Kiteboarding Magazine

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2004-02-18 15:00:00 | 163 views | 0 Comments

 

BEST SEASONS-

Spring and summer, though June has periods of “June gloom” — overcast with no wind. Look for the sun breaking out, and the wind will usually follow. Beware of Santa Ana winds in the winter; they create offshore conditions that are very gusty, 10 to 50 knots.

CONDITIONS-

Spring and summer winds are fairly steady southwest/south-southwest, varying from 12 to 20 knots depending on the Catalina eddy. Winds begin in early afternoon and are onshore to side-onshore. The outer breakwater allows for flat-water sailing and boosting big airs without worrying about swell. The beach is sandy and deep, which is great for practicing, setting up and launching.

DIRECTIONS-

From Los Angeles International Airport, take Highway 405 South, then exit at Studebaker Road in Long Beach. Turn right on Westminster Avenue (which becomes Second Street) and continue for approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left on Bay Shore Avenue, which will dead-end into Ocean Boulevard.

LAUNCH-

Two major parking lots on Ocean Boulevard offer great access and rigging in the sand. Walk your inflated kite over the busy pedestrian boardwalk, then lay out your lines on soft sand and set up with plenty of room.

For more information, check out the Southern California Kiteboarding Association's Web site, www.scka.org. The SCKA has been working to preserve this awesome kiteboarding spot and, along with the City of Long Beach, has developed a detailed guide to launching and landing in this area. On a given weekend, there can be in excess of 50 kites in the air at this beach, so don't be the one to spoil this spot by ignoring the guidelines.

WIND CHECK-

www.iwindsurf.com

www.surfline.com

LOCAL LESSONS AND SHOPS-

Kite Now
562-596-0018

Kites Etc.

562-592-5483, www.kitesetc.com

GRINDS/JAVA-

Two blocks from Belmont Shore, Second Street has an array of restaurants, from Baja Fresh to Sushi of Naples. There are also many restaurants around Long Beach Harbor and Los Alamitos Bay, from Schooner or Later, where you can enjoy a bowling ball size beer on the patio overlooking the marina traffic, to The Crab Pot, which has great fish for the discerning palate.

ACCOMMODATIONS-

The Pacific Inn, Seal Beach, 600 Marina Drive, 866-466-0300, 562-493-7501, fax 562-596-3448

Inn of Long Beach, 185 Atlantic Ave., 562-435-3791, fax 562-436-7510

Boat and Bed: To spend the night on a yacht, check out www.boatandbed.com.

OTHER THINGS TO DO-

Just three blocks from the kiting beach are all the shops and restaurants on Second Street, along with the Queen Mary, Long Beach Aquarium, Shoreline Village and the Catalina Express. Come in April and you can see the Long Beach Grand Prix street race. You are also within an hour from Los Angeles and the star tourist attractions in Hollywood and Santa Monica. It's 45 minutes to Disneyland in Anaheim.

TIPS-

- You need quarters for parking.

- The wind picks up about 2 or 3 in the afternoon in the spring and summer months, a steady 14-15 mph.

- Be careful of the stingrays, which enjoy the shallow warm water along with the kiters — be sure to shuffle your feet.