Camping/kiting for the 2 months on the island..where to go??

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 9:34 pm

Hi
Myself, from Scotland, and my wife from Denmark have just finished our 9 month working stint and are ready to reward ourslves with some summer kiting. Heard from local kiters here that the island is where its at...so thats where we're headed. Wondering where anyone would suggest going for an 8week kite session - would like to stay put somewhere in our camper - use our scooter to get around, so all advice appreciated - read quite a bit about Nitnat and Campbell river, my worries are:

Having to pay for camping every night at Nitnat?
Nitnat being overrun with kids on beach/ kiters off?
Campbell river not being as strong/reliable wind as Nitnat?

We are both confident kiters with a decent ability level..so wheres best to chill for the next 2 months??

Many thanks in advance
Dougie
(wingers need not reply)

nanmoo · Post by **nanmoo** » Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:32 pm

What is a winger?

duckbill · Post by **duckbill** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:23 am

nitnat is the most reliable for kiting in summer
Kids are allowed everywhere
its hard to find free camping on the island

JL · Post by JL » Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:06 am

http://www.bigwavedave.ca/wiki/index.php/Sailing_Guide You might enjoy the http://www.juandefucamarinetrail.com/ as a diversion ... Gordons beach (Tugwell creek) is a great July spot ... It's possible to camp in the hills of Sooke discretly

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:15 am

A winger is a Scottish word for someone who complains and moans all the time...seen a few of them on here...like all forums!

Yea reliable wind is our no.1 priority so maybe Nitnat is the best option

Come on folks, someone must know a good insiders tip?......

I know your gonna want the low down on secret camp and kite spots in Scotland & Denmark soon enough

pow+pow · Post by **pow+pow** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:29 am

worked for 9 months and cant afford some minimal camping fees? kids a problem? WINGER!!!!!!

downwind dave · Post by **downwind dave** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:28 pm

i think your nuts to want a single spot, there is so much to check out on the island, from the lakes to the straits to the west coast... anyway if its cheap n kid free you want Nimpkish is your spot.. take lots of groceries and DEET.

KUS · Post by **KUS** » Sat Jul 03, 2010 5:54 pm

I know a great place in northern Scotland

you might need some beefy tires for your scooter tho

SMACK · Post by **SMACK** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 5:59 am

Hang your hat at Nimpkish lake and call err good. Ask around, you'll find it

Ferguson · Post by **Ferguson** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:00 pm

Thanks to all who have given some good advice and tips, can anyone quantify just how bad the 'worst' bit of the road to Nitnat is...we have a '77 Econoline

MESSAGE TO POW+POW:
have you ever actually kitesurfed? ...if you have you would know that Kids and kites dont work well on the same beach...I've seen some insanely dangerous launch areas full of families! Oh yea and have you ever worked minimum wage in canada - $8 an hour before tax!! NO we haven't saved much money and certainly can afford to spend $1200 on camping for 2 months!

kitesurferdale · Post by **kitesurferdale** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 1:04 pm

ferguson,

A couple of notes for you. Beaches are crowded regardless if there are kids or not. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure when you are about to launch and land (and your launcher/lander)that it is safe at that moment to do so. With that said...Nitinaht has few children on the beach within the launch zone of where you are supposed to launch and land. It is a large area with more than enough room. Should there be someone on the beach a polite (or not so polite if need be) word would resolve the situation. As for camping fees, well the other fella is right, not alot of places on the island that are a free lunch, however creativity has worked well for others in the past.

I will say that there are more and more people using the kiting areas (more kiters now) so it is even more important for all users of the water to be courteous, observant and respect the advise of the locals when they offer it.

Cheers and enjoy your summer

Dale

AC · Post by AC » Mon Jul 05, 2010 2:07 pm

Go South!!

GWIND · Post by **GWIND** » Mon Jul 05, 2010 4:10 pm

GO to Nitnat- you got to say U was there, can be very good there. The road can be smooth or real bumpy. Go slow it's only over an hour on gravel. It's a pretty flat road just potholes are a problem. Just ignore everyone, well except me. this week should be hot.

AC · Post by AC » Mon Jul 05, 2010 6:28 pm

Kennedy Lake can be good, sometimes you get a thermal between the lakes, Good fishing, even caught some nice cray fish in there.
Its free. but the locals can be unpredictable.
At least when you pay a Small fee there is a good chance you will be safe, and maybe even have a life guard present.

pow+pow · Post by **pow+pow** » Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:34 pm

dougie there is no "beach" at nitnat so there are no kids or for that matter anyone swimming or frolicking...too cold and salty...there is a launching area along the water...it is 10 bucks per car/family a day...nitnat is done sept 10 the road is fine...see ya there
johnny