It's Nice to be Back

After being out of town for more than three weeks it was nice to be back on the beach. It'll be awhile before I'm on the water again but I really enjoy the beach, the sun, all the activity, and of course the great bunch of kiters that show up every time the wind blows.

The wind was up and down a bit today. As low as 15 and as high  as 25 at times. Not bad. We should have at least two more good days. I wasn't in the water but the temperature chart says it is still 70 degrees - that's crazy.

The tide was really low today and you could see how rocky our area is this year. Makes it rough coming and going from the beach.

Take a Break

I'm still in Tucson but it looks like the wind has been spotty and light, although still lots of kitable days. This week is starting off even lighter but by Thursday the wind should be back and it should stay awhile. I won't be kiting yet but I'm looking forward to hanging out at the beach and watching.

Water temperature chart says it still around 70 degrees. That is at least five degrees warmer than it used to be this time of the year. Last year was warm as well.

Out Of Action

You won't be getting many reports from me for a bit. I am up in Tucson. I had Prostate surgery Monday that left me with an eight inch incision in my stomach. I hope to be back in Mexico as soon as possible but it's too early to predict when.

I still read the wind predictions and it looks like the season is good right now. Most days are moderate northwest winds.

I miss the strong 30 knot winds we used to get all the time up to a few years ago but considering that our spot to hang out and set up and all that is so exposed it is just as well. It's a lot safer too. We would get equipment breakdowns on a regular basis and way to many injuries. Glenn recently had an encounter with the obstructions in front of the Salsa Bar and we should all support his efforts to at least eliminate the steel posts.

Have fun, ride safe. I'll be back soon.

Today?

The wind just keeps blowing. Maybe not today, but who knows?

Yesterday was Julie's first try at load and pop and she was doing great! She's a natural for it.

Bonus Days

The wind keeps blowing. Wind Guru hasn't been promising much but Buoyweather keeps showing a possibility of good wind and we keep getting good wind. It could continue well into next week and more.

Sweet

Tuesday turned out to be the sweetest day. Strong, steady wind all afternoon. Sunset was beautiful - you'll have to take my word for it 'cause I forgot my camera. Wednesday's forecast says it will be 10 to 15 but there is always the chance that we will get a couple more knots if it's a sunny day. Next week is showing some big wind. Tuesday looks awesome. Unfortunately I'm scheduled for a root canal that day. Bummer.

Busy Monday

Monday turned out to be a very nice day.

End of the day and there was still wind and still lots of kites on the water.

A Few Good Days

We had nothing all week but the wind should be with us today, tomorrow and Tuesday. Buoy is saying 18 to 25. Water temperature chart says 79 degrees. Air temperature has cooled off but it still should be close to 80 degrees.

Anybody in town to go play?

Sunday Update: It was a good day. Wind started late and was a bit variable but got better later in the afternoon. Monday and Tuesday are looking as good or better.

See You Next Saturday

Wind started early and blew all day. The early kiters were rewarded with 20+ knots of wind and only a few kiteboards on the water. Later in the day the wind mellowed out and more people showed up, getting a little crowded. Water was nice and warm, still around 80 degrees. A couple of people got nailed by stinging things in the water. Good idea to wear a skin or wetsuit. No wind in forecast until next Saturday.

Lots of rocks close to shore this year.

Have Fun

I am going to Tucson today so of course that means that the wind will blow. Buoy is saying 15 to 20 knots both today and tomorrow.

Early Wind

The wind came up early today, really early. Before 10am. It mellowed out in the afternoon but I just checked Glen's meter and it is saying 20 mph at 5:15pm. As you can see in the photo below it was a quiet day on the water, perfect for beginners.

Meli & Lorenia, where are you?

Forecasts?

After a week of wind weaker than the forecast we had a good blow when the forecast said 10 to 13. It was blowing 20 knots for a while Saturday and it was just a beautiful day at the beach. Buoy Weather is saying 8 to 11 knots for today, but who knows? The week coming up doesn't look too good.

Ten to Fifteen Knots

We've been getting a steady diet of around 10 to 15 knots. It's not what we are accustomed to here but it's okay. The water is still warm, low 80's, and the surface is flat. Plus, these are just great days to be out on the beach. If you come out to kite it is best to bring a 12M or bigger, although I was out on my 9M yesterday.

Nice

Another nice day at the beach. Tomorrow more of the same and then more wind Monday.

Consistent Winds

We are getting northwest winds just about every afternoon. The only problem is that most days it has been light, often staying below 15 knots. 12M kites have been doing well. It looks like this will continue all week, possibly blowing a little harder after the weekend.

The warm water has been great, and most days there are only a few kites out on the water.

ATV's  have been a problem and there are still areas of lots of trash left from a storm a month ago.

Mild Winds

This week, starting today, we are looking at a possibility of 15 knot winds most any day. Especially today, tomorrow and then again Friday.

Saturday

Good Winds and Big Tides

With that big moon out there the high tides have been the highest I've seen here.

AND.....The wind is back. The next few days will be somewhere between good and great. Windguru is calling for west to northwest winds and Buoy Weather is saying stuff like WNW 15 to 20 knots. Starting Thursday. Buoy has been pretty accurate.

The Season is On

Winds: WNW 18 to 25 knots.

Thursday's forcast is looking good!

Start of the Season?

Northwest wind today. Not a lot but enough to get out there and play, probably 12 to 15 knots. Tomorrow may be the same. Thursday and Friday are looking better, maybe 20 or more knots. This will make a good week and may be the start of something. Hope so!

Great Day at Nahant

Nahant is a beach in Lynn, Massachusetts. I'm in the area visiting my parents. A strong weather front was predicted to pass through the area so I went out a bit before it was due. Wind was gusty. But the gusts were beautiful. I could relax between gusts and then be ready when they came. I'm using a 127cm board  with big fins that is so easy to dig in, let go, and boost straight up. And real floaty. I would just hang there and then land nice and soft.

Lots of room.

The beach is more than a mile long and there was never more than four kites on the water.

The weather passed by, a bit north of the beach. I could see the lightening but didn't think much about it. Later I saw in the news that two women were struck by lightening at a beach north of where I was. They are not expected to survive. Things can change so fast.

Wind This Week

I'm in Tucson so I don't know how well it blew yesterday but the wind reports showed northwest wind of about 15 knots late in the day. Monday is calling for decent south wind and then Wednesday through Friday switching back to northwest. Thursday is looking really good! Maybe over 25 knots!

I'll be in Massachusetts by then. I'm taking my kite gear but don't expect to get to kite much.

Have fun.  Kite safe.

Day After Day

Nothing is like it used to be. I know I'm not.

But, here I'm talking about the weather. The last winter season was milder than ever and now the summer is unlike any that I've seen here in San Carlos. Day after day I wake up to flat seas, clouds, and lots of humidity. And very little wind.

Usually the wind comes from the southeast in the winter. It comes straight up the Sea of Cortez and brings with it some of the turbulent tropical weather. It normally pushes waves up coming from the Pacific Ocean and the storms down south. (It also brings us the Portuguese Man o' War.) For nine years I lived in front of the sea. I always had wind and always had waves crashing against the sea wall. Not this year.

This year the wind has come mostly from the southwest. From Baja. Light winds, calm seas. Should be good for the fishermen but I hear the Dorado season has been poor. No waves at the beach to play in. Most folks don't bother to go to the beach until after 5pm. Too hot. Water temperature has been 90 degrees for a month already.

What's next?

Another Day of WNW?

The forecast keeps changing. We were promised some wind for today but this morning it says not so much. However, now Buoyweather is saying WNW 12 to 17 for Wednesday afternoon. Now, if I can just get my kite to hold air - the valves keep coming unglued, one at a time.

More NW

Marcos and I got out yesterday on his 13M kite. (My 12M kite had a leaking valve.) Light conditions but it was great to get out on the water in the summer. We were joined by a kid from Phoenix that had a 17M kite. Just a nice day!

Today the forecast is saying NW wind but even lighter. I don't think it ever got up to 15 knots yesterday so anything lighter is going to be tough. Buoy says 9 to 12 WNW.

NW

Surprise!

We got northwest wind in July!

It is supposed to blow even better tomorrow!

Sunday

The wind forecast is looking good enough for Sunday to go out and play over by Condos Pilar. Forecast is for more wind in the afternoon but I would advise getting out there early, like before noon. You'll want to rig bigger than the wind feels, southerlies have less punch than the cold, dry northwest wind of the winter months. Let's have some fun!

Hmmm......just noticed that the forecasts are saying WNW wind today and tomorrow. I guess we'll see. Maybe we'll be kiting at Algodones....in July!

Season is Over

Jumping in June

Sunday

It's Sunday, 5:00pm and the wind is blowing. A bit westerly but that would be fine over at La Manga. It didn't start blowing until 4 or so. I was busy by then so I'm missing the session today. Hope to make it out there tomorrow.

Forecast

The forecast looks real good for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Can it be trusted?

Light Wind

I'm glad I picked up a 12M kite this year. It's been a year of lighter wind and we are still getting light wind heading into the last week of May. Yesterday there was enough wind to go play. I was held up for a while with a valve separation but was able to re-glue it and get a nice session in.

John was out there tearing it up on his surfboard as usual:

Forecast is calling for another nice day tomorrow, Friday the 23rd of May.

May Wind

Middle of  May and there is still some great wind. I'm in Tucson and missing the past two days but here are a couple of posts from a few days past that others have posted of me!

First, from Darren:

And from Joshua

Bonus Wind

We've been getting more wind than the forecast has been saying. Let's hope that it continues. Water is still chilly - what's up with that? The beach was almost empty yesterday!

Wednesday

Today looks promising and may be followed by a couple of light air days. Big kites rule. For years we had little use for big kites but now we seem to be having lots of days when they come in handy.

Last Week

Last week was very nice but it will probably be the last good week that we'll have. We'll get a day or two once in a while during May, but the end is near.

Beautiful beach days and just enough wind - but what is that kite doing over by the rocks?

Oh, that's Darren doing a little rock surfing.

Oh No! It looks like we're about to have the best three days of the year and I'm stuck in Tucson.

Big Kites

Get out the big kites. The forecast is calling for light winds the next few days and then more wind for Tuesday and Wednesday. Light wind seems to be becoming the normal here. One advantage of having a big kite is that it makes kiting in the summer possible as well. For most of us a 13M or 15M kite should be plenty - you big guys might try a 17M. Years ago we all had a big kite in our quiver - usually between 17M and 20M. I still have a 30M from those days. Back then we were happy just to get out on the water. I used to kite up to 200 days a year.  I guess I got spoiled over the years with season after season of high wind excitement and got in the habit of waiting for the "good days." The adrenalin rush is addictive.

The forecast is showing that some days the wind may be a bit westerly. If so, the wind next door at La Manga will be much steadier.

I wish I could be here this week but I've got an appointment in Tucson for Monday, so I'll probably stay a few days up there.

Watch out for people on the beach and fly safe.

Is It Over?

Forecast says no wind all week until Saturday and I wouldn't count on Saturday until the forecast says so for a few days.

Quiet

Monday was a quiet start to Semana Santa in town and on the beach. Wind was a bit variable but good.

Daren taking a break from kiting to get some work done.

Semana Santa

Wind forecast is looking good for today and Tuesday. Not much the rest of the week. The Semana Santa crowd at the beach and the traffic would have made kiting difficult anyway. Water is still cold although the air temperatures will be in the 80's.

Hot Weather, Not So Hot Wnd

The wind is taking some more time off. It hasn't been very good the last couple of months. This week we had okay wind Sunday and Monday. Both days were excellent for a while but shifting winds made part of the afternoons difficult. The rest of the week is looking light - maybe next weekend.

Mid-week sailing, ya gotta love it!

Oh, by the way, the water cooled off. It is the coldest it's been all year. That is nuts! 

Two Day Blow!

Saturday was light but okay. Today it is already blowing in the morning and should continue tomorrow. Buoy Weather is saying 20 to 25 knots. Last Thursday we had a very windy day so maybe the season is going to finish strong.

Good Wind for the Tournament

This weekend is Maviri Wind and Music Festival in Los Mochis. It looks like they will have good wind as will we here in San Carlos.

Glen said Wednesday was nice and Thursday is looking fine - then the weekend and Monday look good.

Hmmmm....

Another week of weak wind. Today and tomorrow are forecast for winds in the 10 to 15 knot range. Enough to get out there and have a good day, but not what we have gotten accustomed to during our windy season here in San Carlos. A few years ago the trend was towards smaller kites as we consistently had winds over 25 knots. Now many of us have bought bigger kites to deal with winds under 15 knots. Así es la vida. ¡Pura vida!

Monday Maybe

Sunday the wind was as expected - from the north and not any good for kiting. The beach was protected from the wind by the mountains and the buildings and lots of people came out to enjoy a holiday weekend ( Benito Juárez's Birthday.) The parking lot was full.

Today, Monday, the wind should return to its normal direction. It will be light, but hopefully enough for a good day of kiting. 

Saturday Blow

Only a couple of light wind days so far this week but today, Saturday, is forecast to blow 30 knots or so. Sunday is forecast for north wind - if true, it won't be any good at the beach for kiting. Next week it's back to nothing.

Mixed Signals for Today

Buoyweather says wind, Wind Guru says no. It doesn't look good to me.

Not Much

It looks like a week of looking for something else to do. Not much wind in the forecast.

Monday we had good strong wind. Haven't had many days like that this season. It still was not close to being as strong as what we have often gotten this time of the year. Tuesday was light again and nothing much in the forecast.

Carnaval Sunday

The wind came but so did a lot of tourists in town for Carnaval. Surprisingly, we had less than a dozen kiters show up. The wind varied a lot during the afternoon - up and down and changing directions but it was still good. Tomorrow should be better.

Not Much Wind - Still a Lot of Fun

There hasn't been much wind the last couple of weeks. Yesterday and today were weak but it was enough to have some great days with loads of fun. It was the last two san carlos kiting days for Gary. Bye Gary. Besides being a nice guy he always brings wind.

The forecast continues to look weak but weak wind really has been enough for many of the kiters. I have a 12M kite so the light air doesn't kill it for me. I've also started to kite a little in La Manga. Haven't done that very much the last few years but it is a nice change, especially when the wind is light.

I usually tell people that it's no big deal to enter La Manga from where the lagoon exits. I may not be advising that any more. Due to several things going wrong all at once, I got washed up on the rock hill at the entrance. No damage done- I had to kick the board off and then managed to time a wave and boosted with the kite to place me standing up high enough on the hill to be above the waves and climbed up and over the rest of the hill. Climbed back down on the other side but then had to go back out to recover my board. Then I walked around the hill and entered La Manga from the hotel side - much safer.

Expecting wind on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Great Day to Climb Tetakawi

Where's my Wind?

Buoy Weather promised me wind. Liar,liar. Maybe later - but it's not looking good.

Coming Soon to a Beach Near You

Wind! Beautiful wind! It's been gone all week but it looks like it will be back on THURSDAY!

Wow

No wind the last couple of days. I got used to having wind almost every day and lately during the week almost nobody on the water. Now two days without any wind. So, I check the forecast. What the heck? It says no wind all week. I'm hoping it's just a glitch in the forecast and they'll correct it tomorrow.

Some days lots of kiters, some days nobody, some days babes.

Back to the Desmadre

Saturday was windy so that means a dozen kites on the water. We had our share of kitemares - fun to watch and to make fun of as long as no one gets hurt. Some great jumps and tricks too, especially from Alán, Ryan and Jorge. Whether or not they land them doesn't matter.

Despite the crowded conditions, it was a great day on the beach. There were also a half dozen of kiters doing a downwinder from La Manga Dos.

6:30pm, the sun has set, but still there are kiters on the water!

One Kite

Wind almost every day but some days a lot less than others. Today was one of those barely enough days and there was only one kiter at 3:30pm. Nobody on the beach. Paradise.

Lots of Wind

Almost every day it blows for at least part of the afternoon, often times most of the afternoon. Wind has been chilly but the sun and the water have been nice! This weekend is looking real good although that means it will probably be crowded.

Lots of Kites Saturday