Choosing the Best Riding Spot in Central Florida
We get a lot of inquiries from riders on where the best spot is to pump up and go ride. I thought it might be helpful to break down my thought process and share it with you all. The truth is that choosing your riding spot is literally half the battle. The other half is enjoying your session knowing that you got the drop on the wind/weather conditions. Alright here goes!
In Central Florida we get many different types of conditions. Windy season for us is October through March. This iswetsuit season which means cold fronts and Noreasters. Suit up and look for the signs. Cold fronts usually cause winds to sweep from the Southeast and clockwise over a period of 3 days. The last days of the front are predominantly NNE or NE. When the wind is West, ride manatee park or the slick. Winds are turbulent so rig appropriately for periodic lulls. STAY OUT OF THE OCEAN ON WEST WINDS. When the wind is NW or N then plan for the slick. We live to ride the buttery flat waters of the 520 slick on a North wind. As the wind turns NE then get your butt to the beach. Side-onshore winds will make the surf a kiter’s playground. Cherie Down park in Cape Canaveral is our kite beach and you will most likely run into someone to ride with or help you launch. Launch anywhere and ride except for the Patrick Air Force Base. WATCH FOR BYSTANDERS!! This is prime time to do a downwinder from Cape Canaveral to 13th street South. Take $1.25 and catch the bus back.
The off or summer season is characterized by light winds in the morning with an afternoon seabreeze. Seabreezes are fickle so keep your spidey senses tingling when riding out in the ocean or far from land in the river. SE winds are the best in the summer and you will often find that the river works far better than the ocean. This has something to do with the thermal affect the warm river has. If it’s 10mph on the beach, then its probably 12-16mph in the Banana River. Ride the Slick or Bird Island. If we do get enough breeze on the ocean then do a down winder from 13th street south to our shop or Cherie Down Park.
If all of these spot names are unfamiliar to you then check outkiteboardingflorida.com to get the scoop on rules, riding and launching procedure. Have fun and ride safe!
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