Looking forward to returning to China Creek Campground in Port Alberni. It will be our third summer kiting and camping there. The wind is as consistent as Nit Nat. Comes up everyday at 1pm till sunset. The webcam in town shows that it shows up at 5, but we can count on it blowing by 1pm in the campground. If your planning to go the thing to look for is the tempature differential from Bamfield to Port Alberni. Even when its raining if their is a temperature differential it still blows, which is a cool experience since the clouds in other locations kill the wind . The campground has a discount if you stay for 2 days and take lessons then your 3rd day is free. The campground is full service with water, electricity, a restaurant and great hiking trails to enjoy before the wind arrives. To get to the campground its only 6k on a dirt road and 15 minutes outside of Port Alberni. Email us for more info the kite community is growing annually in China Creek we are looking forward to spending another summer there. girlonaboard1@gmail.com
As the kite school in China Creek Port Alberni grows we need to grow the team. We are looking to hire another fulltime and part time instructor. Please email me your CV to girlonaboard1@gmail.com We will not accept unexperienced instructors at this location.
The campground is overing a special 2 nights free for the 3rd night free if you are associated with the kite school. Email us at girlonaboard1@gmail.com for more info
For forecasting, it's typically a thermal wind from cool/cloudy conditions on the west coast of the island ( i.e. Tofino ) and warmer/sunny weather mid-island and on the east side of the island. A major frontal push can disrupt or boost the thermal depending on the orientation and movement of the front.
I kited there one day last July. Good spot. Lots of room to launch. I think the wind comes up a couple hours earlier than Port Alberni. Quite a few boats salmon fishing, but most left when the wind came up. In hot weather, could possibly need no wetsuit? (as you can in PA canal) However, I think water line was barnacles/shells, would probably need booties regardless.
Good point John - up at higher tide levels the beach is benign ( small mossy pebbles ) but as you go out into mid and low tide zones it's quite plentiful in barnacles.