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.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Zinging in the Rain
O woe is me! More than a week with no ride! So despite the forecast of rain along with a good blow, I loaded up the car and headed over to Mie at the crack of dawn. 9am. It's Sunday, y'know - anything before 11 is the crack of dawn.
Wife insisted we go to Starbucks (blerg) so we didn't get on the highway until 9:30. Drove through the rain, which lessened by the time we arrived in Tsu, at the beach, about 10:45. Rain was non-existent and the wind looked great!
Hironobu was coming in just as I was going out - said he doesn't like the rain that's coming but he was comfortable on a 9 C-kite. Hmm, I think I'll give the 10m Xbow a shot. Measured a solid 18+ knots on the shore.
Naturally, as I start pumping up, it starts raining :-/ Fuck, I'm still going for it. Jump in the water with the Flyradical... I might not be powered enough for it but - hey whaddya know, I'm riding!
Ah, it's fun to be back on the 10m - it's been over a year since I used it, I reckon! I can see why people like the quicker kites and now I'm kinda used to it, it rules. Jumps start off pretty good, kite is easy to redirect all around the show and the landings are smooth. Sent back-rolls are good but a bit hairy on the landing - the water is pretty rough. There's a nice flat are south of the launch spot - tide is low-ish - so that's fun.
Noodle around for about an hour, then the wind drops. Swap the 'radical for the Flydoor. Still riding and having fun...
Been raining all the session so far but shortly after I swap boards, the rain REALLY comes in - zOMG it's vapourizing the surface of the ocean! The wind then dies off so I come back to shore and land the kite. Or rather, it falls outa the sky and I walk in and secure it. Wrap my lines up and wash the salt out of my hair in the torrential downpour...
Rain slacks off, wind picks up. I go back out for another 1/2 or so but the wind just doesn't have the oomph, even with the Flydoor, to do much other than mow the lawn. I call it a day and pack up - now it's after 1pm.
Yes, it was worth the drive and trunk-full of soggy gear :)
Moment of the day was getting out and riding at all... then being well-powered on the 10 and my 'small' board!
Mood of the session was surprised stoked deflated.
Its sucks when it's raining so hard, the water pools in your leeward eye socket!
Weather was reported as 20 falling to 14 knots, gusts to 28 just around the time I got on the water; 18°C at 81%.
Wind felt pretty good - I was surprised I could ride the 10m in only 20knots and have fun.
What I learned today...
• I seem to be able to get away with riding smaller kites in 'less' wind - maybe I have some kite skills finally? :o
• Riding in the rain is actually bearable. Will do it again. If I have to.
• Going from the 'radical to the 'door - the new 'door with the center fin feels like it has more drag, but is actually faster and certainly seems more locked into the water. Holds a line like it's on rails, while the 'radical needs the rear weighted to carve and can be bouncy. But is more fun :D
• I see a need for either less depower or a stopper ball on the smaller kite.
• That frothy area behind a breaking wave made me eat shit a few times again today - keep forgetting to weight the rear of the board to compensate!
Wife insisted we go to Starbucks (blerg) so we didn't get on the highway until 9:30. Drove through the rain, which lessened by the time we arrived in Tsu, at the beach, about 10:45. Rain was non-existent and the wind looked great!
Hironobu was coming in just as I was going out - said he doesn't like the rain that's coming but he was comfortable on a 9 C-kite. Hmm, I think I'll give the 10m Xbow a shot. Measured a solid 18+ knots on the shore.
Naturally, as I start pumping up, it starts raining :-/ Fuck, I'm still going for it. Jump in the water with the Flyradical... I might not be powered enough for it but - hey whaddya know, I'm riding!
Ah, it's fun to be back on the 10m - it's been over a year since I used it, I reckon! I can see why people like the quicker kites and now I'm kinda used to it, it rules. Jumps start off pretty good, kite is easy to redirect all around the show and the landings are smooth. Sent back-rolls are good but a bit hairy on the landing - the water is pretty rough. There's a nice flat are south of the launch spot - tide is low-ish - so that's fun.
Noodle around for about an hour, then the wind drops. Swap the 'radical for the Flydoor. Still riding and having fun...
Been raining all the session so far but shortly after I swap boards, the rain REALLY comes in - zOMG it's vapourizing the surface of the ocean! The wind then dies off so I come back to shore and land the kite. Or rather, it falls outa the sky and I walk in and secure it. Wrap my lines up and wash the salt out of my hair in the torrential downpour...
Rain slacks off, wind picks up. I go back out for another 1/2 or so but the wind just doesn't have the oomph, even with the Flydoor, to do much other than mow the lawn. I call it a day and pack up - now it's after 1pm.
Yes, it was worth the drive and trunk-full of soggy gear :)
Moment of the day was getting out and riding at all... then being well-powered on the 10 and my 'small' board!
Mood of the session was surprised stoked deflated.
Its sucks when it's raining so hard, the water pools in your leeward eye socket!
Weather was reported as 20 falling to 14 knots, gusts to 28 just around the time I got on the water; 18°C at 81%.
Wind felt pretty good - I was surprised I could ride the 10m in only 20knots and have fun.
What I learned today...
• I seem to be able to get away with riding smaller kites in 'less' wind - maybe I have some kite skills finally? :o
• Riding in the rain is actually bearable. Will do it again. If I have to.
• Going from the 'radical to the 'door - the new 'door with the center fin feels like it has more drag, but is actually faster and certainly seems more locked into the water. Holds a line like it's on rails, while the 'radical needs the rear weighted to carve and can be bouncy. But is more fun :D
• I see a need for either less depower or a stopper ball on the smaller kite.
• That frothy area behind a breaking wave made me eat shit a few times again today - keep forgetting to weight the rear of the board to compensate!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Typhoon shmyphoon
Supposed to be good all day today. Supposed to be busy in the PM. Head to the lake at 9:30, get on the water about 10 with the Speed3 12 and the 'radical but I have my doubts...
Oh not bad! Struggle a bit to get used to the kite again - either the mixer is off or it's just a more technical kite to fly. Get some great boosts in, some ok backrolls (no real height to them) and some fun on the waves, which have nice wide flat spots between them.
12 needs gentle handling (for now) to get the most out of it - jump and feel the kite otherwise it'll either stall from too much bar or drop you cos not sheeted in enough. Combine that with almost no bar pressure or feedback :(
Dick around for an hour then it starts lulling... while I'm standing on the beach trying to decide what to do, Miyachi takes his 6 out but is unimpressed. It's 11:20. I decide to pack up and he goes back out on the water with a 10, looking more powered. Wind still isn't up to much... rotten bastard.
Moment of the day was that jump with the brutal take-off, massive height, and perfect landing.
Mood of the session was amused satisfied frustrated.
It sucks when you're in the right mood but the wind isn't going to co-operate.
Weather was reported as 12 to 21 knots from 10 to 12pm; 18°C at 40%! I also measured 12 to 21 on the shore but it dropped right down after an hour :(
Wind felt like it was drunk, stumbling down the road, running to keep its balance and then falling on its face.
What I learned today...
• The 12 needs mixer tweaking. Surely it can't be THAT back-stally in this wind!!! And I hate having no feedback!
• Not twitchy in the gusts as the 15 was - better choice of size, I guess - just hauled ass and took off. I got skipped like a stone once :)
• Tempted to go back out this afternoon if the wife doesn't pull finger with her plans.
• When packing up, drag from the middle of the tip up the LE - seems to be the best way to stop the bridles falling all out over the place.
Oh not bad! Struggle a bit to get used to the kite again - either the mixer is off or it's just a more technical kite to fly. Get some great boosts in, some ok backrolls (no real height to them) and some fun on the waves, which have nice wide flat spots between them.
12 needs gentle handling (for now) to get the most out of it - jump and feel the kite otherwise it'll either stall from too much bar or drop you cos not sheeted in enough. Combine that with almost no bar pressure or feedback :(
Dick around for an hour then it starts lulling... while I'm standing on the beach trying to decide what to do, Miyachi takes his 6 out but is unimpressed. It's 11:20. I decide to pack up and he goes back out on the water with a 10, looking more powered. Wind still isn't up to much... rotten bastard.
Moment of the day was that jump with the brutal take-off, massive height, and perfect landing.
Mood of the session was amused satisfied frustrated.
It sucks when you're in the right mood but the wind isn't going to co-operate.
Weather was reported as 12 to 21 knots from 10 to 12pm; 18°C at 40%! I also measured 12 to 21 on the shore but it dropped right down after an hour :(
Wind felt like it was drunk, stumbling down the road, running to keep its balance and then falling on its face.
What I learned today...
• The 12 needs mixer tweaking. Surely it can't be THAT back-stally in this wind!!! And I hate having no feedback!
• Not twitchy in the gusts as the 15 was - better choice of size, I guess - just hauled ass and took off. I got skipped like a stone once :)
• Tempted to go back out this afternoon if the wife doesn't pull finger with her plans.
• When packing up, drag from the middle of the tip up the LE - seems to be the best way to stop the bridles falling all out over the place.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Stunning sunset
Looked like someone set the sky on fire. Before that though...
Headed down to the lake and arrived at 2pm. Forecast looked like it'd be the same as it has been recently. What I DIDN'T know and didn't find out till I'd back up is that a fucking TYPHOON is coming through...
So I happily launched my Speed3 15. Huh, paraglider fun on the beach like in that Gunnar Old School video - this should be good! Wasn't sure I could ride the 'radical but head out on it anyway... ok, holding ground fine and throwing down rooly nice back- and frontrolls but the jumps are just about lame. Hironobu is on his 14m Torch... we're both struggling to get back upwind for a while.
Then the wind picks up. Now we're having fun! I'm hoping Grandpa got at least one of the good jumps on video - I did wave at him after all. That's pretty cool for a while!
Then the wind picks up. Holy shit. Struggling to hold the edge but when I get it right - some of my biggest jumps to date. I land most of them too :D KNEW I should have had the camera on!!!
It was pretty fricken awesome. Started to get a bit hairy at the end and when Miyachi came in to swap his 10m for his 6, I decide to pack up and get an assisted landing... only a few minutes before dark anyway and the amazing show the sky was to put on!
...
The reset mixer was nice - bottom end seems fine, negligible backstall although the lines are still iffy, upwind and stability appear to be fine, but I seem to have lost top-end...? I know it was punchy, cos the tubes were herk-a-jerking too. Several times, the kite sorta taco'd and then surged. Fine on the water but scary on the land.
Kite came off the spreader bar twice. Seems it's rotating up then sticking that way.
First time, I managed to hang onto the bar and although the kite was choking, I kept it in the air then hooked in again. Second time, the kite went to safety and I relaunched the hard way. Hmm, fuck that shit. Fuck that shit right in the fuckin' ass.
Guess the kite was in the water a couple of times then... no problems relaunching until one of the tip bridle lines got stuck. That wasn't pleasant. Had to reland the kite and manually untangle it - the bloody thing had basically lark's headed itself to another line and was wrapped so the line that would pull and release it was stuck too. Neat. Especially as it amplified the surging/taco problem :-/
Nearly did a sent frontroll transition too but sunk on the way out. So I will be able to do them... at least in one direction :D
And now for the crappy pics from the shitty cellphone...
Moment of the day was whooping up a hooj air, realizing that the landing was going to be borked cos redirection was coming too soon but sending it back a tad then redirecting and landing it perfect. Oh fucking yes!
Mood of the session was puzzled hilarious shit-in-pants.
Weather was reported as 8 to 14 knots, gusts to 22. 18°C at 74%.
Wind felt like 30% just underpowered, 50% nicely overpowered, 20% I KILL YOU!!!
What I learned today...
• "Feeling" the kite for big sent backrolls properly means you can boost as high as you want and still put a roll in :) whee!
• Knees up = leaning back, which seems to slow down or halt the rotation. Important for landing downwind and not over-rotating.
• Unfortunately, that now seems to risk CL sliding off the spreader bar :(
• Leaving front rolls for a bit later after you take off seems to work better. For the popped ones anyway.
• Fuck-off big airs... the trick to landing them is to fly the kite DERP but when you feel the kite redirecting too soon, send it back briefly THEN redirect for landing. Kewl!
• Tomorrow morning is typhoon time - I might actually get to use my 7m :o
Headed down to the lake and arrived at 2pm. Forecast looked like it'd be the same as it has been recently. What I DIDN'T know and didn't find out till I'd back up is that a fucking TYPHOON is coming through...
So I happily launched my Speed3 15. Huh, paraglider fun on the beach like in that Gunnar Old School video - this should be good! Wasn't sure I could ride the 'radical but head out on it anyway... ok, holding ground fine and throwing down rooly nice back- and frontrolls but the jumps are just about lame. Hironobu is on his 14m Torch... we're both struggling to get back upwind for a while.
Then the wind picks up. Now we're having fun! I'm hoping Grandpa got at least one of the good jumps on video - I did wave at him after all. That's pretty cool for a while!
Then the wind picks up. Holy shit. Struggling to hold the edge but when I get it right - some of my biggest jumps to date. I land most of them too :D KNEW I should have had the camera on!!!
It was pretty fricken awesome. Started to get a bit hairy at the end and when Miyachi came in to swap his 10m for his 6, I decide to pack up and get an assisted landing... only a few minutes before dark anyway and the amazing show the sky was to put on!
...
The reset mixer was nice - bottom end seems fine, negligible backstall although the lines are still iffy, upwind and stability appear to be fine, but I seem to have lost top-end...? I know it was punchy, cos the tubes were herk-a-jerking too. Several times, the kite sorta taco'd and then surged. Fine on the water but scary on the land.
Kite came off the spreader bar twice. Seems it's rotating up then sticking that way.
First time, I managed to hang onto the bar and although the kite was choking, I kept it in the air then hooked in again. Second time, the kite went to safety and I relaunched the hard way. Hmm, fuck that shit. Fuck that shit right in the fuckin' ass.
Guess the kite was in the water a couple of times then... no problems relaunching until one of the tip bridle lines got stuck. That wasn't pleasant. Had to reland the kite and manually untangle it - the bloody thing had basically lark's headed itself to another line and was wrapped so the line that would pull and release it was stuck too. Neat. Especially as it amplified the surging/taco problem :-/
Nearly did a sent frontroll transition too but sunk on the way out. So I will be able to do them... at least in one direction :D
And now for the crappy pics from the shitty cellphone...
Moment of the day was whooping up a hooj air, realizing that the landing was going to be borked cos redirection was coming too soon but sending it back a tad then redirecting and landing it perfect. Oh fucking yes!
Mood of the session was puzzled hilarious shit-in-pants.
Weather was reported as 8 to 14 knots, gusts to 22. 18°C at 74%.
Wind felt like 30% just underpowered, 50% nicely overpowered, 20% I KILL YOU!!!
What I learned today...
• "Feeling" the kite for big sent backrolls properly means you can boost as high as you want and still put a roll in :) whee!
• Knees up = leaning back, which seems to slow down or halt the rotation. Important for landing downwind and not over-rotating.
• Unfortunately, that now seems to risk CL sliding off the spreader bar :(
• Leaving front rolls for a bit later after you take off seems to work better. For the popped ones anyway.
• Fuck-off big airs... the trick to landing them is to fly the kite DERP but when you feel the kite redirecting too soon, send it back briefly THEN redirect for landing. Kewl!
• Tomorrow morning is typhoon time - I might actually get to use my 7m :o
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
Mixer annoyance UPDATED:10/16
GPV promised a lot but was just yanking my crank. Had to work at 5pm so went earlier than the joy was forecast. Got onto the water at 1:40pm...
I was riding for a bit but wasn't doing much. Then the wind dropped so I came in and stood around for a while. Then it picked up a tad so I went out to see just how much there was...
Well. I had trimmed the kite right out on the beach cos it's backstalling in the light wind but now I'm out on the water, I let the trimmer out and now it's pulling like a freight train, not depowering much, and backstalling viciously when fully sheeted in, not much float and hangtime either and there's a lot of bar pressure... where has my favourite kite gone?!? I can work it for a lot of low-end though it's too brutal to be much use when the wind picks up.
All that means is that I'm riding and powered enough to do back and front rolls, but no decent jumps. Quite funny really, watching Cult Man working his kite like a mofo and being unable to even get across wind...
Wind drops again around 3, I come in for a few minutes then the wind picks up again. Repeat as above until 4 when I gotta leave.
Meh, it was ok.
UPDATE: Checked the mixer... ABCZ = 0 +1 0 0 if plus is towards the kite... so a very borked up profile. All zero'd now, fingers crossed...
This - http://goo.gl/3F9ZI - is a good post about the mixer test. Note: start with C cos it also affects B...
Moment of the day was perhaps twigging to what's wrong with my front rolls - line tension. One good one felt like the good back rolls do, using the kite to do the job.
Mood of the session was miffed resigned amused.
It sucks when you have to work.
Weather was reported as 15 knots with gusts to 22; 24°C at 51%, 1017hPa.
Wind felt like it was wearing a fake nose and mustache.
What I learned today...
• I think I borked up the mixer test, when I replaced the SPLs today.
• Still need B and SZ tip lines too.
• The black spreader on the bar is missing now too. DIY time!
• A little SailKote goes a long way.
• Seems I'm jumping without the kite and putting slack in the lines, losing the vital redirection for front rolls to work.
• The water is bloody shallow at the moment - knee deep in some places. And I can even stand at the river mouth.
• I need to man up and attempt front roll transitions...
I was riding for a bit but wasn't doing much. Then the wind dropped so I came in and stood around for a while. Then it picked up a tad so I went out to see just how much there was...
Well. I had trimmed the kite right out on the beach cos it's backstalling in the light wind but now I'm out on the water, I let the trimmer out and now it's pulling like a freight train, not depowering much, and backstalling viciously when fully sheeted in, not much float and hangtime either and there's a lot of bar pressure... where has my favourite kite gone?!? I can work it for a lot of low-end though it's too brutal to be much use when the wind picks up.
All that means is that I'm riding and powered enough to do back and front rolls, but no decent jumps. Quite funny really, watching Cult Man working his kite like a mofo and being unable to even get across wind...
Wind drops again around 3, I come in for a few minutes then the wind picks up again. Repeat as above until 4 when I gotta leave.
Meh, it was ok.
UPDATE: Checked the mixer... ABCZ = 0 +1 0 0 if plus is towards the kite... so a very borked up profile. All zero'd now, fingers crossed...
This - http://goo.gl/3F9ZI - is a good post about the mixer test. Note: start with C cos it also affects B...
Moment of the day was perhaps twigging to what's wrong with my front rolls - line tension. One good one felt like the good back rolls do, using the kite to do the job.
Mood of the session was miffed resigned amused.
It sucks when you have to work.
Weather was reported as 15 knots with gusts to 22; 24°C at 51%, 1017hPa.
Wind felt like it was wearing a fake nose and mustache.
What I learned today...
• I think I borked up the mixer test, when I replaced the SPLs today.
• Still need B and SZ tip lines too.
• The black spreader on the bar is missing now too. DIY time!
• A little SailKote goes a long way.
• Seems I'm jumping without the kite and putting slack in the lines, losing the vital redirection for front rolls to work.
• The water is bloody shallow at the moment - knee deep in some places. And I can even stand at the river mouth.
• I need to man up and attempt front roll transitions...
Friday, October 12, 2012
Confess myself puzzled
... and the wind dies just as I get into the water. Sets the tone for most of the afternoon.
Forecasts were supposed to be good - even GPV looked ok. Headed down at 12 so I could get my jollies in before going to work in the PM. Stood around talking to Miyachi for a while then headed over.
Wind was iffy between 1 and 2; started off on the 'radical then switched it for the Flydoor to ride out the lulls and survive the gusts. La la la cruising around.
2 o'clock saw the wind pick up and hold so I switched to the 'radical and then had a good time :) worked hard on my front rolls, both directions, and back rolls on the starboard tack. Not much luck with the front rolls - I landed them nice but didn't ride away cos the kite wasn't in the right place. Or I got yoinked and slammed cos... the kite wasn't in the right place. Hmm.
Struggled with the foot-outs too - couldn't even get the foot OUT for a while, then was borking up the landings. Sighs.
Around 3 the wind got flukey... we'd get 20 minutes riding then 10 minutes of nothing. I gave up at 4pm and went home. That last hour wasn't really up to much eh.
Mood of the session was mildly irritated, puzzled.
Moment of the day was the back roll that was as high as a good jump :D
Weather was reported as 12 to 13 knots, gusts to 25. 22°C at 50%.
Wind felt like 10% sinking, 30% under-powered, 50% perfectly powered and 10% concerned.
What I learned today...
• We're back in THAT season again - gusts and lulls so wild you could get hurt if you had the wrong kite up.
• Front rolls - I can see how to turn them into transitions :D but I still can't make them nice :(
• Wind-chill now is enough to require full wetsuit.
Forecasts were supposed to be good - even GPV looked ok. Headed down at 12 so I could get my jollies in before going to work in the PM. Stood around talking to Miyachi for a while then headed over.
Wind was iffy between 1 and 2; started off on the 'radical then switched it for the Flydoor to ride out the lulls and survive the gusts. La la la cruising around.
2 o'clock saw the wind pick up and hold so I switched to the 'radical and then had a good time :) worked hard on my front rolls, both directions, and back rolls on the starboard tack. Not much luck with the front rolls - I landed them nice but didn't ride away cos the kite wasn't in the right place. Or I got yoinked and slammed cos... the kite wasn't in the right place. Hmm.
Struggled with the foot-outs too - couldn't even get the foot OUT for a while, then was borking up the landings. Sighs.
Around 3 the wind got flukey... we'd get 20 minutes riding then 10 minutes of nothing. I gave up at 4pm and went home. That last hour wasn't really up to much eh.
Mood of the session was mildly irritated, puzzled.
Moment of the day was the back roll that was as high as a good jump :D
Weather was reported as 12 to 13 knots, gusts to 25. 22°C at 50%.
Wind felt like 10% sinking, 30% under-powered, 50% perfectly powered and 10% concerned.
What I learned today...
• We're back in THAT season again - gusts and lulls so wild you could get hurt if you had the wrong kite up.
• Front rolls - I can see how to turn them into transitions :D but I still can't make them nice :(
• Wind-chill now is enough to require full wetsuit.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Short'n'sweet
JMA had an awesome forecast, but GPV was very blah. Was a bit desperate so I went anyway...
Got down to the lake and onto the water about 4pm with the S3 15 and the Flyradical. Had a bit of fun then the wind died off and I got onto the Flydoor and then the wind completely died. Waited around for a while then gave up and went home.
Master of Disaster was already on the water when I arrived so it was just him'n'me for a while. Then Turkey and Mr Fujii arrived, and a bit later that guy with the Cult. Nobody had much joy though... considering I was worried that I'd need a smaller kite when I arrived, it was a bit sad!
Mood of the day was relaxed mellow fatalistic.
Moment of the day was twigging to what's wrong with my front-rolls.
Weather was reported as 10 knots falling to 9, gusts to 18 well after I'd left. 22°C at 63%.
Wind felt like 10 to 15 knots and not much else.
What I learned today...
• 50kg + 12m RPM + directional < me + Flyradical (!) + S3 15. Ni-iiice!
• Turkey is apparently the Apprentice of Disaster - tried to self-launch his kite with 3 lines attached.
• I seem to be swinging my feet behind me on front-rolls, or somehow doing the rotation 'off axis' so I'm sabotaging my landings. Hmm... doing something wrong then - off to YouTube!
Got down to the lake and onto the water about 4pm with the S3 15 and the Flyradical. Had a bit of fun then the wind died off and I got onto the Flydoor and then the wind completely died. Waited around for a while then gave up and went home.
Master of Disaster was already on the water when I arrived so it was just him'n'me for a while. Then Turkey and Mr Fujii arrived, and a bit later that guy with the Cult. Nobody had much joy though... considering I was worried that I'd need a smaller kite when I arrived, it was a bit sad!
Mood of the day was relaxed mellow fatalistic.
Moment of the day was twigging to what's wrong with my front-rolls.
Weather was reported as 10 knots falling to 9, gusts to 18 well after I'd left. 22°C at 63%.
Wind felt like 10 to 15 knots and not much else.
What I learned today...
• 50kg + 12m RPM + directional < me + Flyradical (!) + S3 15. Ni-iiice!
• Turkey is apparently the Apprentice of Disaster - tried to self-launch his kite with 3 lines attached.
• I seem to be swinging my feet behind me on front-rolls, or somehow doing the rotation 'off axis' so I'm sabotaging my landings. Hmm... doing something wrong then - off to YouTube!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Stealing the lime-light
Weekend plans set back till the afternoon, so I head out to the lake in the morning to see what I can see... which is, some wind. Not a lot, but rideable. Hopefully.
At about 9am (OMG so early!) I arrive and take the S3 15 and Flyboards over to the lake. The comp isn't under way yet but kites are all over the beach, so I head down the beach a tad... set up, launch, get into the water.
Huh, I'm actually riding! Wind is pretty low, I can't believe that I'm not going downwind and walking. Work the kite and the big board hard for a while...
Picks up a bit so I start playing silly buggers. Nice backrolls, attempt some frontrolls, little jumps... the wind is up'n'down.
Avoid the 'other' end of the beach and kept out of the racers way (though they don't keep out of mine) and enjoy myself, despite the conditions. Of course they're going upwind better than me but I'm having more fun, I'm sure :D especially when compared to the 2 or 3 guys who can't relaunch and drift downwind.
Around 11:15, there's a good blow so I swap for the 'radical and throw down some footouts and bigger backrolls and jumps. Whee! Then of course it drops again and I'm back on the 'door.
Had a nice time though, and am pretty sure I didn't noodle through the middle of the freestyle heat - again.
It must be pretty disheartening though, when you're running a freestyle comp and the only person riding and styling is the fat gringo on a foil who can only do 3 tricks... and is doing them. Over and over.
Moment of the day was the first footout on the Flydoor!
Mood of the session was titillated.
Weather was reported as 10-15 knots, gusts to 20, 3 hours after I left! 23°C at 53%.
Wind felt like 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 LOL
What I learned today...
• No hands footout are possible :o but not advisable, says my left knee.
• The other FSer users here are kooks - the 'distributer' rides ok but like every. other. kiter. in. Japan. doesn't seem to understand the kite, just the procedures for flying one... so if they kite won't relaunch when pulling a rear line (LEI riders, for example) they just keep pulling the rear line. Derp. The other guy is ok to but kind of in the same boat. The OTHER other guy is a newbie I think... very limited skills in kite-handling and general riding! No wonder we get a bad rap :-/
• Speed3 15 is the ultimate Ultimate Flying Machine.
At about 9am (OMG so early!) I arrive and take the S3 15 and Flyboards over to the lake. The comp isn't under way yet but kites are all over the beach, so I head down the beach a tad... set up, launch, get into the water.
Huh, I'm actually riding! Wind is pretty low, I can't believe that I'm not going downwind and walking. Work the kite and the big board hard for a while...
Picks up a bit so I start playing silly buggers. Nice backrolls, attempt some frontrolls, little jumps... the wind is up'n'down.
Avoid the 'other' end of the beach and kept out of the racers way (though they don't keep out of mine) and enjoy myself, despite the conditions. Of course they're going upwind better than me but I'm having more fun, I'm sure :D especially when compared to the 2 or 3 guys who can't relaunch and drift downwind.
Around 11:15, there's a good blow so I swap for the 'radical and throw down some footouts and bigger backrolls and jumps. Whee! Then of course it drops again and I'm back on the 'door.
Had a nice time though, and am pretty sure I didn't noodle through the middle of the freestyle heat - again.
It must be pretty disheartening though, when you're running a freestyle comp and the only person riding and styling is the fat gringo on a foil who can only do 3 tricks... and is doing them. Over and over.
Moment of the day was the first footout on the Flydoor!
Mood of the session was titillated.
Weather was reported as 10-15 knots, gusts to 20, 3 hours after I left! 23°C at 53%.
Wind felt like 10-15 knots with gusts to 20 LOL
What I learned today...
• No hands footout are possible :o but not advisable, says my left knee.
• The other FSer users here are kooks - the 'distributer' rides ok but like every. other. kiter. in. Japan. doesn't seem to understand the kite, just the procedures for flying one... so if they kite won't relaunch when pulling a rear line (LEI riders, for example) they just keep pulling the rear line. Derp. The other guy is ok to but kind of in the same boat. The OTHER other guy is a newbie I think... very limited skills in kite-handling and general riding! No wonder we get a bad rap :-/
• Speed3 15 is the ultimate Ultimate Flying Machine.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Fits'n'starts
Another kick-ass forecast on ALL sites - turned out to be C-R-A-P. Went to the lake at 11 and it was southerlies :-/ so I went to Hikone for lunch, where it was ROCKING big wind. Went back to the lake - nothing. Went to Kusatsu and bought some hot-swap drive bays and went back to the lake. Oh something has arrived... bout time!
Toddle over to the beach about 2pm I guess. Wind is up but I have both the Flydoor and the Flyradical just in case. Up goes the 15 and out I go...
On the Flydoor. Yeah, I'm going upwind ok so I swap it for the 'radical.
Ride around doing my thing... wind is all over the place though, and we all are in and out of the water. Get some groovy big jumps, some excellent rotations, some great footouts! Spend a lot of time working the kite and struggling back to shore too...
Catching wind in fits'n'starts. Better than sitting in front of the telly. Head home at 4:30pm.
PS. just got an email from Miyachi - he took some more photos! Flying one-footed fatties of the world, unite and take over!
Moment of the day was throwing up a big backroll, getting lofted in the middle but having the sense to sheet out and ride it out nicely.
Mood of the session was relaxed worried irritated.
It sucks when you whoop up a big foot out then the wind dies at the peak of the jump... splash!
Weather was reported as 16 to 18 knots, gusts to 26. BALLS again. 24°C at 75%.
Wind felt like dangerously overpowered at times - but not. Up'n'down like a yoyo.
What I learned today...
• The forecasts can be completely wrong :-/ can't even trust the webcam, some days.
• That's about it really :o
Toddle over to the beach about 2pm I guess. Wind is up but I have both the Flydoor and the Flyradical just in case. Up goes the 15 and out I go...
On the Flydoor. Yeah, I'm going upwind ok so I swap it for the 'radical.
Ride around doing my thing... wind is all over the place though, and we all are in and out of the water. Get some groovy big jumps, some excellent rotations, some great footouts! Spend a lot of time working the kite and struggling back to shore too...
Catching wind in fits'n'starts. Better than sitting in front of the telly. Head home at 4:30pm.
PS. just got an email from Miyachi - he took some more photos! Flying one-footed fatties of the world, unite and take over!
This is how I roll a.k.a these are my rolls
Vanilla jump, looking backwards cos why not
Vanilla tailgrab
Tailgrab in preparation for a footout
First footout on film!
Backroll taking off
Backroll coming in to land
Moment of the day was throwing up a big backroll, getting lofted in the middle but having the sense to sheet out and ride it out nicely.
Mood of the session was relaxed worried irritated.
It sucks when you whoop up a big foot out then the wind dies at the peak of the jump... splash!
Weather was reported as 16 to 18 knots, gusts to 26. BALLS again. 24°C at 75%.
Wind felt like dangerously overpowered at times - but not. Up'n'down like a yoyo.
What I learned today...
• The forecasts can be completely wrong :-/ can't even trust the webcam, some days.
• That's about it really :o
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Level up! Unlock achieved!
Forecasts were all over the place - JMA said kick-ass from 12, GPV said kick-ass from 3; but the wind was being reported as southerlies?!? Head down to the lake - not like I got anything better to do :D
1pm. Good wind, a few people are just setting up. Guess I'm not the only one without a job! A few kites set up for a demo - Cabrinha 11m Chaos, 9m Drifter and 7m Switchblade. Nothing for the big boys though :(
Had the Speed3 12 and 15 at the lake, with both Flyboards. Just in case. Think the 15 is the best bet and set that up... but worry that if the wind picks up at 3 I'll be over-powered. Turns out I needn't have worried or humped the 12 over - in fact, should have had the 21 or 19 :o
So I start out on the 'radical, nicely powered... waves are choppy and all over the place. Water is brown, full of dirt and assorted trash. Wind is up and down... I enjoy it while I can.
Big ol' back rolls are feeling so good... I start working hard on the front rolls. They're still ugly. I may be on to the secret though... and I DO land and ride off from my first double front rotation!!! Even if it was totally accidental :D
Got to thinking about Dimitri and his mad old skool style and decide now is the time to try foot-outs. Subconsciously, I guess... cos my foot falls out of the strap on the way up of a jump of its own accord and although I just splash down, I don't die or break my knee so I give it a shot fo realz.
First attempt... I bork it up and can't get my foot back into the strap - kick my toes into the edge of the board. Try again and BOOYAH foot-out ACHIEVED! Power up unlocked! While the wind is up, I throw down... success rate stands at 10.5 out of 12. A couple of jumps I get the board back on but sink on landing... I still ride away though so I count them as a half :D the rest are golden! Well, all on a port tack cos I bend easily that way but not the other way... damned back!
Just as I'm getting all excited with myself, the wind dies :-/ so goes the rest of the afternoon, slogging around, waiting for the wind, trying to get the groove again... but it doesn't happen. Up and down. Give up around 5, back in the car driving home thinking about a drink at 5:30pm.
Despite the crappy wind, I had a pretty good day! New trick - can't beat that!
Moment of the day was landing the first big foot-out with a long straight leg dangling... like a boss!
Mood of the session was joyful relaxed amused.
It sucks when the wind won't hold when you've just learned a new trick and want to show off :D
Weather was reported as 16 knots falling to 10 with gusts to 22. BALLS. 25°C at 60%.
Wind felt like it was between 10 and 15 knots with massive lulls between 'sessions'. Never felt over-powered :(
What I learned today...
• There's a 'balance point' in back rolls, when you could go as high as you want and still land it perfectly. Dunno yet if it's sending & redirecting the kite or just ineffably getting it "right" but it feels good when you do.
• Front rolls - don't send it back to 12, leave it "in front" of you. So how then do you do HUGE rotations?
• Foot-outs are easier than they look... kinda. I'm not very flexible and my stomach gets in the way :( which means I can only do... oh wait TAIL grabs! foot-outs.
• Grabbing with the front hand makes it hard to redirect cos I'm a limp wrist. So those are out.
• I want to try dark slides now :o
1pm. Good wind, a few people are just setting up. Guess I'm not the only one without a job! A few kites set up for a demo - Cabrinha 11m Chaos, 9m Drifter and 7m Switchblade. Nothing for the big boys though :(
Had the Speed3 12 and 15 at the lake, with both Flyboards. Just in case. Think the 15 is the best bet and set that up... but worry that if the wind picks up at 3 I'll be over-powered. Turns out I needn't have worried or humped the 12 over - in fact, should have had the 21 or 19 :o
So I start out on the 'radical, nicely powered... waves are choppy and all over the place. Water is brown, full of dirt and assorted trash. Wind is up and down... I enjoy it while I can.
Big ol' back rolls are feeling so good... I start working hard on the front rolls. They're still ugly. I may be on to the secret though... and I DO land and ride off from my first double front rotation!!! Even if it was totally accidental :D
Got to thinking about Dimitri and his mad old skool style and decide now is the time to try foot-outs. Subconsciously, I guess... cos my foot falls out of the strap on the way up of a jump of its own accord and although I just splash down, I don't die or break my knee so I give it a shot fo realz.
First attempt... I bork it up and can't get my foot back into the strap - kick my toes into the edge of the board. Try again and BOOYAH foot-out ACHIEVED! Power up unlocked! While the wind is up, I throw down... success rate stands at 10.5 out of 12. A couple of jumps I get the board back on but sink on landing... I still ride away though so I count them as a half :D the rest are golden! Well, all on a port tack cos I bend easily that way but not the other way... damned back!
Just as I'm getting all excited with myself, the wind dies :-/ so goes the rest of the afternoon, slogging around, waiting for the wind, trying to get the groove again... but it doesn't happen. Up and down. Give up around 5, back in the car driving home thinking about a drink at 5:30pm.
Despite the crappy wind, I had a pretty good day! New trick - can't beat that!
Moment of the day was landing the first big foot-out with a long straight leg dangling... like a boss!
Mood of the session was joyful relaxed amused.
It sucks when the wind won't hold when you've just learned a new trick and want to show off :D
Weather was reported as 16 knots falling to 10 with gusts to 22. BALLS. 25°C at 60%.
Wind felt like it was between 10 and 15 knots with massive lulls between 'sessions'. Never felt over-powered :(
What I learned today...
• There's a 'balance point' in back rolls, when you could go as high as you want and still land it perfectly. Dunno yet if it's sending & redirecting the kite or just ineffably getting it "right" but it feels good when you do.
• Front rolls - don't send it back to 12, leave it "in front" of you. So how then do you do HUGE rotations?
• Foot-outs are easier than they look... kinda. I'm not very flexible and my stomach gets in the way :( which means I can only do... oh wait TAIL grabs! foot-outs.
• Grabbing with the front hand makes it hard to redirect cos I'm a limp wrist. So those are out.
• I want to try dark slides now :o
Monday, October 1, 2012
It's good to be the unemployed bum!
First official day of being unemployed. Typhoon blew through yesterday and the wind is still up today. Or should be...
Got to the lake just after 12... was raining. Wind was good though, so I thought I'd wait it out. Miyachi got a price for the Nugget in Japan for me - 8-90,000yen. May still be cheaper to get it from the US... when I have a job :o Stops raining, so about 1pm I head over to the beach with my 'radical and the S3 12. Hmm, might be over-powered in a bad way... launch the kite anyway then the wind drops. Like a rock... so I go and get the S3 15 instead, wishing I had the 21.
Wind has come back up a little... there's some guys here for the comp on the weekend, no doubt getting some practice in. Guy with an old Switchblade 10m tries to go out on his TT. Not working. Grabs his race board (Transport?). Not working. I head out on the Flydoor XL... zOMG I'm actually getting upwind! Ride it out hoping for the wind to pick up. It doesn't and I get hacked off having to clear the center fin every 2 seconds.
Take a break... wind picks up... I head out again. And it's drops again... check the time - I have to work at 5 - got an hour left...
Wind picks up and I head out again. Oh it's picked up good'n'proper so I swap out the Flydoor for the 'radical. While the wind was crappy I was doing little jumps on the 'door and some nice big fat back-rolls. Now I'm on the 'radical, I'm going as big as I can - some nice ones too! Get elevated violently a few times - titillating! Race around having fun then the wind dies again... I figure it's time to pack up anyway.
Pretty neat afternoon.
Was mightily impressed with the S3 15/Flydoor combo... the guy on the SB10/Transport was losing ground and walking while I was the only one holding ground or going upwind and doing 'stuff' :o little skinny bitches on directionals were walking. Miyachi was the only one keeping up with me - as usual.
The LF distributor was there too - well, his girlfriend was; he is in hospital with a busted-up neck from freestyling in too shallow water - and had, of course, laid out kites, bars and lines across THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING BEACH serious you don't think that might be in the way at all? Here buy my gear while I piss off all the locals.
It always puzzles me that the guys who are supposed to be selling the gear can't actually use it very well - and glaring at me as I ride past like somehow I'M the reason you can't water-start is just amusing.
Le sigh.
Moment of the day was riding back and forth, watching as the LF distributor talked up their gear - on the shore. "Ooh aar our gear is so great" ah is that why you're sitting on the beach? Fattie laughs at you.
Mood of the session was frustrated, satiated, amused.
It sucks when there's so much crap in the water, you have to hop and clear your fins every few moments...
Weather was reported as 16 falling to 10 knots, gusts to 21; 22°C at 70%.
Wind felt like it was having a laff at us... up and down like a yo-yo within the hour, let alone across the afternoon!
What I learned today...
• S3 15 is the greatest kite in the world. The usability at the bottom end is just phenomenal, with the Flydoor. Jumps easier and higher than the 21 in SFA wind... seriously can believe people who say it's all they need for lightwind :o
• The 2012 'door itself is pretty impressive too.
• The time for wetsuits has come... short john was fine though.
• On that topic - much more comfy; not getting straps jammed up the crack of my ass is nice. I could live without the squashed nuts though...
Got to the lake just after 12... was raining. Wind was good though, so I thought I'd wait it out. Miyachi got a price for the Nugget in Japan for me - 8-90,000yen. May still be cheaper to get it from the US... when I have a job :o Stops raining, so about 1pm I head over to the beach with my 'radical and the S3 12. Hmm, might be over-powered in a bad way... launch the kite anyway then the wind drops. Like a rock... so I go and get the S3 15 instead, wishing I had the 21.
Wind has come back up a little... there's some guys here for the comp on the weekend, no doubt getting some practice in. Guy with an old Switchblade 10m tries to go out on his TT. Not working. Grabs his race board (Transport?). Not working. I head out on the Flydoor XL... zOMG I'm actually getting upwind! Ride it out hoping for the wind to pick up. It doesn't and I get hacked off having to clear the center fin every 2 seconds.
Take a break... wind picks up... I head out again. And it's drops again... check the time - I have to work at 5 - got an hour left...
Wind picks up and I head out again. Oh it's picked up good'n'proper so I swap out the Flydoor for the 'radical. While the wind was crappy I was doing little jumps on the 'door and some nice big fat back-rolls. Now I'm on the 'radical, I'm going as big as I can - some nice ones too! Get elevated violently a few times - titillating! Race around having fun then the wind dies again... I figure it's time to pack up anyway.
Pretty neat afternoon.
Was mightily impressed with the S3 15/Flydoor combo... the guy on the SB10/Transport was losing ground and walking while I was the only one holding ground or going upwind and doing 'stuff' :o little skinny bitches on directionals were walking. Miyachi was the only one keeping up with me - as usual.
The LF distributor was there too - well, his girlfriend was; he is in hospital with a busted-up neck from freestyling in too shallow water - and had, of course, laid out kites, bars and lines across THE MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING BEACH serious you don't think that might be in the way at all? Here buy my gear while I piss off all the locals.
It always puzzles me that the guys who are supposed to be selling the gear can't actually use it very well - and glaring at me as I ride past like somehow I'M the reason you can't water-start is just amusing.
Le sigh.
Moment of the day was riding back and forth, watching as the LF distributor talked up their gear - on the shore. "Ooh aar our gear is so great" ah is that why you're sitting on the beach? Fattie laughs at you.
Mood of the session was frustrated, satiated, amused.
It sucks when there's so much crap in the water, you have to hop and clear your fins every few moments...
Weather was reported as 16 falling to 10 knots, gusts to 21; 22°C at 70%.
Wind felt like it was having a laff at us... up and down like a yo-yo within the hour, let alone across the afternoon!
What I learned today...
• S3 15 is the greatest kite in the world. The usability at the bottom end is just phenomenal, with the Flydoor. Jumps easier and higher than the 21 in SFA wind... seriously can believe people who say it's all they need for lightwind :o
• The 2012 'door itself is pretty impressive too.
• The time for wetsuits has come... short john was fine though.
• On that topic - much more comfy; not getting straps jammed up the crack of my ass is nice. I could live without the squashed nuts though...
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