Comming to the CocoBeach to Jacksonville Area
 

Anyone looking to Kite the weekend. I am up in Gainesville to visit my girlfriend and we will be kiting this weekend as long as there is good wind within a 3 hour drive. Looking to ride all day Saturday. I am very much a begginner but if anyone is looking to get together to hit the beach let me know. I am really looking forward to getting a good day of kiting. I don't know the Northeast Florida area, anywhere from Coco Beach to Jacksonville, so if anyone knows any good spots let me know.

So far the best forecast looks like St Augustine area.

Kiting Coco Beach Area?
 

I am debating visitng the Cocoa Beach Area this weekend (Providing my friend's place is available to crash at). it looks like it has some kiteable winds this Sunday.

http://beta.ikitesurf.com/windandwhe...orecast+Graphs

I am also very much a beginner, and know nothing of the area....Anyone out there able to give me some guidance? (ie. Good beginner areas)

I am still teetering on the idea, so if your game for Sunday, let me know :-)

Coco Beach Kite locations?
 

Just found this page that mentions some Cocoa Beach Launch locations that appear list some additional locations to the "FLORIDA GUIDE - NE Coast, Melbourne Area" sticky.

http://www.kitemare.com/Cocoa_beach%20Kiteboarding.htm

Does anyone have an opinion about these locations? the renting a boat to the flats seems like a good idea? - Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Bob

Wow, you have more on tap in the forecast than in South Florida to be sure.



TONIGHT
WEST WINDS 10 KNOTS...SHIFTING NORTH AND INCREASING TO 20
KNOTS TOWARD DAYBREAK. SEAS 2 TO 4 FEET...BUILDING TO 5 TO 7 FEET
AFTER MIDNIGHT. INLAND WATERS BECOMING CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY
NORTH WINDS 20 KNOTS...DECREASING TO 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE
AFTERNOON. SEAS 5 TO 7 FEET...SUBSIDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET. INLAND WATERS
CHOPPY. ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT
NORTH WINDS 15 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO
5 FEET. INLAND WATERS A MODERATE CHOP. ISOLATED SHOWERS.

I would do key word searches of this site for:

Matanzas
Huguenot
Ponce
Cocoa

For more ideas.

I would lean towards Matanzas myself. It is open to the ocean and yet because of sand bars there is a fairly calm section of water nearer to the inlet. BE CAREFUL about peak incoming or outgoing tides. More at: http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=2543.

Matanzas?
 

Thanks Rick!

It looks like Matanzas will have better wind...

http://beta.ikitesurf.com/windandwhe...orecast+Graphs

Do you know roughly the time on the road it take to get from Cocoa Area to Matanzas? - Traffic concerns? - not big on commuting :wink:

The tide is going to be RIPPING out Sat and Sunday afternoon at Matanzas due to the full moon.

Basically, if it is blowing 15 it will "feel like" 20 due to the very strong opposing current and if blowing 20, well....... 8)

Wednesday was epic because of this. 15 to 20 plus with very strong current. Donna said it was the best session she's had in 2 years.
Every session on the water is good to me, but that one was definitely sweet.

Going upwind is as simple as falling in with the current. But, your board can get away from you pretty quick for the same reason.

Knowing how to water relaunch (quickly) and then bodydrag upwind is a big bonus as a newer rider.

Hugenot might be better suited for newer riders. They have the "pond" there.

If you show up here (St. Augustine), call the shop for detailed directions and tips on where to park (on the beach, North side of the inlet)
904 461 9415.

I will be out there on Sunday (red Toyota Tundra, 11m Ozone Instinct).
I think 20 guys/gals will be there tomorrow.

Cool...
 

Thanks Scott!

Just saw your posting after posting my same question on your forum (Extreme Kites)... I'll probably be calling you this weekend :-)

Does the tide affect riding in this area? Is there an ideal time of day to kiteboard in this area?

I'll be the guy with the red 12m Switchblade or the yellow 14m Contra Bow (doubt I'll be on that), Red Helmet, Green Mustang. If you see a Cabrinha Prodigy 158 board with some reflector tape on it floating around, Its most likely mine....I will be stocking some 6 packs in my trunk for the foreseeable board loss...

Ideal time will be about 11 am to 2pm on Saturday (roughly) combining the tidal current with the wind forecast. You want to demo a Go-joe?
It might save your board. :)

Call us and we will take a deposit on it and then rip up the credit card paper when you return it! Or you can buy it if you like it. Its mine (to demo) and our last one for awhile.
I want to hear if it works and if it's an annoyance or not :D

Sure I'll try it :-)

Would you say its still Boardshorts & Rashguard weather in your area?

Re: Matanzas?
 

It looks like about two hours by car per mapquest:

http://tinyurl.com/h7mc5

I would talk to Daryl or Scott at Extreme Kites about commuting issues, if any. The few times I have been up there traffic has been pretty light by South Florida standards.

There is also Ponce Inlet much closer to Cocoa, the south side anyway. I would think the waves might be a bit larger there if the waves are running at all.

I will be at manataz tomorrow with my buddy Jack, 12m nitro, 14m nitro, 17m element, and 23.5m contra. Look forward to a great session out that hope to see some of you out there. Also Scott I plan to stop by the shop and check it out while I am in the area.

Location
 

The Launch Area is near Fort Matanzas?

so it would be near
8635 A1A South St. Augustine.?

Thanks,

Bob

You guys are riding while I am working :cry:

Hey, at least post and let us know how great it was 8)

Man, just got off the water after work. Solid twenty to 25. Litt on a 13 Instinct.

Hope the inlet was good for you guys this morning/early afternoon.

Hey scott is was awsome, that is such a nice place to ride. Thanks for the advise. I did end up loosing my board twice and the current ran away with it. Over all a great session and my first upwind run, ( yes I understand that the current had a ot to do with that). Sitting back in gainesville now reflecting on what was truly a great day. Spend most the day on my 17m, ealrier in the day it got a little lite and I got to cruise on mt contra 23.5m. 12mph winds many on the beach and bam the 260lber is out cruising powered. I also did meet bob there. It is nice to not be the only new guy at the beach stuggling. Overall I can't type how awsome it truly was to just cruise, I am definatly hooked on kiting for sure now and will hit whatever part of florida has wind next weekend. I am hoping to hit Bahia Honda next weekend(pending wind) that is a great flat place for us beginers to get some good practice in. If you are interested comming down let me know. I will be leaving from Ft. lauderdale area. Can't wait to hit the water again.

PS I did try to visit the store however you were closed. It was 6:30pm by the time we got everything packed up and off the beach. Next time I will stop by =-).

Glad you had a good day at Matanzas. It really is a great launch. So is Bahia Honda, one I have been worried about for a few years. Being a state park it is so easy to boot us out of there. I think most guys travel well to the up Keys side of the park on the Straits of Florida side and walk further to the right near the point about 500 ft. from the parking lot. Definitely avoid areas with lots of bathers. They can have a small swell there off the bar but usually it is just flat.

http://tinyurl.com/hj6c9

Have fun down there

Biz and Bob,

SWEET! I talked to Bob on the phone right after his sesh. He said he had a great time as well and I hope to see him out there today (with a Go-Joe for him :idea: ).

The great thing about then inlet when the tide is ripping is that 12 knots on the beach means 16 knots apparent once you hit the water and going upwind at 3 knots (against your will at times). It's pretty sweet, for sure.

Glad you had a blast. As Rick alluded too, be extra courteous and safe at Bahia Honda, as I am sure you are everywhere. :lol:

When you stopped by the shop Daryl, Rob and I were riding the Waroo Pro 11m and Instinct 13 just behind the shop. Hope to meet you out here on your next visit. I assume since you are hooked, that may be soon!

Hi Scott,

It was great kiting in your area this weekend! I will definatly have to make it up to your area again! Just have to remember to not stop suddenly on the sand & to avoid the orange sand when possible...

Sorry I wasn't able to meet you on Sunday...was too hung over Sunday morning to make the drive from Cocoa Area :)

Please pass my thanks to Daryl on where to get my flat fixed, it turns out Tire Kingdom was opened till 8:30pm :-D

- BizGuru
It was great to meet you in person & thanks for retrieving my board! If all goes well I might see you in Bahia Honda!

I learned about the orange sand the hard way, too.

Weekdays are the ticket here, if possible try to come next time during the week.
Imagine having that whole area to yourself with maybe 2 other riders!!
It's hard to beat. 8)

Ok I feel stupid what is with the orange sand? Can't make it on a weekday however if the forecast holds I think I am going to camp in the area and be there saturday and sunday. Looks like it may be the best spot in the state next weekend as well. Hope to see you all up there.

Also anyone have any thoughts on Anastasia State Park? to at least camp at and possibly ride?