by Brett Gibson

Since some people seem to be interested in the Potomac lately, thought I’d post a thread.

The Potomac is kiteable with some caveats.

The best “launches” (I use that term loosely) are Spectator Beach (south of the Wilson Bridge) and TC Williams Boathouse (in Old Town).

Spectator Beach is a pull off of the GW Parkway about a mile or so south of Belle Haven Marina. Here is a pic of the launch.

 

 

It’s got a lot of driftwood and glass. There is also a lot of hydrilla (seaweed) that likes to stick to your lines in big clumps.

 

This launch is good in SSE/SE to do downwinders north to Jones Point Park, which is pretty much where the Potomac meets the Wilson Bridge. There is not a very good landing there, so you have to be able to self-land your kite in 3 foot muck, or hope one of your fellow kiters got there before you and is on the pier that is there to catch your kite.

 

Here is the “pier” you can land at and a warning sign (pictured are Pasul the Godfather and Rob C.–the official Ambassadors for kiting on the Dirty Potomac):

 

 

 

You can kite Old Town if you launch at the pier at TC Williams Boathouse. It’s best if it’s NNE/NE or SSE/SE, but a true N or S will work too. It is at the north end of Oronoco Bay Park, which is where Madison St. hits the river (the boathouse is a big blue/grey building and to get to the pier, walk around the south side of the building to the water). The pier is plastic and right on the water, so you can lay out your lines on it, then drop your kite in the water to drift launch, or jump in the water and have a buddy launch your kite from the pier.

 

Rob “Moondog” C. is the king of Old Town kiting, and I’m sure he’ll weigh in about it. However, he has a Flysurfer foil that is easier than an inflatable to self launch. He also happens to be a harbor police, and has a direct line to them if something goes wrong (he’s good to kite with).

 

If you launch at the Boathouse and you can’t stay upwind b/c it’s too light or your kite goes down for any reason, there’s not really anywhere good to land further downwind…you will have a long swim/drift back to the pier or into the Marina by National Airport or end up in DC.

 

There are a few other places you could launch near DC but they aren’t that great…I think Vali tried to launch near the Belle Haven Marina in the link you posted on back in June.

 

Here’s a link to a field report from Spectator Beach to Jones Point:

 

http://www.eastkb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2690&start=0

 

My advice for the Potomac (most of which can be applied to kiting in general):

 

Never kite alone (unless you are Moondog or the Godfather)

 

Buy an Aquapak for your cellphone and bring it along w/ you in case your kite goes down and you have to swim in and call for a ride.

 

Shower as soon as possible after riding.

 

Beware of dead fish, hydrilla (in your lines if your kite goes down), logs, concrete and steel rebar, boats, dead bodies (only half joking) and stay as far away from the airport as possible.

 

Wear an impact vest/floaty vest and a helmet.

 

Potomac kiting is not for beginners.

 

If your kite goes down near Belle Haven Marina, there is a chance that Chip, a fellow kiter who works there, might come give you some assistance if he is there, sees you, and isn’t too busy. If he does, go to the nearest grocery store and bring him back a 6 pack of Guinness.

 

Other spots:

 

The other closest spots to Alexandria on the Potomac are Mason Neck, which is south of Mount Vernon on Route 1 (about 25-30 minutes from Old Town). Works in NW, is gusty, and has a tree-lined launch and is not for beginners.

 

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/mas.shtml

 

Also Leesylvania State Park, which is about 40-45 minutes south of Old Town. Works in SSE/SE. Has a decent sized beach for setup, but beware the prickly burrs, they can damage kites.

 

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lee.shtml

 

You’ve probably also seen there are places on the Chesapeake that are w/in an hour of Old Town, which have better launches. Terrapin, just over the Bay Bridge (NW is best); Flag Ponds in Calvert County (good in SSE/SE); Mayo (requires parking pass which is currently $45 and best in SSE/SE).

 

Rob C. has posted before (and will likely post here) that he’s happy to meet fellow kiters on the Potomac and help them out with launching, etc.

 

And don’t forget to check the EastKB kitemap in the sticky section.