Local Knowledge
Submitted by local OKA Members :
Craig Cunningham, Josh Benvenutti, Scott Ferrede, Doug Ballentyne,
Mark Groshens

Suitable wind Direction:
N, NE, E, SE

Set up and launch location:
The launch in Turkey Point is just off “” st. It’s a one way street so you will have to go up to “”st take a left then on “” st take another left. The launch is just down the road. Note there are trees and power lines in close proximity to the launch site. Do not launch at the main beach directly in front of the Turkey Point Hotel. This is where most of the non-kiting beach goers hang out. Please note most non-kiters at the launch site are property owners so please show them the appropriate amount of respect. TP is becoming very popular and it’s not uncommon to see 20-30 kites out on a windy day. Please roll up your lines and try not to leave your gear scattered everywhere.

Launching:
Never self launch or land your kite if others are available to help. Keep kites low after launch and proceed to the water as quickly as possible. Beginners please launch downwind of the main launch (see note to beginners). Always use proper hand signals to communicate.

Landing:
Land kites when you’re on shore. Don’t stand in the middle of the launch with your kite up for extended periods of time. Always ask for a hand to be landed or give the signal. Avoid self-landing if other riders are available to help.

Hazards:
Strong currents. Not recommended for riders that are not strong swimmers. On 20+ knot days the current can be too strong to swim against. Beware of power lines and trees close to the launch.

Guidelines:
Respect other beach goers and your fellow kiteboarders. If local kiteboarders tell you something it’s to help you and preserve kiteboarding access at TP. Always wear a kite leash. Be extra cautious in the summer months for swimmers and beach goers. Don’t fly your kite on the beach. Avoid jumping any distance where your kite over-flies the beach or swimmers.

Note to beginners:
This beach is very popular with sunbathers, dog walkers, and non-kiting beach users in general, particularly from the start of June to early September and especially on the weekends. The crowds combined with current, fairly large waves, power lines, trees and lots of other kiters makes Turkey Point a challenging spot for beginners. Please take lessons or have an experienced friend accompany you if you are planning to try this spot. If you do not have complete confidence in your ability to control your kite then this is not a suitable place for you to ride. Do not ride out further then you feel comfortable swimming in. There is no on-site rescue service available at Turkey Point.

Instructors:

Want to be added as an instructor at this beach?
email: matt@kiteboardontario.com

Google Map Coordinates:

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Local knowledge
Submitted by local OKA Members:
Craig Cunningham, Doug Ballentyne, Josh Benvenutti,

Suitable wind direction:
W, WSW, SW, S, SE

Set up and launch location:
Long Point main beach access at Abigail Becker and Beach Boulevard. After walking to beach from parking lot look EAST for a marked out set-up/launch area. If markers are not out please head EAST a minimum 150m - 200m from beach access. Most of the non-kiting beach goers will set up directly in front of the parking lot just over the dunes and a little to the east and west. This gives kiteboarders ample space downwind of the non kiteboarding community. This applies from June to early September but still use common sense before and after these times of the year. Know your saftey system!

Launching and Landing:
Never self launch or land your kite if others are available to give you a hand. Keep kite low after being launched and proceed to the water as quickly as possible. Beginners please launch downwind of the main launch to avoid problems (see note to beginners). Always use proper hand signals to communicate. Yield to pedestrians! After launching your kite get out into the water immediately. Don’t stand on shore or in the shallows with your kite up overhead at 12 o’clock / at zenith for extended periods of time. Launch your kite toward water, not toward the cottages and trees

Hazards:
Strong currents. Not recommended for riders that are not strong swimmers. On 20+ knot days it can be too strong to swim against. Lots of beach goers at the main beach. Beware of the under tow, and weather.

Guidelines
Respect other beach goers and your fellow kiteboarders!! If they tell you something it’s to help you and preserve our spot. Always wear a kite leash. Be EXTRA cautious for swimmers and beach goers in the summer months! DO NOT RIDE any distance where your kite over-flies beach goers or swimmers. please roll up your lines and try not to leave your gear scattered everywhere. Keep your kite/kites weighted down with sand when not in use. All riders help enforce the rules and assist one another, to protect the spot Know your kite, your saftey system, your limits, your surroundings. All beginners seek professional instruction. Beach users and pedestrian have NO UNDERSTANDING of the actions or power of the kites Kiters yield the right of way to all other beach users and water users, remove yourself from the crowds, distance is your best friend. All kiters must use proper kite safety leash at all times

Note to beginners
Know your saftey system and how to self rescue. This beach is very popular with sunbathers, dog walkers, and non-kiting beach users in general, particularly from the start of June to early September and especially on the weekends. The crowds combined with current, fairly large waves and lots of other kiters makes Long Point a challenging spot to learn at. Please take lessons or have an experienced friend accompany you before trying this spot. If you do not have complete confidence in your ability to control your kite then this is not a suitable place for you to ride. Please do not attempt to body drag/ride with straight on shore winds. No beach flying traction/trainer kites within 200m of beach users. Do not ride out further than you feel comfortable swimming in. Be aware of what other kite sizes are being flown and rig appropriately. Note: There is no marine rescue unit available at Long Point

—GUIDELINES FOR RIGHT OF WAY—-
1. When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to a collision, the kiteboarder on port tack(LEFT FOOT FORWARD)must give way to the kiteboarder on starboard tack(RIGHT FOOT FORWARD). Starboard (RIGHT FOOT)tack has right of way in this situation.
2. When two kiteboarders converge, and they are on the same tack, the kiteboarder most upwind must give way to the kiteboarder most downwind. The leeward (DOWN WIND) kiteboarder has right of way in this situation.
3. When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to the kites colliding, the upwind kiteboarder must fly their kite as high as possible, and the downwind kiteboarder must fly their kite as low as possible.
4. A kiteboarder must give way to anyone they are overtaking. The kiteboarder being overtaken has the right of way, and is responsible for maintaining course.
5. Always give right of way to anyone exiting launch area.(Remember after launching, head to the water and go. Please, don’t stand around, people will be waiting.)

Lessons:

Want to be added as an instructor at this beach?
email: matt@kiteboardontario.com

Local knowledge
Submitted by local OKA Members:
Craig Cunningham, Doug Ballentyne, Josh Benvenutti,

Suitable wind direction:
S, SW

Set up and launch location:
The main beach is too crowded with non-kiters for kiteboarding during the summer months (late May through early September). During this time the “pump house”, is the place to launch. It is on Radical Rd. Some people may use this area for leisure but often kiters will have it to our selves. There is not much space here so please roll up your lines and keep you gear together. If you can’t stay upwind Port Dover is not a suitable place for you to kite. You’ll end up downwind and in the swimming area. The pier is also directly downwind of the launch site, as is the main beach, which has power lines close to the water’s edge.

Launching
DO NOT LAUNCH AT THE MAIN BEACH. Launch at the “pump house” on Radical Rd. This rule is in effect from the start of May until the end of September. Never self launch or land your kite if others are available to give you a hand. Keep kites low after being launch and proceed to the water as quickly as possible. Always use proper hand signals to communicate.

Landing
Land kites when you’re on shore. Don’t stand in the middle of the launch with your kite up for extended periods of time. Always ask for a hand to be landed or give the signal. Don’t try to self-land unless you’re by your self or without a knowledgeable hand.

Hazards:
Strong currents. Not recommended for riders that are not strong swimmers. Rocks at launch area. Power lines are fairly close as well as trees. At the main beach the pier is less than 50 metres away and the power lines are pretty much a kite line length away.

Guidelines
Respect other beach goers and your fellow kiteboarders. If local kiteboarders tell you something it’s to help you and preserve kiteboarding access at Port Dover. Always wear a kite leash. Be extra cautious in the summer months for swimmers and beach goers. Don’t fly your kite on the beach. Avoid jumping any distance where your kite over-flies the beach or swimmers.

Note to beginners
This beach is very popular with sunbathers, dog walkers, and non-kiting beach users in general, particularly from the start of June to early September and especially on the weekends. The cramped launch combined with current, lots of rocks, choppy waves, and power lines makes Port Dover a rough spot to learn. Please take lessons or have an experienced friend accompany you before trying this spot. Basically, THIS IS NOT A SPOT FOR BEGINNERS. If you do not have complete confidence in your ability to control your kite then this is not a suitable place for you to ride. Do not ride out further then you feel comfortable swimming in. There is no on-site rescue service available at Port Dover.

—GUIDELINES FOR RIGHT OF WAY—-
1. When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to a collision, the kiteboarder on port tack(LEFT FOOT FORWARD)must give way to the kiteboarder on starboard tack(RIGHT FOOT FORWARD). Starboard (RIGHT FOOT)tack has right of way in this situation.
2. When two kiteboarders converge, and they are on the same tack, the kiteboarder most upwind must give way to the kiteboarder most downwind. The leeward (DOWN WIND) kiteboarder has right of way in this situation.
3. When two kiteboarders converge in a way that may lead to the kites colliding, the upwind kiteboarder must fly their kite as high as possible, and the downwind kiteboarder must fly their kite as low as possible.
4. A kiteboarder must give way to anyone they are overtaking. The kiteboarder being overtaken has the right of way, and is responsible for maintaining course.
5. Always give right of way to anyone exiting launch area.(Remember after launching, head to the water and go. Please, don’t stand around, people will be waiting.)

Lessons:

Want to be added as an instructor at this beach?
email: matt@kiteboardontario.com

Official Rules:
(Made by OPP Marine Division)
OPP marine division has warned that in all boat channels kiters do not have the right of way and kiting will be banned from the public beach area if boater complaints continue.  The swim area (south of playground equipment to breakwall) is not bouyed or patrolled but no kiting is to occur in this area.

Local knowledge
Submitted by local OKA Members:
Tim Blanchard, Curtis Laurie, Dan Cote

Suitable wind direction:
Southerly winds normally peak from 3-6 pm. 
If it is windy first thing in the morning jump on it as normally dies off by 10 am.
 
SSE - (sideoff shore) - Wind shadow at beach and waterlaunching area, need to walk way out, about as far as breakwall to South to get clean wind. Often switches straight offshore and dies as daytime heats wanes (1-2hours before sunset)
S - (sideshore) - Wind Shadow at beach, clean wind starts about 50m from shore.   
SW - (side on) - Best direction - good for beginners
W - (onshore) - often gusty and strong.  Make sure to walk out ATLEAST 3 line length offshore when launching.
NW - (side on) - Beware of voodoo chop if you get to close to the breakwall - Launch as with a W wind (give yourself lots of room!)
N - (sideshore) - Gusty and only for experienced riders! - there is a spot nearby that is more suitable for North wind riding. Speck to a local rider for details.
 
Set up and launch location:
Launch site is a small public park with two boat ramps (from when water levels were 3 feet higher in the 80’s) leading to the water.  Kiters setup at the far end of the park near the volleyball courts and small sand area.  Water is 1-2 feet for more than 100 meters offshore with no place free of trees to launch a kite on land. Washrooms are open mid May to mid Sept.  During summer holidays beach is very busy so please do not leave lines out and try to keep the kites in a confined area, away from the playground equipment. 

Launching:
Best Option - Have a fellow experienced kiter carry out your kite to the water as you follow behind with the bar.  Walk out atleast 2 line lengths from shore (more on W and NW winds!)  and have your kite launched at the edge of the powerzone.  If the beach is busy walk out with you lines on your bar and unwind them in the water.
 
Drift Launch - If you are alone this is the only option you have to launching as launch CANNOT be done on the beach.  Give yourself lots of room downwind in the case your lines become tangled or caught up in weeds.
 
Landing:
Ride into the shallow area infront of the boat ramp and use the universal signal for landing your kite (tap your head) to other kiters at the beach. 
If winds are from the S or SW your kite can easily be self landed in the wind shadow of the trees just downwind of the launch area.
W and NW winds are often very gusty and strong, please give yourself lots of downwind distance when coming back to the beach on these directions.
 
Hazards:
Boat Channel to the North of the launch. Depth is only 5-6 feet so bigger boats will damage their props and lower units if you force them off a plane. Rocky point about 20m north of launch extending 10m from shore and underwater.  Very weedy July and August on the north side of the boat channel (enough to make it nearly impossible to relaunch you kite in certain spots).  Occassional zebra mussels and rocks. Most do not use booties but several riders have had nasty cuts over the years.  There is a deep and weedy spot (dark water) between the launch and boat channel.
 
Hunting season starts september 20th. DO NOT RIDE IN THE MARSH DURING HUNTING SEASON!  You will likely be chased out and your kite shot at (not kidding on this one). Hunting is not allowed on Sundays so it is a kiter safe day.

Guidelines
New riders to the spot should introduce themselves to the locals for details about the wind conditions and where the sweet riding spots are for that particular direction.  Please be respectful to beachgoers and swimmers. Again, beware of the boat channel, give yourself lots of distance.  Look both ways when crossing and give boats lots of room.

Note to beginners
West and NW winds are not beginner friendly due to their gustiness and the breakwall located downwind on these directions.  
 
Walk upwind on SW winds to give yourself lots of room away from boat channel if you cannot ride upwind.
 
Make sure to have your kite launched away from the beach during self assisted launches.
 
Lessons:
Tim Blanchard
519-919-7907
tim@surfculturecanada.ca

Want to be added as an instructor at this beach?
email: matt@kiteboardontario.com