A good forecast today, but NW so it'll be interesting to see if the nasty gusty season is over...
Trot down the lake about 11:30 with a plan to get set up at a very relaxed pace. Turkey is there, going for a run?!?! He has to work at 1 so he's leaving... I've got the place to myself.
Wind looks good. 13 should be ok, wondering if I'd need the 10. By the time I've geared up (12 o'clock annoying neighborhood chimes go off as I leave the carpark) and gotten to the beach, the wind is definitely 13m weather. Should be ok with the small board.
Rig up and launch with my new Contour Roam2 on the line mount... but when I dragged it across the ground to self-launch, it got knocked around and the front loops have come off the mount - it's stuck halfway up the lines. Hook into the landing anchor and sort it out...
Into the water with the Flyradical. Wind is cross to just cross-on and not actually that strong. I ride, but go downwind a little if I jump.
Then it ramps up... holy crap! It's still up'n'down some so I elect to ride out the insane gusts with the 13 and cross my fingers. And battle upwind so I can try my jumps out... Mmm, well they're ok. Not very controlled cos the wind is so jerky. I pootle around for a while, then the wind drops right off again... a short walk up the beach and I land the kite.
Stand around for a bit but it doesn't look like it's coming back and my arms and legs start aching. I got paperwork to do anyway... pack up and head back home.
Back in the car by 2:15pm so probably had about 90 minutes on the water... can't decide if it felt longer or shorter! It was a bit mad!
Moment of the day was trying to do a beach jump-start. Didn't work but I was amused.
Mood of the session was confident suddenly-not-so-sure oh-crap.
It sucks when the wind is gusting from sinking to being yanked off the board.
Song stuck in my head was "Two outa three ain't bad" by Meatloaf.
Weather was reported as 16 to 22 knots, gusts to 38 :o 3.5˚C at 50% from the NW. Cross to cross on-shore...
Wind felt like I was under-powered and over-powered in equal parts, with small mixes of totally insane.
What I learned today...
• Dust does get under the Contour button and lens seal :( will buy a spray can of air cleaner..
• Lens seems to be easily scratched too! We'll see what the footage is like.
• Might have had more fun on the 10m. Except for the silly lulls.
• Still nasty gusty season :( but at least I'm warm!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
It got better as time went on
Supposed to be a good forecast yesterday, they downgraded it to meh today... but the trees were twitching so after lunch out (had smaller potiorns this time!) went to the lake. Probably got there about 1:30pm, eyed the weather and took the 16 to the lake and pumped it up... based on the forecast. I was worrying that I'd actually need my 13 but by the time I got changed, it had dropped and by the time I got on the water, it dropped again.
And so it continued for the afternoon. We all (Gloves Man, Surf-Skater Dude, Turkey, Lexus Stud) struggled to get out and ride when the gusts came then splashed around when they left. Surf-Skater Dude gave up and went home... Junkie Sensei turned up and set up his 12. I thought he was mad. But he might know something...
Stood around on the beach looking at the horizon, thinking I might pack it in... the wind came back so I gave it another shot. Rode well for a bit then it dropped again and I thought I might pack it in... the wind came back so I gave it another shot. No that's not a typo :(
It stuck around this time, so we rode on for what felt like 90 minutes or so. It were gooder :D but I was already tired and now my forearms are killing me so my efforts are limited.
A few good jumps, some good back-rolls, even some front-rolls. Loop transitions too. Crikey! I enjoyed the face-plants cos the water was cool and refreshing. I didn't enjoying missing my footing on the board and being dragged at a giant log and into rocks underwater in front of it - got a boo-boo on my toe.
Wind was shifting from NNW to NNE but was reasonably gentle in its gusts; ie. not punchy. Might be time for the Speeds again... cos I'm not loving the XB16 today :( especially not all the bar pressure and limited range of usefulness.
Was the last off the water though, got changed then packed up in the dark... about 5:45. God I'm knackered!
Moment of the day was getting my mojo back on big phat backrolls.
Mood of the session mellow annoyed happy.
Song stuck in my head was "Cherry Pie" by Warrant (WT actual F?!?!) cos that line "cool drink of water" got jammed in my head. Thanks 93.1FM you assholes.
It sucks when you're so thirsty you have to force yourself to spit out the lake water :o
Weather was reported as 10-16 knots from 1 to 5pm, gusts to 26 at 3; 70% at 5˚C.
Wind felt like 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. It was shit til after 3 though...
What I learned today...
• XB16 didn't want to work with the 'radical, even when I was over-powered slightly on the 'door. Maybe it was just the up'n'down nature of the wind... maybe it's just too big and slow.
• Bar pressure was horrid with the 5mm gloves.
• I think I would have had more fun with the S3 15 or the P4 19.
• MUST put drain holes on big suit! The only thing nastier than elephant legs, rolling your boots off and having lukewarm water trickle out, is rolling your boots off and having buckets of sweat gush out... Oh god I'll never piss in wetsuit again :-/
• Lace straps on the Flydoor are a bit of a fail too. Tough to adjust with the gloves on...
And so it continued for the afternoon. We all (Gloves Man, Surf-Skater Dude, Turkey, Lexus Stud) struggled to get out and ride when the gusts came then splashed around when they left. Surf-Skater Dude gave up and went home... Junkie Sensei turned up and set up his 12. I thought he was mad. But he might know something...
Stood around on the beach looking at the horizon, thinking I might pack it in... the wind came back so I gave it another shot. Rode well for a bit then it dropped again and I thought I might pack it in... the wind came back so I gave it another shot. No that's not a typo :(
It stuck around this time, so we rode on for what felt like 90 minutes or so. It were gooder :D but I was already tired and now my forearms are killing me so my efforts are limited.
A few good jumps, some good back-rolls, even some front-rolls. Loop transitions too. Crikey! I enjoyed the face-plants cos the water was cool and refreshing. I didn't enjoying missing my footing on the board and being dragged at a giant log and into rocks underwater in front of it - got a boo-boo on my toe.
Wind was shifting from NNW to NNE but was reasonably gentle in its gusts; ie. not punchy. Might be time for the Speeds again... cos I'm not loving the XB16 today :( especially not all the bar pressure and limited range of usefulness.
Was the last off the water though, got changed then packed up in the dark... about 5:45. God I'm knackered!
Moment of the day was getting my mojo back on big phat backrolls.
Mood of the session mellow annoyed happy.
Song stuck in my head was "Cherry Pie" by Warrant (WT actual F?!?!) cos that line "cool drink of water" got jammed in my head. Thanks 93.1FM you assholes.
It sucks when you're so thirsty you have to force yourself to spit out the lake water :o
Weather was reported as 10-16 knots from 1 to 5pm, gusts to 26 at 3; 70% at 5˚C.
Wind felt like 10-15 knots with gusts to 20. It was shit til after 3 though...
What I learned today...
• XB16 didn't want to work with the 'radical, even when I was over-powered slightly on the 'door. Maybe it was just the up'n'down nature of the wind... maybe it's just too big and slow.
• Bar pressure was horrid with the 5mm gloves.
• I think I would have had more fun with the S3 15 or the P4 19.
• MUST put drain holes on big suit! The only thing nastier than elephant legs, rolling your boots off and having lukewarm water trickle out, is rolling your boots off and having buckets of sweat gush out... Oh god I'll never piss in wetsuit again :-/
• Lace straps on the Flydoor are a bit of a fail too. Tough to adjust with the gloves on...
Monday, January 14, 2013
Big Monday - Short but Sweet!
Forecast promised rain (or snow, can't remember now) and a bunch of wind but by the time we went to lunch there was still no wind. Picked up by the time we finished so I pushed the wife out the door, hauled ass home then down to the lake... cos I have to work at 5pm. On a public holiday, no less. Neato.
Got to the lake about 2:30. That guy with the surfboard and Naish kites is just packing up... he says the wind was too harsh for his 6m. Hmm. Geared up and dragged my gear over to the beach... and I only got my 10m.
Oh myyy! I can't even walk upwind to drop my boards by the shore :o this should be fun. Might actually have needed the 7m for once!
Pump the kite, lay out the lines, get them tangled AGAIN, Naish Surf Guy helps me launch but he's having a bloody hard time holding onto it LOL! A small whee-boing sees me lofted and gliding like a good jump... yikes!
Get to the board and into the water... the slick rocks under the water at the break make it tough to get the footing to get out and away from the shoreline. Finally get up and moving... I'm over-powered-well DUH-but only horrendously so in the gusts... "I can hold it! I can hold it!"
Got my watch hooked onto the spreader bar so I won't be late for work. It's 3:20 when I get on the water... and a few minutes later I pop the biggest jump of my life WOO HOO!!! Easily as big as The Big One on the 21, with a little less hang time but some great views over the trees :D best thing of all - landed it supah! sweet and rode off like a BOSS. Narrowly missing the shore... must have drifted about 75m downwind...
So continued the rest the session! The wind was still gusty and punchy, the kite was trimmed halfway and twitching badly, but as the wind tapered off and my balls dropped, I had a great time boosting big and loving it!
Only once did I try one of those backroll things - it was nearly very clever.
So I do the flying thing for a while... then my arms start dying, I get lobbed a few times and although I'm enjoying myself (despite the rain) physically, it's kicking my ass.
I got off the water at 4pm as per the plan but I doubt I could have gone much longer... got to work on time too - I'm getting to be an expert at getting out of the whale scrotum.
More of the same forecast for tomorrow - I'm taking my 7!
I got off the water at 4pm as per the plan but I doubt I could have gone much longer... got to work on time too - I'm getting to be an expert at getting out of the whale scrotum.
More of the same forecast for tomorrow - I'm taking my 7!
Moment of the day was of course the hooj jump, perfect landing, and riding away like I meant to do it that way.
Mood of the session was fear, thrill, exhaustion.
Mood of the session was fear, thrill, exhaustion.
Weather was reported as 23 knots at 7˚C, 70% from the NNW with gusts to 36. Oh that'll explain the stains in my pants.
Wind felt like it was gusting between 18 and 36 knots every few seconds... rough! Epic gusting to Insane!
What I learned today...
• Surprisingly strong wind is surprising.
• Yes, landing big jumps is just the same as landing small ones. It was good to be able to boost big and keep a cool head, feel the kite and then respond accordingly.
• Timing the landings is the key... if you're free-falling then a good aggressive redirect gives you the lateral yoink for a soft landing.
• Long-throw bars are good but you lose control over the kite if you get too sheety-outy... better to keep it on a tight reign and imagine you have a normal throw bar!
• Still too bloody hot for the big suit... sigh. Gloves and boots need to be thinned down too. Apparently the water gets colder when the snow melts... we'll see.
• Going out after stuffing yourself with pasta and pie is a bad idea :o
Wind felt like it was gusting between 18 and 36 knots every few seconds... rough! Epic gusting to Insane!
What I learned today...
• Surprisingly strong wind is surprising.
• Yes, landing big jumps is just the same as landing small ones. It was good to be able to boost big and keep a cool head, feel the kite and then respond accordingly.
• Timing the landings is the key... if you're free-falling then a good aggressive redirect gives you the lateral yoink for a soft landing.
• Long-throw bars are good but you lose control over the kite if you get too sheety-outy... better to keep it on a tight reign and imagine you have a normal throw bar!
• Still too bloody hot for the big suit... sigh. Gloves and boots need to be thinned down too. Apparently the water gets colder when the snow melts... we'll see.
• Going out after stuffing yourself with pasta and pie is a bad idea :o
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Not the way to start the year
Wind has been blowing all day and I could swear that it's going to be on-shore . . . so after a nice lunch, I thought I'd chance it and go look at the lake.
OMG it's kite-able! And there are people kiting! So I park the car, drag the 16 & 13 XB over the lake . . . wind is cracking, should be good. Gloves Man is on his 10, should be good. I pump up the 13m and rig it--badly, have to redo it--then I head back to get changed.
By the time I wiggle into the whale scrotum suit and gloves and boots and get over to the lake--you got it, the wind has dropped. Damned if I'm going to pump up the 16 in all this gear . . . so I'm just going to try it with the 13.
Well, even the Flydoor can't help . . . I'm foundering. Slowly, the wind picks up a teeny bit--Gloves Man pack it in--then the wind comes on enough that I can occasionally make it upwind and jump a little.
But it's gusty, I'm heading almost perpendicularly out from shore, and am losing and gaining ground like crazy. It's not awesome but it's riding. Jump the gusts, work some upwind, work the kite to hold what I've made up . . .
Until I have to body-drag in twice, then I decide that I don't want to risk the swim and pack it in. Crappy wind from the NW and W, almost off-shore . . . hope the year doesn't continue like this!
Moment of the day was the semi-decent jump-downloop-change direction.
Mood of the session was argh ooh hehehe.
Song stuck in my head was the theme from The Big Bang Theory.
It sucks when you land face-first and drive a liter of water into your suit.
Weather was reported as 15 - 16 knots, gusts to 36; 3˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like 10% gak I'm going to have to swim in, 20% I might have to walk, 30% ho-hum, 30% aaah, and 10% woo-hoo.
What I learned today . . .
• The suit . . . is phenomenally warm. Even the dribbles of cold water down the neck were welcome refreshments from the sweltering.
• But it might need drain holes above the boots. Squelchy.
• Gloves are good--despite having to work the bar almost constantly, I didn't suffer forearm pump until the last few minutes. Which is amazing, considering just putting the wrist straps on was exhausting.
• Boots are great but my right foot big toe was cold. Go figure.
• 3 degrees, still toasty. Who cares if it's snowing?!
OMG it's kite-able! And there are people kiting! So I park the car, drag the 16 & 13 XB over the lake . . . wind is cracking, should be good. Gloves Man is on his 10, should be good. I pump up the 13m and rig it--badly, have to redo it--then I head back to get changed.
By the time I wiggle into the whale scrotum suit and gloves and boots and get over to the lake--you got it, the wind has dropped. Damned if I'm going to pump up the 16 in all this gear . . . so I'm just going to try it with the 13.
Well, even the Flydoor can't help . . . I'm foundering. Slowly, the wind picks up a teeny bit--Gloves Man pack it in--then the wind comes on enough that I can occasionally make it upwind and jump a little.
But it's gusty, I'm heading almost perpendicularly out from shore, and am losing and gaining ground like crazy. It's not awesome but it's riding. Jump the gusts, work some upwind, work the kite to hold what I've made up . . .
Until I have to body-drag in twice, then I decide that I don't want to risk the swim and pack it in. Crappy wind from the NW and W, almost off-shore . . . hope the year doesn't continue like this!
Moment of the day was the semi-decent jump-downloop-change direction.
Mood of the session was argh ooh hehehe.
Song stuck in my head was the theme from The Big Bang Theory.
It sucks when you land face-first and drive a liter of water into your suit.
Weather was reported as 15 - 16 knots, gusts to 36; 3˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like 10% gak I'm going to have to swim in, 20% I might have to walk, 30% ho-hum, 30% aaah, and 10% woo-hoo.
What I learned today . . .
• The suit . . . is phenomenally warm. Even the dribbles of cold water down the neck were welcome refreshments from the sweltering.
• But it might need drain holes above the boots. Squelchy.
• Gloves are good--despite having to work the bar almost constantly, I didn't suffer forearm pump until the last few minutes. Which is amazing, considering just putting the wrist straps on was exhausting.
• Boots are great but my right foot big toe was cold. Go figure.
• 3 degrees, still toasty. Who cares if it's snowing?!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)