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Richmond Beach kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot
United States · Washington
Overview
Richmond Beach (RB) is a public park that can be very busy. Be mindful and respectful of walkers and dogs. The beach is off-leash from November to April. RB works with S to SW wind, which can be quite gusty before an approaching storm. This spot has its own iKitesurf sensor, fairly reliable for speeds but with direction disabled for some time. Washington State Ferry readings (Edmonds-Kingston) are also good indicators of current conditions in the area. As long as the wind blows from S or SW, RB is rideable, but watch for SW winds creating onshore conditions. Check NOAA Puget Sound marine forecast (S or SW forecast). Wind often blows on a 10-20 knot forecast, with 15-25 knots being ideal. Direction is side to side-onshore on a long beach, making it a good spot for kiters learning to stay upwind. North wind is not ideal as the beach is sheltered from that direction.
Spot forecast for Richmond Beach
Sunrise 07:36 · Sunset 18:12
Next tides
- Low tide · 1.6 m
- High tide · 3.6 m
- Low tide · 2.4 m
- High tide · 3.6 m
Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo
Richmond Beach: when to go?
Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)
141h
in March · 15.5 rideable days
Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are December, December and March, at 16 rideable days and 9 °C. The low point is July, at 4.5 days.
Rideable days per month
Wind strength when it is rideable
When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 73% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 7 °C. The wettest month is December, with 127 mm.
Monthly averages: Richmond Beach
| Month | Rideable days | Usable wind | Temperature | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.5 | 49 h | 7 °C | 77 mm |
| January | 7.5 | 49 h | 7 °C | 77 mm |
| February | 9.0 | 67 h | 8 °C | 62 mm |
| February | 9.0 | 67 h | 8 °C | 62 mm |
| March | 15.5 | 141 h | 11 °C | 62 mm |
| March | 15.5 | 141 h | 11 °C | 62 mm |
| April | 11.0 | 92 h | 15 °C | 28 mm |
| April | 11.0 | 92 h | 15 °C | 28 mm |
| May | 13.0 | 110 h | 18 °C | 25 mm |
| May | 13.0 | 110 h | 18 °C | 25 mm |
| June | 7.0 | 64 h | 21 °C | 26 mm |
| June | 7.0 | 64 h | 21 °C | 26 mm |
| July | 4.5 | 33 h | 24 °C | 10 mm |
| July | 4.5 | 33 h | 24 °C | 10 mm |
| August | 9.0 | 72 h | 24 °C | 15 mm |
| August | 9.0 | 72 h | 24 °C | 15 mm |
| September | 6.0 | 36 h | 21 °C | 27 mm |
| September | 6.0 | 36 h | 21 °C | 27 mm |
| October | 12.0 | 95 h | 15 °C | 74 mm |
| October | 12.0 | 95 h | 15 °C | 74 mm |
| November | 13.0 | 78 h | 11 °C | 116 mm |
| November | 13.0 | 78 h | 11 °C | 116 mm |
| December | 16.0 | 111 h | 8 °C | 127 mm |
| December | 16.0 | 111 h | 9 °C | 107 mm |
Photo gallery of Richmond Beach
Technical details of Richmond Beach spot
The spot works with winds from S, SSW, SW.
Spot functioning
The best rigging area is the small sand berm south of the pedestrian path, large enough for a few kites. The safest technique is to launch the kite at the water's edge with the rider up on the sand with a launch assistant, due to possible unexpected gusts. Avoid "up and over" launches at Richmond — the rule here is "stay low and go." It's also recommended to bodydrag one line-length from shore before starting to ride.
Spot opening date · Required level
- Spot opening date
- Open all year round
- Required level
- Intermediate
On the water
This beach is steep, making it too deep to stand as soon as you enter the water. There's usually a shore break to bodydrag through. The bottom is covered with rocks and barnacles. Tides influence conditions, often creating choppy waves with increasing swell as wind picks up or becomes more onshore. A strong ebb current (water moving north) can make it hard to stay upwind, while a strong flood current can create nice waves. Monitor tides and currents. A tide below 9 feet is safest, leaving enough sand between obstacles and water.
Parking
Richmond Beach has large restrooms with toilets in the parking lot and on the beach. Large parking lot with plenty of spaces — never an issue finding parking.
Wind specificities
This spot is ideal in S to SW conditions. NOAA tide predictions: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9447427. Point Williams Buoy for current conditions.
Hazards
Driftwood and large logs — be careful when launching and landing your kite. Constantly monitor wind changes, which can increase rapidly and become more onshore, creating difficult and gusty conditions. Squalls frequently pass through RB — keep an eye out and land your kite before they arrive. Two sections of old pilings and debris west of the restrooms — these pilings are submerged at high tide, be extremely cautious in this area. Along the beach, very busy railroad tracks run along the shore north and south of the main launch area — within one kite line length from shore at high tide. Make sure you are comfortable with deep water self-rescue.
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FW8372 Seattle7.6 km
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FW3983 Edmonds4.2 km
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