Photos - Jupiter Kiting Session & The Hazards Of Wind Shadow

[ricki]

Winds were supposed to be gusting to around 35 kts. but the front backed off quite a bit when it moved through. The wind was forecast to be north, which if this was true would make it side off for much of SE Florida and not rideable. Sometimes the wind bends parallel to shore but not always as happened this time. This images were shot with a GoPro HD2.

The gusts and lulls caused by land wind shadow or mechanical turbulence can be inconvenient to deadly. A number of kiteboarders have been killed during such conditions in various parts of the world. More about this common wind conditions with some discussion of things to look out for at http://fksa.org/showthread.php?p=38932#post38932




Some nice swells were running, not double head high as predicted but around head high or so. They were fairly easy to make through fortunately as well. You can't always say that.




I rigged a 9 m Drifter expecting the wind to boost substantially away from shore and land wind shadow effects. It ended up varying a fair amount.




There was a nice turnout of kiters.




The launching area




Brian and Craig came up for a downwinder from Hobe Sound








Kiter up




It was a nice quick session. So, if it looks like it is going to be close to side offshore, it would be good to make a Plan B to travel to an area where it is side to side onshore.