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
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Ventura Kiteboarding Visits Malibu Leo & County
I woke up to Catherine's coffee, sports page and ikitesurf on line in front of me on "my side" of the couch.
This is a morning tradition. How fortunate am I? Rhetorical don't answer.
Knowing we had a change of weather and warming trend, I was pleased to see the very positive forecast from
the meteorologist on the pay subscription website for our region.
Walking Catherine to her car, she departs with a calm command of "may it blow". She places both palms together and fingertips towards sky in prayer fashion. Catherine had not a clue what she wished for.
Spent the morning returning calls and e-mails to current, former and potential Ventura Kiteboarding students.
Checking on the sensors, buoys, graphs and satellite/radar maps frequently. I notice the Pt. Conception to North Long beach area 200 plus miles of coast is being awakened by wind. The Po!nt is surprisingly not showing. I check the camera and no wind confirmed. Repeat this process until 1:00pm. The Leo sensor is showing 18-22 mph and the Po!nt is showing 6.
20 miles and 40 minutes later, (traffic lights and speed traps) I pull up to County. Tide is low and two kiters out on 9 or 10m kites. I call Mike with Wainman kites to let him know. I decide to check Leo from above on PCH, absolute desolation. Same surf and I know "Heavens" and "Staircase" can get good with the incoming tide. Shocked at the $12.00 for a day pass, I pay it for the solitude. Call back Mike and warn him of the fee, we decide to do a downwind/upwind plan that sounds good on the phone.
Park at the North end of the car lot, put a wind meter up and get solid 15-18 mph. I pump up a Flexi Rasta 12.5m kite donated to Ventura Kiteboarding by Mark T. Once again Huge Mahalos and props for the kite. Mark is on our lifetime subscription plan of 3 W's, Wind, When & Where.
Suit up and ready to launch the wind is increasing, sand blowing down the beach, I realize the kite will be too big. I rig a PL Venom, equal in size to a 10m flat kite. Self-launch and feel perfectly powered. Head out to Heavens and the kelp beds make their presence known. I find the labrynth maze of a gauntlet to be challenging until I see the pattern unlocking the puzzle.
For the next hour, ride from the North end of the car-lot to above Heavens and sometimes up to Staircase then downwind thru the surf. This formula keeps the kelp bed on the outside and "glossy glass" surface on the inside. There are very few set ups that can have such a smooth wave riding area. All elements must "synch" up and it's a "sometimes" kind of thing.
What about Mike? I see a smallish black kite up-wind. I was thinking to head up wind to County (1 mile) to have a hello and check the conditions. I would get to staircase, then on the outbound tack, well formed and a bit overhead surf would set up. I had to take the wave and sometimes waves, hopping out the back to grab a new one. Easy 100 yards to 150 yards rides.
The wind increased until any attempt to go upwind was all edge and kite low. Trying to "ride the wind out" was worthless and tiring. Fully de-powered kite and full weight on an edge. I found myself using the glutimus maximus, (spell check, whatever) sort of Latin for "Butt Brakes". One uses their arse to have a seat and drag in the water.
I saw Tripper Dave fully wound on a downwinder from County. He saw my kite, and was thinking a kite catch and a ride in the Ventura Kiteboarding truck back up-wind. I throw a hand gesture, turned "shaka" to coincide with a long drawn out bottom turn back to my landing zone. Try to ride some nicely formed waves, but over powered, just manage to cruise on the face of walls. Time to pull the plug.
The small point of Heavens has a small wind shadow and a sandy area I want to self-land at. I remove the donkey, stay hooked in the chicken loop and certain my length and downwind clearance is appropriate.
Once confirmed, I unhook, toss the bar and yank on the kite leash. The control bar slides towards the kite and de-powers the kite "flagging it out". I hold on to the kite leash attached to one line as the kite settles down-wind. Detach the leash from my harness and pull the leash line hand over hand (think tug of war) trotting towards the kite and secure it with sand.
Take the obligatory stance, hands on hips viewing what I was riding. Tripper Dave is wound up on his 10.5 Helix, Cult, Park, Bolt, Charger. Those Naish kites look like quintuplets, not sure what he's riding. Kite straight up overhead and his waist harness is a chin harness. Dave stays out another 10 minutes in punishing conditions.
Load up the Ventura Kiteboarding Truck and head home. Driving West into the setting sun, reflecting on
the day.............thoughts of tomorrow and wind.
Tom
This is a morning tradition. How fortunate am I? Rhetorical don't answer.
Knowing we had a change of weather and warming trend, I was pleased to see the very positive forecast from
the meteorologist on the pay subscription website for our region.
Walking Catherine to her car, she departs with a calm command of "may it blow". She places both palms together and fingertips towards sky in prayer fashion. Catherine had not a clue what she wished for.
Spent the morning returning calls and e-mails to current, former and potential Ventura Kiteboarding students.
Checking on the sensors, buoys, graphs and satellite/radar maps frequently. I notice the Pt. Conception to North Long beach area 200 plus miles of coast is being awakened by wind. The Po!nt is surprisingly not showing. I check the camera and no wind confirmed. Repeat this process until 1:00pm. The Leo sensor is showing 18-22 mph and the Po!nt is showing 6.
20 miles and 40 minutes later, (traffic lights and speed traps) I pull up to County. Tide is low and two kiters out on 9 or 10m kites. I call Mike with Wainman kites to let him know. I decide to check Leo from above on PCH, absolute desolation. Same surf and I know "Heavens" and "Staircase" can get good with the incoming tide. Shocked at the $12.00 for a day pass, I pay it for the solitude. Call back Mike and warn him of the fee, we decide to do a downwind/upwind plan that sounds good on the phone.
Park at the North end of the car lot, put a wind meter up and get solid 15-18 mph. I pump up a Flexi Rasta 12.5m kite donated to Ventura Kiteboarding by Mark T. Once again Huge Mahalos and props for the kite. Mark is on our lifetime subscription plan of 3 W's, Wind, When & Where.
Suit up and ready to launch the wind is increasing, sand blowing down the beach, I realize the kite will be too big. I rig a PL Venom, equal in size to a 10m flat kite. Self-launch and feel perfectly powered. Head out to Heavens and the kelp beds make their presence known. I find the labrynth maze of a gauntlet to be challenging until I see the pattern unlocking the puzzle.
For the next hour, ride from the North end of the car-lot to above Heavens and sometimes up to Staircase then downwind thru the surf. This formula keeps the kelp bed on the outside and "glossy glass" surface on the inside. There are very few set ups that can have such a smooth wave riding area. All elements must "synch" up and it's a "sometimes" kind of thing.
What about Mike? I see a smallish black kite up-wind. I was thinking to head up wind to County (1 mile) to have a hello and check the conditions. I would get to staircase, then on the outbound tack, well formed and a bit overhead surf would set up. I had to take the wave and sometimes waves, hopping out the back to grab a new one. Easy 100 yards to 150 yards rides.
The wind increased until any attempt to go upwind was all edge and kite low. Trying to "ride the wind out" was worthless and tiring. Fully de-powered kite and full weight on an edge. I found myself using the glutimus maximus, (spell check, whatever) sort of Latin for "Butt Brakes". One uses their arse to have a seat and drag in the water.
I saw Tripper Dave fully wound on a downwinder from County. He saw my kite, and was thinking a kite catch and a ride in the Ventura Kiteboarding truck back up-wind. I throw a hand gesture, turned "shaka" to coincide with a long drawn out bottom turn back to my landing zone. Try to ride some nicely formed waves, but over powered, just manage to cruise on the face of walls. Time to pull the plug.
The small point of Heavens has a small wind shadow and a sandy area I want to self-land at. I remove the donkey, stay hooked in the chicken loop and certain my length and downwind clearance is appropriate.
Once confirmed, I unhook, toss the bar and yank on the kite leash. The control bar slides towards the kite and de-powers the kite "flagging it out". I hold on to the kite leash attached to one line as the kite settles down-wind. Detach the leash from my harness and pull the leash line hand over hand (think tug of war) trotting towards the kite and secure it with sand.
Take the obligatory stance, hands on hips viewing what I was riding. Tripper Dave is wound up on his 10.5 Helix, Cult, Park, Bolt, Charger. Those Naish kites look like quintuplets, not sure what he's riding. Kite straight up overhead and his waist harness is a chin harness. Dave stays out another 10 minutes in punishing conditions.
Load up the Ventura Kiteboarding Truck and head home. Driving West into the setting sun, reflecting on
the day.............thoughts of tomorrow and wind.
Tom
Monday, April 18, 2011
Ventura Kiteboarding Driving Under The Influence of Wind
On a Saturday, my phone rings and I hear that 20 miles South the wind is 15 to 20 mph and has been
blowing for over two hours. I am hesitant to go because I have my son with me and Catherine will be
back later for dinner. Jared is making beats and Cathy is dancing- I convince myself to go, when Mark T.
throws the, "I'm going and will pick you up in 20 minutes. Done deal!
Grab 2 kites, 1 board and accessories. Mark T. arrives on time. We are on a mission and can easily
score a 2 plus hour session before sunset.
We take surface streets, not wanting to argue with my professional driver, the better route to take.
After the third or fourth red light in a row, the smell of an engine under duress begins to permeate
the interior. I glance over at the instrument panel and notice the temperature gauge is pinned at the
top of the thermometer icon and RED! I said, "are we running hot"? In my newly learned passive aggressive stance. Mark T. responds with, "yeah it's been doing that lately, then drops off". Sounds
acceptable to me and we are on a mission.
More red lights, we flip the heater on in an attempt to draw heat from the engine. Another red light and
we shimmer and shudder, with steam being pointed out to us by pedestrians and motorists. We purchase
water at a nearby CircleK and continue the mission.
The vehicle that brought Mark so many mamories(sic) of X's and kiting had become a memory.
We stalled pushed and started stalled and pushed...............we were F.O.R.D. (Found On Roadside Dead)
Mission cancelled!
We called our friend Mike, who supplied rescue and retrieval. Big shout out and huge mahalos and props for the save. Thanks again Mike. Title of this post lifted from one of Mike's Social Networks.
I think I mentioned To Mark a couple times, Mike likes Firestone tires and beverage.
For 2 plus years, I never understood why Mark did
not lay the front seat down and place his board(s) tail on the floor and nose to the back window.
It was never a size thing.
Certainly won't miss dodging his board in the car-lot, under tight parking situations.
Photo and sundown was appropriate for the quick ceremony, R.I.P.
We found out later the wind died, when Mark's car died.............believe it or not.
Tom and The Ventura Kiteboarding Crew
blowing for over two hours. I am hesitant to go because I have my son with me and Catherine will be
back later for dinner. Jared is making beats and Cathy is dancing- I convince myself to go, when Mark T.
throws the, "I'm going and will pick you up in 20 minutes. Done deal!
Grab 2 kites, 1 board and accessories. Mark T. arrives on time. We are on a mission and can easily
score a 2 plus hour session before sunset.
We take surface streets, not wanting to argue with my professional driver, the better route to take.
After the third or fourth red light in a row, the smell of an engine under duress begins to permeate
the interior. I glance over at the instrument panel and notice the temperature gauge is pinned at the
top of the thermometer icon and RED! I said, "are we running hot"? In my newly learned passive aggressive stance. Mark T. responds with, "yeah it's been doing that lately, then drops off". Sounds
acceptable to me and we are on a mission.
More red lights, we flip the heater on in an attempt to draw heat from the engine. Another red light and
we shimmer and shudder, with steam being pointed out to us by pedestrians and motorists. We purchase
water at a nearby CircleK and continue the mission.
The vehicle that brought Mark so many mamories(sic) of X's and kiting had become a memory.
We stalled pushed and started stalled and pushed...............we were F.O.R.D. (Found On Roadside Dead)
Mission cancelled!
We called our friend Mike, who supplied rescue and retrieval. Big shout out and huge mahalos and props for the save. Thanks again Mike. Title of this post lifted from one of Mike's Social Networks.
I think I mentioned To Mark a couple times, Mike likes Firestone tires and beverage.
For 2 plus years, I never understood why Mark didnot lay the front seat down and place his board(s) tail on the floor and nose to the back window.
It was never a size thing.
Certainly won't miss dodging his board in the car-lot, under tight parking situations.
Photo and sundown was appropriate for the quick ceremony, R.I.P.
We found out later the wind died, when Mark's car died.............believe it or not.
Tom and The Ventura Kiteboarding Crew
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Part Thermal, Part Santa Ana Switch, Add Prevailing Wind And..........
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.
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.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ventura Kiteboarding Photo Shoot
Must be a clearing wind day, and blowing mid to upper 20's. I am using a 13VII donated by Eric
"Frisky" to our kite school. Thank-You Eric and Kim too!
Shot from the car-park of the cove. I love the clam shell spray from the "gouge snap".
http://jackeo.zenfolio.com/p791617848/h519d175#h519d175 click this to see more impressive photogs.
Big props and a shout out to Jack Keo Zen Photography.
My birthday is coming up in July, a 1 hour photo sesh. with Jack is on the wish list.
Warm winds,
Tom and the Ventura Kiteboarding Crew.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Ventura Kiteboarding goes to Kauai, Hawaii Continued
Alohas and "The Trades are back", "it's really good", "we have a swell"...... "go directly
to "Moues", then check in at your place".
Stoked to be greeted with enthusiasm, but with 2 hours of daylight left, Moues was a no go.
We heard from the bell-hop, kiting was on today. Palms still bent, feeling the 18ish to low 20s
out of the Northeast.
We pick up our "Island Style" rent a car. Highly recommend if you want to hide in plain site. The Jeep,
PT Cruiser, Hummer, any convertible SCREAM " I am tourist rip me off. We had a 2003ishToyota
with split fold rear seats. The residents never noticed us. Once in a while a "shakah" from a random act of
kindness on the road would be thrown our way and returned with big smiles.
Albatross Mark, tells me the west side will be or is going now. We arrive to meet and greet. Mark is out
15 Syn and 6'8 surf board with David riding a 10m inflato on a twin tip. I catch them and we head up to
"Kingdoms" to do a 4 mile downwinder. On the way, I am getting the...Do This....but Don't do that..........
and if this happens your EFFED.....be sure to, well you'll be fine.........oh and see that black volcanic sea
wall there, voodoo wind and razor sharp- as I see waves, shore-pound exploding 12ft in the air off this hazard.
Mark rigs his 15M Syn and I rig my 16 Venom, he gives me a 6'8 directional thruster, with fire hose straps
bolted thru the board. He runs them loose to find many "sweet spots" also to stand on to go strapless.
It's actually "Backyard-Brilliance" strapped and unstrapped on the fly. I see the surf leash attached to the
board. After my tour of dry reef and board breaking hazards, I use it.
Upper teens and a few low 20 gusts side on from the Northeast. The surf is overhead and a half to double overhead
on the outer reef. A lot of head high surf in the middle. Being regular foot, I am able to drop in going right up-wind facing the wave, then straighten out and carve a bottom turn, ride a bit downwind until that reef looked hungry. I was able to head back out heel side, easy 10-15 waves, to jump, snap off a backside hit and ride the left down-wind or back out beyond the reef and set up another right to ride up-wind. "Pono-Kai" Hawaiian term for active sea.
Pono-Tom and Pono-Mark were busy. This was not mowing the lawn and pushing the shopping cart kiting.
Borrowed board, loose straps, opposite tack then accustomed to, 6-8 ft plus un-filterd Hawaiian Juice, lefts turning to rights, close-outs, a hungry reef, heckling, snickering, and taunting your every pass. (you could hear it) After this
down winder and well overhead shore pound on a brown sugar sand beach below "Pavilions". I shouted out. "I feel alive"! This was not a garden variety stroll down the coast.
Now remember, Mark is a self-taught, West side Kauai Boy. Most of you have read his posts, some of you have spoke to him on the phone. Forum/e-mail and phone impressions can be misleading. Albatross Mark is a very
proficient rider, big enthusiasm and Aloha spirit oozing. Put this locale on your world tour.
to "Moues", then check in at your place".
Stoked to be greeted with enthusiasm, but with 2 hours of daylight left, Moues was a no go.
We heard from the bell-hop, kiting was on today. Palms still bent, feeling the 18ish to low 20s
out of the Northeast.
We pick up our "Island Style" rent a car. Highly recommend if you want to hide in plain site. The Jeep,
PT Cruiser, Hummer, any convertible SCREAM " I am tourist rip me off. We had a 2003ish
with split fold rear seats. The residents never noticed us. Once in a while a "shakah" from a random act of
kindness on the road would be thrown our way and returned with big smiles.
Albatross Mark, tells me the west side will be or is going now. We arrive to meet and greet. Mark is out
15 Syn and 6'8 surf board with David riding a 10m inflato on a twin tip. I catch them and we head up to
"Kingdoms" to do a 4 mile downwinder. On the way, I am getting the...Do This....but Don't do that..........
and if this happens your EFFED.....be sure to, well you'll be fine.........oh and see that black volcanic sea
wall there, voodoo wind and razor sharp- as I see waves, shore-pound exploding 12ft in the air off this hazard.
Mark rigs his 15M Syn and I rig my 16 Venom, he gives me a 6'8 directional thruster, with fire hose straps
bolted thru the board. He runs them loose to find many "sweet spots" also to stand on to go strapless.
It's actually "Backyard-Brilliance" strapped and unstrapped on the fly. I see the surf leash attached to the
board. After my tour of dry reef and board breaking hazards, I use it.
Upper teens and a few low 20 gusts side on from the Northeast. The surf is overhead and a half to double overhead
on the outer reef. A lot of head high surf in the middle. Being regular foot, I am able to drop in going right up-wind facing the wave, then straighten out and carve a bottom turn, ride a bit downwind until that reef looked hungry. I was able to head back out heel side, easy 10-15 waves, to jump, snap off a backside hit and ride the left down-wind or back out beyond the reef and set up another right to ride up-wind. "Pono-Kai" Hawaiian term for active sea.
Pono-Tom and Pono-Mark were busy. This was not mowing the lawn and pushing the shopping cart kiting.
Borrowed board, loose straps, opposite tack then accustomed to, 6-8 ft plus un-filterd Hawaiian Juice, lefts turning to rights, close-outs, a hungry reef, heckling, snickering, and taunting your every pass. (you could hear it) After this
down winder and well overhead shore pound on a brown sugar sand beach below "Pavilions". I shouted out. "I feel alive"! This was not a garden variety stroll down the coast.
Now remember, Mark is a self-taught, West side Kauai Boy. Most of you have read his posts, some of you have spoke to him on the phone. Forum/e-mail and phone impressions can be misleading. Albatross Mark is a very
proficient rider, big enthusiasm and Aloha spirit oozing. Put this locale on your world tour.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
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