Utah Windriders Association

Two Utah boys got a season's worth of sailing in one long week in Nor-Cal. We were on the water 7 out of 7 days from June 21-27 including sessions on the travel days.

After leaving at the crack of dawn last Thursday, Marty and I were on the water at Sherman Island by 5pm, just in time for a powered sunset sesh on 13 meter kites (could've been on 11's). The next 3 days were 'ground hog daze' where we repeated multiple sessions every day (typically 5 hours or more till we were toasted). The wind blows 24 hours a day at Sherman with an exceptional morning and afternoon ride, filled with light wind (13 meter weather) during the lunch time siesta hours. The wind was amazingly steady and strong, we rode 11-13 meter Instincts the entire time, switching to smaller boards every other run. Many women and lighter weight riders were out on 7 and 9 meter kites.

Board (pun intended) with the steady winds and changing swell at Sherman... that is the other fun part, the tide changes the currents for easy upwind runs or powered downwind drags... we headed to the Bay.

We were lucky to have Chip Wasson join us as tour guide, and we hit the Bay area's trifecta over the next two days, putting kites in the air at Alameda's sandy beach, Crissy fields gusty winds and Third Ave's steady and open launch.
We got to Third late each day and missed the better runs, arriving just in time for the light wind at the end of the day... but third is probably the choice place to ride within the bay with a lot of locals and big open launch area. Alameda had a nice beach and good downwind recovery options...and there is a shop in a shack right on the beach where you launch. Crissy Field was intense and my personal favorite, as I was lucky enough to chase Chip under the Golden Gate bridge and around a giant freighter ship that kicked out a massive wake/wave. When we hit the beach we saw a flare pop off symbolizing another suicide jumper on the bridge....sure am glad no one landed on me out there, that would've ruined the session I think.

Report of cool sightings: Lots of surf boards, some strapless with riders on smaller kites and many specialty race designs with straps. The race boards were amazing with fast upwind speeds, still able to hold down larger kites. (I was impressed enough I brought one back!) And the level is high with a huge number of riders that are over 50 years in age and throwing down fishing poles, kite loops and a ton of aggressive maneuvers... I can't wait till I grow up and get skillz like them boyz.

All in all the bay area locals, Sherman Island residents especially, are super friendly and have a great wind community. I would recommend the trip out there to any one... just 11 hours from SLC. We stopped in for one last ride at Sherman before trucking back to the motherland, making it back just after mid-night.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

How was the camping around these places?any???

Sherman Island allows camping in the parking areas... an RV or trailer is preferred as they do not allow tents to be left up. We bivied in the van as did many other sailors, just pay the $6 a day to keep the ranger away. Down the road a mile is a nice campground with grass, but I did not check the cost.

In the city you'll need to look for a hotel, motel or holiday Inn as there is no camping at the launch areas.

I would base out of Sherman and head into the bay on a day trip. Or you can head north an hour and camp in Bodega Bay right on/near the beach there.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Camping at the bay is nice kiting right around the corner. Was just there last week.

Hey Bordy, did you ride in Bodega or the SF Bay? Next time I head out there I'm going the hour south to Waddells... I keep hearing too much good stuff about that place.

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Here's a link... its the same news.... but has a few pics that I had trouble uploading to the UWA album... http://www.flyozone.com/kitesurf/en/news/headlines/4575

Windzup,
Brian Schenck

Thanks for the info you guys....

When in Bodega Bay, feel free to stop in at Candy and Kites on the 101. Dave and Fiona rock. Should be able to hook you up with the local beta. Dave's a buggier, but should know where to hit the water. Friday nights are also kite nights if you feel a need. Got skunked in Bodega last year myself (as well as every other damn place down the west coast), but maybe someone else can get lucky. Bring a thick suit. Brrr!

In my summer of skunkage last year, I alos had the opportunity to get skunked out at Sherman Island, and it looked awesome! Be sure to get the local beta for the launch as it is surrounded by blackberry briars. But if you land there in ealy August, it's a tasty snack for your prelaunch/post spankfest. Sherman gets the same thermal effects as the Gorge, only less intense, so I think 9-12m C-kites are the call (15 for the biguns). Mid-afternoon is the lull, as Brian said, but that's just the break before the killer sundowner. That's the beta, at least. Like I said, never got to ride Sherman myself.

Please, someone, head out there and get the rides I never did.



-J