For east coast kiteboarders and kite surfers looking to get some action during the brutal winters, South Florida is the place to where most of us flock (usually because we have grandparents who live there half the year if not longer). I almost feel like I am at home when I go down and visit, because there’s a very good chance one of my friends is vacationing in one of the neighboring towns: West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami.
The Atlantic hurricane season produces strong waves that allow windsurfers the opportunity for some sick tacks and jibes. On good days, waves can range from knee high to overhead. South east Florida’s season for wind is October through April. In-season winds are ususally 15-20 knots but can reach levels of 20-25 knots. The ocean rarely drops below 72 degrees. For us native north easterners, that’s just below bath water! But for southerners, it’s very common to see kite surfers in full wetties.
For east coast and west coast surfers, kite surfing in Long Beach differs, as both have their own Long Beach on their respected coasts. ABOVE: kite surfing video is of a female surfer in Long Beach, California. Notice the palm trees and clean looking water. BELOW: (a familiar scene to us east coasters) is a video of a surfer in the Atlantic in Long Beach, New York. Here you’ll notice the ocean is darker and the waves choppier. It ain’t paradise, but it’s the cards we’re dealt with. Though the cities share a common name, they are both unique and appreciated by their surfers.
I have been fortunate to meet some great people out here in Nor Cal. This past weekend I met Trevor, an aspiring Hollywood actor who, between auditions, kiteboards in and around Los Angeles with a small group of aspiring actors. Kiteboarding or kite surfing, is the latest craze in extreme water sports Trevor says, and his kiteboarding clan (and future Oscar winners) are out there 3-5 days a week tearing up the waves outside of Hollywood. It is only right that I refer to their lifestyle as “Hollywood kiteboarding”. I hope to see Trevor on the big screen in the near future. I can see him in a “Point Break” sequel…
Here’s another sweet video of extreme kiteboarding that I found on MySpace. This kiteboarder gets some great airtime and holds a sweet grab! It’s a little shaky but definitely worth watching.
