Angry on my mind

Made up some A-main's for the 15, went to the lake to sort that out, but by the time I'd swapped the QR on the 21, the wind had filled in. I took the foil and Duke and 21 to the beach, but the wind kept coming so I took it back and got the XB13 and the TT then remembered the depower rope is fraying, so just rode the Duke.

It was ok, but I was fully trimmed and wondered if I could ride the 10. Borrowed the Pivot and it was ok, but I needed more wind.

Had a nice time jumping the Mako though, think I'm getting that sorted.

But the whole time I was thinking about the 2015 Angry Swallow 5' 6" that's on the way to me. . . .

I know I went but . . .

. . . can't remember precisely, don't think I used the foil even though I took it to the beach. Do remember landing the 10m though . . .

1 kite, 3 boards . . . but wait, there's more!

More wind, that is. Marine Day delivers the goods!

Was some wind but the forecast wasn't for a lot more so I didn't know what to do. The lack of 15 is making itself painfully felt. Took the 10m and the foil and Mako Duke over to the lake, as others were on 9 to 14 and various non-foil boards.

Had a lively and tentative time on the foil, riding way out into the lake then riding the swell back in.

I thought the wind had picked up a little so I went back on the Mako and it was ok-ish for a bit, then I took a break. Brought the TT back over for a joke, and gave it a go and it was actually ok! Bit of bump and jump for a while then when the carnage had died down and the herd thinned out, I took the Mako out and it was good.

Whoever the non-local's were, were dicks. Chairs and buckets all over the beach, bad manners on the water and the guy who cut in downwind of me as I was getting off the water--next person who does that, I'm looping my kite into you. You have been warned.

1 kite, 3 boards

Just too much wind for the 21, 15 is out of action still but not enough for the 12 and/or I can't be bothered messing with line extensions. . . .

Out with ye olde 16m . . . Had a nice time on the foil, but then the wind picked up some. I tried to ride the Mako and it sucked, as I got hauled downwind. Tried to ride the TT but the kite is just too slow to be much fun. Now I remember why I don't like it any more!

Anthony went down to chat up the windsurfer girls but got yelled at and the clubhouse leader phones Miyachi to whine about our invasion into their area. On the public lake. Fuck 'em. Next time, I'm making sure to go down there too.

A new category!

Was actually looking forward to another foil session, with the big Speed and maybe switching to the XB13 as the wing picked up. . . .

Nope.

Got in maybe 20 minutes before the rain started, slowly enough at first that I thought I might be able to keep riding until it passed as it wasn't so heavy. . . .

Nope.

The wind dropped and the kite stalled, and I couldn't relaunch it even though I had feet on the bottom. The board had shot off, floating downwind towards the rock breakwater and I just couldn't be bothered replacing bashed up wings, so I wrapped up the bar and lines and left the kite, swimming for the board. Figured I could swim back for the kite and drag it in at my leisure. . . .

Nope.

The wind had dropped because it had shifted to off-shore. By the time I got the board, the kite was already moving away fast enough that I didn't want to risk swimming for it. So I went and got Miyachi and the boat . . . which was a good call, because it was hauling ass towards the opposite side of the lake :o

Luckily it missed all the nasty "No jet skis" signs and their sharp edges, and we got it on the board without much hassle, tangles or taking on a mountain of water. So it was easy to pack it, and the untangling took just a few moments. . . .

So, first time to be rescued. Kinda.

More mellow moves

Another light forecast, actual wind recorded was 4 to 8, gusts to 12.

Started on the 21, wind picked up a little and I wanted to try the 12.

Guess that was when it was 12 knots, but the kite was just too peaky on the power and required high-speed runs and aggressive carves, but really wasn't any fun. I switched the 21 bar with the 6m extensions, and it improved the length of the power pulse, but the wind had dropped and it sucked so I went back out on the 21.

Lovely mellow session, slightly overpowered on the 21 at times but nice riding. I should really start to try tacks . . .

Miyachi tried to go out on the Naish foil (identical to the LF) which he'd bolted to a TT but it was too light and he gave up. I left my LF board there for him, in case he can get out when I can't . . .

Was definitely better

Very light forecast, 6 to 8 on the hourly update...off to the lake!

15 is out of action but I could have gotten away with it, and would have had a good time down looping the transitions, but such is life.

Had a fab time with the 21 til 6, when the wind just picked up enough to make it uncomfortable: 8 to 10, gusts to 16 apparently. 

So I'm at the stage with the foil of gybing with almost 100% success...so long as I don't switch feet. And only if I don't try to ride goofy. If I do change feet, either before or after gybe, odds are better than even it's successful though, and even misplacing the feet there's still a good chance of success. I even managed to attempt a half-dozen foiling changes, best one slapping the water briefly. Huh, might just be possible...certainly easier when there's power in the kite.

Buddy who broke his Spotz and lost the fuse and wings now has an Access, and it NOSIY. I can hear it for miles, almost literally. Shame. 

Could have been worse

Crappy forecast but a front was due at three so I thought I'd escape the house for some quiet time staring at the far side of the lake, waiting/hoping for wind.

When I arrived there was actually enough wind to foil on the 15 so that was great; had the lake all to myself for an hour. Then the wind picked up and I swapped to the TT and had some fun jumping around...after I fought out the two tip tangles that just out not come undone. Had to drag one across the water but the other had made itself a knot which needed landing...

Then the storm front moved in. Wind got nasty and punchy so I headed back to the beach.

Just as I reached the shore, yet another gust collapsed the kite, then it opened and lifted me again. Not worried, no problem...but just as I picked me up, *that* line snapped and the kite looped hard, lobbing me at the beach. Thankfully the sand had been fluffed up some and I managed to take it on the feet like a small jump. The kite had lost shaped so it didn't pull me all the way down (just a jerk), and it stayed on the ground, so I pulled the QR after a moment of watching and making sure I wasn't broken, and Miyachi got a hand on the kite.

Quick pack up and a rush back to the clubhouse before the massive downpour hit...

Got to eyeball the Alpine Access v2 too. Very nice it was. I want a ride.