When I was writing yesterday's blog, I happened to spot the forecast for today - holy epic goodness, Batman! Much anticipation...
In the morning, checked the hourly data - WTF 12 knots? Locus webcam looks great though. Pack the car with the Xbow's and add the S3 15 just in case. Seems unnecessary on arrival, as it looks like we got the goods when I get to the lake! Hump the 13 and 10 and both Flyboards over to the beach...
Pump up the 10 so it can dry out and contemplate using it. Mmm, seems like the wind has dropped... rig the 13 instead. Self-launch with the anchor, too easy - the wind has gone? Oh well, try the 'radical anyway.
Off and riding but just holding ground for a while. The wind is up'n'down - mostly down - then REALLY picks up and gusts like a mother. Punchy like a drunken short guy who thinks you're hitting on his ex-wife. I really should be on the 10... but am too lazy to change. Play with the trim a lot.
Have the GoPro on the kite so do some showing off... and get slammed a lot :D once the wind has picked up, it gets too risky to try anything cos I'm getting dumped or yoinked or just pulled of my edge :-/ so I go back to playing with waves and trying to boost big.
Keep trying to spot if the camera is still recording - can't see the red light. Tone it down a bit cos I'm getting tired and there's no point in getting worked over if it's not on film. Enjoy some cruising carving rides - when the wind isn't trying to jerk me into the beach - and the flat water areas.
Wondering what the time is, feeling tired... I head into pack up. Self-land with the anchor but the wind is so gusty that it just won't sit in one spot. Le sigh... at least the GoPro is still recording. Although there's a spot of goddamn fog on it!
Called the weather "crappy" cos it was just ridiculous, trying to ride out the gusts and all the punchy shit in between. Would have been "epic" if it was smoother...
Moment of the day was realizing the camera had actually recorded the whole thing!
Mood of the session was puzzled battered annoyed.
It sucks when you're trying to show off for the camera but just get slammed instead.
Weather was reported as 14-15 knots (BULLSHIT) with gusts to 28; 19°C at 55%.
Wind felt like it was fucking retarded. Underpowered to stupidly overpowered.
What I learned today...
• The height you get from jumps when stupidly overpowered isn't that much more than powered. On the XB, at least. The Speed3s are more rewarding of your boneheaded courage.
• Maybe I just need to work on my technique? ... still!
• Really need to work on back-rolls in the other direction.
• And front-rolls. In both directions.
• Footouts need work - getting knees up high enough is difficult with the wetsuit, harness, and stomach in the way :-/
• Seems I'm out of sorts with the 13 XB or may be just the LEIs - first time I've used them since Thailand!
• Fucking fogging up GoPro - there's a whole sheet of desiccant in the case!!! It's viewable, but not crystal clear.
• But the battery lasted for 120 minutes - not bad!
• Kite below 45ยบ to edge against it, above for lift. Very easy to feel with the LEI...
• But you don't get to go upwind so well as the Speeds when fighting against the overpower.
• Self-land with an anchor - if the kite won't behave, hold the nearest-the-ground steering line and walk to the kite - it should sit in place.
No comments:
Post a Comment