St. Aug. Beach Pier Overview
St. Augustine beach is the home of Extreme Kites, www.oceanextremesports.com. The local kiting crew usually sets up about 1/2 mile north of the Ocean Trace Rd. beach ramp. There are few swimmers and surfers in this area.
Best wind directions of N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, and S. There is usually a long-shore drift going in the same direction as the wind. Keep this in mind as you may want to ride a kite one size larger than normal for the amount of wind. This current can be swift during strong NE winds in the fall and winter.
St. Augustine Beach is also a landboarder's dream. At low tide there is 100 yards of hard packed sand, and if the wind is from the east... you can cruise the entire 7 miles to Matanzas inlet.
Currently there are no restrictions on kiting at St. Augustine Beach. However the local kite crew asks that the following rules be observed.
1. Think safety at all times. 2. Wear a kite leash 3. surfers and swimmers have the right-of-way 4. keep pleny of distance between you and swimmers/surfers 5. launch and land downwind of sunbathers/spectators/swimmers/surfers 6. stay clear of the pier 7. When landboarding - bikes, pedestrians, cars, pets all have the right of way. 7a. (more landboarding) Slow down around kids, families, and pets. Most of the people on the beach are tourists and have never seen a large kite or a landboard. 7b. (even more landboarding) Do no fly your kite over groups of people or families. It scares the crap out of them.
8. If you are a beginner, please go south 5 miles to crescent beach. There are less people there and more room for you to learn.
Contact www.oceanextremesports.com for more detailed local information, gear, and lessons.
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Regional Directory
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Shops,
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Food,
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Season: |
Year Round - N, NE, E, SE, S |
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Water: |
7 miles of sandy beach break |
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Ability Level: |
Beginner - Expert |
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Familiness: |
Bring the gang. St. Augustine is very family friendly |
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Parking: |
$5 fee to drive your car onto the beach. Note that beach driving closed from 7PM-8AM May - OCT |
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Launch: |
launch anywhere, but please use common sense and give swimmers and surfers space - think safety!! |
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Sensor Notes
Data from this station is courtesy of NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. The station is matained by NOAA. You can gete raw data from here.
http://seaboard.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=SAUF1
The matanzas inlet sensor from Ikitesurf.com is more accurate and updates every 10 minutes.
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