Welcome to paradise fellow Nova Scotian!
I wish my TOW was longer!
rookieRyan
Posts: 97
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:01 am
Location: victoria

Post by rookieRyan »

Dallas rd is wher its at! Pump ur kite! Yeahhhhh7 :D
Post Reply