a new member introduction with a few questions

NCKA is an amazing forum.  I'm a scuba diver/fisherman who has been bitten by the kayak bug.   What sites do you guys look at to decide if it is calm enough to go out at Shoreline (mountain view) or half moon bay?  I have to figure out how to drive this thing. 

Doing a test run in the pool.  The weather was perfect.

Welcome.......I got turned on to some sites from this community.  windyty.com and swellinfo.com.  So far this is what I use that I can understand.

Welcome aboard.  I mostly fish and dive Mendocino and use.  http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KEKA.html

And

Magic Seaweed where I get to see the primary swell, secondary swell and wind swell. 

Between the two I can determine if it's worth going or if close to shore or a little further out will be better. 

Hopefully someone can dial you in for the area you want to frequent. 

 

that a cool app.  How low do the swells have to be if you want to go on your kayak off shore?

that a cool app.  How low do the swells have to be if you want to go on your kayak off shore?

Each location is different so learn each spot and what is okay and take notes.  Up in mendo I usually don't go out when 8' or larger waves are reported.  This has been discussed many times in the past so not going into to much depth right now.  Multiple swells, wind swell and period of the swell all makes a difference which could make 5' waves to much to go out on. 

This week sucks up in Mendo but if you ever head up this way post up and others will let you know what you should expect. 

NOAA: www.weather.gov


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Welcome to the madness. That AI looks a lot like mine, except it's hard to get my kids on mine.

As to weather/conditions, I check multiple sources, but tend to find surfline is most accurate.

Welcome to NCKA, Michael.

I like to keep an eye on the NWS forecast - it's usually based on a worst case scenario out to 10 miles from shore.  I then look at Stormsurf and Magic Seaweed.

As was said, variables like wind speed/gusts, swell height, secondary swell, period and even water temperature are important to watch and can play out differently at different locations, so take notes about what you see compared to what was forecast.

Best of luck~ 

Welcome.  That's a great picture

Invest in an intro course to kayaking.


If you want to use a sit-on-top kayak for coastal trips, this class is a great investment towards making your adventures safe and enjoyable This class combines the Intro to Kayaks and Surf Zone for a comprehesive and intensive fun day. Includes wetsuit, sit-on-top single kayak and all gear. Instructors are ACA trained. A minimum 2 people are required for the class, or available by private instruction.

Offered every Sunday 9:30 to 5:00

http://www.montereybaykayaks.com/monterey-classes.html

You will also be able to demo their yaks in the process. I believe they offer an NCKA discount as well.

I strongly recommend a course of this type. Always remember safety first. You want to feel safe and comfortable in the water before you start fishing from a yak.

Antonio

Thanks everyone for the advice.  After looking at the various apps and websites i went to the closest access to the bay (embarcadero road and 101).  I learned the hard way what 12 knots of wind look like.  It was flat so I wasn't worried about flipping, but it was going to be an express train to oakland if we got into the water.    Ill stay in the pool until the spring.  Thanks again for all the advice.

welcome bro

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Welcome!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Howdy!  Spring may be rougher than winter btw.  Once you catch the spearing bug it's all over

Welcome to the Madness!  I use Swellinfo.com as my primary but also look at other forecasts as needed.  Hope to see you OTW soon!