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Pacific Beach kite surfers blow right by the law
Kiteboarding does hold the world record for speed sailing, at over 60+ MPH. It's also been recently incorporated into the Olympics. However, typical board speeds in regular ocean conditions are usually only 10-20 MPH, perhaps more if conditions are right. Surfers on waves regularly hit 10-15MPH, perhaps more on larger waves. As for the kiteboarder going into the surf competition zone: didn't this happen LAST year? This seems to be the only kiteboarding related potential incident at Tourmaline, despite the fact that there have been active kiteboarders there since 1999. And speaking of potential incidents, why is someone is throwing rocks at kiteboarders, just because he doesn't like them? Statistically, kiteboarding and windsurfing at Tourmaline is actually a rare event, as it requires a certain wind speed and wind direction that only happens during certain wind and weather patterns, during a certain time of year. This season is typically December through March, and about 3 days out of the week. And then, the typical window of this wind is from about 11AM to about 3PM. There are rare exceptions, but it's actually not often that it's all that good for kiteboarding or windsurfing there. So why do the kiteboarders and windsurfers go to Tourmaline when it's already crowded with surfers? Well, it's the only ocean spot with winds strong enough to ride in most of Southern California that time of year due to some unique topographical and meteorological features. Most other beaches just don't have the wind strength required to ride, so being the only spot, the kiteboarders and windsurfers go there. They aren't there specifically for the waves or crowds. They are there for the wind. And certain selfish people don't like that fact.— August 31, 2012 2:09 p.m.