We were teaching at Port H. two twenty-somethings from the U.K. Kate and Kat, as an instructor try to keep that straight during a lesson.
We tossed up a trainer kite, worked the power zones and power strokes. Worked in some walk-a-longs with the kite on the edge of the wind window. Had just enough time to work on down-loops. When their boss's text came thru calling them back to work. That was a very short "day off". We schedule another day and check the forecast.
Ventura Kiteboarding has the rest of the day off. Now 2:00 PM and the only wind in 20 miles in both directions is at Port H. We survey the water and a 5 knot current is running in the direction of the wind. Our 10-15 knots of wind is crippled by this current that just won't quit for the last 5 years. Basically subtract 5 knots from you portside tack. No worries if your doing a down-winder.
A former student Strat showed up. I suggested other locations. He wanted to ride solo after not being out in a "while". Watched Strat do real well on his big kite and twin tip combo. Plenty of wind, the current just took him down-wind as predicted.
Finally the Leo sensor comes alive. Now reading 15 to 20. We hold our position and check the Po!nt which is reading a dismal 10 and then drop to 8. The next Leo reading was 16. Time to re-locate, 19 miles away we arrive to 18-25 mph. "Rather be lucky than good" with some chest to forehead surf running and NO ONE OUT!
We zip past County as a few surfers are packing up. Fun, but blown out mush dribble. Slow and sloppy. We check the overhead at North Beach and Heavens is serving up very kiteable point waves. The outside kelp is keeping the inside glassed. The wind is deceiving because of the lack of texture on the inside surface. A head high set wave makes it's way thru the kelp bed. Just before the wave pitches a stream of "liquid smoke" (atomized sea spray particles) from the waves lip, gets obliterated in the down-wind direction. "It's ON" I say in a high pitched voice, to replace an excited scream. Nobody around but did not want to wake the Chumash Spirit.
We ride down to North Beach, immediately suit up. Check the wind meter upper teens to tickling twenty. Check the paid sensor site 18-25. Santa Barbara Buoy East is averaging 30. What to rig? Can't go big, don't want to go small. Process of elimination presents me with rigging medium, my PL Venom equal to a 10m SLE.
Self launched and very well powered. Take off from the Northern end of the car lot and wondering but not caring where are the other kiters. You know the routine, out to the Horizon and up-wind to Staircase. Then down-wind thru the surf and take advantage of the butter glass. Got some really good waves, just on the inside of the reef and kelp. Repeat, complete with perm-a-grin.
The County line kites started to trickle out and eventually grew to around 10 strong. Suddenly after an hour of riding. "Toad" down-winded from County, waved and went to the "Slot". Wind lightened up and he barely made it back to North Beach.
(Normally we would not blog such trivial dialogue, but I simply can not resist) What's up Toad? (not real name, but real similar) Toad: "The wind took a crap, I was going to Zuma". "Down at the Slot it shut off and I barely made it back to you" "I need a ride back to County". Toad self lands his kite arrogantly or was it ignorantly(?) in front of a man reading a book on the beach. Not 10 ft away, rude to block the man's view as well. Toad is a "piece of work".
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Always self land your kite down-wind of people and other living things.
I decide to save the lecture and walk away.
I walk back up-wind, to go "surf-kiting". Wait for a set wave in waist high water. Hop on your board, power stroke the kite and get a few hits in on paddle free waves. Walk back up-wind and do it again. Wind go to light for my Medium sized kite. Self-land and walk back to the Ventura Kiteboarding truck.
(More blog boredom, but can't resist)
Toad is sitting on the tailgate of the Ventura Kiteboarding truck, and kite gear is in the bed.
More Toad dialogue: "It took a crap". "It's over" "yeah it's 6:00" "it's done this before" "only a localized wind"............"we're done" blah Blah blah. "where's your kite?" On the beach, I reply.
Toad has been riding for 2 and a 1/2 years. He must forget or ignore, I learned at this location 10 years ago from the Malibu Godfather of Kiteboarding, Traig. I gently remind Toad of this again and he goes silent. I tell Toad the wind is coming back on, "liquid smoke" is spraying the lips again.
Toad rambles over to the man book reader. Bums a ride back to County.
I self launch again and ride another hour. One surfer joins the line up with me. I give him a wide berth
and any and every wave he wants. Once I get on a set wave(s) from Heavens, the lone surfer is smiling and hooting as I hit some top speeds faster than the wind. I manage to get a few slashes, hits and carves in down the line. My surf friend seems to be analyzing the kite and board set up. We easily co-exist then the wind got light again, I am back to walking the beach and "surf-kiting".
Getting late, quarter to eight. Roll up, and watch the surfer get his best wave of the evening. I signal a fist pump, he returned the same. Walking up the beach he stopped by for a quick chat. I gave him a Ventura kiteboarding card. Telling him, I was the surfer 10 years ago, at this very spot. After watching Traig kite as I surfed..................... Poetry in there somewhere. Dontcha think? Definitely a thoughtful reflection, of how far we have come and not done yet.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: Ride like it's not going to blow tomorrow.
Ventura Kiteboarding tip: When Toad shows up, deal with him on your own terms.
Warm winds,
Tom and the Ventura Kiteboarding Crew.
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