Kiteboarding Maine
Fri, 03/05/2010 - 15:18
Guys,
I wanted to get as many details as I can about kiteboarding in Maine. I am starting this thread to collect what we can and make it available to those in the community. Please share what you know even if its pieces and we as a group can hopefully get some information around the scene there. Local beaches, weather patterns, and any data you have to share.
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:10
#2
Johnny,
I share your
Johnny,
I share your interest in Maine kite sites. We've had a place outside of Rockport/Thomaston for generations and it's sat collecting dust since my interest in kiting piqued a few years ago.
You know George the Architect? the big guy with an aresenal of homemade lightwind boards? He and his buddy Dave have sailed up in the Eggemoggin Reach quite a bit. The conditions are probably similar to my place on the St George River. Tough launch, tons of lobster pots, but plenty of wind.
Let me know if you're exploring up there sometime soon. A tree fell on our roof and I'm going to be up there alot setting up contractors.
Charlie
Sat, 01/08/2011 - 11:24
#3
LOCAL
JUST SIGNED UP. LIVE ON LOCAL LAKE, CAMDEN-ROCKPORT. SAIL PEN BAY, WIND SURF SKI AND BOARD THE LAKE. INTERESTED IN KITE / SNOW BOARDING. LOOKING FOR INFO RE: ALL. ANY HELP MOST APPRECIATED. TIM
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 12:56
#4
Maine....
I lived in the Portland area for 2 yrs.
SUPER light wind in the summer. Spring and fall you can get some decent wind.
Most people kite Pine Point slightly North of Old Orchard Beach in a SW wind.
You need a big kite, most guys that live up there use 17M foil kites or 15M kites and lighwind boards. I've used my 15M there the most.
Den and I had a sweet session there this past summer/fall,m nice hot showers right at the bath house too. Expensive parking on season, $10. Much better to get there at low tide, beach gets super crowded and winds can be really onshore so advanced upwind riders only.
Tom Michaud is the guy to contact. He has a Pine Point email list and publishes the rules of the beach up there.
If you are heading up there, definitely email him.
Also there is good buggying up there during fall and spring at low tide when it is not crowded.
2 hr ride from Boston but if conditions are right it's a pretty cool spot!
Thu, 03/25/2010 - 11:01
#5
OOB
I've been vacationing @ PinePoint for like 10 years now and it's one of my favorite places to ride in the summer. Low tide the beach is huge, there's waves, and very few kiters. The summer thermals usually provide plenty of wind in the afternoon...many times I've been super powered on my 12M. Great spot for just chilling too...my family loves it there and it's one of the nicest beaches in New England.
We usually ride 1 mile South of PinePoint - basically between PP and the pier. Wind isn't directly onshore like it is at PP, and we know of some secret free parking spots.
Sat, 07/10/2010 - 15:54
#6
Interesting topic, I have a
Interesting topic, I have a house on swan"s island off of MDI/arcadia and havent found a decent place yet, this goes for surf also. eyeballin little cranberry's s facing beach etc. all i know i always bring big gear, 3:2 rubber and bullet proof booties and will score up there soon, i can feel it with all the warm water we have around here already some tropical spinner will come north this year!
Sat, 07/10/2010 - 20:59
#7
OOB sounds delish, I've gone
OOB sounds delish, I've gone twice, skunked twice.
Sat, 07/10/2010 - 23:22
#8
Kennebunkport beach looks
Kennebunkport beach looks awesome for kiting but Ive never seen anyone there. but it looks sick.
Sun, 07/11/2010 - 12:08
#9
OOB
This is where I learned and where I have done 90% of my riding, we have vacationed there since 02 and had a house for a year there, so I have gotten to ride in all seasons, very nice at low tide, best in a SW but S or SE or E work too but these are few and far between. To the south in Saco Bay at the mouth of the Saco River in Bidderford is a huge jetty that gives flat water in a NE. There is also Bidderford Pool I have yet to try but on a W or NW this would be like Hatteras with shallow water but no water at low tide so wind and tide have to be on the same page. And Oh yea no whitey, yet:)
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 21:47
#10
Newbee looking for lessions in Maine
I live in South Portland Maine, and am looking to take a few (3-4) kiteboarding lessons. My e-mail is kevinfournier71@yahoo.com please feel free to contact me 
Kevin
Tue, 07/13/2010 - 22:26
#11
Hey Kevin, Welcome to the
Hey Kevin, Welcome to the Forum! Hey you should check out Airsupport in West Dennis, they offer lessons, gear, and also gear rentals. They do trainer kite lessons to beginner lessons to beginer two lessons and teach all their beginner two lessons using wave runners to maximize your time and get you back up wind quicker! Here is a link to the website and I myself being a former student had a great experience with them and a really fun time! Kitecod.com
on the site you will find more details and pricing on each lesson and contact information when your ready to book! Hope to see you on the water!
Peace, Steezy G
Wed, 07/14/2010 - 08:13
#12
wow, so I guess there's not
wow, so I guess there's not much up there for kiteboarding schools (at least none that are on the internet). I'd say the closest (unless one of you Mainiacs can chime in) would be Powerline in NH. I would recommend finding some kiters and asking them if they knew. or maybe calling a few surf shops... they may know someone who does.
good luck kevin... welcome to the forum!
btw, if anyone knows of any in the Maine area, please post it up here.
Wed, 07/14/2010 - 22:00
#13
Hi Guys.
Visiting in
Hi Guys.
Visiting in August at Higgins Beach and then Deer island to visit the inlaws. Saw some decent surf and little wind at Higgins last year. Going to borrow an old surfboard there and was just going to bring one kite along just in case happened to see some decent conditions. How far is Pine Point from Higgins?
Thanks.
Traig
Monkeyair.com
Happyinsurf.com
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 07:39
#14
dude, that whirlpool @ deer
dude, that whirlpool @ deer island is a freak of nature. i love it! it'd be so strange to kite in something like that.
Fri, 07/16/2010 - 14:02
#15
Kiting Higgins Beach, ME?
I've never seen anyone kite Higgins Beach before...but have only been in ME for a few years. It's a pretty small and congested area and there is a daytime surfing ban during the summer months. You may get a lucky with surf there at night. Here's a link to the webcam:
http://www.surfhigginsbeach.com/id38.htm
Pine Point is maybe a 10-mile drive and you'll find kiters there. You can also access this area from Ferry Beach/Prouts Neck side. This is easiest at low tide and will be a much shorter drive from the Higgins area. Bring your big kite too.
Wed, 07/14/2010 - 23:00
#16
OOB
Kfournier - I'll be at Old Orchard August 7th - 14th. Happy to show you the ropes if you want while I'm up there. Send me a PM if you want to meet up.
Thu, 07/15/2010 - 08:39
#17
Pine Point
Hey Traig,
You might run into some fellow ARC flyers at Pine Point. There's a few folks who fly foils there. You bringing a Charger?
Sun, 03/06/2011 - 20:08
#18
First time rider in Maine.
I am newly interested in the sport of kiteboarding. I am 22 6'2 and weigh 170 pounds. I have grown up, snowboarding, sailing, windsurfing and wake boarding. I want to learn how to Kiteboard and I was wondering if I could teach myself or if it is imperative that I find a way to take a lesson? I was also curious of what kind of equipment that someone with my inexperience, size and Maine locations should buy. Also if there are any shops in Maine or people that might sell used equipment?
-Thanks.
Mon, 03/07/2011 - 10:53
#19
Lessons are a must. I always
Lessons are a must. I always tell people it's like learning to hang glide. Nobody would think of trying it without a lesson because you can die if you screw up. Same thing with learning to kite. You need to learn kite handeling, safety systems, launching & landing technique, self rescue, etc.
With your background & age, though, you'll probably pick up the board skills in a heartbeat. You just need to do some preliminary work to get there safely.
I've heard that there is some nice riding in Maine but I don't know the launch spots or crew up there.
/bump
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