About 2 weeks ago, the crew from 'Bu, down south were calling and telling us we were over due for a visit.
The wind sensor at the Po!nt has been reading generous, so The Ventura Kiteboarding crew has been skeptical and in need of a location change.
MarcoPolo calls and the Po!nt is showing 15 to 20 mph. We check the surf and see whitecaps. We load up and head over. In the cove we are wind sheltered and decide to rig big and ride alone.
Pump up, hook up and launch, Marco cannot get off the shoreline. No hesitation we pack up and leave for 'BU.
On our departure, non-crew visitors asked where we were going, "run errands, we'll be back" was our coy response. 'BU readings were 18-24 mph and confirmed by a graduate of the Ventura Kiteboarding system.
When a friend calls and saids "IT's ON", he will never call again if you show up with a "Wolf Pack".
The Twins, happened to be in the right place on our exit. A short discussion and they followed us. I was not concerned with a party of four, the twins leave a very light footprint when and where they kite.
We paid the $12.00 dollar parking fee, ouch! We should purchase the annual pass, penny wise and dollar foolish, as usual. The annual pass is $125.00, 12 and a fraction trips, it's paid for.
We rig up 9 meter kites. The wind is showing 19 to 25 mph on the meter. This is in the "wheel house" of the 185 Lb. club. Dave the big twin is on a 10.5 m Flexi. and a twin tip. Jamie the other twin is 160 Lb. on an 8.5m Flexi. kite, twin tip combo.
Very gusty on the beach, once out on the water 50ft or so, real smooth water due to kelp beds on the outside. I am very well powered on a surfboard, Big Dave is doing well and Jamie seems to be harnessing the power and spilling what he doesn't need. Marco, being a 10 year veteran is totally comfortable.
The usual kelp bed that grows over a foot a day is on the outside. I find an opening and do a horizon tack, come back into Staircase/Heavens and crank a bottom turn in the flats and head straight out to any wave face for a slash and bash, come back down-wind near the LG tower and repeat over and over.
Somewhere or was it somehow? Jamie became disconnected from his board. He was downwind of me and about 75 yards away, doing the body drag back and forth. I thought to have spotted his board, since his tack was towards me, I assumed he had it. A few tacks later, Jamie does not have his board. I go back to the area of allegedly seeing it. False sighting, the black and yellow buoy for the lobster traps was still there.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 1: always use a brightly colored board. The lost board was bamboo and black. Easy camoflauge among the vast kelp beds out to sea in this area.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 2: wear polarized eye protection. Looking up-wind, where 99% of the time your board will be, is blinding. The afternoon sun is a swath of blazing glare.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 3: after a few passes, come into shore and run up-wind and then body drag down-wind to your board.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 4: alert your friends (other riders also) to your loss. Jumping up and down on the beach waving your arms, will truly get attention. Place a 12 pack bounty of a premium adult beverage for the safe return of your board.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 5: put up a smaller kite up when over-powered.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 6: hire your instructor for a supervised, paid ride-a-long.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 7: always place your name and number on, boards, kites, bar/lines and pumps with the word -reward- in multiple languages.
Marco went and checked on Jamie, not sure of the boards location. Time to call off the search and he sent Jamie in before "the coffin corner". Coffin corner is where the down-wind point meets the south swell and the downwind current collide. Not a good place to be with a kite in the air or in the water. If you miss this last stop you are out to sea. Your next safe entry to the beach is San Nicholas Canyon beach, after "The Rock". Wind can be very gusty and also turn off-shore.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 8: Do Not Ever, go out further than you can swim in. Obviously have your self rescue scenario dialed.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip 9: Re-read Ventura Kiteboarding tip 6.
The unfortunate loss of a crew members board, put a damper on the session.
We have been in a great wind cycle, it's open season!
Warm winds,
Tom and The Ventura Kiteboarding Crew
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