Got some time today on the Alien Air and MHL Lift foil and my Speed3 15.
Bloody hell, water handling is a PITA! I figured out how to body drag, but our spot is just shallow enough for a couple hundred meters out to ground the foil, and just deep enough to make it impossible to walk... so I spent about 99% of the time splashing around trying to get to deep water.
Only got a half dozen or so so rides, out of a dozen attempts, before I was worn out. My wish or goal was to water start, get up on the board and ride it on the water and let it lift with board speed. Now I look at it, I wonder if I wasn't a little overly ambitious...
First attempt was, of course, a total moon shot. Boing! and dragged over the foil... ow.
Next couple I got up on the board and moving, but sunk out in the light wind or got pushed off by chop.
The wind had picked up a little so body dragging out was easier, and the last 4 or 5 rides were easier too. I managed to get up on the board and riding, with a few seconds of feeling lift from the foil but not properly foiling before grounding out or mis-balancing the board and getting lobbed.
On the last two tacks, I got up and foiling properly for long enough to enjoy the ride -- maybe 4 seconds of kangaroo hopping and finally 10 seconds of wobbly "omg omg I'm doing it I'm doing it!" before losing speed, lift, and grounding the foil again...
Yeah good fun, I can see me buying one.
Aside from that, some Dialer riding and Limited boosting. Good day.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Friday, October 2, 2015
I done tack!
Me! Fuck yeah!
Ok powered today, for 2x 45 minutes, with a drink break between. Started trying to tack on a port reach, after watching a Cabrinha tech tip video. Got closer and closer until after about a half dozen attempts - nailed it! Woohoo! Got them 50/50 for the next half dozen but that did me; now for the other side!
Otherwise, a good day.
Ok powered today, for 2x 45 minutes, with a drink break between. Started trying to tack on a port reach, after watching a Cabrinha tech tip video. Got closer and closer until after about a half dozen attempts - nailed it! Woohoo! Got them 50/50 for the next half dozen but that did me; now for the other side!
Otherwise, a good day.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Psch
Lully and nasty. Got about 30 seconds of perfect riding, the rest being riding along then trying to do something just as a lull hits...
Saturday, September 26, 2015
This time, the cocks walk
Had some hours free this afternoon, so I fixed the 21 and went to the lake for a test flight...
Oh it's the "competition" today too. Goody, the beach is completely covered with kites nobody is using, and the only free space is down the far end. Tough launch with the long lines, between the pile of bamboo trash and all the weeds and twigs on the shore... had to wade out to get it up, but the job got done.
Me and a Lotus 18 were out, and the only ones going upwind. A couple of hours fooling around doing rotations... not bad.
Idiot me... rather than land at the YMCA beach, with plenty of space, I got Miyachi to land me in the only space free at our beach.
Sigh... the North rep, call sign "Cock One", was trying four his unhooked mad skills 2 inches from the shore and dumped his kite downwind with his lines right on top of me, wrapped around my neck and actually started trying to relaunch his kite, before someone grabbed it and landed it, and I could untangle. Naturally, he apologized to Miyachi -- who was 12 feet away -- and just ignored me. Nice one.
Enter "Cock Two". First, he drags his boards and fins over my lines, then proceeds to drag his lines out from under my kite, ignoring the horrible noises as it catches on the material, then just yanks them out of the bridle lines. Then, when I'm halfway into rolling up, he's got the nerve to ask me to launch him -- without using polite grammar, so it's like he said, "I want to start, so launch me." I suggested he should ask someone who wasn't busy...
Fuck I hate comp days, and the cocks from Tokyo.
Oh it's the "competition" today too. Goody, the beach is completely covered with kites nobody is using, and the only free space is down the far end. Tough launch with the long lines, between the pile of bamboo trash and all the weeds and twigs on the shore... had to wade out to get it up, but the job got done.
Me and a Lotus 18 were out, and the only ones going upwind. A couple of hours fooling around doing rotations... not bad.
Idiot me... rather than land at the YMCA beach, with plenty of space, I got Miyachi to land me in the only space free at our beach.
Sigh... the North rep, call sign "Cock One", was trying four his unhooked mad skills 2 inches from the shore and dumped his kite downwind with his lines right on top of me, wrapped around my neck and actually started trying to relaunch his kite, before someone grabbed it and landed it, and I could untangle. Naturally, he apologized to Miyachi -- who was 12 feet away -- and just ignored me. Nice one.
Enter "Cock Two". First, he drags his boards and fins over my lines, then proceeds to drag his lines out from under my kite, ignoring the horrible noises as it catches on the material, then just yanks them out of the bridle lines. Then, when I'm halfway into rolling up, he's got the nerve to ask me to launch him -- without using polite grammar, so it's like he said, "I want to start, so launch me." I suggested he should ask someone who wasn't busy...
Fuck I hate comp days, and the cocks from Tokyo.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
This time, a giant rubber cock
Good forecast didn't pan out but it was ok. First real ride on the directional in ocean waves... well, if you can't do little strapless airs you could be in trouble, instead of having a hoot. Waves weren't up to much but we're good for hopping and floating over.
Spent the first hour downwinding and walking, which is where I tripped over the latex rod of love. After I'd had enough of the walking, I landed the kite and took the ROAM2 of so naturally, the wind then picked right up and the riding improved...
Dropped off again so I packed up at sunset.
Spent the first hour downwinding and walking, which is where I tripped over the latex rod of love. After I'd had enough of the walking, I landed the kite and took the ROAM2 of so naturally, the wind then picked right up and the riding improved...
Dropped off again so I packed up at sunset.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Another pair of sunglasses at the bottom of the lake
Was pretty good from about 3 to 5, but I was feeling a bit over-done on the Dialer and wanted to do some jumping so I switched to the S3 15 and the Flydoor... just as the wind died off. Did some low wind waffling around; rotations and kite loops that didn't do much.
Lost my Sundogs too... floats, my ass. Now, I wonder where I put the new ones I bought recently...
Lost my Sundogs too... floats, my ass. Now, I wonder where I put the new ones I bought recently...
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Coulda been worse
Good forecast all day, but have to work in the afternoon. Headed down at 10am for a couple of hours, but the wind was lulling too much to be worth the effort...
I was stood on the beach watching the horizon for a blow line when the guy on the hydrofoil dropped his Chrono wa-aaay the hell "outside"... it wasn't going back up so I went and told Miyachi and we went out on the boat looking for him. Couldn't find him, and it took another boat coming over who had seen him to point us in the right direction. Bloody hell!
Came back after work about 530pm and went out for a run on the Dialer with the S3 15, but it was crappy again. I packed up after a long lull, close to sunset, and just as I'd put the kite in the back in the bag it picked right up. Could have had another 45 minutes... Oh well.
I was stood on the beach watching the horizon for a blow line when the guy on the hydrofoil dropped his Chrono wa-aaay the hell "outside"... it wasn't going back up so I went and told Miyachi and we went out on the boat looking for him. Couldn't find him, and it took another boat coming over who had seen him to point us in the right direction. Bloody hell!
Came back after work about 530pm and went out for a run on the Dialer with the S3 15, but it was crappy again. I packed up after a long lull, close to sunset, and just as I'd put the kite in the back in the bag it picked right up. Could have had another 45 minutes... Oh well.
Friday, September 18, 2015
Coulda been better
Forecast looked ok, but it didn't pick up til close to the time I had to leave, so only got less than an hour of powered riding... life is tough. And it turned out I didn't need to leave so early anyway!
Monday, September 14, 2015
Good enough
Not as much wind as yesterday, but enough to try to recreate the awesome feeling... although it fell a little short.
Tougher to transition feet on the Dialer with less wind to tap with the bar, need to keep the speed up. Has some need hitting of waves and getting a push back to get the feeling of actually surfing.
Despite being mostly underpowered, I had a pretty good time for 3 hours or so. Need to give my knees a break -- 5 sessions in 6 days! Unheard of!
Tougher to transition feet on the Dialer with less wind to tap with the bar, need to keep the speed up. Has some need hitting of waves and getting a push back to get the feeling of actually surfing.
Despite being mostly underpowered, I had a pretty good time for 3 hours or so. Need to give my knees a break -- 5 sessions in 6 days! Unheard of!
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Awesome!
Forecast looked ok, but it turned out to be a stonker!
Started out doing some good jumps on the 'door then as the wind dropped, got onto the Dialer. What a great session, just totally awesome feeling.
Has to be the Dynabar, just so much freer riding the boards. Even now I put in an hour or so on the TT with the Dynabar rather than changing it for the fixed hook, that's easy too. Greatly prefer; I reckon it's easier on my back too.
Just wish I could get the Teletubbies theme outa my head...
Started out doing some good jumps on the 'door then as the wind dropped, got onto the Dialer. What a great session, just totally awesome feeling.
Has to be the Dynabar, just so much freer riding the boards. Even now I put in an hour or so on the TT with the Dynabar rather than changing it for the fixed hook, that's easy too. Greatly prefer; I reckon it's easier on my back too.
Just wish I could get the Teletubbies theme outa my head...
Friday, September 11, 2015
Dynabar intro
Thought I'd done this already. Can't remember the details, but I seem to remember it being acceptable and having a nice time playing with the Dynabar...
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Two in a row?
Arienaiiiiii!
Forecast wasn't up to much, but I had the time so why not? The SB had arrived, I was sitting on the Dynabar for a light wind day, and the Mako Duke was sitting there begging for it...
Unfortunately, while the wind was ok, the water was a little full of crap, like chunks of wood and bamboo. I went out on the Dialer, was doing ok and avoiding the flotsam, then went out on the Mako Duke...
Initial thoughts are it's over-finned, as the back end is dug in and doesn't like to be shifted but it's more stable at speed than the Dialer and maybe I just need to move my foot back, like in the video. Tougher to gybe as it's narrower at the front but I only got to try that a couple of times...
Worried about the gunk in the water, I change back to the Dialer as the wind is up and down too... ride out the rest of the afternoon thusly.
Man, I love the Dynabar. The pad still rides up like a pig on the Mystic harness but at least it's not trying to dig my guts out. EVERYTHING is so much easier on the directional!
Forecast wasn't up to much, but I had the time so why not? The SB had arrived, I was sitting on the Dynabar for a light wind day, and the Mako Duke was sitting there begging for it...
Unfortunately, while the wind was ok, the water was a little full of crap, like chunks of wood and bamboo. I went out on the Dialer, was doing ok and avoiding the flotsam, then went out on the Mako Duke...
Initial thoughts are it's over-finned, as the back end is dug in and doesn't like to be shifted but it's more stable at speed than the Dialer and maybe I just need to move my foot back, like in the video. Tougher to gybe as it's narrower at the front but I only got to try that a couple of times...
Worried about the gunk in the water, I change back to the Dialer as the wind is up and down too... ride out the rest of the afternoon thusly.
Man, I love the Dynabar. The pad still rides up like a pig on the Mystic harness but at least it's not trying to dig my guts out. EVERYTHING is so much easier on the directional!
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Sonic BOOM
Typhoon forecast was all jacked up -- last night it looked great all day, this morning it looked weak as. I'd pretty much given up on it as a bad joke, but had been messaging with Jun in Mie during the day. He reckoned 4 pm would be good, and I had the time free so I rocked on over.
Bloody glad I did... Jun offered to let me use the Sonic 18 he's borrowed, so long as I could pack it away dry :D it got soaked on the weekend. High tide, low wind, hot launch...
It was 6 knots when I got out of the car, and it picked up to 16 when I got back in. At first, I filled the kite and struggled with the tips a bit, then was surprised by how much pull it actually had. Hmm...
Got out in the light wind, a loop to get up and planing (!) and away across the beach. Got halfway back to my starting point then headed back out. Can feel the wind picking up, and I'm actually GOING UPWIND WHILE WORKING THE KITE! Amazing...
Wind continues to pick up, I go upwind easier, the jumps get bigger, the hang time longer... bloody amazing kite! It's a little more stable, and a little more twitchy, than the Speed3 but in different ways. Teeny bit more bar pressure I reckon, but more responsive. I want one.
Had to pack up as Jun was going home... didn't want to stop.
My thanks to the truck driver who threw a tantrum after I overtook you -- great comedy, I laughed mightily at your antics.
Bloody glad I did... Jun offered to let me use the Sonic 18 he's borrowed, so long as I could pack it away dry :D it got soaked on the weekend. High tide, low wind, hot launch...
It was 6 knots when I got out of the car, and it picked up to 16 when I got back in. At first, I filled the kite and struggled with the tips a bit, then was surprised by how much pull it actually had. Hmm...
Got out in the light wind, a loop to get up and planing (!) and away across the beach. Got halfway back to my starting point then headed back out. Can feel the wind picking up, and I'm actually GOING UPWIND WHILE WORKING THE KITE! Amazing...
Wind continues to pick up, I go upwind easier, the jumps get bigger, the hang time longer... bloody amazing kite! It's a little more stable, and a little more twitchy, than the Speed3 but in different ways. Teeny bit more bar pressure I reckon, but more responsive. I want one.
Had to pack up as Jun was going home... didn't want to stop.
My thanks to the truck driver who threw a tantrum after I overtook you -- great comedy, I laughed mightily at your antics.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
:(
Forecast looked ok, but I got ripped off. A handful of tacks, barely going upwind, for about 30 minutes. The racer boys impressed with the foil boards -- Sonic 11 guy was amazing.
On top of that, it rained so I have a soggy kite with no chance of drying it out cos it's rained every day since we got home...!
On top of that, it rained so I have a soggy kite with no chance of drying it out cos it's rained every day since we got home...!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
And so it begins
Light wind, just enough to ride. Got a bit of practice in on the Dialer... There's a ripped cell in the right wing tip too, great. Going to fix it with Dacron tape and be done with it. Poor old girl...
Rode from about 5pm to past sunset. Temp dropped under 30 and so we get out first whining about the cold... Gotta wonder what is wrong with these people eh.
Rode from about 5pm to past sunset. Temp dropped under 30 and so we get out first whining about the cold... Gotta wonder what is wrong with these people eh.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Not as good as last time
Hoped for the same as last time, and took the Limited to the lake and out for the first run, but was lighter than last time and a bit limp. Need to do the mixer...
Friday, August 14, 2015
Unprepared for a warm welcome
Back in Japan, the wind is finally blowing. Got to the lake only to realize that I'd forgotten my hat and glasses in a suitcase somewhere. I hope. And my Limited is in the shed...
So I took the Dialer and the Flydoor over to the lake, with the 21. Nope. Too much wind for the big beast, go back for the 15.
Good choice. Wind was a bit Lully but some fun was had.
Hard work, all this chop. I'm out of shape, it seems: spiked by flat water, light wind, big boards and beer on the beach...
Met another gringo too, which was nice.
So I took the Dialer and the Flydoor over to the lake, with the 21. Nope. Too much wind for the big beast, go back for the 15.
Good choice. Wind was a bit Lully but some fun was had.
Hard work, all this chop. I'm out of shape, it seems: spiked by flat water, light wind, big boards and beer on the beach...
Met another gringo too, which was nice.
Saturday, August 8, 2015
So long, Samui
Probably last chance day - don't want to face wet, heavy gear at check-in again.
Start out on the 21 and the Slayer, doing fine in the light wind but I can see big black clouds behind me. I keep an eye on them but decide too late that I need to drop the kite. Get tea-bagged in the gusts and call it a day with the QR again, timing it right so the kite drops on the sand bar; honest, I meant to do that. I pack up the damp (but not sodden) tangle and leave it for another day to sort out, chase down the abandoned Sector and head back in for the XB and the Limited.
Boosting fun for a half hour until the wind drops off so I get back on the Slayer.
Slayer goes through chop fine, probably less bouncy than the Dialer but is harder work going edge to edge and carving gybes are like squating 400lbs, and holding it there.
Wind drops off again, so I haul the gear back to the beach and pack up. Sit around drinking and talking, then the wind picks up but I've got a date to get too. Moo thod samun prai and pad thai noodles, mojito and sex on the beach...
PS. In Japan, we loaded all our luggage on the scales at once so all my careful packing to get 23kg in each bag was pointless. Figured they'd do the same here, so I dumped all my kite gear in the kite bag for easy packing... 36kg on the scales, as they weighed them individually. We instantly agreed to pay the excess baggage and it went through without a hitch. Fnar!
Start out on the 21 and the Slayer, doing fine in the light wind but I can see big black clouds behind me. I keep an eye on them but decide too late that I need to drop the kite. Get tea-bagged in the gusts and call it a day with the QR again, timing it right so the kite drops on the sand bar; honest, I meant to do that. I pack up the damp (but not sodden) tangle and leave it for another day to sort out, chase down the abandoned Sector and head back in for the XB and the Limited.
Boosting fun for a half hour until the wind drops off so I get back on the Slayer.
Slayer goes through chop fine, probably less bouncy than the Dialer but is harder work going edge to edge and carving gybes are like squating 400lbs, and holding it there.
Wind drops off again, so I haul the gear back to the beach and pack up. Sit around drinking and talking, then the wind picks up but I've got a date to get too. Moo thod samun prai and pad thai noodles, mojito and sex on the beach...
PS. In Japan, we loaded all our luggage on the scales at once so all my careful packing to get 23kg in each bag was pointless. Figured they'd do the same here, so I dumped all my kite gear in the kite bag for easy packing... 36kg on the scales, as they weighed them individually. We instantly agreed to pay the excess baggage and it went through without a hitch. Fnar!
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Wedding photos photobomb
Sat around waiting for the wind, was supposed to be good so had the "small" kite pumped up on the beach, after abortive efforts to do... anything.
Wind came up close to sunset and Tim convinced me to try his 2012 Slayer 60.
Tide was up so I rode right off the beach. Very nice board, super stable and fast off the fins. Easy to ride and not so dead for such a large and well-finned board. Good upwind too... Fun!
Someone was taking wedding photos out on the spit, with the stormy skies in the background (uh?) and possibly a big fat farang too.
Wind came up close to sunset and Tim convinced me to try his 2012 Slayer 60.
Tide was up so I rode right off the beach. Very nice board, super stable and fast off the fins. Easy to ride and not so dead for such a large and well-finned board. Good upwind too... Fun!
Someone was taking wedding photos out on the spit, with the stormy skies in the background (uh?) and possibly a big fat farang too.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Back again after back blow-out
Pulled a muscle in my back bending over to change a nappy, and spent the day in bed with Voltaren and ice packs. The next day was a quite one too, although greatly improved. One more to be sure, then a tentative session in light wind today... No problems!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Not quite the same
Almost the same as last time, but slightly less wind... Took off and landed on the beach, so I can do that.
Friday, July 31, 2015
Light fun
Light wind la-la in the lagoon. Launched from the sand bar, noodled around having a nice time. Landed on the beach and got seaweed all up in the lines... ah yes, I remember that from last time too.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Way over the top welcome to Samui
Arrived on Samui on Monday, and some wind arrived today. I thought it'd be light, and contemplated putting up the 21, or going out on the XB16 and the Flydoor... Thank god I did neither!
As it was, I was overpowered, then out if control in gusts. Some nice boosts though. The wind picked up and the gusts got worse, and after about a half hour I got hit by one I couldn't hold onto and started rocketing off towards the pier...
So I threw the safety, splashed down then walked back to the beach, towing the kite. Shame, I was having such fun!
Sliced up my foot on reef remains in the shallows... forgot my reef shoes and my Kindle! More to come, no doubt...
Oh, and the force of the wind on the kite when I ejected caused the Amsteel to cut the bungy in the safety line. Huh!
As it was, I was overpowered, then out if control in gusts. Some nice boosts though. The wind picked up and the gusts got worse, and after about a half hour I got hit by one I couldn't hold onto and started rocketing off towards the pier...
So I threw the safety, splashed down then walked back to the beach, towing the kite. Shame, I was having such fun!
Sliced up my foot on reef remains in the shallows... forgot my reef shoes and my Kindle! More to come, no doubt...
Oh, and the force of the wind on the kite when I ejected caused the Amsteel to cut the bungy in the safety line. Huh!
Monday, July 20, 2015
Sea Day. At the sea side. Dodging the sea life.
Thought the weather forecast has stuffed me, but after waiting til it felt like the right time, then relaunching the kite for one last time before giving up, the wind came in as predicted.
Light but went upwind with fun for a while, then slowly downwind with fun til I just couldn't get back upwind.
Goddam fish jumping out everywhere at me... think I sconed a couple with the board, so take that.
Light but went upwind with fun for a while, then slowly downwind with fun til I just couldn't get back upwind.
Goddam fish jumping out everywhere at me... think I sconed a couple with the board, so take that.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Wussy-phoon
Supposed to be psycho, but if it wasn't for the gusts I would have been on the Speed3 15. Surf was big so that was fun. Jumps were ok but the gusty wind meant it was like flying through turbulence.
Got dunked once and dragged, then later thought my harness was broken. Turned out the battle belt had gotten caught somehow so it all worked out in the end. After the wedgies had gotten too much and I packed up.
Got dunked once and dragged, then later thought my harness was broken. Turned out the battle belt had gotten caught somehow so it all worked out in the end. After the wedgies had gotten too much and I packed up.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Guess where
Tsu again. Started good for a while then died off, but had a nice time.
Got pulled over the board, couldn't get my foot out of the strap and it broke. Sigh. Rode another hour like that til the wind was naff.
Got pulled over the board, couldn't get my foot out of the strap and it broke. Sigh. Rode another hour like that til the wind was naff.
Sunday, June 28, 2015
About time Biwako
Back to normal - forecast was rocking, get to the lake there was no wind. At all. Lame.
Turn the lines of the S3 15... depower rope was a few cm too long... wind picks up as I'm trying to sort that out and balls it up by twisting the trim straps.
Head over to the beach, take the Rebel 18 out. God, I can't live with the fifth line tangles and the retarded bar pressure. It's up for sale.
Unpack the Speed3 15 and have a good time, despite the wind drops and squalls. Bar needs some glue, pulleys need replacing but love it. Fucking tubes...
Turn the lines of the S3 15... depower rope was a few cm too long... wind picks up as I'm trying to sort that out and balls it up by twisting the trim straps.
Head over to the beach, take the Rebel 18 out. God, I can't live with the fifth line tangles and the retarded bar pressure. It's up for sale.
Unpack the Speed3 15 and have a good time, despite the wind drops and squalls. Bar needs some glue, pulleys need replacing but love it. Fucking tubes...
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Fun! at Tsu again
Weather delivered a whole lot better than the forecast, so that was nice.
Arrived just ahead of Jun, who's training for the race this weekend. I, on the other hand, planned to have fun.
Good enough for the 15 and the Limited; not epic but I'm having a nice time for maybe an hour, then the wind drops. Take a break, Jun lands the kite for me, then he heads home. I noodle around on the 'door (middle straps better, but board feels so heavy!) for a whole, then the wind picks up so I get back on the Limited.
Not epic, as I said, but I really enjoyed myself... doing my tricks, playing with the waves - fun!
Arrived just ahead of Jun, who's training for the race this weekend. I, on the other hand, planned to have fun.
Good enough for the 15 and the Limited; not epic but I'm having a nice time for maybe an hour, then the wind drops. Take a break, Jun lands the kite for me, then he heads home. I noodle around on the 'door (middle straps better, but board feels so heavy!) for a whole, then the wind picks up so I get back on the Limited.
Not epic, as I said, but I really enjoyed myself... doing my tricks, playing with the waves - fun!
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Tsu again!
Could have been better... but it was better than nothing.
Tried the old 'door on wide foot strap... Don't think I like it for that board - too hard to pop.
Tried the old 'door on wide foot strap... Don't think I like it for that board - too hard to pop.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Found a Fleshlight on the beach
Not your normal beach combing score... Thought it was a lump of dead octopus or a shark egg or something exciting. Nope... eww.
Storm coming through, brought some ok wind. Bit gusty but was the best for a long time... Biwako needs to step up its game!
Good blow for an hour, then it died off. Waited some, then went back out. Rain came in, hosed down for a while, then died off.
10 minutes into the second session, my frickin Fusion harness blew a strap, this time going up on a decent jump... had to hang on to the bar like grim death. Funny, cos I swapped out the CL on the bar before I started as it has holes and I was worried it'd break.
As luck would have it, had the Mystic Star in the car. Dang, lot of hard work using a waist harness... new Fusion is in-bound but goddam Dakine, an inch of stitching? Seriously...
Storm coming through, brought some ok wind. Bit gusty but was the best for a long time... Biwako needs to step up its game!
Good blow for an hour, then it died off. Waited some, then went back out. Rain came in, hosed down for a while, then died off.
10 minutes into the second session, my frickin Fusion harness blew a strap, this time going up on a decent jump... had to hang on to the bar like grim death. Funny, cos I swapped out the CL on the bar before I started as it has holes and I was worried it'd break.
As luck would have it, had the Mystic Star in the car. Dang, lot of hard work using a waist harness... new Fusion is in-bound but goddam Dakine, an inch of stitching? Seriously...
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Let down, big time
Same forecast as last weekend, but it haut didn't pick up enough....
Tried to ride the landboard but the sand was too soft, the wind too light. Ah well.
Tried to ride the landboard but the sand was too soft, the wind too light. Ah well.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Light but that's alright
Light wind forecast, picked up enough to have a little fun at the cable park... Nuff said.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Gusty, much?
Great forecast but damn it was gusty - really off and OH HELL on. Wanted to use the Rebel 18 but wasn't sure if the wind would be right, and I'm glad I didn't cos... dang.
Way under to uncomfortably over in a few seconds. But here and there, it was stable enough for some riding.
Had a good couple of mini-sessions on the Dialer; played around with foot more forward, stance wider and it seemed to be less bouncy through the chop; maybe even easier to plane. Fun but hard work.
Wind picked up enough to make life difficult on the Dialer so I went to the Limited but it wasn't really happening. Struggled for a while then gave up and went home to play some Assassin's Creed before picking up the boy...
Sunday, May 31, 2015
In which I face-plant from several meters above the water
Started out light and built up.
I got out on the 21 and the Origin for about 30 minutes, just in case it continued not following the forecast. Flat-bottomed boards just aren't as locked and loaded feeling as the channeled boards. By the time I don't need to ride the 'door, I can get on the Limited so I think I either want an Ultra or will just get rid of the Origin and leave it at that.
Swapped out for the 15 and had a good time. Ok jumps, so I got into some tricks. Started doing some foot outs until, near the end of the day, the chicken loop snapped at the apex of a jump.
I was ended up falling and hitting the water in a staple, with the board still on my feet. Thought the spreader bar had gone again, but nope. Nothing hurt but my pride... although I had an odd, very localized ache in my left leg... gone now, so not broken or anything.
Fuckin' CLs. That's the fourth FS one I've broken. Looks like the hook is wearing through the PU tube and then the rope is just letting go, which it shouldn't cos I'm guess it's rated to thousands of pounds, so maybe it's rotting as water gets in...
Checked all my others... the 21 is borderline, the 12 is fine; 55cm Cab bar has holes, the two 48cm bars are fine; and of course the North bar is fine. Hmm... will either replace with Switch CLs or try adding another layer of PU.
Might flick a mail to FSer...
I got out on the 21 and the Origin for about 30 minutes, just in case it continued not following the forecast. Flat-bottomed boards just aren't as locked and loaded feeling as the channeled boards. By the time I don't need to ride the 'door, I can get on the Limited so I think I either want an Ultra or will just get rid of the Origin and leave it at that.
Swapped out for the 15 and had a good time. Ok jumps, so I got into some tricks. Started doing some foot outs until, near the end of the day, the chicken loop snapped at the apex of a jump.
I was ended up falling and hitting the water in a staple, with the board still on my feet. Thought the spreader bar had gone again, but nope. Nothing hurt but my pride... although I had an odd, very localized ache in my left leg... gone now, so not broken or anything.
Fuckin' CLs. That's the fourth FS one I've broken. Looks like the hook is wearing through the PU tube and then the rope is just letting go, which it shouldn't cos I'm guess it's rated to thousands of pounds, so maybe it's rotting as water gets in...
Checked all my others... the 21 is borderline, the 12 is fine; 55cm Cab bar has holes, the two 48cm bars are fine; and of course the North bar is fine. Hmm... will either replace with Switch CLs or try adding another layer of PU.
Might flick a mail to FSer...
Thursday, May 28, 2015
I know I went out but...
Forgot to do this, now I forget what happened. Oh I remember - I went to Mie. Left here early and got to Mie and onto the water just as the wind was dropping. Had a boostathon for 10 minutes, then it dropped so I played with the waves. Started to feel iffy after a while and gave up... mustn't have timed brunch right cos I felt much better once I got something to eat.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Super-light again
Crappy cos it just didn't last long enough...
Was a fun start though. Flat water, fun rotation tricks. Shame. I need a foil.
Was a fun start though. Flat water, fun rotation tricks. Shame. I need a foil.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Mmm
New kite arrived, got some wind... Off we go.
Well. Lotsa bar pressure, feels like it's over-sheeted, bloody hard work getting upwind, can't figure out how to jump it, turns like balancing a broom in the palm of your hand. Want to sell it on, but I'll give it a run in the wind it's supposed to be in and with a bigger board.
Went straight out on the S3 15 and was much happier...
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Piss-poor pay-off
For all the preparation. And I gave myself a headache shouting obscenities at the wind. Fucker.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Boostathon
Big forecast for Mie.
Supposed to pick up so I went for the Speed3 12, as I wanted to check the state of tune and test the Cabrinha pulleys. Was a bit underpowered for a while, then it dropped off. Kite needs a tune, the mini-5th is too short.
Got out the 15. Much better! Could probably tickle the mixer a little but it was good. Mmm good REAL good! Real huckfest... gush and choppy so it was straight jackin' but jolly good fun. Good height and hang, and a bit of a tweak to technique produced some of the most violent rips off the water I've experienced. Crimes! And I thought I had it all sussed out...
Even though I dunked the 15 a few times (water dropping away under my landing spot) and inverted/bow tied once, it was still a kick-ass session!
The Tsu Yacht Harbor; yachts to the left of me, kiddies' park the right...
Supposed to pick up so I went for the Speed3 12, as I wanted to check the state of tune and test the Cabrinha pulleys. Was a bit underpowered for a while, then it dropped off. Kite needs a tune, the mini-5th is too short.
Got out the 15. Much better! Could probably tickle the mixer a little but it was good. Mmm good REAL good! Real huckfest... gush and choppy so it was straight jackin' but jolly good fun. Good height and hang, and a bit of a tweak to technique produced some of the most violent rips off the water I've experienced. Crimes! And I thought I had it all sussed out...
Even though I dunked the 15 a few times (water dropping away under my landing spot) and inverted/bow tied once, it was still a kick-ass session!
The Tsu Yacht Harbor; yachts to the left of me, kiddies' park the right...
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Sub-10 knots... Believe it, or not
Light wind forecast but thermals may improve it. Went and waited...
About 4pm, everyone decided it was as good as it as going to get and jumped in. I joined them...
Still impressed with that 2014 Zephyr, eh. But I must have really nailed the tune for the 21 cos it rocked upwind, was super-stable and gave good lift.
Everyone gave up after a while but I kept going cow I was making headway upwind, and was still able to throw some rotation tricks. And so it went for the next couple of hours...
The wind was so light... no white caps at all, you had to stand still to see trees or stalks of grass moving. Amazing! Weather site said 4 to 8 knots, gusts no more than 14 but that was 2 hours before I got on the water...
About 4pm, everyone decided it was as good as it as going to get and jumped in. I joined them...
Still impressed with that 2014 Zephyr, eh. But I must have really nailed the tune for the 21 cos it rocked upwind, was super-stable and gave good lift.
Everyone gave up after a while but I kept going cow I was making headway upwind, and was still able to throw some rotation tricks. And so it went for the next couple of hours...
The wind was so light... no white caps at all, you had to stand still to see trees or stalks of grass moving. Amazing! Weather site said 4 to 8 knots, gusts no more than 14 but that was 2 hours before I got on the water...
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Same old, same gold
Good forecast, better wind. Good power from the kite and I didn't need a 'door! Bit gusty for stunts, so mostly just straight boosting and wave slashing. Man, wish I had a camera on today...
Wind shifted front the N to the NW but was still rideable. 16 to 22 knots, apparently. Water was actually more rideable after the switch as it was less choppy and we got longer flatter spaces better better formed crests.
Harness is more comfy if the bottom straps are tighter than the top. I need to try the wider stance on the Limited too...
Wind shifted front the N to the NW but was still rideable. 16 to 22 knots, apparently. Water was actually more rideable after the switch as it was less choppy and we got longer flatter spaces better better formed crests.
Harness is more comfy if the bottom straps are tighter than the top. I need to try the wider stance on the Limited too...
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Home sweet home
Didn't quite live up to the forecast but was pretty good anyway.
Crowded ol' beach with just over 15 kiters out and about. 10s and 17s... but there's some wind so I go with the Speed3 15. End up having to swap my boards a few times but it's a pretty good day's riding.
Called this one "epic" cos I nailed many big phat sent rotations, like I meant to do it that way...
Crowded ol' beach with just over 15 kiters out and about. 10s and 17s... but there's some wind so I go with the Speed3 15. End up having to swap my boards a few times but it's a pretty good day's riding.
Called this one "epic" cos I nailed many big phat sent rotations, like I meant to do it that way...
Monday, May 4, 2015
Tsu yet again
Kinda the same as yesterday, (without the traffic) but with the wind dying it went from fun to lame...
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Tsu again
Dropped the wife at the airport with the bit and took the other highway to Tsu... traffic was bad.
Had a nice time doodling around, despite the crowds of trailer trash on the beach.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Nailed it again!
NW forecast but yellow arrows - worth a look. Head right down after lunch.
Bit light - rig the 16. Wind picks up... Too much now. Rig the 13... Almost too much but I know it's going to die late.
Nailed it again! Epic session for 2 hours, boosting good times! Til the wind dropped, but I'd had enough anyway...
Bit light - rig the 16. Wind picks up... Too much now. Rig the 13... Almost too much but I know it's going to die late.
Nailed it again! Epic session for 2 hours, boosting good times! Til the wind dropped, but I'd had enough anyway...
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Tsu again.
Good forecast, headed down to Mie alone. With my refreshed local knowledge of how the wind rocks on in then buggers on off, I timed my arrival carefully and went out with what I hoped would be the best kite and board for most of the conditions...
Nailed it!
But either the mixer is out, or it was gustier than it seemed... Bit twitchy. Stunts weren't up to much. Fun, nonetheless.
Nailed it!
But either the mixer is out, or it was gustier than it seemed... Bit twitchy. Stunts weren't up to much. Fun, nonetheless.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
First in Mie for '15
Should be a good southerly come through today, so headed down to Mie.
Hmm. Very light when I arrived. Set up the 16... wind picked up. Oops. Hung on to it for a bit but I'll have more fun on a smaller kite... except the wife has wandered off with the car.
When she gets back, I set up the 10m XB but soon I'm just under powered . Sigh... To lazy to set up a third kite for the day.
Had fun though. Even got applause by some spectators when I got off the water... weird.
Hmm. Very light when I arrived. Set up the 16... wind picked up. Oops. Hung on to it for a bit but I'll have more fun on a smaller kite... except the wife has wandered off with the car.
When she gets back, I set up the 10m XB but soon I'm just under powered . Sigh... To lazy to set up a third kite for the day.
Had fun though. Even got applause by some spectators when I got off the water... weird.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
... in which a kite gets away and creates "havoc" on the road
Another light session that picked up to just under epic conditions. Had fun til late, then...
Tether landing a Speed. It's possible, although not for the faint of heart. My technique relied on keeping the kite flying with the upper steering line until the last moment, then letting it mosey to the ground while I dashed forward and grabbed the tip. Like the sky diver said, "So far, so good".
Today, the kite surged in a gust just as it got within grabbing range, slipped through my fingers, collapsed, opened and flew up, over the zenith and nose-dived on the other side of the window. I jogged over to sort it out, but the kite had bounced the kite up and it was headed back to the other side again, fully loaded and...
... SPROING!
Something snapped (CL it turns out) and the kite shot off downwind. I got a smack from the bar on the way through. Wind pushed it up over the trees, across the road and the bar snagged on the trees. Yikes...
Kite stuck in the trees on the other side of the road, lines strung taught across road. Got the lowest ones off ASAP despite complaints from the road users - sorry, didn't mean to keep you waiting a whole 60 seconds, wankers.
Top lines are high enough to let trucks under, and keep them out of my reach. New kiter with a Merc van helps me out. He gets a ladder, I climb it and hook the bridle with a leaf rake. Cut the pig tails just before a truck with exceedingly tall stuff on the back rounds the corner.
Now to get the kite out of the tree. Wont be jiggled or pulled out so I gotta climb the tree. Naturally, the bridle is wrapped around the highest point, so eventually my helper comes back with a saw blade (no handle) and I get to hacking. Got it down and balled up - no obvious damage.
Bar is still stuck up the tree. Won't be pulled out so up the ladder I go again. Lines disconnected at the bar (yah Flysurfer) and pulled back out through the trees.
Back at the club house, I do a quick untangle and lay out. Bridle sorted in about 10 minutes, no obvious damage again! Wrapped up nice and packed.
A nice balance of good and bad luck, I reckon.
EDIT : checked it out today - no more damage than it went into the trees with (a hole and 2 split seams) and I can't find the bridle line I thought I hacked into with the saw... huh. CL is stuffed though.
Tether landing a Speed. It's possible, although not for the faint of heart. My technique relied on keeping the kite flying with the upper steering line until the last moment, then letting it mosey to the ground while I dashed forward and grabbed the tip. Like the sky diver said, "So far, so good".
Today, the kite surged in a gust just as it got within grabbing range, slipped through my fingers, collapsed, opened and flew up, over the zenith and nose-dived on the other side of the window. I jogged over to sort it out, but the kite had bounced the kite up and it was headed back to the other side again, fully loaded and...
... SPROING!
Something snapped (CL it turns out) and the kite shot off downwind. I got a smack from the bar on the way through. Wind pushed it up over the trees, across the road and the bar snagged on the trees. Yikes...
Kite stuck in the trees on the other side of the road, lines strung taught across road. Got the lowest ones off ASAP despite complaints from the road users - sorry, didn't mean to keep you waiting a whole 60 seconds, wankers.
Top lines are high enough to let trucks under, and keep them out of my reach. New kiter with a Merc van helps me out. He gets a ladder, I climb it and hook the bridle with a leaf rake. Cut the pig tails just before a truck with exceedingly tall stuff on the back rounds the corner.
Now to get the kite out of the tree. Wont be jiggled or pulled out so I gotta climb the tree. Naturally, the bridle is wrapped around the highest point, so eventually my helper comes back with a saw blade (no handle) and I get to hacking. Got it down and balled up - no obvious damage.
Bar is still stuck up the tree. Won't be pulled out so up the ladder I go again. Lines disconnected at the bar (yah Flysurfer) and pulled back out through the trees.
Back at the club house, I do a quick untangle and lay out. Bridle sorted in about 10 minutes, no obvious damage again! Wrapped up nice and packed.
A nice balance of good and bad luck, I reckon.
EDIT : checked it out today - no more damage than it went into the trees with (a hole and 2 split seams) and I can't find the bridle line I thought I hacked into with the saw... huh. CL is stuffed though.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
... in which I have a good time
Gloves Man was at the beach when I arrived, despite little wind and a crappy forecast. I was hoping for afternoon thermals...
Started off really light and picked up nicely, we had fun.
I nailed foot-outs. I nailed multiple, phat rotations. I nailed foot-out rotations. Oh yes.
Started off really light and picked up nicely, we had fun.
I nailed foot-outs. I nailed multiple, phat rotations. I nailed foot-out rotations. Oh yes.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
... in which I just can't choose the right kite
Gusty. Couldn't get the timing right for which kite to have in the air, for all but a short time.
Nitro just isn't working for me. Lovely, smooth and stable in its actual wind zone - but I'm underpowered, but too twitchy and hot when it's overpowered and I can park n' ride. Shame, cos it's an awesome bit o' kit.
Nitro just isn't working for me. Lovely, smooth and stable in its actual wind zone - but I'm underpowered, but too twitchy and hot when it's overpowered and I can park n' ride. Shame, cos it's an awesome bit o' kit.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
How Stella got her groove back
Never seen the movie, no idea what the title means, but I'm stealing it.
Decided that my sessions have been sucky because I've been going out trying to use the smallest kite I can. Went out today with the 21 and the Ol' Faithful the Flydoor... and the Fusion seat harness. Last time on the Star, I wasn't comfy being over-powered so it kinda sucked.
Today rocked. Rotations, grabbed, foot-outs... even with the smaller Limited. And some great hucking boosts. I got my technique back, even though it is technically wrong for what I want to do but it seems to work for me.
Started out ok-light, then died off... then came back and was good enough to switch to the Limited and rock on out 'til dark.
... could I have gotten away with the S3 15?
Wind was reported as 10 to 16 knots, gusts to 20. Woo!
Decided that my sessions have been sucky because I've been going out trying to use the smallest kite I can. Went out today with the 21 and the Ol' Faithful the Flydoor... and the Fusion seat harness. Last time on the Star, I wasn't comfy being over-powered so it kinda sucked.
Today rocked. Rotations, grabbed, foot-outs... even with the smaller Limited. And some great hucking boosts. I got my technique back, even though it is technically wrong for what I want to do but it seems to work for me.
Started out ok-light, then died off... then came back and was good enough to switch to the Limited and rock on out 'til dark.
... could I have gotten away with the S3 15?
Wind was reported as 10 to 16 knots, gusts to 20. Woo!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Buyers remorse?
Think I missed a session post from a Saturday back...
So, I bought a Switch Nitro4 14m last week. It arrived last night and the wind looked good enough to at least give it a run on the beach today...
Hmm. Well, it's different. And different to what I remember of the Nitro3 14 too - more aggressive is how I would sum it up. Light wind relaunch was tricky and left me on the marina beach and a long walk.
Really hard to judge though as the wind was actually pretty shit - I swapped it out for the S3 21 and had trouble getting upwind at times too...
Saturday, March 14, 2015
No work, not much wind
Not working Saturday for a change, and the wind arrived which was nice.
Can't remember the details so well, but I do remember it being light but enough to satisfy...
Can't remember the details so well, but I do remember it being light but enough to satisfy...
Saturday, February 28, 2015
About damn time!
Started out light, some riding, some walking... Tried both the Flydoor and the Dialer - the 'door clearly has the better bottom end.
After a very lully ride out - thought I was going to have to swim in for a few minutes - I landed the kite and took the Dialer back to the shed, got a drink and the Limited and headed back for one last attempt.
The optimism paid off - the wind came up. I had a fun time on the Flydoor; the wider stance setting is good. Did some riding on the Limited too... still getting used to it; Adrian says its identical to the 2014 but I know it's not :D
So, grabs during rotations... Yeah that just happened.
But I tried a hand drag with loop, messed it up and looped the kite again to recover the dive - and got dragged through the water towards the shore :o as the kite climbed to zenith the lift got my feet under me as I narrowly missed ploughing a furrow with my nose up the beach. Yikes, and I thought I had them nailed, like backroll transitions.
Ran out of time, so had to pack it up. Shame.
After a very lully ride out - thought I was going to have to swim in for a few minutes - I landed the kite and took the Dialer back to the shed, got a drink and the Limited and headed back for one last attempt.
The optimism paid off - the wind came up. I had a fun time on the Flydoor; the wider stance setting is good. Did some riding on the Limited too... still getting used to it; Adrian says its identical to the 2014 but I know it's not :D
So, grabs during rotations... Yeah that just happened.
But I tried a hand drag with loop, messed it up and looped the kite again to recover the dive - and got dragged through the water towards the shore :o as the kite climbed to zenith the lift got my feet under me as I narrowly missed ploughing a furrow with my nose up the beach. Yikes, and I thought I had them nailed, like backroll transitions.
Ran out of time, so had to pack it up. Shame.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
One of those days...
I question what the hell I'm doing.
Wind so strong I couldn't I could barely get upwind to the water but couldn't get up on a plane.
Gah.
Wind so strong I couldn't I could barely get upwind to the water but couldn't get up on a plane.
Gah.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Aah...
Brilliant forecast ruined by reality. Squally, but got some riding in, primarily on the Flydoor, not really enough to do anything fun but it was worth pumping up the kite a second time, after I'd already decided to give it up...
Found a hole in the canopy of the XB... no biggie. New fin on the Flydoor *seems* to be smoother and gripper... Need to try wider stance still.
Found a hole in the canopy of the XB... no biggie. New fin on the Flydoor *seems* to be smoother and gripper... Need to try wider stance still.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Finally some wind!
At lunch time, it looked like I was going to get stiffed but I was bored at home and went back to the lake around 2, as the wind looked like it was picking up.
It had. I went for the seat harness and the XB13 and the Limited hoping for a boost session. Would have been better if I wasn't so much out of practice...
Pretty gusty, but I was happy. Tried to do some kite loops tricks in the lulls - dark slide and hand drag loop - but discovered that perhaps the XB isn't the kite for that kind of stunt. I landed the hand drag - just - but dark slide become a body drag. I started to investigate how the XB loops and came to the conclusion that the best I can get is a fat loop that pulls horizontally.
Time for new gear...
The LE was leaking too, pretty sure the new higher flow valve wasn't seated right. Hmm.
Wind was 14 to 18 knots, gusts to 35 :o
It had. I went for the seat harness and the XB13 and the Limited hoping for a boost session. Would have been better if I wasn't so much out of practice...
Pretty gusty, but I was happy. Tried to do some kite loops tricks in the lulls - dark slide and hand drag loop - but discovered that perhaps the XB isn't the kite for that kind of stunt. I landed the hand drag - just - but dark slide become a body drag. I started to investigate how the XB loops and came to the conclusion that the best I can get is a fat loop that pulls horizontally.
Time for new gear...
The LE was leaking too, pretty sure the new higher flow valve wasn't seated right. Hmm.
Wind was 14 to 18 knots, gusts to 35 :o
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Le sigh yet again
Snowing like a bastard, but the wind came up for about 30 minutes, enough to get a feel - at last! - for the Dialer+Flite combo. Me likey!
Friday, January 23, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
God, been over a month!
Determined to do do something with my day off. Forecast changed in the morning and it looked like I was going to get stiffed, but I wanted to swap the lines over on the S3 15 and 21, then test-fly the brummel spliced lines on the 15.
The wind died right as I go to the lake, but I waited it out and it picked up enough to get my hopes up.
Up with the 21 and the Dialer.... Walk upwind, ride downwind, rinse and repeat. After a half-dozen or more runs, the wind kicked up enough that I could make it back upwind a little, so I had a nice time getting back into it.
Those split toe boots... leave my big toe frozen and feeling like I'm constantly stubbing it. Do not like. I think with the whale scrotum they're too thick anyway.
The Neo Workman gloves did their thing again too, flawlessly. Good value, them. No forearm pump either, despite a month off!
The wind died right as I go to the lake, but I waited it out and it picked up enough to get my hopes up.
Up with the 21 and the Dialer.... Walk upwind, ride downwind, rinse and repeat. After a half-dozen or more runs, the wind kicked up enough that I could make it back upwind a little, so I had a nice time getting back into it.
Those split toe boots... leave my big toe frozen and feeling like I'm constantly stubbing it. Do not like. I think with the whale scrotum they're too thick anyway.
The Neo Workman gloves did their thing again too, flawlessly. Good value, them. No forearm pump either, despite a month off!
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
First in a while, last for some time?
Well the weather wasn't great but it was better than nothing. Weak, then lully. Sigh... got to scrape the rust off the Dialer though which was needed!
Bit cold... 4/3 and 2mm gloves kept me warm enough but my feet and face suffered. Especially walking on the stones. With my feet, not my face.
Bit cold... 4/3 and 2mm gloves kept me warm enough but my feet and face suffered. Especially walking on the stones. With my feet, not my face.
Thursday, November 27, 2014
More of the same... and that's a good thing. Unlike pumpkin pie which is crap.
Same as last time... except I gave up on the Bullet (and Miyachi wanted to charge me rental) and went with the Flydoor. Wind built until I could have fun on the Limited.
Can pretty much do rotations to full boost height, and am even dropping some grabs... might be able to work in a foot-out or board-off eventually. Still handed though - they're great on one tack, sucky on the other.
Can pretty much do rotations to full boost height, and am even dropping some grabs... might be able to work in a foot-out or board-off eventually. Still handed though - they're great on one tack, sucky on the other.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Bullet? Bah!
Lightish winds forecast, but it's winter so the wind should have enough oomph. Went out with the Speed3 15 and the Bullet but struggled for a while. Gave up on the Bullet, finally deciding I hate it. Took it back and got the Flydoor... much better.
Wind picked up, switched to the Limited and had a good ol' time playing silly buggers. Foot outs are easy when you don't have a harness getting in the way of your stomach, keeping your hand from your board. Grabbing the fins though hurts.
Good long session, gonna be sore tomorrow...
Weather was reported as 6 to 12 knots, 15 degrees C.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
It's Thursday... isn't it?
Missed the day before cos I forgot to check the weather. Today was supposed to be ok...
Looked good when I got to the beach, took the Speed3 15 and XB13 to the beach but the wind dropped off. I struggled for a while - was playing with the Naish Bullet 5'4" demo at the shop - then the wind picked up and I got onto the Limited for some boosting and footouts... whee!
Wind dropped again and I tried the Bullet, but I don't like it - seems hard to ride, compared to my Dialer.
Gave up and got packed up... then realized it was actually Wednesday and I am supposed to be going to work :o I was 10 minutes behind schedule but traffic went my way and I arrived on time... phew!
Looked good when I got to the beach, took the Speed3 15 and XB13 to the beach but the wind dropped off. I struggled for a while - was playing with the Naish Bullet 5'4" demo at the shop - then the wind picked up and I got onto the Limited for some boosting and footouts... whee!
Wind dropped again and I tried the Bullet, but I don't like it - seems hard to ride, compared to my Dialer.
Gave up and got packed up... then realized it was actually Wednesday and I am supposed to be going to work :o I was 10 minutes behind schedule but traffic went my way and I arrived on time... phew!
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Shoulda flip-flopped
Great forecast, even though it was all NW. Got to the lake and there was nothing. And I mean n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Waited around and something arrived, so I got changed and took the 21 and 15m Speed3s over to the lake, with a plan to swap the 21 bar to the 15. Which I did.
Good to be back on the 15... wind picked right up as I launched it so it was full-on for a bit there. So much fun to jump! Punchy and gusty and became less fun as the wind shifted more to the west...
Came in and packed it up and got the 10m but after my first two tacks, the wind dropped right off. Gave up and went home.
Weather was reported as... tosh. Whatever it was, it was a pile of bollocks cos there was nothing when I arrived at 1:30 and I probably should have been on a 10m until the time I actually got on the 10m... then I should've been on the 15.
What I learned today...
Good to be back on the 15... wind picked right up as I launched it so it was full-on for a bit there. So much fun to jump! Punchy and gusty and became less fun as the wind shifted more to the west...
Came in and packed it up and got the 10m but after my first two tacks, the wind dropped right off. Gave up and went home.
Weather was reported as... tosh. Whatever it was, it was a pile of bollocks cos there was nothing when I arrived at 1:30 and I probably should have been on a 10m until the time I actually got on the 10m... then I should've been on the 15.
What I learned today...
- 6m extensions are too long for the 15.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Redialed
Actually looked enough wind to contemplate my 10m, and Miyachi had the Bandits there for demo so I borrowed the 8th edition 11m for a run. Ok powered, falling to under so I swapped it out for the XB. Bar pressure was light for sheeting, medium for turning but crisp. Flapping behind the LE robbed power when sheeted out. Vague at the zenith... didn't like it.
Had another good time on the Dialer, but fell and hit my spreader bar hook on the rail and damaged it. Dang, something else to repair but I expected to ding up my first board. And an excuse to check out a new board... or maybe a Dynabar.
Really seems I'm going to end up riding the Dialer in lighter wind and saving the TT for really good boosting day... shame I can't surf worth a damn.
Weather was reported as 12 to 16 knots, gusts to 22; 15 degrees at 55%.
Wind felt like just to under powered.
What I learned recently...
Had another good time on the Dialer, but fell and hit my spreader bar hook on the rail and damaged it. Dang, something else to repair but I expected to ding up my first board. And an excuse to check out a new board... or maybe a Dynabar.
Really seems I'm going to end up riding the Dialer in lighter wind and saving the TT for really good boosting day... shame I can't surf worth a damn.
Weather was reported as 12 to 16 knots, gusts to 22; 15 degrees at 55%.
Wind felt like just to under powered.
What I learned recently...
- front foot pressure is important to make gybing your feet easy
- still no clue on tacking
Thursday, November 6, 2014
From crap to cool
What started out as a shitty frustrating day of wind drops, tangles and swamped kites, ended up pretty bloody good. A cackle-fest on the Dialer... once the wind picked up before, during and after the rain. We rode til dark, what fun!
Monday, November 3, 2014
Farewell to Fusion?
God what crap wind. Up, down, shifted 90 degrees and back... had to walk up the beach both directions! It was so bad, even the super-stable XB hindenburged at one point.
But got to ride some in between all that. Was desperate to try out the new gear so I kept going even when I thought, "fuck this, I'm going home to finish the deck."
Got a good long blow before the rain came in. The Mystic Star seat/waist got pushed to the limit from light to way over. The new Limited had to deal with wind at 90 degrees to the chop. Both aquited themselves well.
The Star was no worse than the Fusion for wedgies, both ass and crotch. Spreader bar ride-up was better than both Fusion (probably) and Renegade, while it was easier to get it down by far. As for the back, comfort was overall better than both. When the wind is right, we'll see if I can board-off. I still think for over-powered boost-fests, I'll need a pure seat but it's good to know that I can consider the Mystic range now too... although, there's no real good place for a front leash point.
The Limited is at least as good as the 2014 but I don't have the skill to really comment.
... got some epic carves in on the Dialer... might I have started the nailing if it? Getting some air under the fins too.
The weather was borked.
But got to ride some in between all that. Was desperate to try out the new gear so I kept going even when I thought, "fuck this, I'm going home to finish the deck."
Got a good long blow before the rain came in. The Mystic Star seat/waist got pushed to the limit from light to way over. The new Limited had to deal with wind at 90 degrees to the chop. Both aquited themselves well.
The Star was no worse than the Fusion for wedgies, both ass and crotch. Spreader bar ride-up was better than both Fusion (probably) and Renegade, while it was easier to get it down by far. As for the back, comfort was overall better than both. When the wind is right, we'll see if I can board-off. I still think for over-powered boost-fests, I'll need a pure seat but it's good to know that I can consider the Mystic range now too... although, there's no real good place for a front leash point.
The Limited is at least as good as the 2014 but I don't have the skill to really comment.
... got some epic carves in on the Dialer... might I have started the nailing if it? Getting some air under the fins too.
The weather was borked.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Pivot session
Oops nearly forgot this.
Wind was, I guessed, good enough for a 10m but only just. So I thought I'd ask for a ride on the Pivot that's in the shop, and go out on the directional.
Wind didn't really cooperate. All session it was gusty and up n' down. I got some riding on the Pivot - but only on the Dialer - then switched to the XB, then back again for a final buzz on the P.
Re. the Pivot. Pretty good for a 3-strut kite, no flapping at all and I'm pretty sure it never deformed. Didn't really get to fly it heavily loaded or over-powered though. Good low end when worked but it got jerky in the punchy gusts, and hindenburged two or three times in lulls. Great drive through the transitions on the Dialer, really pulled you through. I liked it but would want to try it more before I bought one. Love the bar! but the swivel... didn't.
Weather was reported as 16 knots, gusts to 30! 15°C at 40%...
Wind was, I guessed, good enough for a 10m but only just. So I thought I'd ask for a ride on the Pivot that's in the shop, and go out on the directional.
Wind didn't really cooperate. All session it was gusty and up n' down. I got some riding on the Pivot - but only on the Dialer - then switched to the XB, then back again for a final buzz on the P.
Re. the Pivot. Pretty good for a 3-strut kite, no flapping at all and I'm pretty sure it never deformed. Didn't really get to fly it heavily loaded or over-powered though. Good low end when worked but it got jerky in the punchy gusts, and hindenburged two or three times in lulls. Great drive through the transitions on the Dialer, really pulled you through. I liked it but would want to try it more before I bought one. Love the bar! but the swivel... didn't.
Weather was reported as 16 knots, gusts to 30! 15°C at 40%...
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Jolly good fun in... 5 knots?!?!
Better than the forecast and weather reports. Headed out on the 21 and was comfy powered, but then it picked up and it was getting hairy in the gusts. Ceased to be fun, and I wanted to ride the Dialer for some reason so I dropped the 21, got out the XB13 and swapped harnesses.
Good fun but damn, falling off that board is punishing! Got the fins clear of the water for some air, nice carves too. Getting there.
Weather was reported as 5 to 10 knots... bollocks. 18°C... perfectly comfy in my new Voodoo 2.5mm short leg spring suit, while the other guys are wearing 5mm steamers!!!
Good fun but damn, falling off that board is punishing! Got the fins clear of the water for some air, nice carves too. Getting there.
Weather was reported as 5 to 10 knots... bollocks. 18°C... perfectly comfy in my new Voodoo 2.5mm short leg spring suit, while the other guys are wearing 5mm steamers!!!
Friday, October 17, 2014
A big let down
Should have been good, but it was gusty and crap. The gusts would be been great on the 16m but the lulls were too often and too long...
Did some riding on the Dialer too and while that was good it wasn't great.
Getting sick of gusty crap.
Did some riding on the Dialer too and while that was good it wasn't great.
Getting sick of gusty crap.
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Post-typhoon ride
Crook as a dog yesterday, feeling well enough to ride today.
Gusty as hell, and the wind slowly dropped so I went from Limited to Dialer. Had a nice mellow time.
Discovered a funny mark on the Limited and lifted the footpad - huge crack :( must have happened on Sunday, but can't think of anything out of the ordinary...
Gusty as hell, and the wind slowly dropped so I went from Limited to Dialer. Had a nice mellow time.
Discovered a funny mark on the Limited and lifted the footpad - huge crack :( must have happened on Sunday, but can't think of anything out of the ordinary...
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Pre-typhoon ride
South to the yacht harbor. Patrick Rebstock from Slingshot is there with Seigo, so there was some great strapless riding to watch.
I, however, got on the water at 1 and didn't get off for 3 hours. Wind was pretty consistent so it was fun... some ok-ish jumps. Was going to pack up but after chatting to a kiwi I thought I'd go back out for a bit more... it was good.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Light but fun
Managed to get to the lake and the wind looked good but was all show and no blow. I really wanted to try out my S3 15 but couldn't be assed fiddling around and just went with the 21.
Which was both good and bad.
Bad because I had to land and launch a couple of times to clear knots out of the bridle, and good because the wind steadily dropped off until I had to leave for work.
Started on the Limited and had some fun. Then swapped for the Dialer and had some fun. Then gave up.
Mr Fujii... sigh... as an example of the sort of idiot blinkered behavior that goes on here:
Both of us were heading to the shore, me slightly behind him. I assumed he would push the tack as far as possible then come about, so I was getting ready for a change of direction myself. Then he just cut straight at the beach and stopped dead in front of me, parking his kite at the zenith.
Right in front of me. There was literally nowhere to go, and he just stood there, kite at 12 and me stuck a couple of meters behind him. I couldn't dive my kite to either side of him to get away cos there wasn't the space and even when he finally walked to the shore, he still just stood there with his kite at 12 blocking me.
Gah. Now imagine that on the roads.
Which was both good and bad.
Bad because I had to land and launch a couple of times to clear knots out of the bridle, and good because the wind steadily dropped off until I had to leave for work.
Started on the Limited and had some fun. Then swapped for the Dialer and had some fun. Then gave up.
Mr Fujii... sigh... as an example of the sort of idiot blinkered behavior that goes on here:
Both of us were heading to the shore, me slightly behind him. I assumed he would push the tack as far as possible then come about, so I was getting ready for a change of direction myself. Then he just cut straight at the beach and stopped dead in front of me, parking his kite at the zenith.
Right in front of me. There was literally nowhere to go, and he just stood there, kite at 12 and me stuck a couple of meters behind him. I couldn't dive my kite to either side of him to get away cos there wasn't the space and even when he finally walked to the shore, he still just stood there with his kite at 12 blocking me.
Gah. Now imagine that on the roads.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Typhoon FedEx
Oops forgot to update...
Named this typhoon "FedEx" cos it delivered, but it was pretty crappy with its terms of service and delivery.
Erm... I seem to remember it being a good boost fest and lots of big tricks too, but forget the details. Started on the 13, ended up on the 10.
I did manage to splash down when the wind died, unhook and - snapped the carabina of the safety leash :o had to use a FSer one - yeuch.
So that was that.
Named this typhoon "FedEx" cos it delivered, but it was pretty crappy with its terms of service and delivery.
Erm... I seem to remember it being a good boost fest and lots of big tricks too, but forget the details. Started on the 13, ended up on the 10.
I did manage to splash down when the wind died, unhook and - snapped the carabina of the safety leash :o had to use a FSer one - yeuch.
So that was that.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Scooz me while I kiss the sky
Oof, dang. All the internets said the wind would be lighter than yesterday and falling off.
Nope.
We got 18 to 20 knots and gusts to 28 (if the weather station is to be believed). I swear it wasnt blowing that when I arrived, decided on kit and set up.
Started off light, just going upwind on the Limited, doing some rotations (fail central) then it just went all bat-shit insane.
I forgot how much fun it is to fly and float, Flysurfer style. Or just how big you can actually go on the 21. Or just how much effort it takes to hold all that power down... but, dang, it's worth the effort!
But after an hour of huge air, just big air won't cut it. Had to go to work anyway :(
What I learned today...
Nope.
We got 18 to 20 knots and gusts to 28 (if the weather station is to be believed). I swear it wasnt blowing that when I arrived, decided on kit and set up.
Started off light, just going upwind on the Limited, doing some rotations (fail central) then it just went all bat-shit insane.
I forgot how much fun it is to fly and float, Flysurfer style. Or just how big you can actually go on the 21. Or just how much effort it takes to hold all that power down... but, dang, it's worth the effort!
But after an hour of huge air, just big air won't cut it. Had to go to work anyway :(
What I learned today...
- There's a bit of a trick to jumping the big Speed, which took me a time to get back. Seems to be just holding the line then, releasing the edge and popping hard. Mind you, every time I thought I had it, the same method didn't work the next time...
- I get the most giggles and cackles out of the FSers by far... along with the most hair pulling.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Mellow hits the spot
Forecast was good and with the in-laws in town, I could sneak off for the afternoon.
Wind was a bit light so I went for the Crossbow 16 to make sure of some grunt. Took the Dialer cos I thought I might like to...
Enough to get going on the Limited, just, so I forced some rotations to get back in the habit. Even nailed some doubles...
Then the wind got light but not too light, so I went for the Dialer. Rusty!
Good session, had a nice time :)
Wind was a bit light so I went for the Crossbow 16 to make sure of some grunt. Took the Dialer cos I thought I might like to...
Enough to get going on the Limited, just, so I forced some rotations to get back in the habit. Even nailed some doubles...
Then the wind got light but not too light, so I went for the Dialer. Rusty!
Good session, had a nice time :)
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Rock on!
Surprise forecast, couple of days after the typhoon and we get a cracking good day.
Unfortunately, they're having a comp so the beach is COVERED in unused kites, lines and bars and there's literally nowhere to launch a kite, let alone set up.
Tough choice on the size, the little guys were riding 12 to 14 meters, but it's supposed to pick up continuously through the afternoon, so I risk the 13. Pump up in the grass (spiky things everywhere, look out), carry it across to a freshly vacated spot and lay out my lines, threading between other kites.
Got into the air and on the water... great! Going to be good. Spent a couple of hours whooping it up, but the wind drops off so I take a break. When I think it's picked up, I go back out... more woohoo fun, but the wind drops off again after an hour or so, so I call it a day.
Some good jumps and rotations - front rolls are rusty. Occasionally in the gusts I had to fight to hold edges, and a few times went wa-aaay downwind just a few feet off the water as I got hauled off. Great fun, much better than the typhoon day!
Weather was reported as 15 to 22 knots, gusts to 32!!! 25˚C at 64%, climbing throughout the day.
Wind felt like 50% comfy-powered, 35% WOOHOO, 10% bah-humbug and 5% Whoa Nelly!
What I learned today...
Unfortunately, they're having a comp so the beach is COVERED in unused kites, lines and bars and there's literally nowhere to launch a kite, let alone set up.
Tough choice on the size, the little guys were riding 12 to 14 meters, but it's supposed to pick up continuously through the afternoon, so I risk the 13. Pump up in the grass (spiky things everywhere, look out), carry it across to a freshly vacated spot and lay out my lines, threading between other kites.
Got into the air and on the water... great! Going to be good. Spent a couple of hours whooping it up, but the wind drops off so I take a break. When I think it's picked up, I go back out... more woohoo fun, but the wind drops off again after an hour or so, so I call it a day.
Some good jumps and rotations - front rolls are rusty. Occasionally in the gusts I had to fight to hold edges, and a few times went wa-aaay downwind just a few feet off the water as I got hauled off. Great fun, much better than the typhoon day!
Weather was reported as 15 to 22 knots, gusts to 32!!! 25˚C at 64%, climbing throughout the day.
Wind felt like 50% comfy-powered, 35% WOOHOO, 10% bah-humbug and 5% Whoa Nelly!
What I learned today...
- Soh is a little bitch.
- Back is good, pain almost nonexistent and legs working as well as I can remember they can.
- Want a kite that loops better...!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Lame-ass typhoon is lame. Laaaaaaame.
Well that was the lamest typhoon to date. Took the 10m and 7m to the lake cos I was grossly over-optimistic. For the first 30 minutes it looked good, then it petered right out. Got a drink, the wind came back but it was only good in the rare gusts... a few giggles but mostly just topping up the tanks.
Got to ride the 2014 Park 10m for a few minutes in the gusts but didn't get a real feel for it. Feels a lot like the Nitro, same light bar and rapid response but I have to say, the Nitro was more stable - kept front stalling the Park on the beach, needed a firm hand on the bar. The bar was fantastic though, loved it. Same kind of jump feel too...
Moment of the day was a front roll down loop transition then landing on a cresting wave and riding it out, slack-lined, into the new direction. Total fluke but it rocked.
Weather was reported as 19 knots, falling to 12; gusts to 24 before I got there :(
Weather was reported as 19 knots, falling to 12; gusts to 24 before I got there :(
What I learned today...
- The Limited seems picky about pad placement. 1/-1 seems to be the sweet spot... or maybe I'm just adapting to the non-Door shape.
- I really don't think looping the XBs is a good plan...
Monday, September 22, 2014
Crack-a-lackin'!
Well, that's more like it. Was hoping for wind on the holiday tomorrow, but that wasn't going to happen. The wife managed to get time off work to cover me, so I could go to the lake by 4pm. Niiii-thh!
People were saying it was no good, but they were going for 12m kites and I thought it'd pick up, so I went for the Speed3 12 cos I really wanted to ride it after the fun of last night...
Went well on the Flydoor for a good while, then there was a parting of the ways in the SPL and I had a kite that wouldn't fly right... it'd stay in the sky, parked at 2pm and pull so I body dragged back to shore and packed it up.
Had the 16m XB on the beach, so up it went. I was feeling pretty good, so being over-powered that much was just FUN. Jump-fest...
Packed up after sun set... although there's a good 30 minutes of light left, forgot that.
Was probably going just as high on the 12, but it was much easier to ride so there's something in that old chestnut then I guess, after all.
People were saying it was no good, but they were going for 12m kites and I thought it'd pick up, so I went for the Speed3 12 cos I really wanted to ride it after the fun of last night...
Went well on the Flydoor for a good while, then there was a parting of the ways in the SPL and I had a kite that wouldn't fly right... it'd stay in the sky, parked at 2pm and pull so I body dragged back to shore and packed it up.
Had the 16m XB on the beach, so up it went. I was feeling pretty good, so being over-powered that much was just FUN. Jump-fest...
Packed up after sun set... although there's a good 30 minutes of light left, forgot that.
Was probably going just as high on the 12, but it was much easier to ride so there's something in that old chestnut then I guess, after all.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Light but not lame
Not expecting much, and it delivered. Luckily, I was just in the mood for an easy cruise so it worked out well. Legs feeling better, but not perfect yet...
Just enough wind to get back to the start, and do a couple of silly tricks on the tack. Good enough to keep me happy.
I should try the Flydoor with the pads back one step, and put the new fin on. Should really get around to the repairs that need doing too :o
Just enough wind to get back to the start, and do a couple of silly tricks on the tack. Good enough to keep me happy.
I should try the Flydoor with the pads back one step, and put the new fin on. Should really get around to the repairs that need doing too :o
Monday, September 15, 2014
Back in the saddle
So, you might have noticed no posts for a while... stuffed my back again at the start of the holidays and after the crippling pain passed, my legs stopped working at full power and other weird things. Back to about 80% now so thought I could get back on the water.
Wind looks good but am a bit hesitant... suck it up and go for the 13m (want to be powered so I can just laze back against the kite) and the Limited. Good choice, mostly ok-powered and don't need to work the kite much until the wind drops off at the end of the sesh.
Could have been a good jump fest but my legs aren't responding well enough to hold and edge, and I can't "feel" my feet... so it was a bit crap but at the same time good.
Bit more time needed then...
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
I am the lawnmower man
There was even grass clippings in the water.
Missed a 16 knot plus session on Tuesday at Mie, today's forecast looked the same so hopefully...
Got over there just before 2... hmm, 12 knots on the yacht club. Feels like too much for the 21 so I go for the 16m XB. Go out on the Dialer; would be having fun but there's so much weed or grass in the water, it's wrapping the fins and creating so much drag I just can't ride...
Decide to put extensions on the 16 and try the TT: 6m left-overs from the old S3 21. Yeah, kinda works... mow the lawn mostly but hey it's summer - what can you do. Wouldn't riding at all without extensions...
Weather was reported as 14 to 10 knots; gusts to 18 at 2pm, 29 degrees C at 80%.
Wind felt like I should have been riding upwind - just - but wasn't.
What I learned today...
Missed a 16 knot plus session on Tuesday at Mie, today's forecast looked the same so hopefully...
Got over there just before 2... hmm, 12 knots on the yacht club. Feels like too much for the 21 so I go for the 16m XB. Go out on the Dialer; would be having fun but there's so much weed or grass in the water, it's wrapping the fins and creating so much drag I just can't ride...
Decide to put extensions on the 16 and try the TT: 6m left-overs from the old S3 21. Yeah, kinda works... mow the lawn mostly but hey it's summer - what can you do. Wouldn't riding at all without extensions...
Weather was reported as 14 to 10 knots; gusts to 18 at 2pm, 29 degrees C at 80%.
Wind felt like I should have been riding upwind - just - but wasn't.
What I learned today...
- Extensions work.
- Grass in the water sucks!
- Old skool spreader bar pad is the shizzle.
Monday, July 28, 2014
End of month pile-up
Forecast changed overnight... light wind forecast but same in Hikone and Otsu, which usually means rideable wind.
Got down the lake at 1:30, set up the S3 21. Out on the Dialer... easily riding but not going upwind. Do some walking until about 3 when the wind pick up. Switch to the Limited at 3:45... gah. Have as much fun as I can til just after 4, when I get off and head to work... just as the wind is cranking up :(
Weather was reported as 8 to 10 knots (balls), gusts to 18; 30 degrees C at 50%. Hmm.
Wind felt like I should have been going upwind to I should have been getting a smaller kite.
What I learned today...
Got down the lake at 1:30, set up the S3 21. Out on the Dialer... easily riding but not going upwind. Do some walking until about 3 when the wind pick up. Switch to the Limited at 3:45... gah. Have as much fun as I can til just after 4, when I get off and head to work... just as the wind is cranking up :(
Weather was reported as 8 to 10 knots (balls), gusts to 18; 30 degrees C at 50%. Hmm.
Wind felt like I should have been going upwind to I should have been getting a smaller kite.
What I learned today...
- Wear the goddamn wetsuit. Power wedgies blow.
- Actually do need a spreader bar pad - not for the spreader bar, for the loops the webbing goes through. Ouchie.
- My elbows are killing me :(
Sunday, July 27, 2014
And that's 5. Well, gosh...
Supposed to be the day today, forecast looks good... even looks good when I get to the beach. Early for once...
Should have gone for a bigger kite, but there you go. Went out on the Dialer but just wasn't in the mood. Changed it for my first Flydoor but that was too heavy and dull. Went and got the new one but that equally didn't spin my wheels. Tried to ride the Limited all the time but that was an exercise in frustration.
I did try a few very lame, very low kite loops to see if it would kill me. It didn't but the sun burn might... damn, I gotta put that stuff on in layers before I get anywhere near the lake :(
Weather was reported as 9-6-12-12-12-10 knots, gusts to 20. 28 degrees at 58%.
Wind felt like mostly underpowered with gusts to meh.
What I learned today...
Should have gone for a bigger kite, but there you go. Went out on the Dialer but just wasn't in the mood. Changed it for my first Flydoor but that was too heavy and dull. Went and got the new one but that equally didn't spin my wheels. Tried to ride the Limited all the time but that was an exercise in frustration.
I did try a few very lame, very low kite loops to see if it would kill me. It didn't but the sun burn might... damn, I gotta put that stuff on in layers before I get anywhere near the lake :(
Weather was reported as 9-6-12-12-12-10 knots, gusts to 20. 28 degrees at 58%.
Wind felt like mostly underpowered with gusts to meh.
What I learned today...
- If it looks like a 13 day, rig the 16... cos summer SUCKS.
- Seems I've gone off my Flydoor - feels draggy, hard bloody work and just not fun any more :( maybe time to change the stance. What am I going to do when underpowered?
- Put the damn short john wetsuit on. Wedgie central...
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Oh stop - 4 now?
Well, it was better than yesterday but just not enough to ride the Limited upwind easily... but it were better n' nowt!
Weather was reported as 9 to 12 knots, gusts to 20 after I left :-/
Weather was reported as 9 to 12 knots, gusts to 20 after I left :-/
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
3rd for the month?
Lame.
Forecast was for crap and I only drove by on the way home from the hardware store cos why not. There was a bit of wind and so again, why not.
Bit of riding around to keep my hand in... lots of walking. Ah well...
Forecast was for crap and I only drove by on the way home from the hardware store cos why not. There was a bit of wind and so again, why not.
Bit of riding around to keep my hand in... lots of walking. Ah well...
Friday, July 11, 2014
Weak-ass typhoon is weak-ass.
Went to the lake expecting to ride the 21 AT BEST and having a back seat of things to meddle with to fill the afternoon. Instead, the wind was up, steady and rising. Huh...
Went out on the 16 and the Limited, and actually had a bit of fun.
The wind kept picking up and so I went and got the 13.
The wind kept picking up and so I went and got the 10...!
So that was a nice surprise. I got a little underpowered on the TT so I thought I'd change it out for the Dialer, but only got one good tack till the wind lulled enough for me to realize that I couldn't handle any walking so I decided to call it a day.
Pretty good day considering the crap forecast; the typhoon might have nailed the southern parts but we got almost none of the weather...
Weather was reported as 9 to 12 knots (LOL) gusts to 20; 29˚ at 67%.
Wind felt like 15 to 20 knots fairly steady. Picked up steadily, held, then dropped off...
What I learned today...
Went out on the 16 and the Limited, and actually had a bit of fun.
The wind kept picking up and so I went and got the 13.
The wind kept picking up and so I went and got the 10...!
So that was a nice surprise. I got a little underpowered on the TT so I thought I'd change it out for the Dialer, but only got one good tack till the wind lulled enough for me to realize that I couldn't handle any walking so I decided to call it a day.
Pretty good day considering the crap forecast; the typhoon might have nailed the southern parts but we got almost none of the weather...
Weather was reported as 9 to 12 knots (LOL) gusts to 20; 29˚ at 67%.
Wind felt like 15 to 20 knots fairly steady. Picked up steadily, held, then dropped off...
What I learned today...
- Relearned - the 16 isn't that much of a dog as I remembered. 'Specially not after months of flying the 21!
- Find the top end of the Limited is... limited. Bottom end if fabulous so I can't complain too much but I think I might try moving the pads to the heel-side just a tad, as they're now centered or a little to the toe-side, it seems....
- I so prefer to be just powered on a smaller kite now, and seem to jump just as high.
- Now I need to stop being a chicken shit and start stunting it up.
- Loops on the XBs are tricky... sheeting all in chokes the shit out of it, sheeting right out is violent - in the middle somewhere is better.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Downwinding
Forecast was good but it failed to deliver. I barely got to ride and it was all downwinders but strangely satisfying.
Especially when the cool kids couldn't keep their kites in the air... once slamming down a few feet from my head when I'd fallen into the water. Gimp.
Weather was reported as 8 to 10 knots, gusts to 15. 27 degrees at 66%.
What I learned today...
Especially when the cool kids couldn't keep their kites in the air... once slamming down a few feet from my head when I'd fallen into the water. Gimp.
Weather was reported as 8 to 10 knots, gusts to 15. 27 degrees at 66%.
What I learned today...
- There's a rip on a seam and a hole in the canopy... poor old S3 21 is showing its age.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
And now it's time for a bucket of sangria...
Light wind expected, but it was same in Hikone and Otsu and that usually means it's rideable.
Well, it was for a half hour or so but then it was up and down and gusty nasty - got lobbed and backrolled the "jump" riding it out - and then lulled to nothing.
So it sucked, but I hung around for as long as possible, being a sad desperate tosser. Sigh.
Weather was reported as 10 to 12 knots; 26˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like crap.
Well, it was for a half hour or so but then it was up and down and gusty nasty - got lobbed and backrolled the "jump" riding it out - and then lulled to nothing.
So it sucked, but I hung around for as long as possible, being a sad desperate tosser. Sigh.
Weather was reported as 10 to 12 knots; 26˚C at 66%.
Wind felt like crap.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Skirting the shore
Not some clever pun about summer fashions on the girls but a statement of the distance of my tacks today...!
Forecast was worse the risk of a day without responsibilities... looked ok-ish for the 13 when I arrived at 12 but I knew it was supposed to pick up so I risked the "small" kite.
Hard work to start with, working the kite to get moving and upwind. Gets easier, and more fun.
2 hours later, I'm pretty done - arms etc sore from working the kite hard, legs etc sore from doing stuff... time to call it quits and head to work.
Wind was 8 to 16 knots when I arrived and was pushing 20 when I left. It was good... except for the sunburn.
Forgot to add: SOME-THING-IS-TOUCH-ING-ME!!!
Stood on something slippery, thick and muscled that squirmed underfoot and gave me the heebie-jeebies... I jumped and squeaked like Grant Imahara.
Forecast was worse the risk of a day without responsibilities... looked ok-ish for the 13 when I arrived at 12 but I knew it was supposed to pick up so I risked the "small" kite.
Hard work to start with, working the kite to get moving and upwind. Gets easier, and more fun.
2 hours later, I'm pretty done - arms etc sore from working the kite hard, legs etc sore from doing stuff... time to call it quits and head to work.
Wind was 8 to 16 knots when I arrived and was pushing 20 when I left. It was good... except for the sunburn.
Forgot to add: SOME-THING-IS-TOUCH-ING-ME!!!
Stood on something slippery, thick and muscled that squirmed underfoot and gave me the heebie-jeebies... I jumped and squeaked like Grant Imahara.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Improvement impresses
Another light wind day scheduled... but the wind picked up gradually and it turned out to be oddly fun, doing rotations and getting real close to perfecting back roll transitions after some pfaffing around on the Dialer.
Having to go to work meant I cut it short as the wind was picking right up... sigh.
Having to go to work meant I cut it short as the wind was picking right up... sigh.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Sigh...
A few tacks were had but it was just too light to ride much, and it was up n' down playing silly buggers with my lust.
Weather was reported as 8 to 12 knots, 24 degrees at 65%.
Weather was reported as 8 to 12 knots, 24 degrees at 65%.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Too light
Wind was up, the forecast wasn't. A few of us had gathered... to be disappointed. Riding a few tacks but walking til it drops right off and dies. Oh well, at least I got out of the house for a bit.
What I learned today...
What I learned today...
- Need to pre-stretch my DIY pigtails... yikes!
- Need to do the mixer!
- Need to learn how to make a directional go upwind when the wind is light.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Forgot but not forgotten
Eep, forgot to fill this out...
Good ride on the 21 and the Limited. Wind picked up til I was uncomfy so I swapped for the XB but then the wind dropped. A few tacks on the Dialer but it was a waste of time so I packed up and went to work...
Good ride on the 21 and the Limited. Wind picked up til I was uncomfy so I swapped for the XB but then the wind dropped. A few tacks on the Dialer but it was a waste of time so I packed up and went to work...
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Worth the effort
Had the day off and looking at the forecast wasn't really sure I wanted to bother with the trip... ended up glad I did though, despite having to avoid the lo-oong traffic jams on the highway by taking the "local" roads.
Thought the wind was good enough when I arrived for the S3 12 and a boost session, but I was wrong. A couple of tacks were a waste of time.
Out with the 21. Ride for a bit but then it drops. I messed with untangling the twisted mini-5th and by the time I'd done that, I was thinking the wind had picked up some.
Yeah, it had. Gradually went from holding ground to fully depowered kite.
So that was fun... gave up when I was too tired.
Weather was reported as 12 to 16 knots, gusts to 25 :o 27 degrees C at 75%.
Wind felt like underpowered a lot to approaching uncomfortably over-powered. 25 knots might explain that...!
What I learned today...
Thought the wind was good enough when I arrived for the S3 12 and a boost session, but I was wrong. A couple of tacks were a waste of time.
Out with the 21. Ride for a bit but then it drops. I messed with untangling the twisted mini-5th and by the time I'd done that, I was thinking the wind had picked up some.
Yeah, it had. Gradually went from holding ground to fully depowered kite.
So that was fun... gave up when I was too tired.
Weather was reported as 12 to 16 knots, gusts to 25 :o 27 degrees C at 75%.
Wind felt like underpowered a lot to approaching uncomfortably over-powered. 25 knots might explain that...!
What I learned today...
- Have to sort the 15 out!!!
- hop-to-toeside carve transitions - need more board input, it seems.
- Orange and peach frozen sherbets are in season! w00t.
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