VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

Hey,

I'm coming to Victoria,BC in two weeks. Can you please advise where is a good place to kite. I heard about Cook St. .. any other places worth to try .. ??

What are usual wind conditions for mid April up there? Most common kite sizes used?

Thanks,
Peter

Sorry, without a local resident license you can't launch here

Keep reading the site

sure .. good one ..

Take a browse through the selection on the BWD Wiki / Sailing Guide list.

There are lots of great spots, and Victoria gets heaps of wind.

Typical kite size, prolly 8 or 9 m. Browse Forum / Sailing Log now that you know the names of the local spots, and you will see what folks are on.

Thanks Greg!

Victoria's great for wind in April.
Still got the winter SE gales and clearing westerlies, plus hint of summer westerlie thermals.
However, watch out for lingering noisey, grumpy sea lions, one of them nicknamed "Kus".

Just too bad there's no wind this April so far. hopefully that will change soon. Cook Street is a seriously serious place to kiteboard and so you do need to be aware of the protocols if you are going to kit there---both for your personal safety, that of other kiters and the general public who use the beach. One incident could shut it all down, so please make sure you are well aware of how to launch and what the wind can potentially do to your kite and you.

While one could interpret localism as agro, or overly protective of the limited space available, generally we are a pretty friendly and helpful bunch, so please do ask questions if you have them, because people would rather you ask than have an accident.

Happy Kiting.

April 2 was great @ Island view & Willows ... Denman Kiter makes great points about protecting our access by playing safe. From the water I saw a 'sketchy' launch from the grass @ I.V. Apr.2. 2 360's & a kite in a tree WAY too close to going into the power lines. PLEASE if your launch goes strange LET GO OF THE BAR !!! & we are all confident in our safety systems & know how to use them right ?

Thank you so much for these posts. I read about a tricky launch at Cook St. before and I will avoid it at this point. I hope to try Gordons Beach instead. If you have any remarks about this spot I will appreciate all.

As a separate question: will 5/4 wetsuit will be worm enough for mid April weather in Victoria area?

You should be fine in a 5/4...

Try and find something with a hood.
you will be way warmer"

I have 7mm boots and 3mm hood and gloves to accomplish 5/4 wetsuit.

Cozy boots I find the 7mm (O.R.) also have more support for hiking up rocky beaches

don't forget the crampons and oxygen cylinder, holy crap where's my cane... don't forget the rations, there are no food stores around here for miles except beyond the glacier to the west but the access is blocked by a herd of wild kiiiite eating moose

Kus .. great sense of humor .. .. good that you mentioned that .. I always have with me portable fridge full of snacks .. especially when traveling to the island .. you never know, that can possibly be one of this deserted islands !! I have to admit I don't take crane with me .. tried that before but its not very convenient (hard to squeeze it into my "golf" bag) ..

.. hope for the good wind on the island, cant wait to kite there .. just bought a local resident license on ebay .. Im set !!