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Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

BEST SEASONS

Fall and spring

CONDITIONS

Solid southwest and northwest winds set up epic downwinders. Or just park and play all along the sandy Chesapeake Bay coast.

Northeast winds can blow for days, inviting you to explore miles of virgin territory on the seaside.

GEAR-

Wear a 3/2 fullsuit for March and early April. You'll be free from neoprene by mid-May. Dig out the shortie in October and ride through Christmas.

Try kite sizes 12 to 16 meters. You'll use your 8 on northeast days, but definitely bring the big blimp for midday cruisin' sessions.

DIRECTIONS-

Sunset Beach, the prime destination on Chesapeake Bay, is approximately 30 minutes from Norfolk International Airport. Cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and look to your left. You can't miss it. (Look down as you're flying in -- one of the approaches takes you over the launch.)

LAUNCHES-

Cape Charles -- Public access with wide, long beach. Excellent for learning. Jetty on south end provides an acre or so of flat water.

Kiptopeke State Park -- $3 parking fee. Launch on south side of fishing jetty. Killer pool in west-southwest or northwest conditions. Home of the famous concrete ships, which were partially sunk to make a breakwater.

Sunset Beach Resort -- Private property, so acquire launch permission through SouthEast Expeditions. Features a wide, sandy beach and very large grassy field for gear check. Best in south-southwest winds.

Barrier Islands -- Take a boat ride to Valhalla. You'll never want to come back.

WIND CHECK-

www.ikitesurf.com

www.intellicast.com

www.wunderground.com

www.noaa.gov

LOCAL SHOP AND INSTRUCTION-

SouthEast Expeditions

gonesailin@yahoo.com , 877-9-GET-LIT

GRINDS-

Pelican Pub -- On the sand at Sunset Beach. If you're nice to your waitress, she'll bring your rumrunner to you when you ride into the beach.

Cape Center -- Best gas-station food you'll ever have. Period.

Rebecca's -- Check the pound nets as you ride past. The fish in them will be on your plate that night.

Chesapeake Bay Cafe -- Cold beer, good eats, great pizza.

Tower Hill -- Fine dining in the middle of f'#*%ing nowhere.

ENTERTAINMENT-

Pelican Pub -- Live music Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Packed with locals and visitors alike.

YukYuk & Joes --Classic small-town pool hall loaded with NASCAR & Budweiser gear.

Cape Charles Harbor -- Salute the Sun parties on the first Saturday of the month.

ACCOMMODATIONS-

Sunset Beach Resort -- Launch site, bar, hotel, shop location. What more do you want? 757-331-4SUN

Cape Motel -- Sleep with the fishermen. 757-331-2461.

Kiptopeke State Park — Camping is available. 800-933-7275.

Virginia's Eastern Shore Bed & Breakfast Association -- www.bbonline.com/va/easternshore/index.html

OTHER THINGS TO DO-

Enjoy world-class fishing on the Eggs-to-Sea. 757-678-7385.

Take a kayak tour through the salt marsh. 877-22-KAYAK.

Spot birds in the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge.

See the wild ponies on Assateague Island (and take your gear -- there's a great beach).

TIPS-

The bayside launches provide excellent access for downwind runs full of surprises.

Look for sandbars and sandy points for slick water near creek mouths.

Camping is permitted on Mockhorn Island on the seaside.

Be aware of pound nets in the water -- they're easy to avoid if you think ahead.

Be ready to go for the sunset session in the summer months. It doesn't last forever.

A boat or PWC is a must for seaside riding.

Ask the locals if you can tag along when they're riding a private launch.

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