SPI Super Crazy Wind-Graph for May 2, 2011

[KayakDoc]

Yup. The wind comes up pretty gall darn fast here in Texas.

[JL]

Not to mention the subtle change in direction

[KUS]

that's how the kiter back east was killed, dragged out and done also a nasty windshift in Seattle ended in a fatal local knowledge for sure, they should post a sign if this is an expected and regular event

[more force 4]

so the graph points are 10 min apart? I bet Nitinat would show nearly that abrupt on those days you can see the whitecaps coming and the lake by the camp is still glassy. THough most days its a lot more gradual.

[KayakDoc]

Kus, I agree that the extreme wind shift is a potential disaster. I would expect that kiters would know to get rid of their gear under extreme wind conditions or at least ditch the kite and get on top of it (although the guy that died in Seattle did not). Taking a good hard look at the weather predictions and asking the locals for any insight into local conditions is usually prudent. Having said this it appears that wind is not the deadly factor here, but current is. There were three deaths in chest deep water here on the weekend when swimmers got mixed up in very strong currents with harsh undertows. Apparently this is not unusual, especially with the extreme shift in winds with such large fetch pushing so much water around. So indirectly the wind might be to blame.

MF4 I was thinking the same thing when I initially heard that the wind was about to hit, yet I find that Nitinat is different. I expect the wind at the lake to move up the lake and hit the beach maintaining its heading. The wind at SPI was weird because you felt it at your back and then immediately slam into you from the opposite direction. I can only imagine what it would feel like to be kiting in 15k west and then immediately be hit with 35k east with no gusts, just extreme shift in direction. If you could get the timing down it could be a whole new aspect in windsurfing/kiting (although how you handle the extreme de-power is gonna be a neat trick).

[Teabag]

Talking about safety or extreme wind shift I really, really enjoyed these small feet fins, they were extremely helpfull in some occasions.

Lost them in a session because of backpack opening without I notice but going to rebuy some soon. Didnt use the hands fins and I dont think that they would have help lots compare to the feet fins.

If you are far and your main bladder gave up and the wind is side offshore, fins makes you feel better, make you realise that you are doing progress towards shore

Good thing to have imo