Iffy forecast, but I thought I'd go with GPV and head down the lake around 3. No wind, but people on the beach. Went over to the lake with the Dialer under one arm, the Z under the other and the 21 on my back.
Phew, wind coming in in squalls, nearly binned the kite with the stalls and jerks. Wind, no wind, wind, no wind... pissing with rain.
Gah.
Moment of the day was the hang time.
Mood of the session was uh-oh, ho-ho, hmm.
Weather was reported as 12 to 8 knots, gusts to 20; 32˚C at 68%.
Wind felt like crap. Initially I was bit worried, then it sucked, the it really sucked, then it was ok, then it really sucked again.
What I learned today...
• The "problem" with the Z is that it has very good bottom end for a "small" board, but you can't hold it down as the wind picks up. Well, I can't anyway.
• Going upwind is better done slowly on the Z. Which isn't so exciting, especially when you want to boost huge.
• Jumping to the Dialer feels like you're dragging a rope behind you, from all the fin-drag.
• Or maybe the Z is just too lose?
• The 21 is bloody heavy when it's soaked and covered in sand. Needed a wash anyway!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Double skunkage
Forecast looked good for Machiya, so I headed over there aiming to be in time for the 3 o'clock 20 knots... we got - dick. Got a look at the construction going on... god, it's rooted. The construction has made a total mess of the beach and there's almost no parking within miles. God knows how crowded it will be when the new park is up and running. Idiots and assholes!
Drove back to Shiga and... WTF there's wind from the north! Head out to the lake - yup, people are riding. Looks light and they're walking on 10m and directionals, so out comes the 21. Er, think I'm going to be over-powered... nope it's fine!
Try the Z out again. Better, the water is flatter but boosts are still hard to edge into. Then the wind drops, and it's all over. A handful of jumps and rotations, but not enough to get my mojo going.
Head out for one tack on the Flydoor but even that's not doing it. Pack up... sigh, what a day!
Moment of the day was getting upwind on the Z :-/
Mood of the session was resigned exciting resigned.
Weather was reported as 12 to 6 knots, gusts to 30 about a 1/2 hour before I go to the beach. 33˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like I'd be over-powered on the 21 but was only just powered enough to work the Z upwind, to being unable to fly the kite.
What I learned today...
• Machiya is F-U-C-K-E-D.
• The 21 needs a wash - a golden brown from the dust on the beach. Goes to show how rarely it goes in the drink!
• The Z can be made to do things right... I'll keep persisting till we get back from Thailand but I think it's just too technically demanding for my dumb ass.
• Need to try new fins and different stance widths too...
• Some dickhead fisherfuck put nets across the beach - got my foot tangled in it.
• The 2012 Fusion is officially dead - straps have broken off the harness.
Drove back to Shiga and... WTF there's wind from the north! Head out to the lake - yup, people are riding. Looks light and they're walking on 10m and directionals, so out comes the 21. Er, think I'm going to be over-powered... nope it's fine!
Try the Z out again. Better, the water is flatter but boosts are still hard to edge into. Then the wind drops, and it's all over. A handful of jumps and rotations, but not enough to get my mojo going.
Head out for one tack on the Flydoor but even that's not doing it. Pack up... sigh, what a day!
Moment of the day was getting upwind on the Z :-/
Mood of the session was resigned exciting resigned.
Weather was reported as 12 to 6 knots, gusts to 30 about a 1/2 hour before I go to the beach. 33˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like I'd be over-powered on the 21 but was only just powered enough to work the Z upwind, to being unable to fly the kite.
What I learned today...
• Machiya is F-U-C-K-E-D.
• The 21 needs a wash - a golden brown from the dust on the beach. Goes to show how rarely it goes in the drink!
• The Z can be made to do things right... I'll keep persisting till we get back from Thailand but I think it's just too technically demanding for my dumb ass.
• Need to try new fins and different stance widths too...
• Some dickhead fisherfuck put nets across the beach - got my foot tangled in it.
• The 2012 Fusion is officially dead - straps have broken off the harness.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
A lament for the 'radical
Forecast looked crappy so I went out for a ride on the Duke. New brake pads and tyres... what fun! But noticed the wind was up... crikey, quite a blow!
Get home and yes, the wind IS up so I head down the beach. Looks a bit light so I go for the Flite with the Dialer and Z just in case.
Really nice play on the Dialer in light wind. Reading the article on ikitesurf helped to cement what I'm doing/trying to do. Wind seemed to be picking up so I went for the Z...
Man, I just can't get with that. Good blow on but I spent 2-hours tacking out, doing a trick, loosing ground, and basically just trying to get back to where I started from without having to walk.
Spray in the fucking face, unable to load and boost... man, I want my Flyradical back :(
Moment of the day was riding the waves into the marina beach like a BAWS.
Mood of the session was la-la yeaaaaah argh.
Weather was reported as 12 to 13 knots, gusts to 19. 30˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like just-under to nicely-powered... I'd say 15-18 knots in the good spots.
What I learned today...
• The Z is not the board for me.
• Dialer is a board for me.
• Riding on the stopper is a good way to build speed.
Get home and yes, the wind IS up so I head down the beach. Looks a bit light so I go for the Flite with the Dialer and Z just in case.
Really nice play on the Dialer in light wind. Reading the article on ikitesurf helped to cement what I'm doing/trying to do. Wind seemed to be picking up so I went for the Z...
Man, I just can't get with that. Good blow on but I spent 2-hours tacking out, doing a trick, loosing ground, and basically just trying to get back to where I started from without having to walk.
Spray in the fucking face, unable to load and boost... man, I want my Flyradical back :(
Moment of the day was riding the waves into the marina beach like a BAWS.
Mood of the session was la-la yeaaaaah argh.
Weather was reported as 12 to 13 knots, gusts to 19. 30˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like just-under to nicely-powered... I'd say 15-18 knots in the good spots.
What I learned today...
• The Z is not the board for me.
• Dialer is a board for me.
• Riding on the stopper is a good way to build speed.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Pick n' mix
Had some fun, made some gybes, ate some shit, missed the thermals. . . it's all good.
I knew the wind would only come in for an hour so I made sure I was there in time. Went with the Flite cos why not.
Started out on the Dialer, having a nice time. Some kids are waving and squealing at me - think I heard one of them say my name, wonder if they're students. Having fun riding waves.
Wind picked up some so I came back in to get the Z . . . ballsed up a gybe and things got weird - board downwind, me getting pulled at the pointy ends, body-english to avoid it, dive the kite a bit and get dragged up the beach so I half-heartedly hit the QR. Doesn't release so I think it missed it, but as I get my feet under me it goes - I'm hanging onto the kite with both hands but there's no way that I will be able to reset the QR so I just let go the kite. Now I think I could have put it to the edge of the window . . . doh.
So I reset the kite and got on the Z. Under-powered but it was actually feeling really nice . . . less chop?
That was good until the the pad slipped . . . WTH? Oh, the screw has come out - shit! Go back and get the Flydoor, but the wind has dropped.
Back on the Dialer ride around a bit but the wind has really dropped and we're all walking now. Let Miyachi take a run on the Flite and he seems to enjoy it. Thought he was bit over-powered but he seemed ok.
Stand around waiting for the wind to come up but in the end I give up and pack it in.
As I'm driving out of the carpark, it looks like the wind has come up some - could have been riding on the 17 maybe, 21 for sure. Sigh . . . maybe tomorrow.
Moment of the day was doing a flawless gybe like I wasn't a tard.
Mood of the session was rah ah? bah gah.
Weather was reported as 12 to 15 knots, gusts to 22 at 3:30pm; 31˚C at 78%.
Wind felt like just powered until I broke the board, to completely under-powered.
What I learned today...
• Probably shoulda waited for the thermals . . .
• Don't try tricky shit right next to the shore.
• Starting to feel comfy on the Dialer - finding the balance.
I knew the wind would only come in for an hour so I made sure I was there in time. Went with the Flite cos why not.
Started out on the Dialer, having a nice time. Some kids are waving and squealing at me - think I heard one of them say my name, wonder if they're students. Having fun riding waves.
Wind picked up some so I came back in to get the Z . . . ballsed up a gybe and things got weird - board downwind, me getting pulled at the pointy ends, body-english to avoid it, dive the kite a bit and get dragged up the beach so I half-heartedly hit the QR. Doesn't release so I think it missed it, but as I get my feet under me it goes - I'm hanging onto the kite with both hands but there's no way that I will be able to reset the QR so I just let go the kite. Now I think I could have put it to the edge of the window . . . doh.
So I reset the kite and got on the Z. Under-powered but it was actually feeling really nice . . . less chop?
That was good until the the pad slipped . . . WTH? Oh, the screw has come out - shit! Go back and get the Flydoor, but the wind has dropped.
Back on the Dialer ride around a bit but the wind has really dropped and we're all walking now. Let Miyachi take a run on the Flite and he seems to enjoy it. Thought he was bit over-powered but he seemed ok.
Stand around waiting for the wind to come up but in the end I give up and pack it in.
As I'm driving out of the carpark, it looks like the wind has come up some - could have been riding on the 17 maybe, 21 for sure. Sigh . . . maybe tomorrow.
Moment of the day was doing a flawless gybe like I wasn't a tard.
Mood of the session was rah ah? bah gah.
Weather was reported as 12 to 15 knots, gusts to 22 at 3:30pm; 31˚C at 78%.
Wind felt like just powered until I broke the board, to completely under-powered.
What I learned today...
• Probably shoulda waited for the thermals . . .
• Don't try tricky shit right next to the shore.
• Starting to feel comfy on the Dialer - finding the balance.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Enema much?
Forecast for more than yesterday and while that what the weather station said, it didn't feel like it.
Started out on the Flydoor just to see if it would splash me like the Z. It did, but it didn't stall like the other one. I'll have to try it again.
So pootled around on the 'door then when I had trouble going upwind, switched to the Dialer. Nice wee session, getting used to that. Managed a few gybes going from starboard to port but there was a lot of falling over.
Tried out the 2013 Fusion too . . . jesus wept, I hope that thing stretches out soon!
Moment of the day was a single semi-decent carving turn.
Mood of the session was whee! wah! ahh.
Weather was reported as 16 to 12 knots, gusts to 24. 28˚C at 69%.
Wind felt like under- to happy-powered but wasn't consistent enough for big fun.
What I learned today . . .
• Should probably wear the short john suit to stop the harness going so far up my ass I can taste neoprene.
• Getting a feel for riding the fins. Noice.
• The old Flydoor . . . what a great bit of kit!
Started out on the Flydoor just to see if it would splash me like the Z. It did, but it didn't stall like the other one. I'll have to try it again.
So pootled around on the 'door then when I had trouble going upwind, switched to the Dialer. Nice wee session, getting used to that. Managed a few gybes going from starboard to port but there was a lot of falling over.
Tried out the 2013 Fusion too . . . jesus wept, I hope that thing stretches out soon!
Moment of the day was a single semi-decent carving turn.
Mood of the session was whee! wah! ahh.
Weather was reported as 16 to 12 knots, gusts to 24. 28˚C at 69%.
Wind felt like under- to happy-powered but wasn't consistent enough for big fun.
What I learned today . . .
• Should probably wear the short john suit to stop the harness going so far up my ass I can taste neoprene.
• Getting a feel for riding the fins. Noice.
• The old Flydoor . . . what a great bit of kit!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Hmm...
Good wind forecast and we got it too. Left work just after 4 and trotted on down. Wind looked good...
Went with the XB13 in case we get thermals. Have a tack or two on the Z-series, but it's too light. Go out on the Dialer. Great fun! Made one gybe too... beginners luck :)
Wind has picked up so I switch back to the Z. Should have been a good boosting session but I just can't click with the board. Everytime I edge hard, the spray is so great that the board stalls. Not to mention, any time I edge at all or put weight on the front foot, the spray is tremendous :( shame, cos it's really frustrating and otherwise, the board is a charmer - fast (too fast if you can't edge), carves like a knife, smooth as silk through the chop (when you weight the back leg) and the pads/straps are terrific.
Good long session... home for a cold drink. Been a shitty day and it took a bit of the shine off the sesh.
Moment of the day was actually setting up for a boost, slamming into a breaking "wave" and leaving my board behind. Amusing. I hope the guy with the camera on the shore got that shot.
Mood of the session was whee hmm gah.
Weather was reported as 10 to 7 knots, gusts to 20. 27˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like I comfy on the Dialer to I should have been boosting sky-high but the board just wouldn't let me.
What I learned today...
• Demo boards before you buy.
• The Flydoor2 is a total machine... or maybe it's just the outline. Or the fins behind the heels.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Mmm...
Supposed to be windy all day... but it wasn't. Contrary weather thankfully didn't rain, as the forecast said it would fine, so I had a dry ride in to RS Taichi to get new tyres.
Got home, went and checked the lake - southerlies. Came home, checked GPV—ah, now the forecast says wind at 5pm.
Go back at 5pm... oh ho! the wind has shifted and there's a blow line coming in...
Looks like it'll be light, so I take the 21 and the Dialer over to the beach... but by the time I arrive, there's fearsome white caps inbound. I dash back for the Z-series... probably should have got a different kite or at least the seat harness but oh well.
Wind was a gusty bitch for the first 20 minutes—lots of kites in the drink until the wind filled in properly.
Waist harness shits me right off, riding into my armpits every time I fall over or do a stunt. Jumping is not going well cos I can't adapt to the shorter and narrower board. But I keep slugging away at it...
The Z-series is a smooth ride. Carves really nice, going to be fun freeriding that. Pads are awesome... good board. But the spray... my god, it's constant. I figure my stance is to blame so I adapt and it seems better. Can't get the hang of edging for the boost, but I think the harness is the problem there...
Nearly dark but the wind has dropped a tad so I risk a run on the Dialer. Much easier to get onto it with some wind! I play with feet position, riding the fins and trying to gybe and tack. Nearly manage one of each. I still suck riding toeside... but it's fun. I shoulda done that with a smaller kite :( but then, I'd be fucking with the fucking harness even fucking more.
Pack up and in the car at 8:20pm... good long session but all the wrong gear!
Moment of the day was getting out on the new boards.
Got home, went and checked the lake - southerlies. Came home, checked GPV—ah, now the forecast says wind at 5pm.
Go back at 5pm... oh ho! the wind has shifted and there's a blow line coming in...
Looks like it'll be light, so I take the 21 and the Dialer over to the beach... but by the time I arrive, there's fearsome white caps inbound. I dash back for the Z-series... probably should have got a different kite or at least the seat harness but oh well.
Wind was a gusty bitch for the first 20 minutes—lots of kites in the drink until the wind filled in properly.
Waist harness shits me right off, riding into my armpits every time I fall over or do a stunt. Jumping is not going well cos I can't adapt to the shorter and narrower board. But I keep slugging away at it...
The Z-series is a smooth ride. Carves really nice, going to be fun freeriding that. Pads are awesome... good board. But the spray... my god, it's constant. I figure my stance is to blame so I adapt and it seems better. Can't get the hang of edging for the boost, but I think the harness is the problem there...
Nearly dark but the wind has dropped a tad so I risk a run on the Dialer. Much easier to get onto it with some wind! I play with feet position, riding the fins and trying to gybe and tack. Nearly manage one of each. I still suck riding toeside... but it's fun. I shoulda done that with a smaller kite :( but then, I'd be fucking with the fucking harness even fucking more.
Pack up and in the car at 8:20pm... good long session but all the wrong gear!
Moment of the day was getting out on the new boards.
Mood of the session was OH-YES-we-got-wind OH-NO-I'm-over-powered OH-GOD-fucking-harness.
Weather was reported as 12 to 8 knots, gusts to 18. 28˚C at 76%.
Wind felt like should have been fun over-powered to what would have been comfy powered. Except for the frickin' harness.
What I learned today...
• I am so not interested in waist harnesses.
• Despite the fact that it's SO much easier to move your legs!
• Z-series will take some adapting too. But it has potential.
• Starting with weight on the back foot seems the best way with the Dialer.
Weather was reported as 12 to 8 knots, gusts to 18. 28˚C at 76%.
Wind felt like should have been fun over-powered to what would have been comfy powered. Except for the frickin' harness.
What I learned today...
• I am so not interested in waist harnesses.
• Despite the fact that it's SO much easier to move your legs!
• Z-series will take some adapting too. But it has potential.
• Starting with weight on the back foot seems the best way with the Dialer.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Win some...
Supposed to be wind today, so I headed off to the beach. Looked like enough wind to try out the 2011 Slingshot Dialer… and nobody else was around, so it wouldn't be embarrassing. Much.
Not much wind... hot launch the 21 but run out of beach behind me before I get it up and inflated. Reset... try again. Success! REALLY freakin' light... I mentally prepare myself for a wet, messy kite...
Water is flat as, I've got a little bit of power in a dive... might just work.
Bit of a spaz getting the board near my feet and myself up onto it. Eventually get something to work and I get a nice long tack down to the marina. Success!
Walk and body drag back... repeat without as much success. I can get up on a plane sometimes but there's just not enough wind to keep it going. Plenty of mistakes and my shit going every which way but loose... but I had nice attempt!
More wind, please!
Moment of the day was that single powered tack to starboard. It lives!
Mood of the session was ho ho ho!
Weather was reported as 6 knots. 33˚C at 55%.
Wind felt like less than that! Tough job keeping the kite in the air... shouldn't have even been trying to ride.
What I learned today…
• It's a hard job getting onto a surfboard!
• With a bit of apparent wind, the bottom end is amazing.
• Strapless ain't so bad. Just wait for the wind though...
Not much wind... hot launch the 21 but run out of beach behind me before I get it up and inflated. Reset... try again. Success! REALLY freakin' light... I mentally prepare myself for a wet, messy kite...
Water is flat as, I've got a little bit of power in a dive... might just work.
Bit of a spaz getting the board near my feet and myself up onto it. Eventually get something to work and I get a nice long tack down to the marina. Success!
Walk and body drag back... repeat without as much success. I can get up on a plane sometimes but there's just not enough wind to keep it going. Plenty of mistakes and my shit going every which way but loose... but I had nice attempt!
More wind, please!
Moment of the day was that single powered tack to starboard. It lives!
Mood of the session was ho ho ho!
Weather was reported as 6 knots. 33˚C at 55%.
Wind felt like less than that! Tough job keeping the kite in the air... shouldn't have even been trying to ride.
What I learned today…
• It's a hard job getting onto a surfboard!
• With a bit of apparent wind, the bottom end is amazing.
• Strapless ain't so bad. Just wait for the wind though...
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