Golden Gardens, Seattle, WA

Intro: Golden Gardens is a popular kiting location on northerly summer and winter winds. On a clear day the backdrop is painted with the Olympic Mountains making this a perfect place for photography or just a day in the park. Kiting here will almost always attract a large crowd as this location is a great place for beach combers, picnics, swimming, volleyball, dog walking, etc. There is plenty of parking, a large grassy area to rig on and lots of riding room making Golden Gardens a favorite among Seattle kiters. Winds here average 15-20 knots but occasionally deliver some 30 knot days.

Wind: Golden Gardens is direction dependant and is only rideable on a northerly wind due to shadowing from the marina and large bluff to the south. The summer northerlies can be extremely steady while the winter northerlies can be a bit bumpy but usually deliver sunny skies. A common trend is for morning winds to last 3 or 4 hours whereas winds that turn on later in the day will many times blow into the night. The NOAA sensor at WestPoint (approx 5 miles to the south) is accurate with both wind direction and speed. When the reading is N to NW 15 knots or higher it is usually rideable. The Seattle - Winslow ferry readings are very handy for this site as well giving you a good indication of the speeds across the Sound. Check the NOAA Puget Sound forecast for a N 10-20, but keep in mind that Golden Gardens is well-known to blow without a forecast other than a newly forming high pressure. The first day of a new high pressure will usually deliver the best and strongest winds through Puget Sound. Beware of a NE forecast or any E in the wind as it will shadow the launch/land area and make returning to the beach very difficult.

Water: Although low tides are more desirable Golden Gardens has a large beach making it kiteable on high tides. Currents, on the other hand, can be very strong here sometimes making it a challenge to stay up wind on flood tides (water moving south) forcing even well seasoned riders to walk the beach on occasion. Golden Gardens tends to have very choppy water but strong winds and an ebb tide can sometimes create some clean, desirable swell.

Rig & Launch: The large grassy field is ideal for sorting and rigging your gear. It is recommended to launch at the north point of the sand beach. This is the safest area when the tide allows and is best with the kite at the water's edge. On higher tides the secondary launch area is the northern most area of the grass field. This location requires good kite control and a hold-down as the winds can swirl around the north hills of the park. The grass can also be very slippery here and could cause a pilot to lose footing and possible control so please have assistance. Launch your kite on the side of the grass closest the water; keep it at about 75 degrees (not too high and not too low) in order to avoid getting your lines caught in the shrubs along the foot path. Have your hold-down walk with you across the foot path to the water's edge. The beach drops off quickly enough so that you won't be able to stand up very far out in the water.

Warnings: Please be extremely aware of beach-goers! There will be plenty of them as the wind usually blows on sunny days. As mentioned above, the currents are strong here and could make self rescues and swimming in difficult. The north entrance of the Shilshole marina is directly south of the park making this a high traffic area for boats. Stay aware of boat traffic all around you at all times and please give them right-of-way not matter what tack you are on. Even though it is fun to put on a show please also keep your distance from sailing regattas as they pass by (races are frequent here). There are some pilings at the north end of the park on the point that are covered when the tide is high, so be aware of their existence. Sea lions frequent the area but have not been known to bother kiters so kiters are asked not to bother them. Don't leave valuables visible in your car as this is a popular park for cruisers and the occasional thug.

Facilities: Golden Gardens has more parking than we could ever use. There are bathrooms in the large building just south of the grass. Please keep dogs on leashes at this park.

Media: NOAA Puget Sound forecast: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/data/SEW/CWFSEW

Ferry readings: http://www.atmos.washington.edu/maciver/Ferry/Ferryjs/mainframe1.htm

Magnolia Cam: http://www.brichmond.com/webcam/mywebcam_loop.htm

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=seattle,+wa&ll=47.693241,-122.369585&spn=0.023435,0.081539&t=h&hl=en

Getting There: From I-5 take the NW 85th St exit and follow it west towards the water. Continue until you must turn right on Golden Gardens Drive and wind down into Golden Gardens Park. Turn right into the park at the stop sign and continue to the far north end parking lot.