Duxbury Do's and Don'ts
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 22:12
Hi
Have been kiting a few spots on the cape and HN beach and getting to know the area over the past months.
Duxbury is the closest spot to me but I have yet to explore this area. Before I stump up for a non res' permit I'd like to hear and see more of the area.
Are there any Duxbury locals on here that wouldn't mind meeting up over there and showing me the spots, where to park etc.
Be great to hear from you, my email is badgb21@hotmail.com
Thanks
Kev
Sun, 03/03/2013 - 23:10
#1
High Pines is the spot
High Pines is the spot
Mon, 03/04/2013 - 12:21
#2
Hey Kev,
I've kitted Dux a
Hey Kev,
I've kitted Dux a few times. you can park in the lot before you go over powderpoint bridge. walk over the bridge and hang a right down the dirt rd. walk about a mile or two. hopefully someone will pick you up and bring you back.
Mon, 03/04/2013 - 16:22
#3
I have heard the bridge is
I have heard the bridge is closed for repairs. When I drove from the North through Marshfield to get to the beach and avoid the bridge, they had closed the gate, which meant that to reach the spot, you needed 4WD. The harbor master does not like to see kiters near the bridge, I think there have been some incidents. Dux is a good kite spot, but they don't make it easy to get to.
Mon, 03/04/2013 - 18:08
#5
Duxbury beach stickers
I believe you need a beach sticker to drive down to High Pines. I also believe the beach sticker rule is enforced all 12 months of the year. You may get a pass the first time the harbormaster discovers your car without a beach sticker. They do record license plates for checks if they find your car again.
Has anyone got current info on off season enforcement?
Mon, 03/04/2013 - 23:38
#6
Yes, year around enforcement.
Yes, year around enforcement. And as authorities sometimes do, they lump all us kiters as one group, so whenever a kiter is caught poaching, it is a strike against all of us.
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 05:47
#7
Can you get there on Gurnett
Can you get there on Gurnett road from the north when the bridge is closed? I don't think you need 4WD to drive that way (and not really at all unless you want to drive on the beach side, although there is some soft sand right after you go across the bridge onto the dirt road.)
Just sent in my permit application for this year.
One thing to be aware of is that they put a lot of effort into keeping you away from Plovers from about April-July. You'll be fine launching at the Point of Pines area, but if you can't stay upwind and wind up walking ashore north of the point of pines parking lot they will be quite upset with you.
Also, its best not to kite from the paved lot near the bridge. Its pretty gusty, no good place to launch, and there have been accidents (loftings, broken bones.)
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 10:56
#8
And never kite on the ocean side...
the waves are big, rocky launch and basking sharks have been sighted.
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 21:26
#9
yeah but all they do is
yeah but all they do is bask...
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 10:59
#10
What has happened to me on a
What has happened to me on a number of occasions including last week is that the Harbormaster closes Gurnet Road. You can get around the closure by driving on the sand path next to it. I see plenty of Jeeps that do that. I drove this section in my Golf and the last time, I ended up buried in the soft sand. I don't know why he would block traffic in the off season like that, but their logic has often eluded me.
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 16:25
#11
sharks
Skyrocket are the killer or regular basking sharks?
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:57
#12
So to summarise...............
So to summarise from all the responses here and direct;
For $275 (non res) EDIT: $295 (non res) - you may be lucky and get one of the half dozen parking spots at High Pines -or park at the bridge and walk 2 miles. Or is there somewhere closer to park I missed?
Park without a permit and you’ll have all hell to pay! – seriously I think the harbour master would personally eat your car!
April to July the bird police are gunna ‘gurn’ at ya, if you fart near the Plovers just north of High Pines.
Summer is rammed on the Oceanside with beach users.
4WD required or risk getting stuck when bypassing the gate.
Don’t kite anywhere near the bridge cos it’ll get ya! (Bridge down for repair) Ignore GPS pics posted of kiters traces near the bridge!
Don’t drive down to High Pines without a pass or we’re all in the sh1t.
Ocean side has waves , rocks, and (harmless) basking sharks – dude WTF?
The Harbour master rules OK, but occasionally locks the gate so you need to drive over the sand??
I met him today, he said they are hoping the bridge will be fixed for the summer. He also said to kite on the ocean-side just North of the bridge by the bath house in the summer. He was in no mood to discuss his random locking of the gate!
The car park Dux side of Powder bridge is windsurfer launch turf he said!
West and North winds are bad – not sure why? North on ocean side looks okay on map, except for previously mentioned hazards on ocean side!
It was NNE today and looked ok, cross-on on ocean side. Respect to geldmachert and Mike sly who were out on the ocean side by the bridge….way too cold for old gits like me!
Clams in bay – wear boots/shoes
Tide dependant - Avoid high and low tides in the bay.
Oh and did I mention get a permit!
I think that about covers it, unless you know more……!
I’ll be applying for my permit tomorrow.
Kev
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 22:51
#13
yep, pretty fucked up place
yep, pretty fucked up place that has delivered many epic sessions in spite of its idiosyncrasies.
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 23:15
#14
Yep seems so....
Looking forward to some epic sessions there soon.
Permit in hand, but have less control over the weather - I need 50 degs!
I know, what a pussy, but have done my cold shifts over the years!
Kev
Wed, 03/06/2013 - 10:50
#15
Nice to meet you yesterday Kev!
Thanks Kev for creating this topic. It's a great one. True there are a lot of rules at Dux bay but it really is an incredible unique spot for mass. Definitly worth the cost of the permit. I did ride on the outside of the bay yesterday (winds from the NE, not great for inside but awesome for outside). Managable size waves.
Dux update: the dirt roads are in really good shape right now. They are just finnishing up laying down a new layer of dirt.
Also, I rode inside the bay on Monday Mar4, and the water felt almost warm...might have been my imagination, but riders might wanna look to get out early this season.
See you there soon Kev!
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 00:21
#16
Question: Is the bridge
Question: Is the bridge still closed? Were you able to access the beach from the North? Did the harborbastard close the gate?
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 09:25
#17
Dux Bridge
Dunoyer wrote:
Question: Is the bridge still closed? YES - Hopefully open in the summer. Were you able to access the beach from the North? YES Did the harborbastard close the gate? GATE was open (mid afternoon)
You can still walk over it, just mind the dog shit!
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 09:20
#18
Bridge is still closed
Bridge is still closed. Repairs are underway and cars should be able to cross soon. Fully repaired by the fall according to the article below.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/duxbury/news/x711915957/Powder-Point-Bridge-r...
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 19:49
#19
High Pines road
Hi
Having been relieved of $295, I'm now ready to kite, but gather the beach is closed from the harbourmasters website! And the shout box.
Does anyone know any specific details on when it'll be reopened?
I tried the town hall, but without success, I need to get to understand who to talk to about such matters!
Thanks
Kev
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 23:13
#20
You've paid the 300 clams,
You've paid the 300 clams, now let us see you get some service around here!
Sat, 04/13/2013 - 19:07
#21
Beach could be open
The harbourmaster's web site no longer says the beach is closed.
It mentions the bridge is still closed.
I intend to give Dux my first go on Tuesday, assuming wind holds.
Kev
Tue, 04/16/2013 - 17:46
#22
Finally
I got my first Duxbury session in today 20+ gusting over 30mph.
Warm and sunny.
Was worth the wait! look forward to many more.
Kev
Tue, 05/14/2013 - 13:18
#23
Nice!, I wanted to confirm a
Nice!, I wanted to confirm a few things before I pulled the trigger on a sticker.
1. Did the edge do fine on the sand?
2. Have you been able to get any other sessions in? Pretty much, is it worth it with the HM hassles and what not.
-CrisO
Wed, 04/17/2013 - 12:09
#24
It looks like there is a much
It looks like there is a much bigger lot( maybe 20 cars) a little ways past the High Pine lot. I am considering grabbing a pass also, it will save me from that long drive to the cape on those SW days. I can get to Deluxbury in about 45min from Reading, that would be sweet.
Thu, 04/18/2013 - 06:50
#25
6, maybe 7
I am unfamiliar with any parking for 20 cars. 6-7 a@ High Pines tops. Maybe ur seeing the harbormaster's/maintenance area which is not in play for parking.
Thu, 04/18/2013 - 10:38
#26
This spot is about a 1/4 mile
This spot is about a 1/4 mile past High pines lot. Looks like a parking lot from above. I will have to check out in person.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ll=42.017139,-70.613721&spn=0.00048,0....
Thu, 04/18/2013 - 10:51
#27
Parking
The area on the first bend (now has a fence on 3 sides) is currently piled high with sand, I assume for maintenance work. I asked a kitesurfer there about parking if it's busy and he said they use this area if it's clear.
The spot past High Pines looks ok too, but need to check out if this is a maintenance spot or a car park area.
If I see the HM tomorrow, I'll ask subject to his mood of course!
Kev
Sun, 04/21/2013 - 10:45
#28
Parking
I managed to speak with the HM parked at the sand trap and he said not to park at the pile of sand on the first bend but to use the cut-outs at the side of the road.
(There are some cut outs before and after the kite spot, but you'll need to walk a bit)
I explained the contractors had been leaving trailers at the kite spot car park area and asked without the pile of sand there, that area would be a cut-out?
I could tell his eyes narrowed slightly behind his shades and our conversation was coming to a close! I left to go kiting.
Kev
Sat, 04/27/2013 - 10:47
#29
At least a few years ago...
You needed to buy the permit (around 300) and that gives you the right to park somewhere across the bridge. To drive to the kiting spot (another couple of miles) you need 4 wheel drive.
I was cheep so I put a bike on my car, put on my wetsuit across the bridge and biked. The disadvantages of biking are:
1. You feel very poor and pathetic (or I did)
2. You can only bring one kite
3. It tends to be windy when you're biking (guess why)
4. It takes about 20 minutes
5. It takes maybe 20 minutes less than walking
6. It's tiring
I strangely liked it, but I think if it's your main kiting spot, it might be worth paying for the permit depending on how much you mind paying for parking.
Sun, 05/12/2013 - 07:09
#30
Wow what a headache
What a headache...
Tue, 05/14/2013 - 14:32
#31
Parking, Ford Edge and the wind....
Hi
Firstly, the parking. Cars often double up and the guys behind leave their keys in should they need to be moved. Other cut-outs are available for parking but it'll mean a walk.
Ford Edge - It isn't the highest clearance 4WD and you will hear the rocks in the sand trap hit your car, but it gets through fine, just go very slow.
I went onto the beach at the first cross over for a look, it was high tide and had to drive in the soft stuff, then I need to turn round - 3 point turn! In case you didn't know the Edge doesn't appear to have 4WD in reverse.
It bogged down a bit and I just managed to turn through the breaking waves.
Not sure I'd rush back onto the beach again until it was harder.
The journey down to H Pines is better now the bridge is open again. (It's very bumpy down from Marshfield)
The HM patrols the area intensely so you got to have a sticker.
You cant park on the hard (tarmac?)on the east side of the bridge with an out of town permit (or so I am told) This was news to me and I'm rather pissed off you can't, I will make further enquiries.
Had 7 sessions and got skunked on 2 of them. Saturday was good, although gusty.
Yesterday the wind dropped and I couldn't re-launch, then 1 hr later it turned 180 degs? Sea breeze effect I assume.
There doesn't seem enough sea breeze on the ocean side just yet for a good kite, maybe when it's hotter.
At high tide beach is small (bay side) and soft sand for resting kite is in limited supply. Lots of sharp stuff on beach and crap to catch lines
As for recommendation, it does take it out of your car on that road, I think parking would be a pain on a windy warm weekend, it's gusty, very gusty - wind over land in SW, water is short steep chop, bit like a lake.
The people I have met there have been great, it feels a bit like a club, cos of the sticker thing.
I'm 50/50 on it at the moment, only because I have had such good sessions at H Neck and the cape.
Kev
Cheers guys for the heads up.
I'm keen to kite there (In hushed tones - and I windsurf too!)so Duxbury looks to be ideal.
I plan to pack my walking boots and drive over later this week and take a look around.
I have a 4WD Ford Edge, not yet tested in any soft stuff, so be good to try it out!
Any other nuggets of info welcome.
Cheers
Kev
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