New to Victoria - Help

[Elliot Drury]

Hey guys, so I'm going to UVic next september and I really want to get some good kiting in while I'm out there. I don't know if any of you go there or know people that go there but can anybody help with spot info? Do I need a car? Is there any kind of kite scene at the university? Thanks!

[MartyD]

You do not need a car... but you will get a lot more days in if you have one
Are you spending the summer here? Cuz that is our season.
We get afternoon west winds of varying strength almost every day from May till Sept. Check out the Wiki sailing guide for more spot info.
Cook st is the closest west wind spot to uvic. There are no direct busses, but I think you can can pretty close with a transfer or 2.
If you get a car(or friends with a car ) You can hit up gordos or nitinat which are generally more consistant (especially nitinat ) or even Nimpkish if you want to drive 6 hours.
Usually people ride 10-12M kites, with 13-15M and 7-9M days mixed in.
Oct-April is storm season here. We get SE winds(often very strong) followed by west winds about once or twice a week. You can sail Island view or Willows locally. Willows you can bus to direct , IV is about a 20 min drive from UVIC. Comox is great flat water and Columbia is great for waves but both are 2+ hours up island. There are a few other spots up island on the wiki. The winter winds are usually gusty unlike the steady summer thermals. I dont know much about the UVIC kite scene, but I know this website has a great kite scene.
Keep an eye on the forecast and check the msg board when you arrive.
I always post before I head out and am willing to show someone new to town our spots.
Most people around here are quite willing to help out! Welcome to the Island!
In case you cant tell, yeah I have one of those jobs where you sit on the internet all day

[KUS]

No new people or cars, man this island is full dood

University is for learning, not having fun kiting DOOD Do your parents know you are on this site

[BK]

Watch out for those kiter guys, they can be mean sometimes...(some of us anyway)

[Elliot Drury]

Haha I guess eh, MartyD thanks for all the great info, exactly what I was looking for. I'll be there only for the school year so september to may I guess but I'm sure I'll get some good riding in. Is the water to cold to ride in the winter? Its -10 usually in london ontario where I'm from haha and I've heard that BC is much better that way

[nanmoo]

Nope, nothing but snow, polar bears and -40 temps here. Best to stay away.

[MartyD]

You can get away with a 5/4mm all year.
Boots, hood, and gloves(or poggies) for the winter.

[Sandy Beach]

We're originally from 'landlocked' London, Ontario too, and Fanshawe Lake just doesn't cut it for windsurfing and/or kiting. And, the relatively close Great Lakes (Lake Huron, Ontario and Erie) are too much of a drive from London, in my opinion.
Great move to make to UVic, you'll love the island, and probably never want to move back.
I definately suggest making the trek to Nitinat either in Sept and/or May. As the bears would agree...there's no place like it.
Welcome

[Elliot Drury]

Hey so I finally got out to visit Victoria! I had a sick time, people are way nicer than here haha. I went down to check out the Cook/Dallas beach, and it looked dope and it was even pretty windy! Do you rig out on the point there?

[more force 4]

If you were at the corner of Cook and Dallas, the usual launch is to the right, westward, about 2? blocks. Can't miss the kites. If you are around tomorrow the westerly should be working.

[MartyD]

Ill be down at cook most the day tomorrow. Ill be on a yellow GK sonic. Flag me down and ill debrief you about the spot.

[Elliot Drury]

Oh I'm back in ontario now and I wont be out again until september. I will toss a message up then and hopefully we can meet up and ride. Thanks alot for the info again guys