Kiteboarding Connecticut
Fri, 03/05/2010 - 15:22
Hey guys,
More data needed in regard to kiteboarding Connecticut. Please share what details and information that you have so that we can share it with others. Local scene, beaches, weather patterns all important.
Sun, 03/07/2010 - 14:15
#1
The place I know of in CT is
The place I know of in CT is Pleasure Beach Park in Stratford, CT. There are rock jetties that stick out about 50 yards or so every 200 yards at one end of the park which can make it difficult. The other end has more room. you can see it on google maps. The wind directions are S-side on shore, SW-on shore, W-side on shore, NW-side shore, N-side off shore, NE-offshore, E-side offshore, SE-side shore.
Sun, 03/07/2010 - 20:24
#2
Kiting Connecticut
I'm going to work on getting you that information. I should have it for you tomorrow.
Chris
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 14:02
#3
I have seen people kiting in
I have seen people kiting in Westport CT. Not sure the beach name. Its in the general vicinity on the map below.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=westport+ct&...
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 14:29
#4
Maybe Compo Beach in
Maybe Compo Beach in Westport? I used to windsurf there in the 80s. Not sure how it would be for kiting as it lacks good shallows and usually gusty.
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 17:42
#5
Check this out...
Check this out... http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/CTKitesurfing/
Its the forum the locals use. I used to live there for years so I'm pretty familiar with the area.
Long Beach (LB) and Short Beach(SB) in Stratford are awesome. By far the best places in CT. Favored by locals too due to the variety of wind directions at different spots at the beaches.
Compo in westport is good in the off season... but they still charge $20 for parking until Nov which is crazy. But friendly spot.
Norwalks Calf. Beach is a no go... its allowed, but is very very dangerous... a lot going on in the water, random rocks everywhere, limited places to launch. No one who kites CT often will recommend it to you.
Stamford is also a toss up. There are some good beaches, but the locals have so many regulations its ridiculious, so for the 3 years and lived there I never bothered to kite there.
Mystic is awesome. There are a couple good launches, but much better if you have access to a boat to get to some of the small islands off shore.
Checking out the local forum would bring in a lot of good information, and maybe even some members who spend lots of time kiting in RI. Many kiters from CT just simply traveled to RI or Long Island to kite for the day. An hour and half trip was worth it for better beaches.
Warning for kiting in CT: the group overall isnt very friendly to newbies. sorry to offend any one, but i was part of the group for years and saw lots of "this is my beach" attitude from a variety of local kiters. I think because thers is such a small group of them, they are scared to hurt relations with the coast guard and possibily lose the limited places they have. The forum group does a good job of keeping contact with the coast guard, but they dont do a good job guiding newbies. Just my opinion, disagreeing is possible, but I just wanted to share my experiences. Def glad I'm part of Masskiting now...
I can post some beaches when I get a minute to help share my knowledge. Feel free to ask me any questions too as I'm pretty knowledgable about the area!
Thanks!
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 21:33
#6
JohnnyM... thanks so much for
JohnnyM... thanks so much for your insights! Knowledge is power 
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 16:12
#7
Being a Connecticut kiter and
Being a Connecticut kiter and Cabrinha/Slingshot/Crazy-Fly dealer for CT and RI, I would agree with some of JM's comments. Of course when I went to Martha's Vineyard, I got the same unfriendly impression from some of the locals out there. They didn't want me there but I didn't care if they did. I stayed safe and after a while, they all warmed up and we all had a great session followed by some great chat and handshakes.
Fact is no one owns any beaches. I myself like kiting with others as long as safety is observed. If its not, its everyone job to make sure it is. Not for the beaches sake, but for safety of the beach goers that don't kite but love to watch the show. Mass has alot of coastline, a TON. Connecticut has very little in comparison, so its valued I guess.
Chris and I went up to Mass this winter to catch up with some of the Mass guys and check out the snow scene. We teamed up with Hepp and Bob and we had a great session. I even offered on the next trip to let Bob demo the 2010 Crossbow and get off that dinosaurooooo. Great group of guys.
I myself would like to hit some of the spots up in Mass!
Jeff
Kite Sports of Connecticut, LLC
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 16:43
#8
Thanks for the insight jeff.
Thanks for the insight jeff. CT kitable beachs are few and im sure that the worry of losing a beach is very real for them since CT is not known for its water sport activity. again, my comments were not to offend anyone, just point out that the group down there is very concerned with saftly. if you are unsure of your kiting ability, i would strongly suggest against kiting without the help of an expereienced local.
personally, i had a bad expereience once with someone new to the sport that jepordized a beach. while i was kiting at long beach, a beginners didnt realize you cant put up a 12m in 40mph wind, as soon as he put it up, the kite took him screaming across the parking lot until he released. his kite then flew into the side of my brand new car making a huge dent. when i got out of the water, some people were quick to inform me who had done it. the police report i had to file did jepordize our abilty to kite, but in the end we were ok'd.
this is why i strongly agree that we need to have as much knowledge posted on our site as possible. to prevent situations like this from affecting the kiting commuity as a whole. not just in ct, but everywhere.
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 11:23
#9
Lost wood color Naish board -Westport, CT
Hi!
Lost my board this past weekend in Sherwood Park on far left side of beach in Westport, CT! It is a wood colored '09 or '10 board.....if anyone finds it by any chance please contact me at 203-556-5498 or sandorzambori@gmail.com
Thanks!!
Alex
Tue, 10/18/2011 - 12:06
#10
Thanksgiving in Greenwich
I will be in Greenwich over Thanksgiving.
Any kitesurfing beaches close by? Best wind direction for the beach?
Thanks. Cheers, Mark.