The title combines the concoction for a perfect wind at the Point. 19 -24.
Pulled up to the car-park, say hello to Grace and exchange pleasantries. Grace has been trained
by the Ventura Kiteboarding Crew in Wind Science. She knows when the wind is on, this day
is no different. Grace starts to tell me it's been "on" for an hour plus, easily. Where have I been?
"Working", I reply. Actually I was sitting on the edge of the couch, waiting for a student to return
my call from a 12 noon phone appointment that they missed. "Paralysis Analysis" equals a comatose
state...................
Luckily I get a front row parking place. I count 28 kites up and out at 2:00 pm mid-week. A lot of
new faces, this sport is growing fast. Hope they all get appropriate training.
What to rig is the question? I notice guys my size 185lbs. are well powered on 12's. The 9m guys are working their kites. Decision made, 12m it will be.
Suit up and head up to the "old spot". I notice the debris consisting of bamboo and tree limbs scattered about with erosion fro high tide and wave action. Heading to the turrets, I see familiar friends riding. Bear's dad, Iron Mike, Young Gun, MarcoX, Crazy Dave, and recent Ventura Kiteboarding Graduate, Sherm, AKA, Kiting Jesus.
I find the smooth self launch area below the erosion hidden to most. Not a stick or stone in a 40 yard radius. A Ventura Kiteboarding lesson was taught here the day before. I had to snicker as others dealt with
debris in the lines, launching next to and UP-WIND of impaling tree limbs.
Pumped up, laid out and attached lines, the wind turned hot and then cut in half. About 15 plus kites scurried to get back to land. AAAAAhhhhhhh Shucks, gosh darnit, I said to no one. I continued to rig.
About 15 minutes later, the cool ocean wind kicks back in. I self launch Iron Mike's, Lou Wainman Hawaiian kite which we are demonstrating, testing, and is available for qualified riders to demo. any time.
Now only 10 kites out and spread from the turrets to the cove, I quietly think, good timing. Wind is still mid to upper teens and barely above 20 at times. I rigged perfect with the 12m and the 9's went in due to lack of power. The surf is waist to shoulder high with a few sneaker sets of a couple feet overhead.
Young Gun has his HD Camera on a tripod waving to me. I wave back, the signal is, do something if you want to get on the reel. I Head on out and without a warm up, launch off a 4ft ramp, I hear a hoot behind me and from the beach as maybe my head pierces the 20 ft mark. Not used to the kites quick response and not warmed up my timing is a bit off and land a little hot. Big ghetto bootie splash with instant recovery standing up and riding away. Happy not to yard sale on film, I ride towards the islands and think surfing with a kite.
In bound tack, I am back at the turrets and line up a wave with a few turns and slashes off the top. Over the back and grab another larger wave getting to Young Guns camera shot. A lot of S turns a hit or three and went for one more floater hit. The water was drained for my reentry and off balance I blew the bottom
turn. I had to jump off the board lay flat out and allow my kite to body drag me to deeper water. I banged my right knee on a rock in the process. In retrieving the board, my right thigh glanced off a rock. Grab my board sit down for 5 minutes, EFF the camera, I think out loud.
Out bound tack back to the turrets, ride waves, jump with various tail and nose grabs. Connecting 50 to 70 yard combination flat and wave riding down the line. On one wave, I went for a hit where the wave, biotch slapped me, took me to my knees and then the wave forced a face plant on me. Recovering, thinking that should've been filmed. 10 minutes later, I was wondering why it was so bright out. I had my glasses raked off my face and did not realize it.
to be cont. wind is on and Ventura Kiteboarding has a lesson.
Cont.....
The Ventura Kiteboarding Crew spread out from the cove to the turrets. Everyone knew this was
the harmonious convergence of conditions event, we all desire everyday.
Ventura Kiteboarding Tip: "Ride like it will not blow tomorrow". (and it did not)
I was walking around asking any "qualified" rider if they wanted to "demo" Iron Mike's LouWainman Hawaii kite. Echoing the Ventura Kiteboarding Tip: "Ride like it's not going to blow tomorrow" Who wants to take this kite for a spin? No takers, suddenly riders that "frolicked" all day had to be somewhere. Just coincidence, right?
I noticed our Ventura Kiteboarding Core Crew member, the elegant 6'5, 215lb. Mark "Tailor" Made was doing his usual "garden variety" toe side to heel side turns on the wave face. On a closer exam. Mark was on his wake-skate. Think strapless on a twin tip. His scoreboard went "tilt", after I watched this. How does he stay attached on the tack out over the whitewater? Shoes? Velcro? Glue?-No, just Skills!
Catching up after with the "big feller", I learned Mark had completed the Trifecta of boarding. 3 boards
used in the same session, Directional, Twin-tip, and Wake-Skate.
Mark, we have a request. Directional ride out and transfer to your waiting Wake-Skate and ride away. Is a transfer back switch a double request? Worth the highlight reel on Young Gun's camera.
I heard Mark mention, if he would've stuck with Basketball, he could've taken a full ride thru the University.
I wonder if Mark was 5'5 150Lbs. he would have a full ride thru the University of Kiteboarding.
Good to see him wearing polarized eye protection against the glare off the water. Lowers the kite hangover.
Ventura Kiteboarding Tip: Protect your eyes! Would you snow-kite without Sun glasses? 'nuf said.
The Ventura Kiteboarding Core Crew rode thru a gorgeous sunset. Colors that do not have names and
changing hues by the minute. Moments like this you reflect on how fortunate we are and thank God we have what we have and are able to do what we do.
For the record, there was No Wind the next day. Most of us could use the recuperating time.
Warm Winds,
Tom and The Ventura Kiteboarding Crew.
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