One word - steady! During the months of June - August, Jetty typically blows with afternoon NW thermals beginning between 2-7 pm and can last anywhere from an hour to several hours into the dark. It is a light side-onshore wind so kiters are usually on 14-18m kites, although a few days in the season it may blow 12m. There is no accurate sensor at the moment (rumor of one being installed spring of 06), so the locals watch for the Pt Wilson and Point No Point sensors to be NW and the Keystone - Pt Townsend ferry readings to be NW 15 or greater. Accurately forecasting Jetty has proven to be extremely difficult so there are many theories available. Generally, watch for the NOAA Marine Forecast for Admiralty Inlet to be NW 15-25 and a pressure gradient of about .10 west or larger between Seattle and Wenatchee. Urban Surf sponsors a wind line (206-406-7795) that is updated around 3pm during the season or when wind is beginning for the day and usually gives an on-site report of the current conditions and/or outlook.

water

Jetty Island sits in Port Gardner bay which, due to the inlet of the Snohomish River, is a large tidal flat. On low tides there are literally 100's of yards of beach between the island and the water's edge. This flat bottom contour creates very smooth water and nice pealing waves on low tides. Common water conditions at Jetty can be very flat on the lighter 16m days and, depending on the tide, rolling swell around 3 feet as the wind picks up. Because the water is so shallow here the temperature is several degrees warmer than the rest of the Sound. On a tide 9 ft and below there will be waist deep water for a long ways out and it can heat up to almost 75 degrees on an incoming tide. Some kiters ride with only shorts, but at least a shorty is recommended as the outer waters are still in the 60's. Small chop is common on the surface and currents don't affect the riding area. Again! Please DO NOT ride in the lagoon as it disturbs the nesting ospreys (as requested by the Everett Parks Dept).

rig &launch

From the dock, walk west across the island and then up to the far northern sandy area. This is the best rigging area because it is farthest away from the many beachgoers and children. Rig your gear either on the sand beach (when tide allows) or up on the small sand hill. There will be many other kiters there so self launching is not usually necessary, although it is a quite safe on the beach when the tide is low. After launching, please move out of the launching and landing zone as quickly as possible to avoid congestion.

warnings

In the summer Jetty becomes a very busy beach full of kiters and beachgoers. Please be extremely courteous to all as we do not want to lose access to this incredible location. Do not put your kite over, kite close to or kite through ANY swimmers in the water. Stay as far north as possible at all times unless you are a long ways out from the beach. Many spectators come over to Jetty Island just to watch us kite but the majority of them are there to spend time with their children, letting them play in the sand and swim. During the summer the Everett Parks Dept hosts educational shows and events for the kids giving talks and tours of the island and its wildlife. The wind can sometimes be onshore and when the tide is high up to the logs it makes launching and landing a bit trickier. When crossing the river in a kayak to get to or from Jetty, be aware that on large tidal exchanges the river can run very fast and strong making crossing much more difficult if you have a slow boat. Dogs are not allowed on the island because it is a bird refuge and alcohol is strictly prohibited with a $1000 fine (both of these rules are heavily enforced). Be aware that Jetty has no shade or shelter so bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. HELP keep Jetty Island clean! Please use the trash cans and, even if it is not yours, pick up trash that you run across on your way in and your way out. It makes us all look good.

facilities

There are floating toilets on the dock during the summer months. There is still no food or drinks available for purchase on the island but that will most likely change as popularity grows.