Forecast looked promising, headed down to the lake after work. Wind looked ok so I thought I'd rush out for a quick blast ... sunset is now pushing 6:30 so if I hauled ass, I could get an hour or more on the water.
Geared up - my US size 12 boots arrived from the Wetsuit Wearhouse last night and they're the perfect fit! Pumped up as fast as I could and that seemed to suck the wind out of the air into my kite :( wind drops off ...
16m Crossbow self-launches fine and I'm riding easily but not powered how I like ... trying to work on perfecting my stance and elevator jumps. Really need to tighten the straps to help with the stance but the pull-pull straps baffle me. Moderate success on the elevator jumps but only on a port tack :( it seems I'm very 'handed' as far as that is concerned.
Accidentally did a back loop/spin/roll - muffed a launch and spun around under the kite but hung on and landed it and rode away. Of course, nobody saw it!
Good session, glad I made the effort even though the wind was light and the lake was full of floating logs, park signs and stuff! 0_o
What I learned today ...
• Proper sent jumps - I can do them. They're just as tough to land though. There's more of a floating downwind feeling to them too which is disconcerting. Boosting up the face of a wave is still the best :D
• The 5mm gloves may be the cause for exploding forearms, not the 16m bar pressure. Will check again when it warms up.
• I load'n'pop to starboard better than to port, but jump much better the other way :(
• Can handle spins, my poor old brain is up to the task! Woohoo!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Technique!
Good resource tips and instructionals. Just wish some of the pics were bigger! The search engine thingy is handy too ...
KSurf online magazine
KSurf online magazine
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
No joy
Hit the lake cos it was supposed to be crankin' and I was looking forward to trying out a smaller board from Miyachi.
Instead, there was S.F.A. wind and it wasn't looking like it was going to pick up :( took out the 16m Crossbow and tried out my lightwind LEI skills. Got a few tacks in and a single, solitary jump but was, over all crappy. Not as crappy as sitting in front of TV though.
On the other hand, the Hyperflex Access 5mm boots I bought from the Wetsuit Wearhouse were not as too small as I thought they'd be and were very comfy and warm - if you ignore the crushed toes. Size 11 is the same size as the Ion Ballistic Slippers I have but still too small ... have ordered size 12 now!
What I learned today ...
• There is no replacement for displacement - I would have been riding easily with the Silberpfeil. Thinking about all the Dyno hoo-hah, I reckon I need some extensions for the 'bow to see if I can make up some ground on the 'pfeil. Was a bit gusty and shifty though, so I might have been fishing it out of the lake which would have SUCKED.
• Really though, trying to ride in light wind sucks.
• Sometimes, no matter how groovy the kite & board, some people can ride and other can't. Had repeated occasions of being unable to get up planing while Big Brother went sailing by - and me doing the same to him.
Instead, there was S.F.A. wind and it wasn't looking like it was going to pick up :( took out the 16m Crossbow and tried out my lightwind LEI skills. Got a few tacks in and a single, solitary jump but was, over all crappy. Not as crappy as sitting in front of TV though.
On the other hand, the Hyperflex Access 5mm boots I bought from the Wetsuit Wearhouse were not as too small as I thought they'd be and were very comfy and warm - if you ignore the crushed toes. Size 11 is the same size as the Ion Ballistic Slippers I have but still too small ... have ordered size 12 now!
What I learned today ...
• There is no replacement for displacement - I would have been riding easily with the Silberpfeil. Thinking about all the Dyno hoo-hah, I reckon I need some extensions for the 'bow to see if I can make up some ground on the 'pfeil. Was a bit gusty and shifty though, so I might have been fishing it out of the lake which would have SUCKED.
• Really though, trying to ride in light wind sucks.
• Sometimes, no matter how groovy the kite & board, some people can ride and other can't. Had repeated occasions of being unable to get up planing while Big Brother went sailing by - and me doing the same to him.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sabae Magic
The options were do yard work or go to the lake so I got the hell out of dodge ... forecast was for crappy followed by nothing all coming from the south. I took down the Silberpfeil so I could reinstall the FDS and update the chicken loop.
HOWEVER ... got there about 2:30pm and we had just a breath of wind from the north, straight shot down the lake all nice and smooth like. The Junkie and the other F-One guy were there so I thought "What the hell" and suited up.
Launched and stood around for a while then was like "To hell with it, is sunny and warm why not jump in the lake" so I did. Rode off downwind and walked back. Did it again; this time there was only just not enough wind to go upwind. Same again ... but the wind has picked on the fourth run out and I'm holding my beam reach easily so I go back and forth for a while. Wind picks up a little more and now we're heading upwind so it's fun again :)
Good time working on my light wind technique (ha!) and the wind kicks up just enough to have a little fun - perfectly powered for the big white monster! All very tentative cos last time I had the 'pfeil out, the gusts gave me grief and it got wet and sandy - but that day wind was from the west and seriously cranky. Today was butter-smooth wind from the north east and the kite was stable as, all 3 hours of the session! Despite the light wind, the kite never touched the water and never got out of shape ... or even wiggled a tip at me!
So big shout out to John at Power Zone Kitesports for an invisible repair and a rock-steady tune! Cheers dude!
Wind dropped off as the sun was setting, Granpa dropped his Switchblade in the shore-break and couldn't get it up so with burning thighs, I called it a day. Figure I'd been on the water non-stop for about 2.5 hours ... I'm gonna be sore tomorrow!
Had a chat with Miyachi at the club house about the wind - the forecast said shit all day from the south even! and he just said "Ah, Sabae magic!"
Indeed!
What I learned today ...
• A new trick - well not really. Ride with one hand on the bar which slowly sends the kite up - if you time it right and load'n'pop, you go way up and look all stylee doing it one handed - a great time to flash some intimidating gang signs at the nearest jet-ski rider. East Side is de best!
• Sunglasses are great - they also reduce the spray in the eyes which is great. Tying them onto my wetsuit zipper leash is a great idea too! The brown lenses were a little too dark for the overcast conditions so perhaps the yellow ones would be more great. Great!
• Load'n'pop - real fun when you get it right but I'm still maddeningly inconsistent. That slicing carve and BOING way up in the air is the opium yo!
• Riding the fins when the wind is light to keep the board flat is the go. Good posture and really feeling the kite and board ... FS teaches so much more than the LEIs eh - so much more feedback from the kite, if you know what to listen for. I gotta liken it to riding a V-twin versus a two-stroke.
• You CAN downloop the S2 19 - without pulling a leader line - you just need about half the window. It was fine up to being fully powered but I don't know how much utility there is in it :D
HOWEVER ... got there about 2:30pm and we had just a breath of wind from the north, straight shot down the lake all nice and smooth like. The Junkie and the other F-One guy were there so I thought "What the hell" and suited up.
Launched and stood around for a while then was like "To hell with it, is sunny and warm why not jump in the lake" so I did. Rode off downwind and walked back. Did it again; this time there was only just not enough wind to go upwind. Same again ... but the wind has picked on the fourth run out and I'm holding my beam reach easily so I go back and forth for a while. Wind picks up a little more and now we're heading upwind so it's fun again :)
Good time working on my light wind technique (ha!) and the wind kicks up just enough to have a little fun - perfectly powered for the big white monster! All very tentative cos last time I had the 'pfeil out, the gusts gave me grief and it got wet and sandy - but that day wind was from the west and seriously cranky. Today was butter-smooth wind from the north east and the kite was stable as, all 3 hours of the session! Despite the light wind, the kite never touched the water and never got out of shape ... or even wiggled a tip at me!
So big shout out to John at Power Zone Kitesports for an invisible repair and a rock-steady tune! Cheers dude!
Wind dropped off as the sun was setting, Granpa dropped his Switchblade in the shore-break and couldn't get it up so with burning thighs, I called it a day. Figure I'd been on the water non-stop for about 2.5 hours ... I'm gonna be sore tomorrow!
Had a chat with Miyachi at the club house about the wind - the forecast said shit all day from the south even! and he just said "Ah, Sabae magic!"
Indeed!
What I learned today ...
• A new trick - well not really. Ride with one hand on the bar which slowly sends the kite up - if you time it right and load'n'pop, you go way up and look all stylee doing it one handed - a great time to flash some intimidating gang signs at the nearest jet-ski rider. East Side is de best!
• Sunglasses are great - they also reduce the spray in the eyes which is great. Tying them onto my wetsuit zipper leash is a great idea too! The brown lenses were a little too dark for the overcast conditions so perhaps the yellow ones would be more great. Great!
• Load'n'pop - real fun when you get it right but I'm still maddeningly inconsistent. That slicing carve and BOING way up in the air is the opium yo!
• Riding the fins when the wind is light to keep the board flat is the go. Good posture and really feeling the kite and board ... FS teaches so much more than the LEIs eh - so much more feedback from the kite, if you know what to listen for. I gotta liken it to riding a V-twin versus a two-stroke.
• You CAN downloop the S2 19 - without pulling a leader line - you just need about half the window. It was fine up to being fully powered but I don't know how much utility there is in it :D
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Guess what I found?
No not the 2 pair of sunglasses I lost ... the top-end of the Charger 15!!! 0_o Beaufort 7 (27-33 knots) it would appear ...
Skivved off and hit the lake. I was looking at the wind thinking maybe this wasn't such a great idea but when I got my gear over to the beach, the wind had dropped and I guessed (wrongly, as it turned out) that the wind had died off for the day. So I set up the 15m Charger cos hey I really wanted to try it again ... second knot from kite, straps all loose.
Filled fine, launched with a couple of tip-claps (cos I let go the bar I reckon) but it stayed up fine. Wind picked up as I was getting into the water and I had a hard time getting some space between me and the beach - kite was lifting me up (full power trim) and the waves were driving me back into shore! Finally I got out far enough to put the board on and try to start ...
... made the instant mistake of trying to fly it like a bow and foundered for a bit. Finally got up and rolling but DAY-HUM! thems is some big waves! Yes, waves - the fuckers are breaking like ocean waves and standing in the troughs, the peaks are at eye height :o I battle my way around and get back into Arc Mode. Whee!
Came to the conclusion that the Charger 15 is about as powerful as my 13m Crossbow ... when the arc is working. It's so not a park'n'ride kite though, got to keep it moving and keep pressure on the rear lines. Stopper ball is great for that but panic ensues in gusts :o went zooming off across wind like a freakin' rocket heading for the shore, desperately trying to slide up the stopper ball :D
As the wind increased, I ended up with the kite trimmed for max depower and was still out of control :D real tough body-dragging upwind to my board ... tried a few tentative jumps but was afraid to really do it ... got freaked out by speed through the window trying to change tacks ... so basically, I got pretty mauled out there!
Tried to find out what the wind was, cos I do believe it's the most I've ever been out in and REALLY should have had the 12m Synergy or even the 10m (but I sold that) ... weather sites conistently reported 10m/s (20 knots) but it was way more than that - the wind was driving the water up over the lip on the beach, sand was being flung around like little bullets and the locals were on 7m kites but just gave up. Which should have been a sign. I'm thinking it was about 30knots and over in the gusts. Stupid gusting to ... Deathwish?
So that was the top-end for the 15m Charger then! :o
Skivved off and hit the lake. I was looking at the wind thinking maybe this wasn't such a great idea but when I got my gear over to the beach, the wind had dropped and I guessed (wrongly, as it turned out) that the wind had died off for the day. So I set up the 15m Charger cos hey I really wanted to try it again ... second knot from kite, straps all loose.
Filled fine, launched with a couple of tip-claps (cos I let go the bar I reckon) but it stayed up fine. Wind picked up as I was getting into the water and I had a hard time getting some space between me and the beach - kite was lifting me up (full power trim) and the waves were driving me back into shore! Finally I got out far enough to put the board on and try to start ...
... made the instant mistake of trying to fly it like a bow and foundered for a bit. Finally got up and rolling but DAY-HUM! thems is some big waves! Yes, waves - the fuckers are breaking like ocean waves and standing in the troughs, the peaks are at eye height :o I battle my way around and get back into Arc Mode. Whee!
Came to the conclusion that the Charger 15 is about as powerful as my 13m Crossbow ... when the arc is working. It's so not a park'n'ride kite though, got to keep it moving and keep pressure on the rear lines. Stopper ball is great for that but panic ensues in gusts :o went zooming off across wind like a freakin' rocket heading for the shore, desperately trying to slide up the stopper ball :D
As the wind increased, I ended up with the kite trimmed for max depower and was still out of control :D real tough body-dragging upwind to my board ... tried a few tentative jumps but was afraid to really do it ... got freaked out by speed through the window trying to change tacks ... so basically, I got pretty mauled out there!
Tried to find out what the wind was, cos I do believe it's the most I've ever been out in and REALLY should have had the 12m Synergy or even the 10m (but I sold that) ... weather sites conistently reported 10m/s (20 knots) but it was way more than that - the wind was driving the water up over the lip on the beach, sand was being flung around like little bullets and the locals were on 7m kites but just gave up. Which should have been a sign. I'm thinking it was about 30knots and over in the gusts. Stupid gusting to ... Deathwish?
So that was the top-end for the 15m Charger then! :o
Monday, April 4, 2011
"My business is slammin', dawg!" - The Movie!
Another great forecast ... and it panned out this time!
Got to Locus about 1pm, looked at the wind and was like "Meh!" but Hironobu said it was going to pick up so I set up the 13m Crossbow & crossed my fingers.
By the time I got on the water at 2pm, it had picked up so I was riding just-powered and feeling fine ... for about 30 minutes.
The wind continued to pick up and I had to totally depower the kite - as Drewculous would say "Epic, gusting to Stupid" and I went into survival mode for several parts of the session! Actually had the lake all to myself for most of the duration cos I got on the lake early ... and ended up far enough upwind to avoid everyone else.
So naturally, with that much wind blowing and a 13m 'bow up, I tried to jump as big as I could. I think I landed maybe one decent jump, all the little ones but the rest I splashed-down and occasionally got slammed good :) hence the title.
Had the GoPro on the helmet so got it all on film but despite the chamois in the case, the Rain-X on the outside of the lens and the defog spray inside, something went wrong so a lot of it is blurry :( a pox on it all!
Once I knew I was powered-up, I tried to ride the Spleene Rip + but it just wasn't happening - I briefly got up on a plane for a few tacks but it seems there just wasn't enough wind (or talent!) for it do really ring my bell. Gave up and went back to ol' Faithful.
Had a great time, except for when a gust came through and lobbed me and another time I landed on the side of my face* after a good yoinking and spin. Legs were starting to give out so I came off the water after what the GoPro tells me is nearly 2 hours of solid riding!
Video on the way!
What I learned today ...
• I need a smaller kite. Switchblade 10 sounds like the business.
• I need a slightly bigger small board. FlyRadical XL sounds etc etc.
• The Pro-Tec helmet - if your head goes underwater, when you pop up again it dumps the water right down into your eyes which sucks. Especially when it takes longer to clear cos of sunglasses damming it up.
• Mount on the helmet for the GoPro - where I got in now, it's basically in the center of my forehead - which, when jumping, captures great shots of ... my gloves. Gonna move it up to the top of the helmet. Pity, cos it gives a great view of what I actually see although I don't remember staring at my gloves during jumps :(
• Rain-X is a total waste of time on the GoPro - probably the number 1 culprit for smeared gunk on the lens. Defog spray on the inside probably is a waste of time too. Gotta put in the pads to make sure cos what got recorded is mega-suck.
• I think I know what I'm going wrong with jumps - redirecting the kite too early and it's twisting me downwind before I can edge against it eg. I'm still in the air. Still - it's fuckin' fun!
* 5/4 update - my face still feels like the wife slapped me upside the head 0_o I might have brain-damage.
Got to Locus about 1pm, looked at the wind and was like "Meh!" but Hironobu said it was going to pick up so I set up the 13m Crossbow & crossed my fingers.
By the time I got on the water at 2pm, it had picked up so I was riding just-powered and feeling fine ... for about 30 minutes.
The wind continued to pick up and I had to totally depower the kite - as Drewculous would say "Epic, gusting to Stupid" and I went into survival mode for several parts of the session! Actually had the lake all to myself for most of the duration cos I got on the lake early ... and ended up far enough upwind to avoid everyone else.
So naturally, with that much wind blowing and a 13m 'bow up, I tried to jump as big as I could. I think I landed maybe one decent jump, all the little ones but the rest I splashed-down and occasionally got slammed good :) hence the title.
Had the GoPro on the helmet so got it all on film but despite the chamois in the case, the Rain-X on the outside of the lens and the defog spray inside, something went wrong so a lot of it is blurry :( a pox on it all!
Once I knew I was powered-up, I tried to ride the Spleene Rip + but it just wasn't happening - I briefly got up on a plane for a few tacks but it seems there just wasn't enough wind (or talent!) for it do really ring my bell. Gave up and went back to ol' Faithful.
Had a great time, except for when a gust came through and lobbed me and another time I landed on the side of my face* after a good yoinking and spin. Legs were starting to give out so I came off the water after what the GoPro tells me is nearly 2 hours of solid riding!
Video on the way!
What I learned today ...
• I need a smaller kite. Switchblade 10 sounds like the business.
• I need a slightly bigger small board. FlyRadical XL sounds etc etc.
• The Pro-Tec helmet - if your head goes underwater, when you pop up again it dumps the water right down into your eyes which sucks. Especially when it takes longer to clear cos of sunglasses damming it up.
• Mount on the helmet for the GoPro - where I got in now, it's basically in the center of my forehead - which, when jumping, captures great shots of ... my gloves. Gonna move it up to the top of the helmet. Pity, cos it gives a great view of what I actually see although I don't remember staring at my gloves during jumps :(
• Rain-X is a total waste of time on the GoPro - probably the number 1 culprit for smeared gunk on the lens. Defog spray on the inside probably is a waste of time too. Gotta put in the pads to make sure cos what got recorded is mega-suck.
• I think I know what I'm going wrong with jumps - redirecting the kite too early and it's twisting me downwind before I can edge against it eg. I'm still in the air. Still - it's fuckin' fun!
* 5/4 update - my face still feels like the wife slapped me upside the head 0_o I might have brain-damage.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Better luck next time
Today was supposed to be even better than yesterday but it wasn't - and I only had the 13 Crossbow with me! I'd even taken my Rip + cos it was supposed to be so nukin'. Sat around waiting for the wind, set up the gear and got changed. Decided to give it a shot ...
... barely powered but gusty enough to ride for a bit and do a few fun jumps. Nothing as good as yesterday though - then, I had some awesome jumps ... the kind where, when you carve up the face of the wave you just KNOW you're going to fly clean off the top and go soaring ...
Packed up, came home. Tomorrow is supposed to be better than the day before yesterday like today was supposed to be ... arf!
What I learned today ...
• Don't trust the fricken' weather reports or even the webcam!
• Anything west of north is simply too gusty - especially for the Silberpfeil (see yesterday)
• I want an Ozone Zephyr :D
... barely powered but gusty enough to ride for a bit and do a few fun jumps. Nothing as good as yesterday though - then, I had some awesome jumps ... the kind where, when you carve up the face of the wave you just KNOW you're going to fly clean off the top and go soaring ...
Packed up, came home. Tomorrow is supposed to be better than the day before yesterday like today was supposed to be ... arf!
What I learned today ...
• Don't trust the fricken' weather reports or even the webcam!
• Anything west of north is simply too gusty - especially for the Silberpfeil (see yesterday)
• I want an Ozone Zephyr :D
On the whole - brilliant!
Forecast and webcam looked promising so I headed down the lake about 12:30. 8-9m/s were promised so I took the 13m Crossbow over and pumped it up. Seemed a bit light, but the wind was supposed to pick up after 1 so I crossed my fingers ... the glove-giving ex-windsurfer newbie was on his 15m Cult and I was thinking maybe I should have brought the SA2 over ...
... but I must have gotten onto the water just as the wind turned on, cos I was away and laughing! For about the next 90 minutes I was nicely powered, boosting some "big" jumps and am starting to get the handle on landing them too :D so it was all very fun ... tried to ride my North Sumo but it was fail ...
... the lull/gust started to do its thing again later, as it seems to do in spring here. Got really sucky so I landed the 'bow. Sat around waiting for the wind to pick up but it didn't and I thought I might chance the SA2 for one last ride so I dragged it out.
That was a mistake; I should have known it wouldn't like the gusty conditions :( got up and riding ok but it just wasn't stable, dropped out of the sky, relaunched it then dropped it again and looped a bridle line over itself that I couldn't recover. The waves turned it into a soggy mess and I had to tide it up on shore. Not fun, not impressed - guess I'll be putting the FSers away until I get decent stable wind :(
Lo-ooong time to pack up, as I waited for the Silberpfeil to dry out and shed the sand ...
What I learned today ...
• Don't even think about chancing gusty winds with the Speed2.5!
• I don't like the Sumo, I think I want a Flyradical XL :D need to try out the Rip + again though.
• Pay more attention to your kite and those around you! I nearly got taken out when the Mistress of Disaster turned without fucking looking as usual (if the silly bitch didn't do her "tricks" within a line length of the shore it wouldn't be such a problem!) and while I was feeling all haughty, I nearly sent my kite across the window into someone else's ...
• I *think* the trick with landing big jumps is not to move the kite around too much up there ... across to 1 or 11, then hold it until you're on the way down. Maybe.
... but I must have gotten onto the water just as the wind turned on, cos I was away and laughing! For about the next 90 minutes I was nicely powered, boosting some "big" jumps and am starting to get the handle on landing them too :D so it was all very fun ... tried to ride my North Sumo but it was fail ...
... the lull/gust started to do its thing again later, as it seems to do in spring here. Got really sucky so I landed the 'bow. Sat around waiting for the wind to pick up but it didn't and I thought I might chance the SA2 for one last ride so I dragged it out.
That was a mistake; I should have known it wouldn't like the gusty conditions :( got up and riding ok but it just wasn't stable, dropped out of the sky, relaunched it then dropped it again and looped a bridle line over itself that I couldn't recover. The waves turned it into a soggy mess and I had to tide it up on shore. Not fun, not impressed - guess I'll be putting the FSers away until I get decent stable wind :(
Lo-ooong time to pack up, as I waited for the Silberpfeil to dry out and shed the sand ...
What I learned today ...
• Don't even think about chancing gusty winds with the Speed2.5!
• I don't like the Sumo, I think I want a Flyradical XL :D need to try out the Rip + again though.
• Pay more attention to your kite and those around you! I nearly got taken out when the Mistress of Disaster turned without fucking looking as usual (if the silly bitch didn't do her "tricks" within a line length of the shore it wouldn't be such a problem!) and while I was feeling all haughty, I nearly sent my kite across the window into someone else's ...
• I *think* the trick with landing big jumps is not to move the kite around too much up there ... across to 1 or 11, then hold it until you're on the way down. Maybe.
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