North Kite-Off, Like Dereck Zoolander rolling out the blue steel
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
For the first time ever, the international teamriders of North Kiteboarding are competing against each other. The battle takes place on the World Wide Web, where you can cast your vote on www.northkites.com in the categories “Best Clip” and “Best Performance”.
Just surf through our selection of clips and decide who are the hottest riders. Are you more impressed by the performance of our toughest contest riders the likes of Cesar Portas or Mallory dela Villemarqué, or do you succumb to the charms of Angela Peral or Ania Grzelinska? If you like waveriding, you will probably vote for Jaime Herraiz or Sky Solbach or support our French Connection Charles Deleau or Jérémie Eloy.
But not only the riders can win, North has a whole shelf of great prizes waiting for the voters as well!
1. Prize: a kite of your choice
2.-5. Prize: a pro model of your choice
6.-10. Prize: a pro rider T-shirt of your choice
Blade Kitesurf Tour
2007 US DEMO TOUR
| Date | Day | Location |
| May 30, 2007 | Wednesday | San Francisco Bay Area - 3rd Ave |
| May 31, 2007 | Thursday | San Francisco Bay Area - Alameda |
| June 2, 2007 | Saturday | Pismo Beach California |
| June 3, 2007 | Sunday | Los Angeles - Sunset Beach Kitebording Etc. |
| June 4, 2007 | Monday | Los Angeles - Sunset Beach Kitebording Etc. |
| June 6, 2007 | Wednesday | Miami - Watersports West |
| June 7, 2007 | Thursday | Miami Area |
| June 9, 2007 | Saturday | Cocoa Beach Florida |
| June 10, 2007 | Sunday | Cocoa Beach Florida |
| June 12, 2007 | Tuesday | Wilmington NC |
| June 13, 2007 | Wednesday | Wilmington NC |
| June 14, 2007 | Thursday | Hatteras |
| June 16, 2007 | Saturday | East of Maui |
| June 17, 2007 | Sunday | East of Maui |
| June 18, 2007 | Monday | New Jersay |
Blade Kiteboarding is excited to announce its’ first US demo tour, set to begin at the end of the month.
Blade’s International Team rider Will James will be on hand to show off the new Vertigo Hybrid and Beast flat kites, as well as the 2007 board range.
Says Will, “The tour will begin in Northern California Monday the 28th, hitting the best spots around the bay area before working down the PCH over the course of the week- all the way to Los Angeles. Then it’s over to Florida on the 5th where we’ll be road tripping all the way up to New Jersey until the 13th of June.”
“This is a great opportunity to allow shop owners and the public to try out the 2007 line of kites and boards, Blade’s products are virtually unknown here in the US,” adds Will, “But that’s all about to change.
We know once people are able to get the gear in their hands and experience the performance and see the quality of the Blade Product line they’ll be really excited with the brand.”
Sicily Kite Competition
http://www.kiteworldfestival.com/
Prize Money: Over $45,000. USD
Dates: PKRA 2007 World Cup Event: May 29 - June 3
Event organizer: Slide Sport Diffusion - freestyle co.-
tel +39 340 7157244 info@kiteworldfestival.com
Disciplines: Freestyle
Entry Fee 105.00 Euro pre-registration. Additional 25.00 Euro for late registration.
Pre-Registration: Due to time constrains we will be limiting the registration to 48 men and 24 women, including the trials. Priority will be given to riders with the most and best international experience. All riders including pre-qualified riders need to pre-register fro the event.
How to get there: Flay or Boat
Airport to Site: Trapani or Palermo
Accommodations
Water conditions: From flat water up to 2-4 m waves, temperature 23° to 24° Celsius
Wind conditions: 4-6 Beaufort sideshore
Labels: Competition, Italy
Cabrinha Race Series Results - Race 1
It Blows for the 2007 Cabrinha Race Series
After having the first two race evenings canceled due to poor conditions, the third time was the charm. Crissy Field greeted the racers with 20-35 miles per
hour wind and with up to 5ft swell rolling through the Gate. Standing on the beach and deciding what kite to rig turned out to be a difficult but critical call . Racers were rigging from 6 meters to 13 meters, with most finally deciding on 7-10m kites.
The conditions were extreme even for Crissy. The swell and the strong wind made for a very tough racing. The starts were just as difficult as the conditions, as half the fleet started on starboard while the other half on port.
There were four races with 32 riders, and for the first time a triangle course was introduced (windward, reaching, leeward). Last years champion, Anthony Chavez (Naish) and Cabrinha’s Jeff Kafka resumed their 2006 battle by leading the pack in the first 2 races but were DSQ’d as they rounded the wrong reaching mark which put them out of contention for the evening. Incidentally, Kafka finished with a first in races 3 and 4 with Chavez a 2 and 3, putting them in 10th place and 12th place at the end of the day. With them out of the way, the battle was for the first three places was between Cabrinha’s Richman brothers and local Stefaans Viljoen (SS). In the end, Viljoen came out on top with 13 pts (3,2,3,5). Jesse Richman finished 2nd with 14 pts (1,1,10, 2) and Shawn Richman 3rd with 20 pts (2,9,5,4).
Another highlight of the evening, Chip Wasson introduced a foil board to closed course kite racing. Chip finished a respectable 5th. In talking with Chip he indicated that he is using a smaller foil and shorter shaft than normal, and kite size is critical. He used an 11m which was too much power for the board and kept driving the board into the water loosing the advantage of the foil. Chip indicated he should have gone with the 7m which he had also rigged.
The Cabrinha Race Series is sponsored by Ozone Travel, Adventure Sports Miami, and Adventure Sports, Inc., and hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club.
Labels: Cabrinha, Competition
ASNews Podcast #77
Podcast #77: Asnews.net this week interviews pro rider Will James, the new spokesperson and face of Blade Kiteboarding in North America. Will is one of the early kiteboarding pioneers whose name, image and riding shots have appeared in virtually every kiteboard magazine worldwide. Passionate about the surf side of the sport from the beginning, Will just launched Blade’s US Demo tour in San Francisco this Monday, May 28, and will be touring both coasts through the end of June demoing Blade kites and boards for shops and riders. Got a question for Will about Blade Kiteboarding and their 07 lineup? Catch up with Will real time this Thursday during the LIVE interview. When: Thursday, May 31, 2007 Time: 6p PST, 8p Central, 9p EST, super early for Europe! Where: http://cherrytap.com/lounge.php?l=1293 If you can't join the live broadcast, you can post your questions here and we will ask them for you. You can then download the interview at www.thekiteboarder.com, www.asnews.net, www.itunes.com, www.kiteforum.tv or any one of the top podcasting portal websites. The deadline to post questions is this Thursday, May 31, 4:30pm PST. |
Labels: podcast
Arno Video
Friday, May 25, 2007
ASnews PODCAST #76" Shaper Dereck Camacho
ASnews PODCAST #76!
Asnews Interviews Board Shaper Dereck Camacho
Dereck Camacho was born in Trinidad, grew up and Singapore and Hawaii, and lived in Antigua and Barbados before finally settling down in Florida. He is the founder of Kitescoop.com and started shaping surf and windsurf boards in college. He got hooked on kiting after seeing Dre and the rest of the local Antigua crew having a blast in wind conditions he couldn’t even go out in with his windsurfing gear. Dereck started shaping kiteboards about five years ago as he was too cheap to buy a production board to learn on when he didn’t even know what kind of board he needed.
Today, Dereck owns DC Custom Boards which offers custom kite, wind and surf boards. He caters to riders that want a little bit extra out of their equipment, focusing on details that stoke one rider at a time. He has also been working with Paul Menta of The Kite House and Kent Marinkovic of Adventures Sports (Neilpryde, Cabrinha) on new course and speed racing shapes and designs to help give them a competitive edge. Got a question for Dereck about board shapes and what works best for flat water, choppy conditions, wave riding or course racing? Join the live interview and discussion this Thursday night! •
When: Thursday, May 24, 2007 • Time: 6p PST, 8p Central, 9p EST, super early for Europe! • Where: http://cherrytap.com/lounge.php?l=1293
If you can't join the live broadcast, you can post your questions here and we will ask them for you. You can then download the interview at http://www.thekiteboarder.com/, http://www.asnews.net/, http://www.itunes.com/, http://www.kiteforum.tv/ or any one of the top podcasting portal websites.
Una Vida Training
The name of the company is Una Vida kiteboarding (One life in English) because one life is all we've got and there's not time too waste.We will follow similar programs of what we've been using to train our international team, with a physical trainer, video analysis and visualization exercises, all to make our customers progression a fun and entertaining road so they can get the best out of their time on the water in any situation.We will have North gear for all of them to try and we'll even have prototype equipment lying around so they can throw their 50cnts on our development progress.We will do our first public event in Elgouna (Egypt) right after the Young Blood event from July 21st to July 25th and from July 27th to July 31st.
Please send inquiries to info@unavidakiteboarding.com
We are also building our Heart quarters in Brazil. We will do the official opening next fall. Make sure to check www.unavidakiteboarding.com
where updated information can be found.With Best RegardsJaime Herraiz
Double up your kites for Action on Light Wind Days: Ze Germans Go Wild
Monday, May 21, 2007Dual Kite Action: Ze Germans Go Wild
Google Translated:
The Özi Hubert (approx. 90kg/190cm) made it for us forwards. The wind schwächelte this day to the Kitestation Peter Müller in the Soma Bay. There also the largest Kites (21 m/2) did not help to slip over reasonably into to come. Thus he tinkered himself a mega+ Kite monster together. To its bar with 25m linen length it hung its Slingshot Fuel 17m/2. With 6m linen extensions it attached behind it its Airrush 21 m/2. 38m/2 at the Trapetzhacken! Afterwards it instructed two aids like the Kite to start and lands would be. I boat it my Door (there approx. 5-6kn and 38°C hot air have as well known no pressure), but he took its board on to 145 he, since the smaller board would be sufficient. Actually it had powerful course and was approx. one hour on the open sea kiten!!!!
As it back was boat it on the other present Kitern to fly the monster also times. None dared however (with Wässerung 100%tig not restartable! ). It was probably already repeatedly on Austrias lakes with the monster on the way. COURAGEOUSLY COURAGEOUSLY Hubert! A p r i l 2 0 0 7 Century weather in April gives many sun and summer temperatures to us and K E I N E N W I N D! With us 8 was announced it kn and ballerte then nevertheless only with 4-5 kn. Geierkiter could do only phasenweise with the 17er versus and the door in slips to come, without being able to hold the height. If nothing more goes, then must be gone more radical ways, Thus inflated I mean 16 CB and the 12CB and hung both Kites to my 9 it omega bar. The linen have after 20m a tying possibility.
To the original extension of 5m the CB16 was hung, among them the 12CB. Geierkiter made itself available as a test driver without however for any damage to be responsible to want, loosely baumeln persisted nevertheless on the starting attempt. Highly with the bird! The 28 m/2 Bowkonstruktion with the klassichen Russian start started. Courageously, courageously Geierkiter! But a baking LINE of the 16erCB unfortunately did not impose itself to 12 CB and the kit construction in was correctly controllable therefore. Thus again down. By the short linen construction the 12 CB and the 16CB linen was unfortunately somewhat too broad could impose itself in the ears. Thus, then evenly changes on 25 m/2 Bowminimonster. Instead of the 12CB I hung then the 9CB purely. Starting attempt and ......? It functions! The Monsterkite is controllable, depowerbar and has more pressure than the 17 it versus! Thus in the future kiten starting from 4kn! Hubert, hereby I provoke you to the ultimative low wind race duel. Mega C Monsterkite against mega Bow Monsterkit
New Underground Footstraps
Underground Kiteboards are stoked to release their completely re-designed footstrap and footpad system, which we believe are a massive step forward. The totally integrated footpad and strap is the result of a complete re-think of the traditional foot to board connection. Director Adrian Roper: “We studied all the footstrap solutions on the market, looked at their shortcomings, then started from scratch to produce a fresh system designed for today’s riders”.
The process took 8 months and the resulting product offers versatility, increased comfort, safety and support, superior impact absorption, ‘hoof-proof’ strength and above all good looks. Underground’s unique thermoformed footpad is a pleasure to stand on and the shark skin surface texture provides superior grip with a raised toe bar and ergonomic heel arch. The shape of the footstrap has been refined and the double neoprene construction offers a top layer of comfort with a solid feel. Standard Velcro adjusters allow a custom fit.
The real beauty of the integrated system is in the retainers which fasten the strap’s stainless steel D rings through the pad at 90 degrees to the board. Made from injection molded plastic with stainless steel inserts the retainers offer width micro-adjustment and multiple stance positions even on boards with only two inserts per foot. These are easily screwed down using a Phillips driver and once attached, there are no sharp edges anywhere in the system to catch the rider’s feet. Most riders will slip straight into the standard size strap, however small and large strap sizes are available on request to suit those with smaller or larger than average feet or boots. Watch for these slick new footstrap / pad packs shipping with the latest Underground boards, together with improved grab handles and the popular board rail grab bars. All accessories can be ordered through your Underground dealer as separate items for retro-fitting to your favorite board.
Labels: board, Underground
Windcatchers do some good
The first WC Moving@BEACH happened last May 5th, in Nova Vaga kitebeach atCosta Caparica, Lisbon.The purpose of this activity was to give a different day to 30 kids,letting them have the first touch in kitesurfing, which in any other waywould hardly exist.
It was a success!Lots of smiles and laughs showed the gratefulness to all the volunteers that joined Wind Catchers in this initiative.Despite the relaxed way we handled this day, it was prepared with muchdedication and care, so that all the logistic and human resources wereready when the 30 anxious kids invade the beach!
From the paramedic to the afternoon snacks, everything was carefullyhandled by the organization and the volunteers that gathered this sharingmovement!This Saturday is registered with some pictures and a video clip at http://www.windcatchers.org/, a day that will be hardly forgotten by the kids andall the participating riders!The Wind Catchers thank for all the support, and promise a new WCMoving@BEACH further North ;)
Labels: Kite-related
SF Kitesurfing Trip to Brazil
Kite Adventures would like to offer the SF kiting community a custom 10-Day tour spanning 300 km of coastline in the northeast of Brazil. The dates are: November 18-27, 2007. This trip would be reserved entirely for members of SF kiting community, giving you guys the opportunity to kite together in the most amazing kite destination in the world. The wind in this region blows a steady 18-30 knots everyday from July through January. Dave and I will be there as well, so we are totally psyched to kite with you in Brazil!
We take you kiting, traveling most of the coast by beach, and downwinding many stretches with 4x4 or dune buggy support following along on the beach for safety. We begin the tour in Cumbuco, and over the next 10 days continue on to Paracuru, eventually arriving in Jericoacoara. Cumbuco is a hip little fishing village that's famous for the flat-water Cauipe lagoon. After 2 nights in Cumbuco, we downwind to Paracuru for the next 3 nights, which is the best spot for both flat water and waves. At low tide, the bay is protected by a reef so you can kite both flat water on the inside, and big breaking waves out on the reef. During our journey to Jericoacoara, we cross river mouths by raft, and doing downwinders along the way. Jericoacoara is a magical little oasis built on the sand in the middle of a national reserve, surrounded by massive sand dunes. All the streets are made of sand, and the only way to access the town by driving 12km along the beach, or driving up and over the dunes. We'll spend the next 4 nights here, and take you in dune buggies to kite during the day, enjoying some of the best downwinders in all of Brazil. When the tour is over, we return you to Cumbuco/Fortaleza.
We design our tours so it's the perfect combination of kiting, nightlife and as much Brazilian sun as you can handle! We help you maximize your kiting time in Brazil, taking full advantage of all the best the region has to offer, with a minimum amount of hassle. You literally just show up and kite, and we take care of the rest. We bring you to the best spots at the right time for the current wind and tide conditions, and facilitate guided, safety-supported downwinders that would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to arrange on your own. Most of our customers liken what we offer to heli-skiing.
At the end of the tour, some of our customers report that they think they kited nearly as much as they had in an entire season. Most report that their kiteboarding skills had improved substantially simply from having wind all the time, and the ability to kite as much as they wanted during the trip.
See what our past customers have to say about their experience:
http://www.kiteadventures.com/index.php?page=/testimonials.html
Video: Kite Adventures Brazil (link to http://www.kiteadventures.com/videoPlayer.php?type=mov&file=ka_small002.mov&width=320&height=240)
We’d like to get your opinion of kites you’d all be interested in demoing and/or if there’s someone here (Civvy?) that would like to come down and handle the demo on the tour. That is something we can try to work on. Also, we don't personally offer instruction, but this may be a great opportunity to also include an instructor from the area to provide advanced instruction during the tour. If some or all of the group is interested, we'd be happy to help coordinate the logistics for the instructor, but how the tour cost and instructor would be compensated should be agreed upon directly between the instructor and the group. For example, in the past we've had the people interested in instruction cover all or part of the instructor's trip cost as compensation, but exactly how that's handled is entirely up to the group.
We average about 4-5 hours of kiting per day, but you can kite as little or as much as you like! Brazil is an amazing country with lots of delicious food, culture and of course nightlife.
Our trips typically start on Sunday and end on a Tuesday. You are welcome to shorten it to a 7-Day and come back on a Saturday. However, The 7-Day trips skip Jericoacoara, which most people who've come on our trips tell us they couldn't imagine missing.
Image
The trip includes:
* All transfers to and from the airport
* Alberto, world class guide handles everything for you.
* 4x4 beach travel along coast, covering 10+ beaches
* Kite surfaris
* Accommodation in various pousadas (hotels)
* "Epic" Downwinders with safety support vehicles
* All breakfasts
Everything except lunch, dinner and entertainment.
The price is $1799*, if we fill it up with 10 kiters the price will be $1699 per person.
We have many dates on the calendar if T-Giving doesn't work for you.
*$40 extra per night if you want your own room.
It would be great to get a thread started, or you can email me: jessie@kiteadventures.com
Viva Brasil!
Labels: adventures, Brazil
Kite Powered Wind Generator
Scientists look high in the sky for power Jet stream could fill global energy needs, researchers say Scientists are eyeing the jet stream, an energy source that rages night and day, 365 days a year, just a few miles above our heads. If they can tap into its fierce winds, the world's entire electrical needs could be met, they say. The trick is figuring out how to harness the energy and get it down to the ground cost-effectively and safely. Dozens of researchers in California and around the world believe huge kite-like wind-power generators could be the solution. As bizarre as that might seem, respected experts say the idea is sound enough to justify further investigation. The jet stream typically blows from west to east 6 to 9 miles over the northern hemisphere at speeds up to 310 mph.
Labels: Kite-related
WakeKiting for those no wind days
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Product
The WakeKite Superfly 9.0 package comes complete with everything you need to get started – including the patent pending WakeKite carbon fiber handle, all necessary lines, the 9-square meter inflatable kite (constructed from heavyweight Dacron®), User Manual, Instructional DVD and more.
Combines Kiteboarding and Wakeboarding to create a new big-air experience behind the boat.
Innovative, inflatable kite design to be used with wakeboarding, water skiing and more.
Provides longer duration jumps and softer “reduced-gravity” landings.
Rider controls the kite flight and is in control throughout the ride.
With more time in the air – riders can invent new tricks never before possible.
The new sport of ‘wakekiting’ has a strong learning curve, requiring riders to master kite flying skills and wake approach timing to create bigger jumps.
Riders are recommended to be 135lbs. or heavier and of intermediate or above skill level on their riding craft of choice: water skis, wake board, kite board, etc.
Safety
Multiple safety features are designed into the WakeKite Superfly 9.0:
Shackle Release – In boat, to release main towline from the towboat.
Handle Release – When rider lets go, the handle releases from the towline.
Kite Line Releases – IF the kite is overloaded, the kite and kite lines will come loose from the handle and one or both kite line releases (re-loadable) are triggered.
Labels: Kite-related
California Kite Expo
The forecast looks excellent for this weekend's KiteXpo in Pismo Beach, CA.
Here are a few updates: We will have a bonfire on the beach Saturday night but NO
FORMAL/SPONSORED BBQ. We will also have a video screen/projector and sound to play some new DVDs. Bring your own BBQ's and food! We will have two kegs of beer:-) CONFIRMED ATTENDEES: Come test the new gear from BEST KITEBOARDING with Andy Hurdman and crew CABRINHA KITES wtih Steve Gunn, the Richman Brothers, and crew CAUTION with the Schiebel's and crew ECLIPSE KITES with Dmitri and crew FLEXIFOIL with Peter Trow, Jeoffrey Nathan and Billy Parker FLYSURFER with Ted Bautista and crew FONE with Bruce Johnson and Nico Ostermann LIQUID FORCE with Corky Cullen and crew OCEAN RODEO with Evan Stolz and crew OZONE KITES/CRAZY FLY BOARDS with Brian/Heather Schenck and crew PETER LYNN with Blake Pelton and crew
FORECAST:
FRI
NW WINDS 10 TO 20 KT.
WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. NW SWELL 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
FRI NIGHT
NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT.
WIND WAVES 3 TO 5 FT. NW SWELL 2 TO 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
SAT
NW WINDS 20 TO 30 KT.
WIND WAVES 4 TO 8 FT. NW SWELL 2 TO 3 FT. PATCHY FOG.
SUN
NW WINDS 20 TO 30 KT.
WIND WAVES 4 TO 8 FT. NW SWELL 5 TO 7 FT.
MON
NW WINDS 15 TO 25 KT.
WIND WAVES 3 TO 6 FT. NW SWELL 7 TO 9
FT. DIRECTIONS/LODGING INFO:
event info: http://xtremebigair.com/KiteXPO/
directions: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?ed=D2MToep_0TpIpIS3HQ--&csz=93449&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=
Labels: California, Competition
Shark Camo boards and Shark Camo Suit
I don't even know what to say about this one. Is this predicated on the Zebra herd principle, or the shark laughing so hard it will forget it's hungry? Anyone out at Stinson want to try that wetsuit? My treat.
Labels: Kite-related
The Kite Commute
Tuesday, May 15, 2007The Kite Commute
"For many people the daily rush hour commute is one of the worst parts of the day.
But for David Grimes, who simply sails past all the traffic, it is one of the best.
Every morning, instead of donning his suit and tie, the 37-year-old from Shoreham puts on his wetsuit and kitesurfs into the office.
He arrives, wet but exhilarated on Brighton beach, just in time for a quick change back into his smart clothes before sitting down at his desk for a day's work.
Mr Grimes said: "It's a great workout and it's a really fun way of getting to work. It certainly beats being stuck in the traffic.
"The wind we get here on the coast is predominantly south westerly so it takes me right along from Shoreham to Brighton in about the same time it would take me to drive, around half an hour."
Once he has ridden the waves to work Mr Grimes pulls up on a slipway south of Middle Street, Brighton, where he hauls all his equipment up the beach."
More after the Jump
Labels: adventures
Kiteworld #27 out now
A SERIES OF BRIEF TASTERS OF WHAT'S COMING UP IN KITEWORLD 27 OUT NOW…
“When testing boards I like to give riders of different abilities different boards without letting them know the performance characteristics expected from them. Interestingly, most of the time a rider will perform better on a board with less, but easy to access, performance, which leads me to my conclusion about ease of use outweighing performance in terms of importance.”MARK SHINN: MARK MY WORDS
“We did an article on him eight years before he ran for president. We hit it off instantly. However, within a few minutes of meeting at his holiday house in Nantucket the wind started to blow. We looked at each other and knew we were going to blow off the interview. Exactly the same happened the following day…Finally, I flew to Washington DC and we hid ourselves in the basement of the Senate Building and got the interview on tape.”WINDWING PRESIDENT, JOHN CHAO: HARD WORK
“You see, Felix Pivec is on a mission: not just to be the best, but to change what and how you ride; to improve the level of the average rider by providing a simple, clear example of what works and to back it up by being the best guy in the water, day in and day out. He has an almost religious faith in his equipment and technique as the future of wave riding with kites. The funny thing is that he just might be right.”JEFF PFEFFER: IN TRIM – A FELIX PIVEC PROFILE
“When you drive across the border, you hit Tijuana, and everything changes. We were in my truck but were pulling a wave runner and all kinds of other gear. It's always a little sketchy; you just want to be really careful. A lot of the road signs are unreliable – it’s hard even if you know where you’re going. You have to just keep moving, it's that kind of a white-knuckle experience.”PETER TROW: BETTER DAYS IN THE DIRTY SOUTH
“You should be riding with you bar out in front of you in the direction of travel. This will automatically help your body position and to lean correctly against the kite. If you use it for support, you’ll pull yourself up underneath the bar, and slide out onto your backside.”ADAM VON INS: ALL THE GEAR, NO IDEA?
“Perry glanced skyward in time to duck. The lines snagged in between the sandbags then looped again just as Perry did his best tuck ‘n’ roll, snatching a line then pouncing onto the canopy. The pilot (still on the other side of the sandbags) had no idea Perry was starfished on his kite. He was busy trying to fend off the sandbag that was pressing against his cheek whilst also tugging on a back line trying to figure out why his Crossbow hadn’t reappeared.”CHERYL HARRISON: CHERYL MEETS…THE NEXT GENERATION
“As I come through the bottom turn and up the wave, I start to move all the pressure to my back foot, but still maintain speed and continue looking over my shoulder throughout the turn. It's a really pivoting movement and you can see in shots two and three of the helicopter sequence just how much pressure I have to put on my back foot to get it round nice and tightly. You can do anything with speed and it’s absolutely essential here.”BEN WILSON: TURN AND FACE
“As a kite it definitely puts a smile on your face. You come in happy. The young lad that worked at the centre went out on it and was like, 'Wow.'”CHRIS BULL: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION KITE TEST
“When testing boards I like to give riders of different abilities different boards without letting them know the performance characteristics expected from them. Interestingly, most of the time a rider will perform better on a board with less, but easy to access, performance, which leads me to my conclusion about ease of use outweighing performance in terms of importance.”MARK SHINN: MARK MY WORDS
“We did an article on him eight years before he ran for president. We hit it off instantly. However, within a few minutes of meeting at his holiday house in Nantucket the wind started to blow. We looked at each other and knew we were going to blow off the interview. Exactly the same happened the following day…Finally, I flew to Washington DC and we hid ourselves in the basement of the Senate Building and got the interview on tape.”WINDWING PRESIDENT, JOHN CHAO: HARD WORK
“You see, Felix Pivec is on a mission: not just to be the best, but to change what and how you ride; to improve the level of the average rider by providing a simple, clear example of what works and to back it up by being the best guy in the water, day in and day out. He has an almost religious faith in his equipment and technique as the future of wave riding with kites. The funny thing is that he just might be right.”JEFF PFEFFER: IN TRIM – A FELIX PIVEC PROFILE
“When you drive across the border, you hit Tijuana, and everything changes. We were in my truck but were pulling a wave runner and all kinds of other gear. It's always a little sketchy; you just want to be really careful. A lot of the road signs are unreliable – it’s hard even if you know where you’re going. You have to just keep moving, it's that kind of a white-knuckle experience.”PETER TROW: BETTER DAYS IN THE DIRTY SOUTH
“You should be riding with you bar out in front of you in the direction of travel. This will automatically help your body position and to lean correctly against the kite. If you use it for support, you’ll pull yourself up underneath the bar, and slide out onto your backside.”ADAM VON INS: ALL THE GEAR, NO IDEA?
“Perry glanced skyward in time to duck. The lines snagged in between the sandbags then looped again just as Perry did his best tuck ‘n’ roll, snatching a line then pouncing onto the canopy. The pilot (still on the other side of the sandbags) had no idea Perry was starfished on his kite. He was busy trying to fend off the sandbag that was pressing against his cheek whilst also tugging on a back line trying to figure out why his Crossbow hadn’t reappeared.”CHERYL HARRISON: CHERYL MEETS…THE NEXT GENERATION
“As I come through the bottom turn and up the wave, I start to move all the pressure to my back foot, but still maintain speed and continue looking over my shoulder throughout the turn. It's a really pivoting movement and you can see in shots two and three of the helicopter sequence just how much pressure I have to put on my back foot to get it round nice and tightly. You can do anything with speed and it’s absolutely essential here.”BEN WILSON: TURN AND FACE
“As a kite it definitely puts a smile on your face. You come in happy. The young lad that worked at the centre went out on it and was like, 'Wow.'”CHRIS BULL: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION KITE TEST
Stormboarding Speed Rankings
Thursday, May 10, 2007Congratulations and thank you to everyone who participated this year.
The contest is now over and we would like to say a really big thank you to Peter Lynn, Ozone, Dakine, Himaya and Ultra Nectar for their support of the contest - excellent prizes have flown out all over the world to the lucky weekly winners since last December.
Nice work to the speedsters on White Bear Lake in Minnesota who took the top 3 spots overall: Mark Kedrowski (63.4mph), John Zietlow (63.1) and Joe Levins (62.3) and to Chris Krug from North Conway, NH for being the speediest on a Peter Lynn kite and winning a new Scorpion (58.4).
This was also a speedy year for women with our top speeds for the girls in the 3 years of this contest: Ylva Timner of Sweden (43.8) and Molly Savard of NH (43.1). A shout out to Seth Merriam as well for coming in with the second fastest snowboard speed we have seen in this contest (46.4).
See the whole and final list at: www.stormboarding.com/speedranking0607.html We hope to see all of you and more back for the fun for the 2007-2008 winter and wish you lots of sun and breeze until then.
Think spring, rzm www.stormboarding.com
Labels: Competition, Speed
Kitesurfing Cumbuco
www.kitesurfingcumbuco.com
We like to introduce the new Belgian Pousada in cumbuco.
New kiteschool see the website for prices and further info.New bar with tropical cocktails and things to eat.
Thanks to riders :Bjorn, Dries, Jezus, kristof ,Pie ,Tom ,Elder
Labels: Brazil
Island Odyssey off to Tonga
CINDY MOSEY ISLAND ODYSSEY VAVA'U
12 pro-riders & 16 amateursMounu Island Resort, Vava'u, Tonga13th -19th October 2007
The Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey is all set to take off in Vava'u, Tonga during October 2007.
A great new spot has been chosen in the Northern Islands of Tonga to make the most of the great South Pacific trades and the awesome whale watching and marine tourism.
Building on the success of last year, the world's top riders will be there competing for the biggest prize purse in women's kiting, and sharing their knowledge and skills with the free-riding amateur fleet.
Building on the success of last year, the world's top riders will be there competing for the biggest prize purse in women's kiting, and sharing their knowledge and skills with the free-riding amateur fleet.
he event itinerary is flexible to accommodate the varying tides and weather during the week.
Sat
Travel to Mounu
Free ride
Opening Ceremony
Sun
Clinics
Clinics
Games
Mon
Non-kiting activity *
Free ride / Event
Dinner
Tues
Non-kiting activity *
Event
Video Night
Wed
Non-kiting activity *
Event
Cultural Visit
Thurs
Clinics
Free ride
Dinner
Fri
Free ride
Non-kiting activity
Closing ceremony
Sat
Free ride - Travel to Mainland
* Non-kiting activities include: water caving, snorkeling, hiking, whale swimming, yoga, weaving, night snorkeling, manta-boarding
Travel to Mounu
Free ride
Opening Ceremony
Sun
Clinics
Clinics
Games
Mon
Non-kiting activity *
Free ride / Event
Dinner
Tues
Non-kiting activity *
Event
Video Night
Wed
Non-kiting activity *
Event
Cultural Visit
Thurs
Clinics
Free ride
Dinner
Fri
Free ride
Non-kiting activity
Closing ceremony
Sat
Free ride - Travel to Mainland
* Non-kiting activities include: water caving, snorkeling, hiking, whale swimming, yoga, weaving, night snorkeling, manta-boarding
Riders will be staying on board 38- 42ft Moorings Catamarans moored off the main beach at Mounu Island Resort. Each yacht will host 6 to 8 girls. Cabins are twin share. The yachts are fully equipped with 2 toilets, 2 hot showers and a skipper to show you the ropes. Meals will be in the restaurant at Mounu Resort.
All linen and towels will be provided so you just need to bring your beach towel and toiletries.
Transport to and from the catamarans will be in small rubber dinghies.
Additional accommodation is on Mounu Island in shared 4 person per fale. Each fale has toilet, hot shower and bed.
There are full bar facilities at the resort, so no need to bring beer or wine. You may want to bring some duty free though.
Getting There
Tonga is located in the South Pacific lying East of Fiji and South of Samoa. The main international airport is Fua'amotu International Airport on Tongatapu, close to the capital city Nukualofa. The Vava'u group of Islands, considered to be Tonga's sailing and whale watching centre, is a beautiful cluster of waterways and pristine, sparsely inhabited islets to the North of Tongatapu.
Participants should arrange their own flights to Tongatapu International Airport arriving no later than 11am on Friday 12th October. Domestic flights to Vava'u will be arranged by the event organizers. You will be available for international departures by 5.30pm on Saturday 20th October.
Participants should arrange their own flights to Tongatapu International Airport arriving no later than 11am on Friday 12th October. Domestic flights to Vava'u will be arranged by the event organizers. You will be available for international departures by 5.30pm on Saturday 20th October.
Air Pacific, Air New Zealand and Pacific Blue fly to Tonga. Flights go direct from New Zealand, Australia and via Fiji, or Samoa from U.S.A. Please note that you lose a day coming from the U.S.A and gain a day flying back to U.S.A so double check your landing dates to ensure you are in time for the event.
October is in the dry season with temperatures averaging 24C during the day and 20C at night. Water temperature is expected to be 26C.
Labels: adventures, Pacific
Snowkite expedition greenland 2007- 24h record
Snowkite expedition greenland 2007- 24h record
The Project:A first time ever crossing of Greeenlands Icecap with snowboard and kiteOur goal is to attempt an ice cap crossing for the first time ever with snowboard and kite, also called snowkiting, by hauling all the equipment in a pulka (sled).Also making a 24hours distance record on snowboard and kite on the icecap.
We will follow a new crossing route, starting from the southern tip of Greenland's icecap and heading north to one of the settlements on the West. Starting from the south gives us an opportunity to have more favourable winds and to go faster. The trip will take approximately 30-40 days, period departure august 2007
Ecological: through this expedition we believe that we have a unique opportunity to help raise awareness of the importance of wind and the energy that can be harnessed from this element. And of course the climate changes in Greenland and the effects on Europe.more info on the website http://www.firstdescents.eu/
Labels: adventures, greenland, snowkite
Save Shark Bay in South Africa
Hi there Shark Bay is under threat and now there is a site providing information for those who are not quite sure of what is going on.
The articles in the press have not told the true story and if you check, you will note that a "staff" writer produced the Cape Time article...... phone thm and ask why this is the case. The developers are saying all the right things to many people, yet their development is a direct threat to the kiting community. This development may reduce or end access, endanger kiters and provide dangerous structures for those unfortuate enough to be dragged up the beach.
The entire West Coast is slowly having beach access restricted by booms, fences, walls and more and shark bay is used by 100's of eople each week. Check out www.savesharkbay.org and object to the Scoping Report by the 15th of May. The entire project is flying in the face of the Provincial and Local Spatial Framework and is trying to provide further Urban Sprawl to the detriment of the National Park. Once this one gets through, the Lagoon may be awash of yet more Tuscan developments...... this is not the only private land within the boundaries of the National Park. This has been prevented before, we need now to ensure that it NEVER happens. Cheers www.savesharkbay.org
Labels: Activism, south africa
PWA in Korea
Kiteboard Championships Underway in Korea
USA's Kevin Prtichard wins slalom at newest PWA World Tour stop.by Brian McDowellMay 7th, 2007
"ULSAN, S. Korea -- Last night’s high-profile opening ceremony officially gave the PWA’s newest tour stop the green light, and good breeze allowed racing to start immediately this morning. Most of the main names made it out of their qualifying heats and into some tough semi-finals draws run over a 6 leg, downwind course."
Labels: Competition
Prizes for WOW and Kite Adventures Race Series
Wind Over Water and Kite Adventures have worked on some great prizes for the winners of the WOW and KA Race Club Series.
We hope you come out, have a blast and increase your racing skills!
The first place winner takes home a 7-Day all-expense paid (not including flights) Kite Adventure Brazil tour.
With constant wind (18-30+ knots) from July through January, Brazil really is a kiter’s paradise. Our 7-Day tour begins after the airport pick up, we take you kiting in 4x4s on the beach through Cumbuco and Paracuru. Cumbuco is a hip little fishing village that's famous for the Cauipe lagoon. From there, we downwind to Paracuru which is the best spot for flat water, waves, and consistent wind. We downwind the days away spending 5-6 hours on the water per day. After 3 days, we take you back to Cumbuco before departing for the airport the next day. The winner has the option to extend to 10-Days and include the world famous Jericoacoara (incredible downwinders, and awesome nightlife) just paying the difference in tours ($500).
Many of the Bay Area kiters have been on our trips and have loved it. See what they’ve had to say: http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/viewtopic.php?t=3809 http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/viewtopic.php?t=3708
The Second Place Winner takes home a Jeff Kafka original Neptune Tri Halo 5’2” Waveboard Tri Halo: This board is a traditional tri fin set up with a wide out line and a rounded pintail. It needs to be ridden a bit slower, once you get into a wave you really want to try to spill the power of the kite and surf the wave.
These boards are designed for down the line surfing, meaning longer drawn out turns with more stability. Check out more info here: http://www.wowkite.com/web/surfboard.htm Register before May 10 to guarantee your spot for Thursday! See you at the Races!
Labels: Bay Area, Competition
Live Webcasting from the US Wind & Water Open (Asnews.net)
ASnews.net and The Kiteboarder Magazine will be webcasting LIVE from the US Wind & Water Open (formerly The Velocity Games) May 11, 12 and 13, wind and internet connection cooperating!
Check out the live action and interviews anytime after 12noon Central at http://www.uswindandwateropen.com/ or http://cherrytap.com/lounge.php?l=1293 You might catch John Gomes, Steve Gunn, Jeff Ruoss or Joe Cool in action:-)
There are over 50 competitors signed up for the BoarderX, Freestyle and Kite Course Racing events who will all be competing for their share of the $15K prize money including: Alex Bloechinger Alex Fox Andy Hurdman Ben Chambers Ben Meyer Billy Parker Brandon Pelly Bryan Lake Carol Bolstad Clarissa Hempel Clinton Bolton Craig Hall Damien Leroy Davey Blair Dougal Macdonald Eddie Hall Eric Rienstra Garett Yarbrough George Hradil Grom Brenden Gormley Jeff Ruoss Jesse Richman Jon Modica JonVan Malsen Julie Simsar Kent Marinkovic Kevin Murray Kevin Steen Kristin Boese Madison Van Heurck Matthew Sexton Melissa Gil Michael Hall Miguelito Manzanilla Mikey Bradley Nicole Warshauer Nils Stolzlechner Noah Simon Oliver Berlic Paul Lang Rocky Chatwell Sam Medysky Sean Farley Sean McGinnis Shannon Gormley Shawn Richman Stacey Fonas tony bolstad Will Caldwell Youri Zoon This week's podcast will be pre-recorded from the event and posted on Friday.....
Labels: Competition, podcast
Kite racing taken to a whole new level
Monday, May 07, 2007A guy powered a formula BMW racing car with a Flysurfer Speed 2 kite. He hit 77km/h.
Labels: Kite-related
4 mile kite race in oz
The 4 MILE BEACH KITE RACE & FREE RIDE SESSIONS
on the 19th of May 2007
in conjuction with the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale
Overall event description: The event starts with a breakfast BBQ at the northern end (town end) of 4 mile beach once competitors have signed on there will be a Wavelength bus for riders to the main kiting rigging area (southern end) After a race brief riders will by charging down fourmile beach around markers then to the finish line.You will have to keep up with me!(just kidding :-)
After a short break while the Dash for cash water ski race is on, kiters will be able to head for a free surf expression session.
NoSwell our kiter support vessel will be in the water filming all the action which will be shown later that night at the Presentation held at the legendary Beach Shack with Pizzas and beer on offer, did i say beer, while watching the days action on the big screen.
Registartion prior to event on line below or the day between 9 -10am at the Beach Day Breakfast on Esplanade (Nth end finish line)
Cost $55 includes race entry,Competion T-shirt, Tranfers to southern end of 4 mile and pizza and more.......fun you can have in one day.
Note All registered competitors must carry ASKA Membership rego here
Setup and transfers till 1030 Compulsory Race Brief @1100
RACE START @1130
Note this event is open to all kiters as it is an easy downwinder course all riders should be familar with 4 mile beach safe kiting guidelines( sign posted at the southern end).
Prizes awarded at the Beach Shack for,
Fastest Male, Female, Grommet, Seadog, Kook ,Fastest Newby and more.......
Freesurf Expression Session @1230 after race
Biggest wipout, Biggest air, Best wakestyle move, Best kicker move, Best surf style rider- judged during race and free ride session.
Sponsers
More info contact Brett Wright 0427498042 or visit the following sites....
http://www.carnivale.com.au/
http://www.aksa.com.au/
http://www.windswell.com.au/www.seabreeze.com.au
This is a fun and relaxed race day on the waters off our famous beach so see you there!
Labels: Australia, Competition
Skegness X-Fest
X-Fest: Kitesurfing Party To Hit Skegness
X-Fest -- They said there would be no wind for Xfest 2006 but Skegness showed why it is so bracing and proved the forecasters wrong. And now organiser Skegness Surf and Kite Academy is preparing to make it big again by staging a round of the British Kite Surfing Association 2007 Freestyle Championships.
Thousands of people from a