Here comes the rain

Southerlies again, so off to Mie and the Yacht Harbor. Rain forecast but it's light so I may get away with it.

Nope. Wind is good but it's hosing down. Wait, what's that off in the distance...? A sail? Dang, if the pole dancers are out what excuse do I have?

Set up as the rain drops a bit and it seems good. Easy rider time. Waves are crappy and mushy, not much good for boosting off :(

Good play time; would have been a good session to try some kite loop tricks but I was feeling like a real pussy today and just couldn't commit. Did some spiffy rotations though.

90 minute session, then the wind dropped and didn't come back. So I got a soggy kite to deal with tomorrow but it was worth it.

---

Weather was reported as 19 falling to 13 knots; gusts to 28. 15˚C at 92% and 2 to 5mm of rain.
Wind felt like just powered to underpowered but getting back to my start, before just giving up.

What I learned today...

• I don't have a tow point to attach the SurfSafe too...?!?
• Need to suck it up.

You chose... wisely.

Good forecast, wind was better... lots of running around getting a babysitter and it meant I had to cut my session short to go back, but at least I got some time on the water.

Started off lightish and I hummed and barred about whether or not to go with the 19 and cross my fingers that it doesn't pick up too much... go with the Psycho4 19.

Was light but riding fine. Fun with stunts... wind picked up and it became more of a huck-fest, but the Psycho is just so powerful that I got pulled off my edge unless I was careful - a few lo-ooong low floats across the lake resulted.

Could have stayed for another couple of hours easy... would have had to swap kites though.

---

Mood of the session was ohh? ohh! ooooh!

Weather was reported as 10 to 18 knots, gusts to 22; 16˚C at 49%.
Wind felt like... well, slightly underpowered but going upwind ok, to rethinking the 19 in favor of a smaller faster, more fun kite.

What I learned today was...

• Need to tickle up the Psycho4 - bar and bridles.
• M-U-S-T sort out the Speeds!!!
• Love the Limited!
• Loops on the Psycho - lift and pull OMG!

I didn't set up the 10m.

Forecast looked good. Got the chores done then went down the lake. Miyachi watched the little guy and I went out...

Took the 10m and 7m to the lake as there were gusts blowing sand around. Thought about setting up the 10m...

Thank Jesus! I didn't set up the 10m.

As I was about to start pumping the 7m, I heard a "Help-u me" from behind and turned to see  Niki-san sliding towards me with his kite at the zenith, horribly over-powered. I grabbed the back of his harness and we walked/levitated back up the beach so he could dig himself into the sand and lower the kite to land it.

An auspicious start! Went out on the 7m and it was ok for a while, then it dropped, then it picked up.

Thank Jesus! I didn't set up the 10m.

Yeah, so, at first I had a hard time getting the big air but then I dialed in the board and kite and... yeah, fuckin' whee! That was good for a while then the wind picked up some more and gets gusty with it... start getting dropped and missing landings - need to learn - sorry man-up - to loop it.

Had to go to work so I came in after 90 minutes... long hard 90 minutes though!

---

Weather was reported as 14 to 12 to 15 knots (LOL) with gusts to 28 (at least); 13˚C at 68%.
Wind felt like 25 knots dropping to 20, gusts to more than 30. The last 20 minutes were pushing the 7m over its limit... awesome! So it was WOOHOO for 20 minutes, Hohum for 10, AWW YEEAAAAH for 30 and OMFG for the last 20.

What I learned today...

• I probably could do with a 5m.
• Thank Jesus! I didn't set up the 10m.
• Should have taken the Mako with me, but the Limited did well in the waves anyway.
• Need to learn how to loop.
• Thank Jesus!

Winter blast brings frozen face

Forecast looked cracking, wind looked good, got to the lake and... lame, it's dropped. Take my 13m over to the lake and as I'm setting up I think Hmm, maybe the 10m but by the time I launch it's dropped again.

Up and down all afternoon. Had a few big smiles from massive long glides in the gusts but otherwise the wind was up n' down the whole time.

Weather reported as 14-18-14-12 knots, gusts to 36 (!) 6˚C at 75%.
Wind felt like a little over-powered, a little nicely powered, a lot of under powered.

What I learned today...

• It was damn cold. I thought my face had frozen at one point... but the rest of me was fine!
• Need to work out how best to boost off the Limited in the choppy water...

Psych!

Forecast was awesome, and the first 30 seconds I was worried the 10 would be too big... nope.

Back home to the lully crap

Forecast looked kickin' so I was hoping to get out on my new Limited for some whoopee... was looking grand when I arrived and lasted right until I set up and launched. Dang.

Tried to get out on the Dialer but I just couldn't ride the thing... got the Flydoor... equally slow and draggy feeling. A quicker on the Limited... yeah, just a tad less low end.

Reorganize the gear depo on the beach. Ditch the Dialer and get the S3 12.

Well, whaddya know? Foils for the win again. Cruise around some then pop a jump and well I can see how That Other Kite is making it look easy. A more intense session concentrating on the kite skills to make the most of the light wind but I had a pretty good time...

The Limited shines on the lake too. Slices through the chop and reengages the edge instantly. Responsive but not harsh at all. What a fantastic bit of kit!

---

Weather was reported as 15 to 10 knots, 11˚C at 65%.
Wind felt like I should have been riding upwind easier considering the jumps but perhaps that's because foil.

What I learned today...

• I forgot how to ride a directional :o
• Speed3... what a kite!
• Limited... OMFG what a board!
• That sunblock from the skin doctor is fucking shit. I'm sunburned now >:(

But... the forecast was the same as yesterday!

Got skunked as the wind dropped while trying to ride the Nitro and then the Flite. Had a nice chat to Brendan, who turned up and set up but wisely, didn't bother...

Vanguard really is a fantastic board...!

Good show, old chap

It was that kind of forecast again, and there was wind in thw , ever so slightly in the morning and that meant, last time, that a good day would follow.

And so it was. Put on a good show for Dad, who came to watch and had a good time myself.

Wind was a bit up and down so it was a mixed bag of boosts and attempts at stunts... but it was a hoot.

Eventually I pushed my luck with a poorly timed loop transition and managed to land with my board square to the wind, digging the toe side edge and face planting with a goodly power in the kite... thought I'd taken the skin off my face I hit the water so fast :o and now ( the next day) my neck is stiff and sore :(

Weather was reported as 19 knots...

Oh please... please...

Same as yesterday, except less wind. The most exciting things that happened was the topless hippy chick sunbathing in the dunes, the hottie jiggling sorry jogging in a bikini, and the accidental dog fight.

Sigh...

Weather was reported as 20kph at 18˚C.
Wind felt like way underpowered to just riding. Yawn.

What I learned today...

• 3m extensions on the Flite actually make a difference, but the bottom end isn't improved by much. Definite must have in the kite though... now, where to buy.
• I need help with my addiction.

Other end of the scale

Desperate for a ride, I went to South Beach and set up the Nitro3 to test the low end.

Was interesting, but wasn't a lot of fun. Put in 3 hours of riding the flattest water between the widest breaks in the waves, then walking out a bit, then riding again.

Now, if I can just get the Nitro out in the wind it was designed for...

---

Weather was reported as 18kph.
Wind felt like underpowered (duh) to almost powered in the "gusts".

What I learned today...

• Shortening the rear lines on the Nitro by an inch improved the feel at the bar and got some grunt into it, without losing the upwind ability. Don't forget to remove that knot!
• Really responds well to being worked and building the apparent wind... shame the water isn't co-operating...
• Popped a few jumps - pretty impressed how well up it goes despite the lack of wind, and how easy it is to time the redirects. Good jumping kite... wonder if it would have gone absolutely mental with the tuned line at Waikuku.

Nitro at Waikuku

Due to circumstances, I had to use a different part of the beach than usual - Waikuku :o there's an estuary there that the .kml file said was usable at all tides but that's horseshit. So the beach was the only option til the tide came up.

Wind looked light for the guys on 10m kites, so I thought I could get away with the Nitro v3 14m on it's first run, with the small Vanguard... pumped up in a protected area behind the dunes and carried the kite out to launch on the beach. Would have been easier to fly the kite there :-/

Easy launch, feels like I got some power so should be good to go... head out to the water, start fine and - yikes, that's a big wave! Bit of a battle getting out through the breakers; got knocked off once, dropped over a wave and fell over... nearly had the kite tumbled by a wave when I dropped it on the water.

God, it's gnarly out here! The choppiest and sharpest breaking waves I've ever encountered. I get out the back but I'm just mowing the lawn. Boosts are bit lame but it's interesting to try out the Nitro.

Get sick of riding back n' forth and notice there's a kite out on the estuary now, so I head over there. Walk over the spit and jump in...

Better. Flatter water, bigger boosts but the kite... well, I guess it's over-powered. Nothing fancy, cos the water is only a foot or so deep :o

After a while, the wind suddenly drops and the other 3 locals make a bee-line for the set up point so I follow them in...

Not bad, I guess but I'd have had more fun on the Mako, playing in the waves.

---

Weather was reported as 30kph at 4pm, 20˚C.
Wind felt like I dunno... the trim was never touched on the Nitro and I never felt over-powered but I wasn't working the kite hard.

What I learned today...

• Vanguard - god-like. No issues with the chop and slop waves, no bogging or sinking even with the new kite I wasn't used to. Great planing when the wind died too... just a fantastic board.

Thoughts on the Nitro 3 14m

• Wind range seems great.
•  Boosts and floats as well as the XBows, although today the XB would probably have been a more violent rip off the water.
• Flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flap flappity flap.
• Folded a wind tip, while loading a down loop :(
• Bit vague through the bar, and doesn't like being told to turn when sheeted out.
• Might be something to do with the light bar pressure.
• Really flies of the front lines, eh Eppo.
• Very short run in light wind - seems to have a great bottom end.
• Need to try it when it's not horrendously over-powered.

Fancy-schmancy, look at me...

Another day of hitting the estuary in time for the tide. Wind was almost as good as yesterday, to start out with, but fell off and continued to do so all afternoon, until at about the 3 hour mark I had to work the kite... but still got back to my starting point!

So the boosts were just meh and I started to do some rotations... getting back in the groove, as it were. A few fails, noticeably trying to do multiples when the wind wasn't strong, but no slams as bad as jumping out of straps... BOOM! the mud goes flying.

Another great day, really satisfying to get back into the air style... just wish I could reach my feet :o

---

Weather was reported as 24kph falling to 20, at 21˚C.
Wind felt like almost over-powered falling to having to work the kite... but still getting back up wind enough. Damn, that's a good board!

What I learned today...

• It's so weird to be on the same size kite - or smaller! - as everyone else.
• Bottom end of the Vanguard seems to be pretty darn good... so hard to tell eh. I mean, I'm working the kite and don't have the power to actually complete any tricks, but I can still get back to my starting point. I'm sure the "flat" water helps... although I wonder what effect the in-going/out-going tide has...
• Using a flatter board to boost from ensures you don't jam the edge and get ripped off the board... and you seem to go higher. I'm still getting used to boosting off flat water... certainly much easier to go higher from a "kicker".
• There was one more thing that kept popping into my head but now I've forgotten...

Straight jackin'!

Got to the estuary before the tide peaked - skillful work on my part! Wind is doing it's thing, feels good. VERY gusty and gnarly on the launch site...

But once on the water it's a huck-fest... for the next 3 hours. Nothing fancy, just boost and glide and enjoy the view!

Spot who I thought was Adrian out on the water, also doing the boost... when he parked up, I took a break and had a chat.

Most boosts successful... now I'm feeling battered but happy ;)

---

Weather was reported as 43kph and falling... are they sure it's not actually knots? Max of 20˚C.
Wind felt like woohaa!

What I learned today...

• Yes if you redirect too soon you can send the kite back a little and recover your glide.
• Today wouldn't have been possible without a seat harness... guess there's still room for one in my gear pile.
• There's never a camera around when you want one...

Toys galore!

Same plan - if there's any wind, hit the estuary at high tide. There is some, but it looks like 17m weather. Called Adrian at Axis before I hit the water and he said he was busy but come and pick some boards up from his house... on it!

So we get talking and showing off the wares and I have to turn down some boards cos I don't have space in the car... but wave mutant thing, I'll be back for you. I set of with a Vanguard 137x42, Ultra 144x45 and a prototype light wind thing slightly larger than the Ultra.

Back to the estuary... wind is up a bit, should be fine on the 13m. Head off with the Vanguard to see how a small board goes in ok wind.

Well... I love it! Spray is pretty much nil, bottom end is actually pretty good for such a small board. Carves nice, goes edge-to-edge quick and sticks like shit on a blanket, pops happily and yes the funky channels actually work.

Can't remember the sequence of gear, but I changed kites and boards - 10m and the Ultra I ended up finishing my session with. Greatly prefer the Vanguard I think, probably due to the size and smoothness of the edge... the Ultra feels more draggy and locked on the edge like the Flydoor with the fin.... didn't stop me riding it for another hour or so.

Got a few ok jumps and one nice elevator ride... had a lot of fun but still not back in the groove.

---

Weather was reported as up to 31kph from the NE. LOL again.
Wind felt like slightly over-powered on the 13 to fine on the 10 dropping to slightly underpowered.

What I learned today...

• Where to begin :o
• Vanguard will be my next board for sure!
• The straps and pads... money!
• Carbon - you sexy beast!
• Adrian is my new bestest friend...

10m weather... crikey!

Determined to get out to the estuary at high tide and just wait for the wind... Nice sunny day and whaddyaknow, the wind is coming! From the best direction, even...

Start out on the 13m but soon I'm more powered than I'm comfy with so I change it out for the 10m. Good move... lots of fun! Not up to best standard but had a nice time.

When I was driving away, I got a call from Adrian of Axis setting up a meet. Haul ass back to the estuary... very nice to meet him and eye up his boards...

Weather was reported as 30kph i.e., about 18 knots. LOL!
Wind felt like comfortably powered on 10m, whatever that is :o

What I learned today....

• Should've had my seat harness with me.
• Need to work on my rotations.
• Gotta get a SurfLock :o

Back on The Big Stinky

Itching to get on the water, I headed out to the Estuary for high tide, regardless of the forecast. Looked ok, and the other guy there headed out so I thought I'd back him up. We did ok for a 1/2 hour of lame lawn mowing then it got gusty and shifty.

I gave up, he kept trying with lots of kites falling out of the sky.

Naturally, as we'd just finished loading our cars, the wind picked up from the NE... and I'm beginning to regret not going out again cos it looks like it's still blowing :(

---

Wind felt like 15 knots dropping to 10, lulls to nothing.

What I learned today...

• Flat water much good. Bottom end so drop.
• Jumping more difficult... but load n' pops go big.
• Sun is terribly strong - feeling burnt through my hat :o
• SunDog glasses are the goods - so like!
• The bottom is less gooey and dirty - your feet don't come up with black mud stuck all over them... but it's still squelchy.
• Launching on grass is a bit rough - you really shouldn't slide as the kite powers into the sky :o

A nice send-off

Forecast looked grand, lots of red arrows. Got to the lake and had a hard time deciding between 10m and 13m... went with the 10 and the Flydoor and the Origin.

Went out first on the Origin and it was fine. Then the wind dropped and I grabbed the Flydoor... urgh, that felt so wrong. I wonder if that center fin should be removed!

Came in for a break and took the Flydoor back and got the Dialer, but the wind had picked up so I went back out on the Origin. Wind is still iffy, and everyone else gives up... just as the wind picks up :D have some good fun then!

Very bloody tired after 3 hours on the water... no wonder I can barely move my legs. Next session will be in NZ... although the forecast looks like crap there :(

---

Weather was reported as 17 to 20 knots then falling to 14, gusts no more than 40 and that was at midnight; 7.5˚C at 52%.
Wind felt like meh powered to giggles powered.

What I learned today...

• Many different ways how not to set up a boost... thankfully, I didn't get spanked on any of them but came down hard on my bad ankle once. Ouchie.

Some is better than none!

So, the forecast was for yellow in Hikone and blue in Otsu.. that means we'd probably get lighter wind here. Looked ok on the web cam and when I arrived, but when I put the kite up and got on the water it was all show and no go.

Dicked around for a while, got some runs in and did some floating around waiting. It was ok - better than sitting around at home...

---

Weather was reported as 9-12 knots, gusts to 26 at 5am so not real useful that eh; 7˚C at 48% - jeez, it's like summer!
Wind felt like just powered 45%, barely or not powered 50%, maybe-I-need-the-Origin-after-all 5%.

What I learned today...

• The Regular S3 12 is actually pretty good too... and I'm now confident again in using such a small kite. Well, for now...
• Like a regular kite, I don't like being over-powered on the Dialer and so far my zone of comfort is pretty narrow on the board... the Speed3 of course builds apparent wind nicely when looped but that can get quite gnarly in the gusts.
• S3 12 seems to do ok for me on the directional... when the wind was enough to be powered, it floated ok-ish without deforming and the power came back on nicely when just sheeting in - better than the XB? Turned ok too - the ol' stall, rotate and zoom out the other style.
• I have gone WAY backwards at getting up on the board :o man-oh-man, what a kook.
• Fast n' ugly footwork is more effective than slow and perfect, in the gybes...

Better 'n yesterday and the snow wasn't so bad at all

So, the wind is up again. Looks like the same as yesterday...

Unbelievably, the Whale Scrot is dry :o so it's warm getting into that. Go with the 13 again, and the waist harness. Seem to have more power than yesterday but the waist is bugging me...

No fun boosts, some nice rotations but the waves are nice so I opt for the Dialer... long ol' session on that boy, trying to figure out how to do the nice carves. "Waves" were really nice and clean all along the beach... loverly!

Had a hard time with gybes and switching feet but nailed almost every switch to toe-side then carve... weird.

Snow poked me in the eyes a few times but it didn't stick around for long. 2.5 hour session - not bad!

---

Weather was reported as 14 to 16 knots, gusts to 26. 3˚C at 55%.
Wind felt like ok powered on the Origin to slightly over-powered on the Dialer.

What I learned today...

• Probably better to use a smaller kite and be fully trimmed for max AoA than a bigger kite and trimmed in... loose too much steering input it seems.
• I can carve heel to toe much better and constantly on my goofy side :o WTF is up with that?
• Really need to learn how to start to the right as well as I can to the left...
• Even with the holes, I like the WorkMan gloves more but my hands are still worn out :) happy.

Not bad. Not great though...

Good forecast, slightly not living up to the hype.

Rode the Origin ok and had a play on the Dialer but wasn't really feeling it. Did a lot of rotations for some reason...

Wind was cross-on from the NW and I ended up over the "windsurfer side" of the river... had a little fun popping over the river wall.

Switched boards a lot to make the most of the wind... really tired now. Not a bad session eh.

---

Weather was reported as 14 to 15 knots; gusts to 30 at 2am (bah!) at 5.7˚C and 71%.
Wind felt like ok powered lulling to just riding with gusts to mmm ok.

What I learned today...

• Those XCEL gloves are warm but wa-aay too thick - can barely bend my fingers in them, nor now - forearms were burning and now are non-responsive... the $9 WorkMan gloves are better :o
• Put the Sprint2/Boston/whatever-the-heck-it's-called valve in the 13 - easy enough job - and it's even better than the original!
• Threads are a bit stiff... wonder if they're just a tad off but snug is good and it held air good. No sign of damage that I can see.
• There's a way to turn the Dialer that feels like a real sharp carve on a TT but doesn't require a lot of weight on my bad ankle.
• Need some repairs to the Impervious...