Ventura Kiteboarding Warns you:
WARNING!!!
YOU will lose time, money and maybe your kites.
You have received the following reply to an ad that you posted in the Kiteboarding section of the Classifieds:
william smith (williamsmith0134@gmail.com) writes:
Dear seller,
I hereby wish to inform you that i am interested in the purchase from you.I saw the advert on the internet today, Kindly give me your best offer.Will you accept a certified check/money order as payment?I have interested and colleague of mine who will be ready to send you payment by post when we both finally agree on terms. If its still available for sale,provide the
details
below...
YOUR NAME...........
ADDRESS FULL .....
TEL. NUMBER.........
LAST PRICE...............
Regard
Does not mention "the item" allows for mass spam. Scam plays out: Perp. pays too much and then ask for the overpayment back. Money order or cashiers check will bounce or be counterfeit. Spelled out you possibly ship and lose your gear, plus you are out the "refund" you sent off to our Mr and Mrs. 419
Stay tuned, scam bait.
Ventura Kiteboarding, Warm winds,
Tom
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Training Day @ The Point Ventura Kiteboarding
Perfect 10-15 knots WNW breeze on tap. We meet our student Andrew on time with sunshine and empty beach.
Toss up a trainer kite and review the wind window and power zones. Optimal Ventura Kiteboarding conditions to train. Our student Andrew has done his homework by practicing with a trainer on his own. He is a quick study and is ready to move forward.
We set up a 10 meter kite, inflate, lay out lines and attach to the kite. We spend some time at the "business end" of the bar. Discussing at length, chicken loop, donkey stick, spreader bar, seat harness/waist harness, quick release, kite leash, de-power strap and some of the "Murphy's Law" scenarios that can and will take place. A lot of information here and is best demonstrated while flying the kite.
We self launch the kite, review the neutral areas and power zones. Transfer and hook our student into the 10 meter kite. Wind is still a steady 10-15 knots. Most students want to "death grip" the bar and pull in. We break this tendency once our student Andrew understands his body weight is holding the kite down. We move to dividing the wind window in half. 12'O'clock to 3'O'clock to tack out and 12 to 9 to tack back.
We get more aggressive with kite flight and our student is sliding on the sand in both directions, when prompted. If we were on snow, Andrew would be snow-kiting. I am reminded we are in Ventura Kiteboarding country and this is about the water.
We demonstrate the quick release, sliding the bar away on one line and let the kite flag out harmlessly on the sand. We set back up the kite and train our student to self launch.
Ventura Kiteboarding training insists on: self launch, self land and self rescue. However if there are "qualified" kiters to assist, always accept a helping hand.
A half dozen Ventura Kiteboarding core crew members show up during our lesson. Mark T our "elegant big fella" stops by, gives words of confidence and advice to our new Ventura Kiteboarding student Andrew. Mark T mentions our student is in good hands and we know the ropes. (I think he meant lines) Quietly I think, keeping the residents fed and "watered" is a good strategy.
At 6'4 the 205 lb. goofy foot Mark T stays close to shore. He rides every wave with smooth flowing lines only to abruptly hit any lip to a slashing cut back. We watch and commentate, the bottom turns and top turns synergistic to the kite turns. "Big fella" is surfing with his kite. No paddling required.
After three plus hours, Andrew is ready to have some one on one "ZEN" time with the kite. He practices everything he learned during the Ventura Kiteboarding training session. Andrew now is telling me, he could take his snowboard and kite to this place, 2 hours from here and.............................."Let's Go" is always the only response.
As we are "wrapping and rolling" up, Mark T shows up with a clean in half broken board. Apparently a crack existed under the deck pad and was a lot worse then imagined. Air-drop off a 5 ft. face into the flats, he landed and did the splits on the two new halves. Mark T is on a board search for tomorrows' wind and waves.
Back in the car-lot Andrew, books another lesson...........stay tuned.
Warm winds,
Tom
Toss up a trainer kite and review the wind window and power zones. Optimal Ventura Kiteboarding conditions to train. Our student Andrew has done his homework by practicing with a trainer on his own. He is a quick study and is ready to move forward.
We set up a 10 meter kite, inflate, lay out lines and attach to the kite. We spend some time at the "business end" of the bar. Discussing at length, chicken loop, donkey stick, spreader bar, seat harness/waist harness, quick release, kite leash, de-power strap and some of the "Murphy's Law" scenarios that can and will take place. A lot of information here and is best demonstrated while flying the kite.
We self launch the kite, review the neutral areas and power zones. Transfer and hook our student into the 10 meter kite. Wind is still a steady 10-15 knots. Most students want to "death grip" the bar and pull in. We break this tendency once our student Andrew understands his body weight is holding the kite down. We move to dividing the wind window in half. 12'O'clock to 3'O'clock to tack out and 12 to 9 to tack back.
We get more aggressive with kite flight and our student is sliding on the sand in both directions, when prompted. If we were on snow, Andrew would be snow-kiting. I am reminded we are in Ventura Kiteboarding country and this is about the water.
We demonstrate the quick release, sliding the bar away on one line and let the kite flag out harmlessly on the sand. We set back up the kite and train our student to self launch.
Ventura Kiteboarding training insists on: self launch, self land and self rescue. However if there are "qualified" kiters to assist, always accept a helping hand.
A half dozen Ventura Kiteboarding core crew members show up during our lesson. Mark T our "elegant big fella" stops by, gives words of confidence and advice to our new Ventura Kiteboarding student Andrew. Mark T mentions our student is in good hands and we know the ropes. (I think he meant lines) Quietly I think, keeping the residents fed and "watered" is a good strategy.
At 6'4 the 205 lb. goofy foot Mark T stays close to shore. He rides every wave with smooth flowing lines only to abruptly hit any lip to a slashing cut back. We watch and commentate, the bottom turns and top turns synergistic to the kite turns. "Big fella" is surfing with his kite. No paddling required.
After three plus hours, Andrew is ready to have some one on one "ZEN" time with the kite. He practices everything he learned during the Ventura Kiteboarding training session. Andrew now is telling me, he could take his snowboard and kite to this place, 2 hours from here and.............................."Let's Go" is always the only response.
As we are "wrapping and rolling" up, Mark T shows up with a clean in half broken board. Apparently a crack existed under the deck pad and was a lot worse then imagined. Air-drop off a 5 ft. face into the flats, he landed and did the splits on the two new halves. Mark T is on a board search for tomorrows' wind and waves.
Back in the car-lot Andrew, books another lesson...........stay tuned.
Warm winds,
Tom
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Eddie said: "It Will Blow!" Ventura Kiteboarding
Last night, checking the usual forecasting tools. N.O.A.A., isobars, pressure gradients, 3 different computer models, I'm not seeing any hope. The best I can do is make great poker hands. Unsuited straights 6-7-8-9-Joker and a full house.
At 10:30 AM the wind chimes and the trees started to rustle up music. No forecast and I am thinking how did Eddie know? This is 2 days he has predicted that I would bet against.
Load up, coconut telegraph starts up. I ignore it. On a mission today. This is now obvious with 15-19mph. readings.
(9 bucks a month from ikite tells all with current updates. The hundred bucks a year that vampires try saving, pay dearly with my torment/torture of current conditions. "Penny wise and dollar foolish" as the saying goes.)
Rant over.
Eddie shows up, I immediately give kudos and props for his 24 hour prediction. Eddie very humble, goes about his "get ready" business. I mention something about a source, Eddie responds with a "secret" something- another and a paid service-Call-Eddie. We laugh and prepare for the approaching upper-teen, low twenty stuff.
Twins, MarcoWaldo, a few SB guys show up. Big Mike, 5'2 130Lb will be wound on a 9m. Ventura Kiteboarding core crew is in session.
Big or Medium is the question at the drive-thru and the point today. I decide Medium, eye balling the 3ft surf. Make the walk to the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew launch. MarcoWaldo tells me to go Big, I ponder for a minute. MW's been riding for 10 plus years and knows me and my gear. I go back and get the BIGz.
Self-launch and very well powered. "Go BIG or Go Home"-I think to myself.
Horizon tack, first order of the day to check the playing surface. Solid wind results. One tack to the turrets, then bump and grind any wave surface. Decide to pop a few nose, rail and tail grabs on the way back out.
Marco-air-Waldo is launching to the moon, I've witnessed so many 20 foot airs, I barely notice, until he hits the 25ft plus mark.
MarkT shows up and is getting "fancy" on his wake-skate. Doing backside 360's to fakie switch on wave faces. Thinking he's on his twin tip, this would be "garden variety" stuff for another 10 year plus rider. Strapless on a wake-skate and 6'4 frame, this impressive Ventura Kiteboarding core crew member has got skills.
Big triangle tacks, to burn real-estate down-wind thru the surf is my agenda. Somehow, someway I am able to link the turrets to the "old spot" to the cove on connecting waves. By now the cove has 8 riders, Thomas Young Gun and PeteL know my Big kite and 27 meter lines are coming down the line and divert to the horizon. Easy 3 football fields, include the endzones of riding waves. Cape St. Francis in the " Endless Summer" wave (sort of). I shout out..............wait for it.................ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS! Statement not a question.
2 giant tacks and back at the turrets. Repeat not the distance, but shorter replays.
I watch the tall Twin, DaveW progress tremendously each session. Toeside turns and chop hops. Mental note to self, call Dave and set up a ride-along, wave-riding, jump lesson. I know he wants some altitude sickness, because he's hurting his neck watching Marco-Air-Waldo and the elegant big fella Mark T.
Two and a half hours of riding, the wind is getting bumpy the sun is dropping. I want gains and no losses, thinking this may be a good time to pull the plug. I see Gary, a PL fan with the Venom kite, I traded for a 5'10 fish. I get recharged after a 5 or 10 minute sit down.
Ride until the sun is touching the islands, what a day: Ventura Kiteboarding rocks!
Now what about today: the sensors are showing 20's in the channel...............stay tuned.
Warm winds,
Tom
At 10:30 AM the wind chimes and the trees started to rustle up music. No forecast and I am thinking how did Eddie know? This is 2 days he has predicted that I would bet against.
Load up, coconut telegraph starts up. I ignore it. On a mission today. This is now obvious with 15-19mph. readings.
(9 bucks a month from ikite tells all with current updates. The hundred bucks a year that vampires try saving, pay dearly with my torment/torture of current conditions. "Penny wise and dollar foolish" as the saying goes.)
Rant over.
Eddie shows up, I immediately give kudos and props for his 24 hour prediction. Eddie very humble, goes about his "get ready" business. I mention something about a source, Eddie responds with a "secret" something- another and a paid service-Call-Eddie. We laugh and prepare for the approaching upper-teen, low twenty stuff.
Twins, MarcoWaldo, a few SB guys show up. Big Mike, 5'2 130Lb will be wound on a 9m. Ventura Kiteboarding core crew is in session.
Big or Medium is the question at the drive-thru and the point today. I decide Medium, eye balling the 3ft surf. Make the walk to the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew launch. MarcoWaldo tells me to go Big, I ponder for a minute. MW's been riding for 10 plus years and knows me and my gear. I go back and get the BIGz.
Self-launch and very well powered. "Go BIG or Go Home"-I think to myself.
Horizon tack, first order of the day to check the playing surface. Solid wind results. One tack to the turrets, then bump and grind any wave surface. Decide to pop a few nose, rail and tail grabs on the way back out.
Marco-air-Waldo is launching to the moon, I've witnessed so many 20 foot airs, I barely notice, until he hits the 25ft plus mark.
MarkT shows up and is getting "fancy" on his wake-skate. Doing backside 360's to fakie switch on wave faces. Thinking he's on his twin tip, this would be "garden variety" stuff for another 10 year plus rider. Strapless on a wake-skate and 6'4 frame, this impressive Ventura Kiteboarding core crew member has got skills.
Big triangle tacks, to burn real-estate down-wind thru the surf is my agenda. Somehow, someway I am able to link the turrets to the "old spot" to the cove on connecting waves. By now the cove has 8 riders, Thomas Young Gun and PeteL know my Big kite and 27 meter lines are coming down the line and divert to the horizon. Easy 3 football fields, include the endzones of riding waves. Cape St. Francis in the " Endless Summer" wave (sort of). I shout out..............wait for it.................ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS! Statement not a question.
2 giant tacks and back at the turrets. Repeat not the distance, but shorter replays.
I watch the tall Twin, DaveW progress tremendously each session. Toeside turns and chop hops. Mental note to self, call Dave and set up a ride-along, wave-riding, jump lesson. I know he wants some altitude sickness, because he's hurting his neck watching Marco-Air-Waldo and the elegant big fella Mark T.
Two and a half hours of riding, the wind is getting bumpy the sun is dropping. I want gains and no losses, thinking this may be a good time to pull the plug. I see Gary, a PL fan with the Venom kite, I traded for a 5'10 fish. I get recharged after a 5 or 10 minute sit down.
Ride until the sun is touching the islands, what a day: Ventura Kiteboarding rocks!
Now what about today: the sensors are showing 20's in the channel...............stay tuned.
Warm winds,
Tom
Ventura Kiteboarding.com Non-Clearing wind?
The weekend brought a cathedral of clouds, from a weak low that parked and hovered over the coast for days(daze). Monday the 6th brought clear skies and a crisp morning breeze.
The coconut telegraph (today's cell phone) was busy with- the usual forecasting and prospecting for the hopeful clearing winds we were SUPPOSE to receive. The buoys and sensors were not cooperating. By mid-day the point had weak teens.
Knowing we had 4 hours until sunset, I loaded the truck to meet up with the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew.
Big kites and Big boards were in order. Joe M. was already out, staying up wind on his 15m and Mako King. The word in the car-lot was, "if Joe's going were going".
Walked up to the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew launch. Met up with "The Twins" Think Arnold S and Joe P from the movie. Both have received tutelage from Ventura Kiteboarding and are giving us "proud papa" feelings.
Marco Polo, asked for a code name. Seems as though, above pay grade superiors, ask the question, where's Waldo? Marco showed up running the beach with 2 kites. He was pumped up and self-launched in under 10 minutes. Eddie, long time point rider, 20 years plus, includes Windsurfing. Shows up and exchanges forecasting and swell predictions. CLAIM: Eddie says it will blow tomorrow. Nothing, I have seen confirms this, I respond with "cool let's hope so"! Also my usual:
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Ride like it's not going to blow tomorrow
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Never argue with long time riders over POSITIVE Forecasts.
Joe M and Marcowaldo are out riding and actually making the not so good conditions look fun.
Eddie "the forecaster" get's out on a 10m Cabbie surfboard combo and is going away up-wind.
I self launch, get a few tacks of potential. Then the wind drops from maybe 15mph to the dreaded 10-12mph. Walking the beach is now in order, starting to feel the December weather on my hands and face. I walk a mile up-wind hoping for more. Do a down-looping down-winder, trying to hit and ride any resemblance of a wave and call it.
Wrap everything up and decide, I like sunny days, even the cold ones.The Clearing Wind, never cleared.
I am already wondering what does Eddie know about tomorrow.
The coconut telegraph (today's cell phone) was busy with- the usual forecasting and prospecting for the hopeful clearing winds we were SUPPOSE to receive. The buoys and sensors were not cooperating. By mid-day the point had weak teens.
Knowing we had 4 hours until sunset, I loaded the truck to meet up with the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew.
Big kites and Big boards were in order. Joe M. was already out, staying up wind on his 15m and Mako King. The word in the car-lot was, "if Joe's going were going".
Walked up to the Ventura Kiteboarding core crew launch. Met up with "The Twins" Think Arnold S and Joe P from the movie. Both have received tutelage from Ventura Kiteboarding and are giving us "proud papa" feelings.
Marco Polo, asked for a code name. Seems as though, above pay grade superiors, ask the question, where's Waldo? Marco showed up running the beach with 2 kites. He was pumped up and self-launched in under 10 minutes. Eddie, long time point rider, 20 years plus, includes Windsurfing. Shows up and exchanges forecasting and swell predictions. CLAIM: Eddie says it will blow tomorrow. Nothing, I have seen confirms this, I respond with "cool let's hope so"! Also my usual:
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Ride like it's not going to blow tomorrow
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Never argue with long time riders over POSITIVE Forecasts.
Joe M and Marcowaldo are out riding and actually making the not so good conditions look fun.
Eddie "the forecaster" get's out on a 10m Cabbie surfboard combo and is going away up-wind.
I self launch, get a few tacks of potential. Then the wind drops from maybe 15mph to the dreaded 10-12mph. Walking the beach is now in order, starting to feel the December weather on my hands and face. I walk a mile up-wind hoping for more. Do a down-looping down-winder, trying to hit and ride any resemblance of a wave and call it.
Wrap everything up and decide, I like sunny days, even the cold ones.The Clearing Wind, never cleared.
I am already wondering what does Eddie know about tomorrow.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Tuesday and Tripper
Ventura Kiteboarding.com
Tuesday: Clear, crisp and brisk blue skies on tap for the day. Check the radar and satellite imagery not a cloud in the region. Air temp. maybe low 50 water temp. a bit more. 4-3mil. wettie, booties and a hood are in order.
The trees are bouncing a little and good surface texture on the water with a cap here and there. Wind sensor is reading 14 avg. Knowing the sensor is in a "dirty" placement, (wind shadow) I am encouraged to suit up. I wear layers, adding a ski jacket and snow beanie.
I rig a large PL V. kite with directional strapped fish for the bumpy and flat conditions. Young Gun Thomas, shows up and rigs a 9M Lou W. for his 150Lbs. and strapless surfboard. We both self-launch and realize it is windier than it looks. The wind is stronger above the surface of the water.
We ride alone at the "old spot" for about 40 minutes, then the switch flipped on. I found myself over-powered, pondering to switch out to a smaller kite or "ride it out". Knowing myself and the crispy cool conditions-I wanted no excuses- to stop. Changing out to a smaller kite, might be that non-opportunity.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Ride like it is not going to blow tomorrow.
I decide to work on small hops, various grabs and ride small surf. The kite almost parked forward and slightly higher than usual allows me to tame some of the "high horsepower" being dealt. I zip back up-wind past the turrets to "Hobo Junction", repeat back down to the "old spot".
Young Gun is in the cove, I race down on a seemingly long series of waves to get a change of pace and scenery. I notice the Ventura Kiteboarding core and semi-core crew starting to show up. 5 or 6 others
decide to ride in the not so tropical conditions. A half dozen others are content to pocketize their hands and
put the winter coats on.
Ventura Kiteboarding.com Tip: Do not let the posers, that turn to pouters, talk you out of a session.
The cove doesn't offer up anything special, so a few horizon tacks back to Hobos' where I see Tripper who rode down from the North. We wave and I decide he must be as cold I am. We take "triangle" turns at riding the small and fun waves at the Turrets. The wind seems to get stronger, I'm over-powered and come in. Thinking about self-landing and calling it a day. Tripper dumps his kite in the sand and lays face down, I am lit up and cannot physically walk up-wind to find out WTF the situation is. I yell, distance of easy 50 yards into the wind, and Trippers' helmet is on. No contact. I am about ready to dump my kite, when he gets on his knees and crawls eventually standing up. I am waving and yelling-does he not see me? He re-launches his kite, without acknowledgement to my concern for his well being. He may be unaware, I think Tripper is Tripping while he Tripped. The Trauma and Drama sisters may have made an appearance. Who knows?
I remember why I gave him, the name Tripper. He introduced himself to me as "Joe" (not his real name) the Ripper. True, "Joe" does rip. However his on the beach antics and car-lot politics/stories, along with adult beverages during kiting hours, I added a T to his name. Ripper. I called Tripper 2 nights ago to follow-up, as of this writing, have not heard back.
I continued to ride, the wind let up about a half hour to go 'till sunset. The show was top 5 of recent sunsets. I am now kicking myself for not using my new camera/phone to post the pic. here. I must've been "tripping".
Load up, heater on, tired, hungry, thirsty among other things- drive home and quietly thank God for all my good fortunes. Thinking of my wonderful/beautiful Catherine and Jared, the sunset, the session and just for a moment, I get a glimpse of "The Plan". Unfortunately it's a feeling and dream-like, arduous to process and make written word sense. Endorphin overload makes dismissal easier.................................
Loading up my SUP to go paddle, no wind in the forecast today. Ventura Kiteboarding and crew will
be at the point today SUPing. Ready to kite if she blows.
Warm winds,
Tom Ventura Kiteboarding.com
Tuesday: Clear, crisp and brisk blue skies on tap for the day. Check the radar and satellite imagery not a cloud in the region. Air temp. maybe low 50 water temp. a bit more. 4-3mil. wettie, booties and a hood are in order.
The trees are bouncing a little and good surface texture on the water with a cap here and there. Wind sensor is reading 14 avg. Knowing the sensor is in a "dirty" placement, (wind shadow) I am encouraged to suit up. I wear layers, adding a ski jacket and snow beanie.
I rig a large PL V. kite with directional strapped fish for the bumpy and flat conditions. Young Gun Thomas, shows up and rigs a 9M Lou W. for his 150Lbs. and strapless surfboard. We both self-launch and realize it is windier than it looks. The wind is stronger above the surface of the water.
We ride alone at the "old spot" for about 40 minutes, then the switch flipped on. I found myself over-powered, pondering to switch out to a smaller kite or "ride it out". Knowing myself and the crispy cool conditions-I wanted no excuses- to stop. Changing out to a smaller kite, might be that non-opportunity.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Ride like it is not going to blow tomorrow.
I decide to work on small hops, various grabs and ride small surf. The kite almost parked forward and slightly higher than usual allows me to tame some of the "high horsepower" being dealt. I zip back up-wind past the turrets to "Hobo Junction", repeat back down to the "old spot".
Young Gun is in the cove, I race down on a seemingly long series of waves to get a change of pace and scenery. I notice the Ventura Kiteboarding core and semi-core crew starting to show up. 5 or 6 others
decide to ride in the not so tropical conditions. A half dozen others are content to pocketize their hands and
put the winter coats on.
Ventura Kiteboarding.com Tip: Do not let the posers, that turn to pouters, talk you out of a session.
The cove doesn't offer up anything special, so a few horizon tacks back to Hobos' where I see Tripper who rode down from the North. We wave and I decide he must be as cold I am. We take "triangle" turns at riding the small and fun waves at the Turrets. The wind seems to get stronger, I'm over-powered and come in. Thinking about self-landing and calling it a day. Tripper dumps his kite in the sand and lays face down, I am lit up and cannot physically walk up-wind to find out WTF the situation is. I yell, distance of easy 50 yards into the wind, and Trippers' helmet is on. No contact. I am about ready to dump my kite, when he gets on his knees and crawls eventually standing up. I am waving and yelling-does he not see me? He re-launches his kite, without acknowledgement to my concern for his well being. He may be unaware, I think Tripper is Tripping while he Tripped. The Trauma and Drama sisters may have made an appearance. Who knows?
I remember why I gave him, the name Tripper. He introduced himself to me as "Joe" (not his real name) the Ripper. True, "Joe" does rip. However his on the beach antics and car-lot politics/stories, along with adult beverages during kiting hours, I added a T to his name. Ripper. I called Tripper 2 nights ago to follow-up, as of this writing, have not heard back.
I continued to ride, the wind let up about a half hour to go 'till sunset. The show was top 5 of recent sunsets. I am now kicking myself for not using my new camera/phone to post the pic. here. I must've been "tripping".
Load up, heater on, tired, hungry, thirsty among other things- drive home and quietly thank God for all my good fortunes. Thinking of my wonderful/beautiful Catherine and Jared, the sunset, the session and just for a moment, I get a glimpse of "The Plan". Unfortunately it's a feeling and dream-like, arduous to process and make written word sense. Endorphin overload makes dismissal easier.................................
Loading up my SUP to go paddle, no wind in the forecast today. Ventura Kiteboarding and crew will
be at the point today SUPing. Ready to kite if she blows.
Warm winds,
Tom Ventura Kiteboarding.com
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