Lots of Kites Saturday

Great Weekend

Today and tomorrow look great. A lot of this past week had okay wind. Lots of times there is very little wind in town but it'll blow at the beach. I expect this coming week to be similar - check Glen's wind meter in the afternoons and if it says wind, then there is wind.

New Wind Meter

Glen has installed a wind meter on his house on Algodones Bay and it is awesome. Very reliable at giving us an accurate reading of the conditions. Forget about Chucho. This week the forecasts have shown marginal winds and Chucho has shown very light wind, but it's been blowing almost every afternoon. You wouldn't know it from what it is doing in town. Right now I don't see any indications of good wind off the coast in town but Glen's meter says 18 to 20. I'm heading out there as soon as I post this. http://www.weatherlink.com/user/gwbuild/

OOOps.... I may have spoken too soon. Now it says 13 - which is more in line with Buoy Weather's forecast. Damn.

One of those "no wind days."

Moria, the Spin Queen, doing a 360.

Good Week Ahead

Today, Friday, should be good and tomorrow is forecast for a bit lighter. Sunday is a day off and then we may have a few days in a row of kite days. The forecasts haven't been real accurate and we don't have any wind meters online that are good indicators so about the only way to be sure is to go to the beach or wait for someone to post on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/sancarloskiters/.) Weather has been warm, water is still in mid-60's. In fact, the weather has been so nice that it has been enticing lots of beginners to come out and learn the sport. Usually this of the year the wind is cold, strong and gusty - kind of nasty - and not very inviting for novices.

On another note, a great place to set up is just to the east of La Salsa bar. You can park very close, it's sandy, and no wind. Launching at the water's edge is normal, no problem.

No Wind

The forecast lied, the clouds won. It is 2:30 and no wind.

Is The Wind Back?

The wind slowed down during the week but it still blew a few days late in the day. I don't know how many got to take advantage of it as it often didn't blow until after 4:00 pm. The forecast for today is good but it is an overcast day, which can often limit how much it blows. We'll have to wait and see. The forecast for the rest of the week has improved and we may have several good days! YEA!

Here are a few photos from last week:

Beautiful Sunday

Nice day today.

Lots of kiters at Algodones

John and Jimeh at La Manga

Fernanda taking pictures

The Wind is Back

The wind was only gone for a day. Yesterday was very calm all day and I took advantage of it to do some kayaking. Beautiful day. Even though we've had wind almost every day the weather has been wonderful -- warm and sunny. Water temperature has cooled off but still a few degrees warmer than normal, about 64 on the surface. There is a good chance it will blow until the new year. Then it'll calm down for a bit.

Tania, my kayaking buddy.

Christmas Gift

The wind is giving us a great Christmas present - another week of kitable wind. The water is the warmest I've seen it for this time of year, still mid-sixties.

It's a shame we don't have a good spot to set up and pack up our equipment. The beach near the point is kind of dirty and trashy and there is no wind break at all. Maybe we should experiment with setting up and hanging out further down the beach. Heck, we used to set up at the dunes and either walk or kite up the beach to the point before we had the access road to the restaurant buildings.

As Predicted

Sunday and Monday were as expected. Strong and Northerly. The forecast for the next few days has improved and it looks like it might keep blowing until next year! Nice end to 2013.

Christmas Week

This week is looking really good. The wind is forecast to be a bit north at times and a bit light at times but now that we've been pushed to kiting closer to the point, those considerations aren't so important anymore. Lately the conditions haven't looked all that great on line or even on the beach, but once on the water it's all been good.

It seems like every year we'll get a few days when lots of kiters show up and we all fear that our little slice of heaven is going to be ruined. And then weeks will go by when only a handfull come to the beach. Friday there were two of us. Today is Sunday, let's see how many come. Forecast is for 15 to 20 knots - perfect! Water is still warmer than normal, about 63 degrees.

Two good bits of news. One is that Telmex finally connected my internet. The other is that we passed the shortest day of the year and every day will be a little bit longer. Yea!

Telmex

I've been without internet for two weeks, waiting for Telmex to flip a switch to bring service to my house. the local Telmex office is completely useless. I need to find time to get to the Guaymas office and I'll bet that when I do, I'll have service within a day. Anyway, we've had some pretty good days. A few times it got crowded out on the water but other days only a few people showed up. Water temp is still in mid 60's - not bad for the middle of December. I worked all day today so I don't know if it blew enough or not. The forecast isn't looking too good for the coming week.

Lots of Kiters, Lots of Kites, not much Wind

Saturday looked real promising but the wind didn't cooperate. A lot of people had faith in the predictions and showed up for a weekend session but it was more of a social gathering. Today is starting out looking like a repeat.

Beautiful Weather

The water is still warm, still in the 70's, but the wind has cooled off the air temperature. We're only getting a couple of days of wind a week. Sunday was nice, even if it was a bit gusty. Monday and Tuesday should be good and then we' ll have to wait until the weekend.

A Couple Days a Week

The wind has slowed down to only blowing a couple days a week. Yesterday was nice and today should be just as good. Next wind isn't in the forecast until Monday.

Nice Weather

Weather has been great! Warm days, warm water, and enough wind to have a blast. Yesterday's forecast didn't come true and the rest of this week is not looking good. See you all next week.

Strong Wind

Friday's wind started early and strong. I got wacked. It wasn't nuking but it was blowing a good 25 knots. I wanted to see what damage I could do with my new 12M kite. I was definitely overpowered but I've learned to cope with that.

It was only my fourth jump and I still hadn't dialed in my launch but as soon as I went up, I was flying. While in the air I was moving the kite around, trying to get some control over my flight but this kite turns differently - it pivots quickly and without power. When I was expecting to power up I was instead plummeting to the sea. As I got close to the landing and looked down I realized how fast I was flying. I wasn't ready for a high speed landing - it wasn't expected and no time to adjust. I crashed HARD. My impact vest and helmet did their job, although my glasses shattered and cut my face a little. I was done jumping for the day. Still, I'm looking forward to doing it again.

Adrenalin junkie.

Nice day for windsurfing as well!

Decent Wind

We've had several days this week with decent wind. Yesterday was much better than forecast and only two people, Daren and Beau, got out to enjoy it. By the time I got out there after 3:00pm they were already done for the day and the sea and the beach was empty.

Today should be strong wind and light wind for Saturday. Nothing for Sunday.

We had good wind all week although the weekend was a little light. I've had a lot of work so I only made it out a couple of times. My 10M kite is pretty much worn out anyway - time for a new kite.

The forecast is calling for northwest wind for most of the coming week.

Also, Fireman John found a bar on the beach a couple of mornings ago - so check your gear.

Wind

Wind was good Tuesday and should continue be good for the next few days.

Light Wind

We've had a few days of light northwest wind. Light, but enough to get out there. The forecasts are calling for more light wind. Today looks doubtful but I plan on going out to see - maybe there will be enough in La Manga. Next week looks okay for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The weather station called Chucho is down and the one on the Caracol has been down for a while. That leaves us without a good indicator for current conditions. We'll have to rely on Greg for updates - he lives in Condos Playa Blanca.

Nice Sunday

The wind blew again on Sunday. Nice day! Next week is not looking so good right now, but I'm hoping the forecast improves.

Saturday Was a Nice Start

The wind was good all afternoon, signaling a great start to the season. Today should be another nice day.

Our setting up location has been pushed down the beach to the point in front of the islands. Plenty of room but no protection from the wind. The wind feels stronger on the beach than it is on the water. Hopefully, when the weather gets cold and the beach visitors stop coming we can move back to our old place on the beach.

Weekend Forecast

The weekend forecast just keeps getting better. Saturday should be crazy. Remember to watch out for all the non-kiters on the beach and in the water.

Sunday and Monday

We just had two days of nice wind. It looks like we'll have a break and then it is supposed to crank up again for next weekend.

A few of the locals playing

We Have Wind!

The forecast hasn't promised much but the wind has picked up in the afternoon the past couple of days. I think anytime it is calling for northwest wind it is worth checking out. Friday is definitely a maybe. Bigger kites would be best but it is still doable with what we have. Here is Daren on the water yesterday:

It's Coming!

Northwest winds are starting to make appearances. Getting better as the week progresses. Looking good for Sunday and maybe for a few days afterwards. Forecasts tend to be unreliable this time of year, so we'll see.

Go For It!

I wish I was in San Carlos. The northwest winds are back, at least for the moment. I'm in Tucson but won't be back to Mexico until Monday. Please wind - keep blowing.

Always Cloudy

We've started to get more wind but every day with wind is also with clouds and a bit of rain. Not that I'm complaining, just saying. Today it looked a bit iffy but turned out to be a real sweet day. Lots of people because it was Saturday of Labor Day weekend but it never felt crowded. Plenty of room for everybody.

West Dennis Beach
Massachusetts

Windy

Early Monday was rainy but then it stopped and the wind began. Good wind - a bit gusty and more westerly than preferred, but good nevertheless.

Nice Wind

I haven't had many opportunities to kite but Tuesday was good. Like a lot of places during the week, the kite beach was empty at noon when I arrived. A few kiters showed up later.

West Dennis Beach

Parking lot attendant girls

Life Guard

West Dennis Beach

                       

Home beach for the summer. Cape Cod, Massachusetts