Location: La Boca, Cabarete Lens: Mark Ribkoff

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Use your arrow keys or page up, Exclusive Stephen Whitesell Interview, Page 26: This is an old shot but still page down, keys to navigate remains one of our favorites! Whitey launched himself off the bank of La Boca, Cabarete, and captured a great image for the 2004 Gaastra catalog. Lens: Mark Ribkoff Press escape to leave the document

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LIVE INTERVIEWS WITH DESIGNERS, PRO-RIDERS, Featured Video: INDUSTRY LEADERS AND KITE PERSONALITIES The Best Odyssey CLICK BOX BELOW

Podcast #76: Dereck camacho Board shapes that work best for flat water, chop, surf and racing.

ASK QUESTIONS REAL-TIME DURING THE SHOW OR POST THEM ON YOUR LOCAL FORUM

Podcast #75: Eclipse Kites Find out what the buzz is all about with Dimitri’s new company.

TECH OUT WITH THE R&D TEAM AS THEY ROLL OUT NEW GEAR. Get a glimpse into the life on the Best Odyssey and some of the amazing kiteboarding locations they have discovered so far. Northwest rider and videographer Podcast #74: FOne Jeff Kraemer was one of the first guests on the maiden The new US distributors on FOne’s product line up for 2007. voyage to the West Indies. Be sure to check out his Live broadcasts every Thursday at http://cherrytap.com/lounge.php?l=1293 Post show available every Friday at story “A Universe to Our Own” on page 56. ASnews.net and TheKiteboarder.com Got a suggestion? Email [email protected] Location: San Carlos Rider: Brian Caserio Lens: Clark Merritt/Solosports.net Support The Kiteboarder! If you like the free PDF of the magazine and our weekly podcasts, show your support by Subscribe: getting a t-shirt, video, calendar or subscription at The Kiteboarder store…. Annual subscription and The kiteboarder t-shirt special: $34.99 new! the new DVD from Tronolone Annual subscription $34.99 free shipping! $24.99

Plus, all the latest DVDs from Tronolone, ACL Productions, Hollywood Productions, Two 2007 calendars Real Kiteboarding and more! see only $14.99 www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog (choose from the kiteboarder & big wave surf calendars) 4/19/07 3:23:37 PM

The Kiteboarder Magazine June 2007 Volume 4, Number 3 356561_Cover 1 22 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 23  thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 

T2_ad2.indd 1 2/2/07 3:41:36 PM  thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com  Ben Wilson is one of the hardest working pro kiteboarders in our sport. This photo was taken early April on one of his business trips to explore a new surf spot in New Caledonia. Photo Gibson

Jeff Tobias has been laying low this past year testing gear and charging new surf breaks. He was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and gets shacked on this picture perfect Indonesian left. Photo Stephane Fournet

D e p a r t m e n t s

12 Launch The story behind the making of Testimony III: F e a t u r e s Taking Davenport. 16 OG Brian Caserio Baja Mexico and California wave pioneer shares some words of wisdom. 30 Close Up The Northwest’s Paul Porter and Florida’s Stacey Fonas profiled. 38 Backwoods Texas 26 Behind the Lens 44 The Kiteboarder Handbook Everything you need to know about riding the Photo guru Stephen Whitesell. The guide of all guides. butter-flat water at Packery Channel. 48 Roving the Coast of Ceara Julie Simsar and the girls explore the northeast coast of Brazil. 70 Parking Lot Repair Kit The difference between getting back on the water and going home. 72 Xposed 56 A Universe to Our Own 62 Analyze This The best shots of people, places and events from Discovering the West Indies. The T2 and Trix reviewed. around the world.

 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com  THINK

Speak Up

The other day I looked out my window and saw five kites up at my local kiteboarding spot. The wind had picked up due to a front moving in and a few of the local kiters were taking advantage of the wind surge. Within 30 minutes, the wind turned 90 degrees from sideshore to directly onshore. This is the most dangerous direction to ride Packery Channel due to the electric lines and wooden posts that line the launch area.

The temperature quickly started to drop, and the wind velocity increased from 18 mph to 25 mph plus. The riders who were on the water were solid kiteboarders, but we noticed a guy who looked like a beginner about to launch an 11m Flysurfer foil-type kite. I had a strange feeling come over me before he launched his kite. This is the same spot and wind direction that my friend Peter Nordby died kiteboarding in when he was accidentally dragged into a post.

In the next instant, I watched this guy launch his kite and get dragged within a few feet of the power lines and telephone pole. A bridle had become twisted and the dude sat there helplessly trying to land his kite. Everyone on the beach just stood there acting as if nothing was wrong. Finally someone came over and helped him land. I assumed the guy had enough and wouldn’t try to relaunch.

In the meantime, the wind had increased to about 27-30 mph. I noticed the guy was going to try to launch again, so I walked over and politely tried to persuade him not to. He immediately got angry with me. I explained to him how the wind had increased and reminded him about how his last attempt almost dragged him into the electric lines. I even explained to him about the dangers of the storm surge we were experiencing and that one wrong move and he could die or be seriously injured. At this point, he wanted to fight and was yelling at me to get out of the way. I made a judgment call and said, “No way dude. You are not kiting here today. Pack it up and live to kite another day.”

He was infuriated and threatened to call the police. I told him to go ahead and that I would tell them that I was protecting him from a potential disaster. The rest of the beach stared at us as I stood between his kite and bar preventing him from launching. Finally, the guy came to his senses and realized I wasn’t joking and started packing up his gear. As I walked home, I began to ask myself, “Did I do the right thing?” It was at that moment that I knew I had to write this editorial and encourage the kiteboarding world to speak up when they see a potential train wreck. You might help save a life or keep your favorite spot from being banned by weathering a few minutes of feeling uncomfortable.

KITE SAFE!

 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com  EDITOR RYAN RICCITELLI [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITOR PAUL LANG

ART DIRECTOR SHANA COURSIN, MIKE BIRCHALL TROIKA STUDIO/troikastudio.com

SNOW/CREATIVE EDITOR JAMES BROWN

TOWSURF EDITOR ERIK AKISKALIAN towsurfer.com

TECHNICAL EDITOR GARY MARTIN

EDITOR AT LARGE ALEXIS ROVIRA

SENIOR WRITERS Marina Chang, Paul Lang, James Brown, Gary Martin, Zach Kleppe

EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Neil Hutchinson, Damien Wright, Joe Bidawid, Lou Wainman, Matt Nuzzo, Trip Forman, Paul Menta, Kevin “Top Hat” Senn, Gregg Gnecco, Jay Crawford, Henry Dupont IV, Sean Driscol, Bill Lee, Jeff Skoll, Paul Lang, Cliff Stone, Stefan Ruether, Jeff Burton, Corky Cullen, John Romais, Eric Akiskalian, Ben Wilson, Ruca Chang, Tony Brady, Cliff Stone, Chris and Lindy Devries, Bryan Eagle, Paul Menta, Mira Kwon, Mike Danish, Dave Yoo, Mike Hedlund, Rick Iossi, Toby Brauer

CONTRIBUTORS Julie Simsar, Jeff Kraemer, Gavin McClurg, Tim Haller, Steve Gunn, Brent Schippidinni, Peter Trow, Wayne Griswold, James Brown, Rick Iossi, Paul Menta, Neil Hutchinson, Chris Moore, Daryl Drown, Hunter Brown, Dan Schwarz, Jay Crawford, Jeff Kafka, Trip Forman, White Poor, Matthew Sexton, Mike Danish

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul Lang, Kim Kern, Matt Cotton, Paul Javier, Gus Schmiege,James Brown, Morton Skoll, BOK

PHOTOGRAPHY Wheatgrass, Joel Beatty, Red Bull Photofiles, Red Bull Mexico, Jody MacDonald, Mark Ribkoff, Jeremie Tronet, Geir Norland, Fred Brisemur, Regis Mortier, Allen Clark/Photoboat.com, Tim Blanchard, Jessie Hassell, Clark Merritt, Kerri Caserio, Chris Ray, Port of Hood River, Perukite.com, Wayne Griswold, James Brown, Stephen Whitesell, Real Kiteboarding, Jim Stringfellow, Jon Malmberg, Gavin Butler, Beret Whitesell, Carol Bolstad, Sean Sekas, Paul Lang, Julia Chatwell, Peter Stiewe, Transcend Kiteboarding, Gibson Mama Trumpkin, Dave Turner, VanMalson, Dave Loop, Dave Yoo, Papa Tronolone, Christian Black, North Kiteboarding, Steve Negen/MacKite.com, Slingshot, Flexifoil, Dave Turner, Pilou/Ocean Rodeo, Chris Cifers, Stephane Fournet, Gibson, Richard Boudia, Broneah.com

Thanks to all editorial and photography contributors for supporting this magazine!

Visit us on: www.thekiteboarder.com www.asnews.net www.theringmedia.com www.cherrytap.com/asnews www.myspace.com/theringmedia

PUBLISHER MARINA CHANG [email protected] (805) 459-2373

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10 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 11 LAUNCH Dave Broome cracks the inside section at Waddell Creek. Lens Kim Kern Keegan Mayo tucks inside the inside bowl. Lens Kim Kern

Long days of filming often mean long days of no riding. Lens Wheatgrass

By Marina Chang

Kiting has come a long way in Santa Cruz, Davenport, happened to be caught on reputation, although admits it may enjoy WAVES, SCENERY AND MORE at their friends. “If I had to classify the movie, is made up of a bunch of characters rooted California, since cofounder of Caution Kites tape. A plot was born when Santa Cruz it to a degree. “Santa Cruz is a tight-knit Brendan and the crew of H-Wood Productions I would call it a docu-drama, although docu- around a common goal of getting as much time Peter Schiebel was making kites in his garage, kitesurfers, many of them ex-windsurfers community made up of a growing number want to emphasize that the film doesn’t just comedy might be more appropriate. We on the water as possible. Brendan hopes that and locals transitioning to kitesurfing were including videographer and local rider of talented kitesurfers, and when you kite focus on the confrontation. In fact, it plays a wanted to playfully jab the windsurfers in the windsurfers and kitesurfers alike will find his film flailing around trying to learn this crazy new Brendan Richards, decided to prove a almost every day of the week with the same small role. Taking Davenport is more about ribs, because there were some incidents where entertaining. He also hopes that people learn sport. However, as people got better and the point: nobody owns the ocean and they people, there becomes a method to the presenting the North Coast to viewers in a way certain people were taking themselves entirely that taking a stand when confronted with localism sport grew, so did a growing divide between descended on Davenport to claim their chaos, an unspoken rule of law in the water that few have ever seen. It’s packed with endless too seriously.” He said, “Keep in mind that the doesn’t necessarily mean assaulting strangers the kitesurfers and windsurfers at a favorite right to kite the spot. called wave riding etiquette. The expectation wave riding sequences, coastal scenic shots and kitesurfers in this film were all windsurfers going and destroying personal property. Rather, the local windsurfing spot on the Northern is that people learn the rules before they follows some of the unique personalities that back to the heart of the Davenport scene in the message is that nobody should have a false California coast called Davenport. LOCALISM? jump in.” He said that local are always willing make up the Santa Cruz kitesurfing scene. early days, and have long-time friendships with sense of entitlement to a given break or spot. It’s Some might cry hypocrisy, as Santa Cruz to explain the set up and there is plenty of many of their old windsurfing friends. Most have all about respecting each other, following local AN IDEA IS BORN kitesurfers are sometimes looked upon space downwind if someone is uncomfortable ENTERTAINING AND INSIGHTFUL seen the movie and found the humor.” etiquette, having fun, and sharing good times. The idea for Testimony III: Taking Davenport as having their own issues with localism. asking. “If riders have had a back experience Brendan is quick to point out that the situation For the trailer/video, go to www.hwoodproductions. was hatched when an incident involving Brendan doesn’t think that the Santa here, it’s probably because they failed to documented at Davenport was done “tongue- Santa Cruz isn’t much different than any other com. Testimony III and all the latest DVDs are also at windsurfer localism against kitesurfers at Cruz kitesurfing community deserves this observe how the scene works.” in-cheek,” and much of it is about poking fun surfing community around the world. The scene www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog

12 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 13

411

By Steve Gunn Photo Chris Ray

Red Bull Kite Punks Inaugurate Smack Smack New Kite Park

Ruben Lenten was recently dubbed “the Dutch Destroyer” for his high, powered kite loops, but the Red Bull Beginning in July, a new ferry service Kite Punks event earned three time will be available between Oahu, Maui world champion Aaron Hadlow a new and Kaui. The Hawaii Superferry will name, “The Sid Vicious of extreme start taking reservations in May, with kite surf”, for pushing the envelope preliminary travel starting at $42 each at Spain’s new Kite Park in La Manga. way for weekday travel booked in The two rivals and good friends Lens Beverly Colgate advance on the web between Maui and joined eight other world-leading Kaui, and $52 for travel to Hawaii. Prices kiteboarders to tackle the ramps, Impressed with the lineup of products for for cars and SUVs start at $55 from or walls and sliders in a new wake-style 2007, World windsurfing champion Matt to Maui or Kauai and $65 from or to the competition format sponsored by Pritchard and Central Coast California Island of Hawaii. For more info check Red Bull. Supported by the entire rider John Colgate have teamed up to out www.hawaiisuperferry.com Spanish kite scene, the riders pushed distribute Gaastra kites and boards in BAY AREA LEADS WAY IN COURSE RACING the level of each other and wake-style North America. Gaastra has been in the kiteboarding to new grounds including Up to 35 kiteboarders will put their riding skills to the test as the Cabrinha Race Series gears kiting business for the last six years, and Photo Port of Hood River up to kick off its racing season. Sponsored by the St. Francis Yacht Club and Adventure Sports Hadlow’s sick 900 over the wall. At the has its own kite production facility in Inc., along with new supporters Adventure Sports Miami and Ozone Travel, the race series is end of the event, Aaron reclaimed his China. With a new design team for 2007, attracting worldwide attention. To the backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge, riders start and title as King of the Kite Punks, closely the two are excited to get the word out finish in front of the historic St. Francis Yacht Club and race over the course of 12 evenings from followed by Lenten and Briton Robert and the products in riders hands to try out. April until mid-September. Riders of all levels and visiting kiteboarders are invited to check out Neal Hilder. www.redbull.com www.gaastrakites.com By Marina Chang Photo Christian Black/Red Bull Photofiles and join in on the races any time. San Francisco Bay and The St. Francis Yacht Club will also host the first US Kite Course Racing Nationals from July 25-29. This is sure to be one of the most exciting kite course racing events of the year, attracting riders, spectators and media from Thanks to the new Google map service, across the country. For more info, see www.styc.com a new Vancouver, Canada, riding guide for visitors and new riders has been put together by last issue’s OG, Chris Glazier. This map has only the main launch Every year, the status of the Sand sites at this time, but other sites that get Bar in Hood River changes due to at least 10 kiters will be added. www. winter storms and the fluctuating skypilotkiteboarding.com water levels affecting the shape of the launch and land area dedicated to Photo Jody MacDonald kiteboarders. This year, the Sand Bar and Event Site areas have basically merged creating a usage situation for kiteboarders and windsurfers. Rigging and riding regulations are being worked out. For the latest info, check www.Portofhoodriver.com or www.cgka.net

Apologies to photographer Geir If you’ve been thinking about joining Norland for miscrediting his photo in the Best Odyssey for one of their the last issue. Julie Simsar’s “Nirvana” incredible trips, Ozone Travel has an image in Exposed was mistakenly exclusive offer: get US $500 towards credited to Carlos Delicado, the the price of your airline ticket and a official photographer for the KPWT. By Tim Haller Photo courtesy Red Bull Mexico US$300 credit at The Kite Shop when you buy a cabin aboard the Discovery. The Odyssey is also offering single By Marina Chang Photo Regis Mortier Ventana Classic Raises $2500 trips that can be applied toward a share, as well as financing. The boat Red Bull, Palapas Ventana and Baja Joe’s recently hosted the 2nd Annual La Ventana Classic has already uncovered over 10 new in Baja, Mexico. The kite race included 55 kiters and eight windsurfers who were transported kiteboarding locations and still has 14 Girls PKRA Competition Heats Up for 2007 offshore to Isla Cerralvo via 11 local “pangas.” The race began with riders jockeying for more trips to explore exotic locations position on a 10-minute rabbit start countdown, and then rocketing back across the channel before year end! Stay tuned for the Weighing in at just 95 lbs, 13-year-old Gisela Pulido was unanimously supported by her to La Ventana. The 10.5 mile race had one turning buoy and a downwind finish. Day two of video. To find out more, listen to the peers to be allowed to compete on the PKRA circuit this year. Although the PKRA age the event was a freestyle expression session and short buoy racing. With prizes varying from podcast at www.asnews.net or see limit is 15, a special vote by the riders will enable the Spanish superstar to participate. weekend stays at resorts to bags of cement and tacos, the La Ventana Classic raised $2500 www.offshoreodysseys.com. Contact Hailing from the windy city of Tarifa, the new Slingshot Global team rider was reigning for the La Ventana Health Center local primary school. Next year’s event is scheduled for late [email protected] for travel champ on the KPWT scene for the past three years. Gisela’s signature style and powered January with all proceeds going toward a local cause. A KiteXpo Demo event is also in the deals and specials. moves will be put to the test as she battles it out against the talents of Kristin, Bruna, works. For more info contact [email protected] Ania, and the rest of the talented women on the PKRA tour.

14 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 15 TIPS FROM AN OG

Brian smacks the lip at his favorite break in San Carlos, Baja Mexico. Smack

Flexifoil has Photo Flexifoil.com just rolled out a brand new “Kite Specific” clothing line. All of the clothes are made for kitesports and can also be worn for everyday By Peter Trow Lens Clark Merritt activities. The Brook Shell Jacket, a 100% Name: Brian Caserio windproof, lightweight coat; and the Keogh Street Name: BC Knitwool Top, will both keep you Profession: Video Distributor/Producer warm after chilly sessions and take you into the evening for drinks at the Brian’s biggest fan, his son Spencer. Photo Kerri Caserio Age: 44 pub or dinner. See the entire Flexifoil Hood: clothing line at www.flexifoil.com. Cambria, CA Roots: Grew up in Laguna Beach, CA, Ride: Jimmy Lewis 5’8” surfboard. Structural Engineering degree from Cal Claim: I love my son. Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA. System: Flexifoil Atom 7m, Ion2 Favorite Spot: Home, or 8.5m and 12m anywhere it’s blowing side-off.

Brian Caserio has been chasing wind and Shouts: I’ll give a shout to anyone waves since the early 80’s. He was among toughing it out in a windsport industry Photo Jessie Hassell the first explorers to search out the perfect like kiteboarding, especially shop owners. Kite Adventures owner Jessie Hassell combination of swells and sea breezes It’s normally not a real profitable or stable has created a new company, Days In along Baja’s Pacific Coast – we can give business. The Bay, that specializes in introducing thanks to Brian for helping to discover people in the San Francisco Bay area to various sports in a group, clinic many of Baja’s most popular wave spots. B R I A N C A S e r I O t ips . setting for a very economical price. In 1983, Brian began documenting his Days In The Bay has teamed up with Best Kiteboarding and certified area journeys on film and video and has since 1. Ride high quality up-to-date equipment. It pays off in performance, time on the water, instructors to launch its first clinics, produced numerous groundbreaking and safety. an intro to kiting. The group setting windsurfing and kiteboarding videos. In allows first timers to bring their friends and learn together. Once hooked, 2. The downfall of windsports is that it’s not the 80’s and early 90’s, he was California’s private water lessons can be arranged. always windy. Maximize your time on the premiere pro-wave sailor and has since www.daysinthebay.com water, whether it is with or without a kite. mentored many aspiring young local rippers to become true professional athletes. Today, 3. If your kite goes down in the surf and a OzoneTravel.com specializes in travel wave is going to hit it, let go of your bar to northeast Brazil and is now offering Brian continues to lead the charge, ripping or pop your chicken loop quick release. early season specials for air only, air/ up the waves on California’s Central Coast no matter how big or small the wave or lodging, or the full Monty with combo lesson/tour packages. In partnership with power and style. how tough you think your kite is, it’s not with Hi-Life Kite School in Cumbuco built to get hit by waves of any size. with Jet ski assisted teaching, you can now get 25% off lessons anytime from Heros: Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg from 4. It’s great to work hard at getting good at June through August. Additionally, Duke University Hospital, and all medical kiting but remember it’s all about having fun. flights are available from any city in North America with flights starting at professionals who dedicate their lives to 5. Elephant seals are a bit stinky but make US $750 round trip from Miami. See pediatric medicine. great pets... www.ozonetravel.com for options.

16 thekiteboarder.com 411411 NEW DVDS Smack AT THE KITEBOARDER

Photo Sean Sekas Alex Fox, STORE aka “The Kid,” is Eclipse Kite’s newest addition to By Marina Chang Photo courtesy perukite.com its growing $29.99 global team. From F r e e Discover the Legendary Lefts of Peru St. Petersburg, Florida, Alex caught the eye of the company because of his shipping Veteran Cabarete wave rider, Brent “Skip” Schippidinni, parted ways with the hard-charging style in the waves and Carribean May 1 to open a kitesurfing excursion business in North Peru. Based in the in freestyle. Alex’s favorite place to kite fishing and surfing community of Mancora, Peru Kite Camp will focus on riding the is East Beach in Fort Desoto. He favors legendary left points that litter the Peruvian coastline. For more info and a sick video Eclipse’s Thruster and Nano kites. Alex is check out www.perukitecamp.com also sponsored by Aggression and has his own signature board. In Dimitri’s words, Epic wave riding, drama, comedy, and “this kid rocks!” www.eclipsekites.com more sick wave action. VIDEO REVIEWS By James Brown Photo Naish Testimony III – Taking Davenport Brendan Richards and his crew have rallied together to produce an entertaining documentary of the history, culture, and colorful characters that makes Santa Cruz unique. Taking Davenport reveals the inside scoop on the impromptu invasion of Davenport, a favorite spot for windsurfers, by a swarm of kiters who descended like killer bees to $34.99 claim their right to ride the spot. A glimpse at local history explains the shift from surfing to windsurfing and then to kitesurfing as the tool of choice. There is plenty of classic Santa Cruz wave F r e e riding footage along with a flail and bail section all to the beat of homegrown cover tunes.E xtras include: More local footage, goofy skits and party pics. Running Time: 50 minutes - To see the trailer, go to shipping http://myspace.com/takingdavenport - For copies go to: www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog Naish International is running an online Kiteboarding Progression: Intermediate contest from May 1 until June 1 for a Fat Sand Productions does an excellent job walking you through each skill with thorough, brand new Thorn board. To sign up for simple and clear explanations. Especially helpful for those of us that learn visually is the the contest go to www.naishkites.com way they use slow motion and repeat each clip over and over to drill the move into your Exclusive interviews and new insane riding featuring head. Each skill is broken down into an introduction, key elements, common mistakes and Lou Wainman, Elliot LeBoe, Dre, Nicollo and more. advanced variations and includes moves such as back/forward loops, jumping transitions, and back/forward loop transitions. Special attention is given to equipment adjustments, kite position, hand on bar position, body positions, timing, board speed and landing. Definitely buy this DVD if you are looking to move past the basics. For copies go to www.sideoff.com or www.allyvideo.com Kiteboarding Progression: Advanced True to form, Fat Sand does another excellent job in taking you from intermediate to advanced moves. Kiteboarding Progression: Advanced covers downloops, kiteloops, board offs, riding blind, unhooking, popping, raleys, S-Bends, boosting handlepasses $129 and slim chances. If you are looking to get out of your intermediate rut, this is money well Photo Tim Blanchard spent. For copies go to www.sideoff.com or www.allyvideo.com F r e e REAL 5 DVD Instructional Box Set REAL Kiteboarding has produced a full instructional series, covering all aspects of The Great Lakes biggest kite party of shipping instruction, technique and action from rank beginner through the current pro level the year is set for June 2-3. Hosted by of riding. All are winners of the prestigious Telly Awards, which recognize distinction Surf Culture Canada, the annual event in creative work, honoring outstanding local and regional television commercials and will be at Mitchell’s Bay on Lake St. productions, as well as non-broadcast video productions. The box set includes Zero 2 Clair, the area’s premier flat-water spot. Hero, Evolution, Joyride, Surf and Triple-S. Available at www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog The highlight of the event is the party Saturday night where participants will From rank beginner to pro level riding, Must see video links: be treated to the sounds of the band he instructional series is a winner of the This is a crazy video showing a guy flying at high speed over jagged mountains using jet-powered/mini- Ruth’s Hat, with local ripper Mike Sloan. prestigious Telly Awards. plane/winged-backpack contraption. http://jet-man.com/playervideo.swf?video=jetman2007.flv As in the past, there will be tons of I don’t want to give away what this video is about, but I will say that it has “urban” surfing. You door prizes and a monster gear raffle. www.kitestock.ca decide whether it’s a hoax or not. http://snutter.no/app/viewMovie.action?id=1280 Bring your shorty! www.thekiteboarder.com/catalog or www.learntokite.com.

18 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 19 SHOP TALK

Mark enjoys a winter session at Shell Island. LIVE INTERVIEWS WITH Smack DESIGNERS, PRO-RIDERS, INDUSTRY LEADERS AND KITE PERSONALITIES

Photo Lisa Price

By Marina Chang Photos Wayne Griswold ECK is minutes from many riding spots Emerald Coast Kiteboarding Podcast #73: COURSE RACING Names: Mark Rush & Wayne Griswold - Owners Kitesurf Belize has started to offer Race organizer John Gomes and former Nickname: Rush/Rushman - Wayne-O/Wayner custom, bare bones charters for $50 Olympic windsurfer Kent Marinkovic per day from Belize to Honduras (Bay share racing tips and discuss the future Age: 54/31 islands), Columbia ( Isla de Providencia, of this growing comp format. Contact: emeraldcoastkiteboarding.com San Andres Islands), and Panama (San Blas Islands). The price includes diesel Location: Panama City Beach, FL fuel and water only on Barmina, a ASK QUESTIONS REAL-TIME Riding for how long: 5 years 38-foot, two cabin yacht. The boat can DURING THE SHOW OR accommodate up to six people with Favorite Conditions: State Park on a 20-25mph POST THEM ON YOUR tours running a minimum of four days LOCAL FORUM SE (side-on) wind, surf 6 foot, crowd 0, right or more. Owner Lisa Price has started behind the jetty where it’s super flat; Shell the service to share what she calls “one of the last paradise’s on earth.” Island’s East Pass on the same direction, SE. www.kitebelize.com Wayne trains the next world champion

How and why did you get into the Winter and Spring. Lessons are taught at kiteboarding retail business? Shell Island with wide open, white sand We started ECKB as a hobby to provide beaches and knee-depth water for about gear to friends, and to help regulate our 200 yards out. beaches. Rush came from a surf/windsurf Podcast #72: background, Wayne from a surf/snowboard/ Where do you draw riders from and what Photo Real Kiteboarding BEST ODYSSEY skate background so it was the perfect tips can you offer experienced kiters who Captain Gavin McClurg talks about the partnership for a kite shop. want to come kite your area? We are a short drive from most major places they have pioneered so far and Whether you live in Hawaii, California, What is your idea of a perfect day? southeast cities like Atlanta, Tallahassee, cruising in the West Indies. Florida, Texas, or New York, when the Load up the boat with tons of gear, head Mobile, Enterprise and Dothan. For wind dies, standup paddleboarding is a to East Pass, ride the super velvet butter experienced kiters, then Panama City Beach great no-wind alternative. It’s the new TECH OUT WITH THE R&D for a few hours, and then downwind it to is a kiter’s playground. You can ride the flat waterman craze and Jimmy Lewis is on Amazon’s and ride some waves by the jetty. waters in the bay, or hit up the State Park or TEAM AS THEY ROLL OUT the cutting edge again with two standup Afterwards, hit up the local bar for some ice County pier for some decent surf. NEW GEAR. paddleboard shapes for ‘07. Both are cold oysters and beer! available at your local JL Dealer or  What tips can you offer visiting www.realkiteboarding.com. Any issues? kiteboarders who want to hook up with Our beaches are pretty wide open so we local riders and kite in your area? I\cXoXe[

20 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 21 LETTERS Rider Ruben Lenten Image Courtesy of Slingshot

What Our Readers Have To Say

Chicagokitesurfing.com Left Out Dear Editor: Letter Of The Last week, my bro and I went to Corpus for his Spring Break. It was excellent riding on the coast, at Lola and at Wildcat. We were fortunate enough to be invited to stay at the Zero Month Gravity shop with Maggie and Jerry. Maggie’s son, Keegan, took lessons and said he has met you before. Also, he brought home the newest The Kiteboarder Magazine. I have been You Are Appreciated a fan of the magazine since Broneah gave me my first copy over two years ago. Dear Editor: After reading an article on forums, I thought that I’d write to you regarding an omission, Just wanted to drop a line and say www.chicagokitesurfing.com. This tool is especially valuable for Midwestern riders for a hey. I am always amazed by the great variety of reasons. Foremost, it is a critical means for finding out the where and the when. work that comes from The Kiteboarder For better or worse, we don’t have the trade winds that make conditions consistent. We Magazine. It is always solid, and I am ride the fronts, and drive a long way to do so. It makes sense to do as much research always proud when I hand a copy to before committing to a 3.5 hour drive. The specific weather information kiters require is somebody and they freak out. Your hard accurate and concise on the forum. “V” is the generous host of Chicago Kitesurfing. He work and dedication are truly reflected gives excellent advice, and doesn’t reply to requests with a “that has already been covered” in your magazine. I work at the O.C. response. So there are my props to a great guy with a great forum. Weekly, in Orange County. We put out a paper every Thursday. I know what it Sincerely, is like to be a part of something bigger Rorke than yourself. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but it is vastly rewarding Thanks for the letter. Unfortunately, we had to leave out several very good forums due when it hits the streets, and you know to limited space. “V”, the moderator of Chicagokitesurfing.com is a great guy and does you had a hand in something people an awesome job up there—Ed everywhere are reading. Good job! I just had to let you know that you guys have been doing a great job, and I feel you Kite Dawgs need a good pat on the back, even if it is Dear Editor: through an electronic letter. I just finished listening to show #70 with Dave Loop. Like many of them; good show! I love when you have guests on to tech out over new gear, but I also like the shows when Have a beer and smile- you are its just a couple old kite dawgs talking about the industry. It’s always interesting to hear appreciated! the stories and it sure as hell beats listening to talk radio in the car!!!! Jay Thanks, Todd J. Blakaitis We love letters like this. Thanks for your support. Readers like you make our job Thanks for tuning into our shows. Loop is an East Coast kite legend and deserves our worthwhile. I think I will take you up on respect. Be sure to check out his retro rocker photo in this issue’s Send It section—Ed that beer --Ed.

Send your banter, happiness, rants, raves to [email protected] 22 thekiteboarder.com COMPETITIONS The sliders were a big hit at the Key West comp. James Brown at SKM. Photo Kim Kern

Collegiate Comp Huge Success By Rick Iossi What do you get when you add sun, bikinis, beer, kiteboarding and spring break? The first ever collegiate kiteboarding challenge! Matt Sexton from Eckerd College/Triton Kiteboarding kitebeaches.com along with The Key West Kite House and Xrated Kiteboarding kept spectators and riders busy all week long with freestyle, slider and boarderX competitions. Next year should be bigger than Update 2.0 ever as Matt spreads the word to other collegiate new design - new software - new functions kite clubs and campuses around the nation. See photos/results at tritonkiteboarding.com Photo courtesy photoboat.com World’s leading database for kite beaches Snowkite Rodeo Round Up a new challenge - terrain-based Kitercross racing. from around the world By James Brown This winter also united more talented snowkiters Once again, the Snowkite Rodeo put Montana on from around the globe with attendance from as - over 3000 beach info listed the map as an epic snowkiting spot with freeride far away as Alaska, Florida, Texas and Norway. For - pictures & picture of the day the full story, see www.windzup.com sessions, a Kitercross competition and the highly - beach blogs anticipated Cow Girl contest. The wind did not disappoint spectators and riders and a great time Great Conditions at - beach videos was had by all, despite missing snowkite pioneer - local riders and event organizer, Keith Kallio. We were stoked Therapy Sessions - commercial info By James Brown to have the Snowkitefilm riders from Norway and - satellite maps Sweden there to pump up the skill level. For results The wind and snow came in like a lion for the 4th and sick photos, see www.montakitesports.com Annual Therapy Sessions event at the Sanitarium - comments at Dillon Reservoir, Colorado. Swarms of eager beginners showed up to fly trainer kites and on SKM Attracts Riders the final day of the three-day event, riders were Worldwide treated to blue skies and nice thermals, perfect By Brian Schenck conditions for playing on the kickers, rails and Over 100 kiters hit Skyline in Utah to enjoy the skimming across the open water where the river fresh powder and consistent wind at the 3rd enters the lake. Saturday night featured an off- Annual Ozone Snowkite Masters. Chasta was on the-hook party with killer prizes from sponsors. the hill once again to host this event and introduce www.snowkitetherapysessions.com Hiding behind his shades, Stephen Whitesell is an extremely humble guy who has helped me over the years with random photography questions. Photo courtesy of Stephen Whitesell

Stephen Whitesell

The Man Behind Theinterview byLens ryan riccitelli

Photographers are probably the least well known people in our sport, unless hunting around for something new. At the time I was living with my you are the focus of their attention. Stephen Whitesell has been a part of girlfriend in Munich. One day Pete Cabrinha called and said he was at kiteboarding since the early days, capturing images of the first pioneers to the sports trade show (ISPO), so I drove down to meet him. We surfed today’s hot shot pros. Many of you have lived vicariously through “Whitey’s” the standing river wave in Munich, and Darrell Wong, the windsurfing lens experiencing travel stories and spectacular moments of his adventures photographer, was shooting. Right then and there I decided I was going around the globe. Whitesell is neither arrogant nor egotistical when it comes to become a photographer. It just looked so damn cool. Pete and I talked to what he does best. This is one of the major reasons why manufacturers about it and later he gave me some help as he worked for Gaastra at the and riders kidnap him regularly to photograph their catalogs and travel time. Darrell Wong became a good friend and always guided me along on stories. On a typical day, you can find “Whitey” surfing, kiteboarding the business aspects of photography, which is probably more of a challenge or flying remote control gliders near his home on than getting good shots. Oahu, Hawaii, but when the wind is blowing There is a certain breed and the light is right, Stephen will be swimming What is the most memorable photo you took in out with his camera in hand, ready to capture the of rider that knows you career? soul and lifestyle of our sport. The next time you are what I am looking for I can’t say I have one “most memorable” photo. thumbing through a kiteboard magazine and see an or how I like to shoot. Some of my first water shots stand out because insane photo, make sure to look for that little photo they were really exciting. New career, new angle, credit and remember this interview telling the story Guys like Robby Naish new riders – it was an exciting time. The first flash of Stephen Whitesell, the man behind the lens. are masters at that. housing I made really brings back memories. Some of those shots were sick. Martin Vari was living on Where did you grow up and what kind of childhood did you have? Oahu, and we shot a lot of stuff back then as we were both super stoked. When I was really small, we lived on the Big Island, but then we moved to Kailua on Oahu. I had a ridiculously good childhood. The ocean was my What type of person do you have the most fun shooting? backyard, and we had a huge crew of kids in my neighborhood. I like the guys that are willing to deal with experimental rigs and shots – guys like Sky Solbach and Denver Coon. They understand that sometimes Who are some of the people you grew up around? I am trying new shiznit out, and it may be a waste of time but it may also Back then, Kailua was way different. It was more rural and you knew be golden. They are always down to shoot too. I like guys that can line up everyone. I hung out with surfers for the most part. We lived to surf; it real well and have lots of kite control. There is a certain breed of rider that was really cool. knows what I am looking for or how I like to shoot. Guys like Robby Naish are masters at that. I don’t like guys who call me and say it’s going off so that How did you get in to photography and did you ever think this would I come shoot when I really know the conditions are marginal – photo sluts Whitesell works his moody light magic as he captures Jeff Tobias boosting a huge handlepass 3 off the back of a wave be your career? that want shots. It’s a waste of time and time is precious for me with all the in Hawaii just before sundown. Photo Stephen Whitesell Back in the early 90’s I was a car mechanic but was sick of it, so I was things I have going on.

26 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 27 Whitey has always put 100% into his shooting and this photo illustrates said, “digital, it’s so easy now, hmmph.” Well, I don’t really want to fall the lengths he will go to get a unique shot. Photo Mark Ribkoff into that trap. Or, maybe I have. Gotta think about that!

Many of the top shooters in the world use your custom built water housings. How did you get into making water housings? What guys? Hah! I always loved technical challenges and a degree in Industrial Arts doesn’t hurt. When I started shooting photos, I had no money, so I ended up making my own water housings. I enjoy making them and try to create them as art pieces you are proud to have on a shelf too. Saying that, it’s also a lot of work.

How did you get into shooting kiteboarding? In the early days, my friend Des Walsh kept pushing me to shoot. I thought it looked pretty lame, but my wife said, “You better start shooting that sport, because I’m going to learn it.” She really kicked me in the butt to do it. I admit it; I had a closed mind - the kiss of death for a photographer.

You have shot dozens of covers for magazines over the years. What is your personal favorite? I like the Brian Lake cover you ran. I got a lot of comments on that one – even from other mags. There was an early Lou cover for German Kitesurf which I really loved too.

Who are your favorite riders to work with? Right now, Denver Coon, Jaime Herraiz and Sky Solbach. I don’t see the old crew so much. I used to love shooting with Flash, Martin Vari, Robby Naish and some of the local guys no one now has heard of like Scott Molinaro, Graham Boltz and Des Walsh. Those guys ripped.

You have recently started shooting formula car racing. How did you I like the surf I will admit. It irks a few people, but hey, theres get into this and what races have you shot? Years ago, right at the start of kiting, I met this guy through Don always other photographers to get the shots of the photo sluts. Montague. His name is Alex Wurz, and he now drives for Williams F1. Whitesell’s favorite angle is from the water. Denver Coon blasts a kiteloop handlepass “ He became one of my best friends, and we have this little scam going above the master. Photo Steven Whitesell Maja and Stephen share a very happy married life. where he tells the team we need some shots of him kiting, and they Photo Berett Whitesell send me off to take pictures of him. I haven’t actually broken into the F1 shooting ranks yet – more the lifestyle of one driver. We have a lot Where is your favorite place to ride? of fun, and I have met a lot of people through him. He actually took a Mokuleia on the North Shore; it’s a secret spot though. picture of me that made a cover in Europe. See, in the old days, anyone could make a cover. You now how a family of your own; what is that like? Has having a family changed your perspective on your life and career? Many of your travel stories have been featured in magazines around Well, it has made me realize how time flies. It has made it difficult to just spend the world. What is the most memorable travel story you have ever leisurely days at the beach shooting when the light gets good or waiting for been on? Part of shooting great photos is understanding what you shoot. Whitey gets slotted at wind. I wouldn’t change a thing. An early Whitey cover. Rocky Point. Photo courtesy of Stephen Whitesell I think my favorite was with Cindy Mosey and Mark Shinn on the South Island of New Zealand. Mark was at his peak and just ripping, and Mosey is always full on for fun. Yeah, that trip was a classic. It was You also do a lot of the sports you shoot; how do you think this helps I want to shoot. Any donkey can sit on the beach with a 600mm and a super nice place with lots of characters. Los Roques with the Space you as a photographer? get shots. It becomes an equipment arms race. I like in your face, wide Monkeys is a close second. For sure it helps. I know what to expect. It’s harder with wake-style angle, strobe shots. Stephen kiteboarding because I’m a dangler. In the last few years you have been known to leave the camera home What is your opinion on shooting watersports with digital versus film to go kiteboarding on an epic day. Whitesell’s What was it like coming up as a photographer in Hawaii? and how has this helped and hurt water photography? I like the surf I will admit. It irks a few people, but hey, there’s always Well, I used to shoot a lot of surfing, but there were so many established Personally, I have always loved film. Every roll coming back is like opening other photographers to get the shots of the photo sluts. Whitey’s self portrait! Photo Stephen Whitesell guys it was hard to get jobs or photos in the mags. I started shooting a Christmas present. You don’t get that with digital unless you know the Photo Tips windsurfing a lot too and then moved into kiting. In the beginning, there stuff is magic. I don’t think digital has hurt photography. It has opened the You have captured many of the pinnacle moments in kiteboarding; • Shoot what interests you. It sounds obvious but you would be surprised. was no one shooting kiting on Oahu and just Peter Sterling and Eric Aeder door for a lot of people to shoot and enjoy photos. It has pushed up the what are your thoughts on the evolution and future of the sport? • Be willing to wait for the light and the conditions to be in your favor. Normally were getting into it on Maui. It was wide open. The early days were exciting level of shots in the mags for sure. What it has hurt is the photo business for Good question! The surf thing is blowing up right now; maybe a surf the early morning and late afternoon offer the best lighting conditions. times I tell you – some pretty feeble shots made it into the mags back then. guys like me. The mags get flooded with images now from so many people. tour? How cool would that be? The freestyle thing seems to be slightly • Have a vision of what kind of shots you want. Work with the riders; explain No one cared though. They are offered free shots left and right, so why pay a guy making a living stagnant although I imagine most manufacturers are still selling mostly your vision and how to get it. out of it? It has devalued the worth of a good photo. Saying that, I think wake-style gear. I would like to see a heavier emphasis on style. • Experiment with settings and angles. My favorite shots are angles that you You are known for water photography and lighting effects. How has of it this way; in the early days, the guys shooting water stuff didn’t even don’t normally see, and that makes it fresh. this helped define you as a photographer? need a good shot to be published as the angle was so fresh. Then along came What gear do you ride? • Most important, if you want to make a little money in photography, The hardest thing in photography is to define your style of shooting. the autofocus shooters, and the old guys said, “it’s so easy now, auto focus, Naish. Rob and Don Montague took care of me at the beginning and still start with a lot! The strobe stuff and fill flash shots; they define me. They still do. It’s all hmmmph.” Then the digital era came along and the old autofocus guys do. I do like Amundson custom wave boards though. He’s the man.

28 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 29 CLOSEUP

Age: 19 Height: 5’8” Weight: 165 lbs Years kiting: 2.5 years Favorite Spots: Kailua (Flat Island), La Ventana, The Gorge Favorite Conditions: Windy enough so the kooks stay home. Favorite Moves: Huge KGB’s and anything that gets your heart racing! Sponsors: CrazyFly, Jetty Island Kite and Skim Competition Placements: Nothing worth bragging about, yet! GEAR Boards: CrazyFly Pro model 125/39 Kites: 07 Slingshot Fuels Bindings/Straps: straps or strapless surfboard Bars (size and line length): 17” bar Lines: 23m Harness: Mystic Warrior

Photo Jon Malmberg

tips Never let go!

Ride 110% or you might as well be on the beach watching.

Stick to what you know when it comes to equipment.

Know your gear inside and out and it will do what you want!

Never forget why you kiteboard -- it’s supposed to be fun! By Marina Chang Lens Jim Stringfellow

Paul grew up in Seattle, Washington, and What other sports helped influence Kailua Bay, because that’s where I learned moved to Kailua, Oahu, when he was 17 your kiteboarding and what is your and it’s like a jungle gym for kiters when the to finish high school. Lucky for him, his training regiment? wind blows. host family’s home happened to have a Sailing, surfing, and skateboarding. great Kite Beach just five minutes away! What is something about you that you do He then moved to New York City to study What riders influence you most? outside of kiteboarding that most people and work toward becoming a professional Ruben Lenten for his ability to do everything wouldn’t know? photographer. Needing a break from the 20 feet higher then everybody else and Andre When I’m not riding in tropical or warm city life, he spent this winter training in Phillip for his style. places I’m shooting photos out in New York Ventana, Baja Mexico, enticed by friends City to afford my long kite vacations. who raved about the steady winds, cheap What do you do off the water to help you beer, and killer tacos. He was never much on the water? Do you prefer the new Flat kites over the interested in competition sports until Stay stoked and find ways to be able to afford C-kites and why? kiteboarding. Paul plans on spending this this nuts sport! I ride what I know and that’s been C-Kites. I’d summer in the Northwest again and hopes like to try a flat kite in three years or so -- by to compete in the Bridge of the Gods event What is the latest trick you are working on then they should have it figured out! at Stevenson, and any other North America and how is it going? events that have a freestyle element. Throwing a kiteloop into my powered What music pumps you up before a handlepasses and not getting rocked! session? When, where and why did you start Kiteboarding is a very unique sport because I am really into Swedish folk music and old kiteboarding? of its great combination of mind and muscle. school rock and roll. Sometimes I pump I started 2.5 years ago in Seattle, Washington. I find I have to sit and think about a trick as Ozzy Osbourne, Crazy Train; Iron Maiden, I started working for a kiteboarding school much as I need to train physically for it. Run to the Hills and Dio, Holy Diver. The because I was in need of a summer job blend of folk music and metal guitar really where I could be at the beach everyday, and Where is your favorite place to ride helps me focus. not pouring concrete in the hot sun. and why?

30 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 31 CLOSEUP

Age: That’s not a very polite question! Height: 5’7” Weight: 123 lbs Years kiting: About 4 years, with a year off for various injuries Stance: Goofy Favorite Spots: Taiba Lagoon, Brazil; Spanish Wells, Eleuthera; Anne’s Beach, Islamorada Favorite Conditions: Just powered enough, not lit out of my mind, in butter-flat water. Favorite Moves: Raleys; anytime I can land a properly-edged F16. Sponsors: Best Kiteboarding. Currently looking for a Botox sponsor. GEAR Boards: 121 Drive Bindings: Best footstraps and hoverpads, bike-innertube heel bungies Kites: 7 & 10m Bularoo; 9, 11, 13m 07 Waroo; 11m Waroo Pro Bars (size and line length): 07 45cm Best Bar and 25m white lines Harness: Kristin Boese’s old waist harness; I like having something that belonged to the World Champion when I’m out on the water.

If you’re having a hard time getting on the board, stick with it. It took me over 500 attempted water starts before I got on the board for a few feet and then fell off.

If you think you need to rearrange your life to accommodate kiting, do it, even if it means quitting your job, selling your house and starting all over again. It’s worth it.

Try one new thing every session. Even if you don’t land it, it’ll make you feel like you’re progressing.

Unhook. By Ryan Riccitelli Photos Gavin Butler

The moment Stacey got her first trainer in What was it like competing in Xrated What is something about you that you do the air, her life changed. As soon as she Kiteboarding’s Xtreme downwinder? outside of kiteboarding that most people could stay upwind, she sold her house, The entire race, I was thinking, “I hate kiting. wouldn’t know? quit her job, got her IKO certification and Kiting is stupid. I’m never doing this again. I don’t do anything outside of kiteboarding. I’m moved to Cabarete to teach kiting for This sucks!” But the minute it was over, it not a very well-rounded person. Laurel Eastman. Stacey started working was suddenly a wonderful experience, and for Best Kiteboarding in January 2005. As even more so when I found out I was the first If you could give props to someone you team manager, she has had a lot of amazing girl to finish. really respect in the kiteboarding world, opportunities to travel and kite as a part who would it be? of “work.” If she’s not kiting, she’s doing What is your favorite competition format? Enzo Merluzzi, who taught me to kite, and something kite-related. Stacey did what I like long distance racing, but only because Alex Shogren for his balls-to-the-wall risk- many of us dream of doing and is stoked to it’s what I seem to do best! I’m not the fastest taking. Andy Hurdman, my favorite kiter to be living her passion. person, but I can keep going for a long time, and watch, and Kristin Boese, an amazing person I can usually get myself out of some pretty tough who I’m lucky to have as a friend. When and where did you start kiteboarding? situations. As a discipline, I like freestyle best. I flew my first kite in 2002. I didn’t get on a I’m just not very good at it, especially in choppy Who are your favorite people to ride with board until May 2003, and I stayed upwind water where the comps are usually held. and describe your dream session? for the first time at the end of July. I’m a very Alex Shogren is my absolute favorite slow learner. What part of kiteboarding do you hate person to ride with - especially when he’s the most? standing on the beach pushing me to try What other sports helped influence your I hate not being able to kite in flat water all new things. If it wasn’t for Alex, I’d still be kiteboarding and what is your training the time. going back and forth. My dream session is regiment? kiting on a butter-flat, empty lagoon, on a 7 I did absolutely nothing before I started kiting What do you think about the current gear or 9m in the late afternoon when the wind’s except shopping and gym/treadmill stuff. When selection and how it is tailored to women? backed off a bit. There are a few guys I’m it’s windy, I kite until I run out of light or wind, I think it is great! I don’t believe women trying to impress standing around on the or my equipment fails. When it’s not windy, I need special kites or boards, just maybe girl- beach and Gavin Butler is taking pictures of go to the gym and do cardio and weights. specific harnesses. me nailing every move I try.

32 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 33 SEND IT 14 15 2 1

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1. Rocky Chatwell and his sister Sarah after she skills in St Augustine, FL. Photo courtesy of 8. Photographer Gavin Butler and Andy markets of La Paz. Photo Carol Bolstad 15. Kalani Cook chilling at Waddell. Photo 19. East Coast legend Dave Loop circa 1982. won Ms. Corpus Christi. Photo Julia Chatwell Daryl Drown Defilippis sporting neon. Photo Transcend 12. Kristin Boese with the buggy she drove into Kim Kern Photo courtesy Dave Loopm 2. The crew from Baja Joe’s in Ventana 5. Thomas Gaewhiler puts his head into his Kiteboarding the lagoon with Isma Moussed and Christian 16. Jason Trupkin boosting one at Shack’s in partaking in Pablo’s famous margaritas. bar designs for Best Kiteboarding. Photo 9. Paul Porter’s internet dating headshot. Holley. Photo Gavin Butler Puerto Rico. Photo Mama Trupkin If you have a photo that you would like featured Photo Jon Malmberg Peter Stiewe Photo Jon Malmberg 13. Ben Wilson clocking some tube time in 17.Litewave Dave showing off his $20k gold in The Kiteboarder Magazine, please email ryan@ 3. Brian Caserio, the Ezzy’s and Kevin Trejo at San 6. The crew behind CherryTAP. Photo Dave Yoo 10. Julie Simsar, Karen Futernick and crew New Caledonia. Photo Gibson grill. Photo Dave Turner thekiteboarder.com Carlos. Photo Clark Merritt 7. Dare2Fly, Kitebeach, Cabarete. Photo enjoying happy hour in Brazil. Photo Unknown 14. Brad Jensen getting inspired at Pablo’s bar 18. Jon VanMalson and Rocky Chatwell 4. Daryl Drown shows off his landboard Carol Bolstad 11. Grom and Shannon Bolstad cruising the in Ventana. Photo Jon Malmbergco hanging in Ventana. Photo VanMalson

34 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 35 BACKWOODS Zach Kleppe sessions one of the “duck blinds.” ;) Mike Danish burns a turn just off the channel.

Local rider Mike Danish takes advantage of the flat water to work on his kiteloops.

Many days blow 25 mph and the shallow water stays butter smooth. Resources the slick at www.southcoastkiteboarding.com Packery Channel,tx www.prokitesurf.com Words and Photos Ryan Riccitelli www.corpuschristicvb.com Packery Channel County Park is known for its butter-smooth flat water and 20 knots plus conditions. If you are able to launch your kite and body drag, the shallow water at Packery is the perfect set up to improve www.thirdcoastkitesurfing.com your skills. On a good day, you won’t want to miss many of Corpus Christi’s top kiteboarders throwing www.bobhallpier.com down all the latest and greatest freestyle tricks. The launch at Packery is not difficult, but this spot is not for beginners. The most important tip to any visiting kiteboarder is; DO NOT KITEBOARD IN THE CHANNEL!

What is the official site name? What is the best wind direction? turn on your way in. There is plenty of room the “Birdiest City” in the nation with more live music, head to the Executive Surf Club you never know when you might hit a Packery Channel County Park. East southeast, east or anything north in to stand in the water and launch your kite. If individual species counted than any other downtown, and try one of the over 25 beers stray shell or oyster. The flats aren’t oyster the winter months. Summer months can the water is real low, you can drive further city. I’ve found that kiteboarders really like on tap; Tuesday is $2 pint night. If college girls free, so if you see a bunch of sticks, stay What is the best time of the year to hit be a little too south so you are better off back on the dirt road to the mud flats and bird watching, so that should entertain you. are more your scene, check out Mulligan’s clear and don’t go crashing in a place you the spot? heading to Laguna Shores or the beach if launch there. Otherwise, you can go surfing. Yep, there is downtown or one of the many clubs. haven’t scouted out. Power lines and poles Packery is windy year around but the best it is real windy. Both are only five minutes surf in Texas. You can also make the three- line the launch area so it is definitely not months to catch it are March through June (18- away from Packery. Who are the local schools and shops? hour drive to the cable park in San Marcos if Is there anything else I need to know about a good place for beginners. Beef up your 30 mph). July through October is a little lighter South Coast Kiteboarding, Packery Channel; the forecast is looking really bad. this spot? skill level and after you have mastered but still delivers. November through February What is the best wind direction to get lucky? ProKitesurf, Downwtown Corpus Christi and Don’t ride in the channel, especially in the basics like controlled launching and is mainly dependent upon cold fronts. On the rarer northwest front days, you can Third Coast Kitesurfing, Port Aransas. Where are some of the best places to eat? the summer months when there is a lot landing, upwind body dragging, upwind really explore all that Packery offers. Padre Island Pizza across the street is of boat traffic. You may see a couple of riding, and are self-reliant, come on down What is the best internet site to check Where should I stay? definitely good, although the best Pizza young punks riding, but if you are at all and enjoy the conditions. the wind? What conditions should I avoid? The island has several hotels that keep you in Corpus is at B&Js Pizza. Take SPID concerned about your abilities, just body southcoastkiteboarding.com has a variety Due south is the only direction that isn’t close to the kite action, while downtown, west, exit Airline, bang the U and it is on drag across to the other side about 30 Are there any interesting bits of trivia about of weather links specific to the area. workable. just 20 minutes away, has a bit more of your right. LaPlay on SPID is also a local yards and enjoy the flats. this spot? a city feel. The Omni Hotel is kiteboarder favorite; exit Weber, make the U, and it’s This is the place that Damien Leroy landed How do I get there? What gear should I be sure to pack? friendly. There are also condo rentals on on your right. Be sure to check out the Are there any safety rules or issues I should his first sent mobe. Packery has a ton of Packery Channel is located on North Pack your 9m and 12m, and even smaller in North Padre Island for longer stays. Check Sunset Grill located on Bob Hall Pier. know about? history in the Corpus Christi kiteboarding Padre Island in Corpus Christi, Texas. You the spring. out www.southcoastkiteboarding.com for Did I already say not to ride or do tricks community, but not all of it is roses, so can fly into Corpus Christi International hotel, condo and campground listings. What is the nightlife like? in the channel? Seriously, don’t ride in it always ride with a buddy and stay in your airport and then take Interstate 37 toward What is the launch and landing like? If you want to feel like you are in “Top Gun”, and get the boating community pissed game. Be sure to pay your respect to the Corpus Christi to Interstate 358 to North The launch is the grass strip on your right, What else is there to do if I get skunked? you can hang out at Farrah’s across the street. at kiteboarders. Also, don’t go running Peter Nordby memorial. Peter is the man Padre Island. immediately after you make the 90 degree In 2003, Coprus Christi was declared If you are thinking about absorbing Texas around the flats with reckless abandon; who put Packery on the map.

36 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 37 Taiba lagoon in Paracuru turned out to be one of Julie’s favorite places to ride and train. Photo Geir Norland

Julie enjoying the butter-flat conditions in Moitas. Photo Fred Brisemur

Lagoinha exemplifies the endless beaches found in Brazil. Photo Fred Brisemur

was enjoying a calm October day in Puerto Rico and had three weeks ahead of me with no special plans. My two friends, pro riders Jo Wilson and Ania Grezlinska, were already in Brazil Iand Karen from Ozone Travel, one of my sponsors, was heading there too. It didn’t take me long to figure out what I had to do: buy a ticket to Fortaleza, and meet up with the girls!

By Julie Simsar

38 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 39 No it’s not a big rat but A Brazilian monkey capturing Julie’s attention. Photo Fred Brisemur Julie setting up to bust a move in front of the shack at Taiba. Photo Geir Norland Taiba’s conditions are excellent but watch out for the local fisherman casting their nets. Photo Jeremie Tronet

Julie ends her custom safari downwinder with not a soul in sight. Photo Fred Brisemur

facts Journey to Cumbuco After a few days at Cauipe, we headed a bit further north up to Taiba lagoon and Paracuru, fantastic resorts in all of Brazil, The Orixas Art Hotel. If you’re headed up the coast of north- Fortaleza is the State capital of Ceara. Located in northeastern Brazil, it’s a major fishing which is a 35 to 45-minute drive up the beach. Taiba is another extremely smooth, flat east Brazil, treat yourself to this property. Fleicheras is a bay with nice kickers that roll in when to go: port where more than two million people live. When our plane landed, Karen and I quickly water spot, but a bit smaller than Cauipe. Paracuru ending up being one of my favorite close to shore. The spot can also have some fun surf if you catch it at the right time. August - December made our way to Cumbuco and the Sunset Beach Hotel, our base camp for the trip. It had places to ride.The set up is a large, beautiful bay protected by an outer reef that generates where to stay (high season rates, subject to change): everything we were looking for: comfort, location (it was on the beach, close to town and small waves that form nice little kickers. On the beach, there is a restaurant and showers; From Fleicheras, it was north to Mundau, Moitas and then the final leg up through coconut Cumbuco - Sunset Beach Hotel from $20pp/night, www.villacumbuco.com the best riding spots), a private buggy, and Nutella for breakfast. Perfect! perfect for kicking back and cleaning up before returning to Cumbuco. groves and dirt roads to Prea, about eight miles east of Jericoacoara. If you plan on kiting in Kitecamp Cumbuco, price n/a, www.kitecampcumbuco.com Prea, make sure you bring a small kite – 5m and 7m are the usual kite sizes there! The beach Fleicheras - Orixas Art Hotel from $300 dbl occ/night including breakfast/ Cumbuco is a small fishing village where you can find beachfront hotels, apartments, The Custom Safari is one of the widest, longest and whitest I have ever seen. The kiting area is wide open and dinner, www.orixasclub.com; Pousada Solar das Velas, price n/a, charming pousadas, restaurants, and small supermarkets that sell everything from food After a week or so, Karen and I loaded our gear into a big white Land Rover with our you are guaranteed to have fun riding this spot. Vila Prea is a great place to stay in this area. www.solardasvelas.com.br to all your pharmaceutical needs for dirt cheap. There are plenty of kite schools and trusted driver Daniel, and Fred from the Vila Prea, to start our custom coastal kite safari. They have high speed internet and you can kite right out front. Unfortunately, you can’t kite in Prea - Vila Prea from $85 single occ/night incl. breakfast, wireless internet, even a repair shop if you happen to wreck your gear. The ocean riding is incredible in Daniel is not your ordinary chauffeur – he’s a Ceara State Champion motocross driver, Jericoacoara, but it’s worth checking out the village and the windsurfing action. kite storage, www.vilaprea.com front of the village, however, despite the great conditions, most of our time was spent and he knows the coast and the roads with his eyes closed! Thank goodness we all kept where to eat in cumbuco: Kitecamp Cumbuco for lobster and tapas – training in the famous lagoon, Cauipe. our eyes open, because the coastal road from Cumbuco to Prea/Jericoacoara is one of Heading Home Gauchos for meat - Chicken places around the basketball court in Cumbuco the most beautiful and majestic drives imaginable. My two weeks in Brazil was by all means a true kiteboarding expedition. There is such a vari- where to eat in prea: The Vila Prea for first-class dining at third-class prices ety of places to ride, with new locations being discovered every day. The locals are friendly, Discovering Cauipe what to drink: Caipirinhas, the national drink of Brazil - Acai when in Prea or Cauipe is an easy 10-minute beach drive north of Cumbuco. If you don’t have a buggy or The best part about a custom coastal kite safari is that it is anything you want it to be. and the cost of food, lodging, and transportation is very affordable. In just a few hundred kilo- Jericoaracoara, a special Brazilian treat! - Guarana for energy a 4x4, you can chance the beach drive at low tide or drive the road, which takes about We rode when we wanted, and took breaks from the drive whenever we saw a spot meters of rugged coastline we experienced some of the best kiteboarding spots imaginable. tips: Drink coconut water instead of bottled water if you get sick - Change 35 minutes. Cauipe is a large lagoon that is as flat as flat can get, but it can also get as we wanted to check out or kite. Having traveled to many kiteboarding destinations over the years, I would have to say that Reals at the airport; there is no change in Cumbuco or close by crowded as crowded can get! We liked to hit it early and then relax mid-day under the Brazil is one of the best destinations I have traveled to – so far! To anyone looking for a new how to get there: shade of a palapa, while sipping on cold coconut water and eating some of the best fresh Charging North to Prea place to explore, be sure to check out what Brazil has to offer. From uncrowded beaches and ozonetravel.com and kiteadventures.com offer everything from air and seafood ever. After a little siesta, we would hit the water again in the late afternoon, until The adventure continued and the wind got stronger as we traveled up the coast. We ate lagoons to the more popular spots where you can always catch a pro or two training, Brazil lodging only to lessons and customized kite safaris and tours. our bodies couldn’t take anymore. lunch in Lagoinha and then spent a night in Fleicheras where we stayed at one of the most offers kiteboarders diverse riding locations, consistent winds, and a cultural experience.

40 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 41 The Kiteboarder Handbook Wind and Weather to Ride

By Rick Iossi Wind drives kiteboarders. When the wind Marine/Water Forecasts is light, we crave more. When it’s on, so Check forecasts (predicted winds, direction, hazards, are we. Wind is good but “usable wind” temperatures, cold fronts, tropical or strong systems). Learn is better. “Usable wind” matches our how to anticipate changes by comparing forecasts to the actual gear, experience, riding area, and realistic weather in your area. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ expectations. Too light, too strong/gusty, wrong direction, or too shifty and your Radar and Satellite Maps session may fizzle or potentially be Are storms (often identified by bright colored masses), hazardous. You are definitely putting yourself squall lines, or feeder bands inbound? Looping weather at risk if you ride in conditions that are too images can show trends and speed. extreme for your gear and/or experience. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar_tab.php Is the wind offshore, onshore, or turbulent http://www.weather.gov/sat_tab.php?image=ir from passing over land? These are conditions NWS radar map showing major system on best avoided. Wind, weather, and signs vary eastern seaboard. Synoptic Maps throughout the USA far more than can be Are there significant weather systems inbound (cold fronts, covered here, so do your homework and tropical systems, strong high/low pressure), or do you see learn what applies to your area. tight pressure isobars indicating strong wind? http://www.weather.gov/outlook_tab.php Wind comes with the flow of air from high pressure to low pressure. The greater the Real-Time Winds pressure difference, the stronger the wind. How are winds upweather (the direction of the inbound prevailing system)? Frequently you can see a preview of what Cold fronts can bring both usable and the front will bring to your area hundreds of miles upweather unusable winds (wind to be avoided). They in advance. It’s a look at what may be the future. If unstable can bring hazardous squall lines, dramatic weather is coming (spikes/gusty and shifting winds), avoid it o NOAA map shows squall conditions in increases in wind, 90 wind shifts, and until it passes. http://www.ikitesurf.com/ the southeast substantial temperature drops, which have all taken kiters out in the past. Stronger At the Beach sustained winds for powered kiting often Check out and always be aware of wind follow shortly after squall lines and wind speed, direction, and sky and water shifts. Avoid unusable winds (excessively conditions at launch and during your gusty, from the wrong direction) and rig right session. Is the wind useable, or are sky for useable winds that may follow. conditions stable or threatening? What do threatening sky conditions look like Tropical systems can have powerful in your area? You should know. Are there embedded squalls with unusable gusty, dark clouds and/or a wind/whitewater shifting winds. Squall-free, useable winds line inbound? can come with tropical systems but are less Ikitesurf is a great resource for forecasts and current wind conditions common, so be aware. When you see questionable weather approaching, don’t ride until the last minute. Land and secure your gear before significant wind or So, how can you easily track the wind and temperature changes. If caught out, consider totally depowering early - waiting too long has cost weather? The Internet is full of resources. some riders dearly. Learn which sites are best for your local Location: Tipanniers, Moorea Island, Tahiti Rider: Kirsty Jones Photo: Richard Boudia riding area by asking more experienced If you are ever in doubt about the weather, do not ride! Even the most experienced riders cannot control riders what websites they use, and how their kites if the weather becomes unstable. Don’t force yourself to ride in questionable conditions just they interpret the data. The most important because you drove for two hours to get to the beach. Sometimes you have to admit that the conditions thing to realize is that not all wind is ridable. are above your ability and wait for another day. You have to learn to distinguish usable from The Kiteboarder Handbook unusable wind. By Ryan Riccitelli

A picture-perfect example of an impending squall and storm system. Photo: Rick Iossi. his year we decided to take a different approach to putting together our instructional issue. Rather than bore you with the same regurgitated newbie beginner information, we challenged several of the top instructional coaches in the world to write sections in The Kiteboarder Handbook that are both up-to-date and useful for T every level of kiteboarder. With the evolution of equipment over the last few years, we felt it was imperative for a publication to provide current beginner-advanced instructional information that will not only help you improve your riding but also provide insight into instructional topics that are often left out. Please do not use this information to replace lessons or instructional programs. The Kiteboarder Handbook was designed to supplement the learning process. As always, the best way to learn to kiteboard is to take lessons from a qualified kiteboarding school.

42 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 43 The Kiteboarder Handbook fINDING THE CHOICE LOCATION Choosing the Right Gear

By Paul Lang INSTRUCTIONAL BIOS Real knows all the sweet spots to ride around Hatteras. Photo Realkiteboarding.com Kites Every new kiteboarder has a lot of questions Trip Forman - Real Kiteboarding What are the differences between C-kites, bow kites, SLE kites, and hybrids? about what gear they should buy. Whatever Trip Forman is the co-founder of Real Two years ago, the kiteboarding industry was shook up by the introduction of kites known as bows. Since then, kind of equipment you are thinking about pur- Kiteboarding in North Carolina. Real is open other types of kites have also been introduced, adding to the confusion of what a beginner should buy. chasing, do your best to try the gear before- year round and teaches lessons and camps hand. Do your research and ask other kiters in seven days a week in Cape Hatteras from C-Kites your local area about their gear and why they March thru November. In the winter months, Real sails All inflatable kites made before the 2006 models were C-kites. C-kites are shaped like a “C” chose it. Kiteboarding is not a cheap sport to south for “Real BVI” in the British Virgin Islands. Check their instructional series out at www.realkiteboarding.com and are without bridle lines. C-kites are flown on either four or five lines. These are the tried get into, so take the time to make sure you and true kites. Most people who learned to kite before 2006 learned on a C-kite and they are getting the best gear for your needs. can still be used to learn. However, C-kites can have limited depower when compared to the By Trip Forman newer styles of kites and can be more challenging to relaunch. Where should I buy my gear? When we first started kiteboarding back Choosing who to buy your gear from is prob- in 1998, all the pessimists said, “it won’t Bow Kites ably the most important decision you can happen here, that’s just a Maui thing.” We Bow kites are usually flatter than C-kites and are supported by bridle lines. Bows make in the search for the ideal set up. As didn’t pay any attention to them, and now typically feature better low end and high end wind ranges when compared to C-kites a beginner kiteboarder, you do not want the kiteboarders are found all over the world. and have an amazing amount of depower. All bow kites are flown on four lines. They cheapest kite you can find on eBay. You will Along the way, we learned the best way for are usually very stable in the sky and they relaunch very easily. Bow kites use pulleys on need guidance in choosing the correct gear choosing effective kiteboarding locations. We the control bar, on the kite’s bridle, or both. This can cause higher bar pressure in some and the most obvious place to go would be had to, because kiteboarding was a new and models and the loss of a solid feeling connection to the kite. your local kite shop. Ask other kiteboarders unique sport that needed special conditions where they got their gear and how they felt to work. These are not “hand me down” ex- about the service. Kiteboarding equipment windsurfing spots, but launches specifically SLE Kites is an investment and buying the wrong gear beneficial to kiteboarding and kiteboarders. A SLE (Supported Leading Edge) kite is basically a modified bow. Any kite that features a could be a very expensive mistake. As you grow to understand the sport of bridle could be called an SLE, even bows. Most manufactures that market their kites as SLEs kiteboarding and its specific needs, you’ll Wind: Side, Side-Onshore Winds are saying that their kites use a bridle but differ in some from way from a standard bow kite. If you do not have a local shop, get on the learn that there are a set of characteristics The key wind directions to look for when choosing a riding location are side shore and side-onshore The differences vary from brand to brand and not every SLE kite behaves the same. phone and talk to shops in other areas. Don’t both on the beach and in the water that make winds. This means the wind is blowing either parallel to the beach or at a 45o angle onto the beach. just buy a kite because it was on sale on the a perfect kiteboarding spot. Hybrid Kites internet or was the cheapest one you could These are the safest two wind directions for kiteboarding as they will blow you along or gently back Hybrid kites are the most difficult to describe as a group, as the kites that fall into this find. There are a lot of great shops that sell towards the shore. Once you determine the wind direction for the day, look at a local map and find a category can be very different from each other. A hybrid is not a bow, SLE, or C-kite kite but kite gear on the internet, but always talk to launch site with these wind directions. As a general rule, do not ride in straight onshore or offshore a combination of the benefits and performance of at least two. Some are like bow kites with someone first. Service after the sale does The Wind Window simplified bridles or fifth line connections, and some are like bridled C-kites. Some hybrids winds. These can both be very dangerous wind directions and can blow you directly onto land and into matter if you have any questions about how are great for beginners and some are more suited for more experienced riders. Do your hard objects, or out to sea. to use your gear; if there are manufacturer aul ang research and, if possible, fly the kite you are interested in before you purchase it. P L modifications, or if you have warranty issues. The concept of the wind window is critical Space: Clear, Open Downwind Space to understand when you are learning Kiteboarding and its gear take up a lot of space. Downwind space is key when choosing a kiteboarding If you are a beginner, you can easily narrow the pos- to kiteboard. The window is defined as location, both on the beach and in the water. You don’t want to launch just upwind of a bridge or rig and boards sibilities down to a few choices per brand. New kiters anywhere in the sky that your kite will fly. It launch your kite upwind of hard objects on the beach. Never launch your kite directly upwind of people. How do I pick the right board? should look for a board that they will grow into, in the determines safe riding spots, where you will Clear, open space both on the beach and in the water is the way to go. If your launch site is tight on the This question is almost impossible to answer here, area of 135 cm to 160 cm, depending on rider weight. launch and land your kite, as well as where beach, you can “create” more open space by moving out onto the water before launching your kite. as there are so many factors that go into what makes Entry level boards tend to be wider than others and you a board behave the way it does. A lot of people like can ride a shorter board if it is wide. Boards in the area your kite will generate the least and most Share the Beach to over simplify boards by claiming that because a of 38 cm to 45 cm wide work best for beginners. Choos- amount of power. board has a lot of flex it will do this and because It only takes one rider to ruin a good riding spot. Share the beach, think about and help other riders ing a board that is too small will make it difficult for you it has a deep concave it will do that. All of the dif- to stay on top of the water. Boards that are too large and wind up your lines if you are not going to launch your kite. Don’t lay your lines across car or bike Imagine the window as a quarter of a sphere ferent features of a board work together, and you cause you to become overpowered easily. Look for a paths. Be courteous to other beach users. Smile! Be a good ambassador for the sport of kiteboarding that is projected into the sky in front of you cannot look at only one factor to determine how a board with four fins that are each about two inches and keep our sites open. Always be completely friendly and cooperative with any local authorities, board will ride. Overlooked aspects of board design long or less. When learning, stick with a twin tip board as you face downwind. The window does especially the lifeguards. that make huge differences include edge shape, until you can ride that with no problem before moving not remain constant – as the wind speed flex distribution, fin position, rocker, and outline. In on to smaller boards or directional, surf-style boards. increases the window increases in size. Some Epic Conditions short, you cannot know how a board will ride simply The best way to see if a board will work for you is to try by looking at the bottom. You need to ride it. it, so ask shops if they have demos you can use. twip tip directional new kiters have trouble understanding the As your ability progresses, you will come to realize the two epic conditions in kiteboarding -- totally wind window because it forces you to think flat water or waves. If you have access to these, then everything in the middle can be left to wind- in three dimensions. As the kite flies through surfing or fishing. When looking for the best flat water, scope out natural or manmade features that the window, imagine the kite as moving will block the chop but not the wind. Low lying islands, jetties, and sandbars all work perfectly for harness What kind of harness should I use? around on the inside of a ball that has this. Ride just downwind of them to experience flat-water kiteboarding nirvana. If you are looking There are two main harness types: waist and seat. for waves, choose a spot with a well defined break that is not already packed with surfers. Carefully been cut into Waist harnesses fit around your waist and have a fourths. Flying scope out the waves and how they break to make sure that it is safe to ride before giving it a go. relatively high hook position. Seat harnesses have a trainer kite is leg straps which keep your hook from riding up, and have a relatively low hook position. There are also a great way for The best resources for information on riding spots are local kiteboarding shops, area riders hybrid (seat/waist) and board shorts with integrated or local forums. If you notice that nobody ever kites in certain areas, ask before you go out; you to become harnesses available To choose a harness, go into a familiar with there may be a reason why. As always, stick with spots that are within your ability and shop and try them on. Buy whatever feels comfort- the window. keep an eye on the conditions throughout the day. Even a small wind shift can turn your epic able. If you have any problems with your back, you session into a kitemare. should go with a seat harness as they transfer the seat waist HYBRID Graphic Flexifoil.com kite’s pull directly to your legs. The Kiteboarder Handbook how to set up your board tuning your kite

Photo Ryan Riccitelli INSTRUCTIONAL BIOS By Dan Schwarz C-Kite tuning Maybe you’ve got a brand new kite, but Jeff Kafka – Wind Over Water With the kite at 12:00, sheet the bar in and watch the wingtips. If they flare it’s not flying exactly the way you want. Or, WOW is located in the heart of San Francisco out, your kite is oversheeted and you need to either lengthen your back lines perhaps old faithful isn’t responding like it Bay. A full service center offering premium used to, and you just want to put the spark gear and beginner to advanced lessons with or shorten your front lines. At full power, you want the wingtips to be parallel, OVERSHEETED watercraft support, Jeff also runs winter but on the verge of flaring out. This is the reference point for trimming a C-kite, back in your old love. Correct tuning of clinics and trips to Skyline Ridge, Utah in the winter, with and from this point to depower the kite by lengthening the back lines. If your your kite is as much an art as it is a science plans on board for a snowkite lodge. www.wowkite.com kite has a fifth line, it should generally be snug, with a small amount of slack – it can change the entire personality of a when the bar is sheeted all the way in. kite and increase the range of your current Dan Schwarz - Calikites tuned quiver. Pick a light wind day when you and Dan is a partner, instructor, and repair-guru Bow Kite TUNING TIPS your buddy won’t mind spending some time at Calikites in Southern California. Calikites repeatedly landing and launching your kite, is a full-service retail shop and repair facility, Bow kite tuning is basically the same as tuning your C-kite, except that you and a PASA certified kiteboarding school do not have the visual clue of the wingtip flare to guide you. Fly the kite up to and get to work. For the most part, you’ll be operating in San Diego Bay. Dan’s next goal in life is to teach adjusting the relative lengths of your lines, 12:00 and slowly sheet the kite in. Your kite should remain stable with your OVERSHEETED his wife and dog to kiteboard. Calikites is currently taking bar sheeted all the way in. If your kite begins to stall backwards, your kite is so if you have too much back line tension, bets on which one learns first.www.calikites.com oversheeted and you need to lengthen your back lines. If your kite doesn’t seem you can either lengthen your back lines or to produce the power it should and turns slowly, your kite is undersheeted and shorten your front lines. With that in mind, Neil Hutchinson – Tiki Beach Watersports/ let’s get to the tuning. Xrated Kiteboarding you need to shorten your back lines. Neil was one of North America’s first pro tuned riders. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he SLE Hybrid Kite tuning tips has participated in and hosted some of the . Hybrid kites lie somewhere between C-kites and bows, so the tuning is a combination of the two. Fly the biggest riding events and longest crossings in the USA. Neil kite at 12:00 and sheet the kite in. Depending on what specific kite you are flying, you may be looking for is largely responsible for pioneering kiteboarding BoarderX events, and is a sought after race director for comps visual clues like wingtip flare or you may need to look for the kite to become unstable and fly backwards or worldwide. www.tikibeacheast.com Directionals/Surfboards both. If you are having trouble tuning your hybrid kite, contact your manufacturer or local shop to help you as every hybrid is a little different. OVERSHEETED tuned Traction pads on your directional will help protect your board from heel dents and allow you to jibe By Jeff Kafka without slipping off your board. They’re also a lot neater than wax and don’t melt on a hot day. Your board is a relatively simple piece of equipment. It’s basically a composite or • Get enough traction to cover any part of the board where you expect to put your feet. I like to use tuning your bar fiberglass deck with fins on the bottom one flat long board pad that will cover under the front strap and the deck, as well as short board and a spot for each foot on top. Because traction for under my back strap and the tail. By Neil Hutchinson of their simplicity, many riders do not • If your surfboard has straps, first ride it strapless to find where your feet should go. Move your put an effort into setting up their board feet around the board until it feels right. Look down at your feet and remember where they are so The technology of kites has come incredibly How to check your lines: far since the early days of kiteboarding, so correctly. Make the effort to get your you can mount your straps to the same spots. • Walk out your lines as if you were going to attach board dialed in, and it will make a huge it is more important than ever to have your them to your kite. lines set correctly. Any of the top-of-the- difference in its performance. The shape of a fin is as important as the shape of your board. • Remove any pig tails from the end of all flying lines. line kites will fly horribly if your bar or kite • Attach the ends to a fixed point, like a nail in a fence post or a is not tuned right. It’s almost like taking a • Ask your local kite/surf shop or shaper what types of line wrapped around a tree. new Ferrari and driving it with the wheels fins are recommended for your board. The fins used for • Hold onto the bar and lean back to apply pressure on your lines Twin Tips kiteboarding should be mid-size short board fins. The center out of balance. without using the chicken loop or engaging your depower strap. fin can be the same size as the side fins, but never bigger. On most kites, all lines should be exactly the Photo Ryan Riccitelli What size fins you decide to use on your twin tip board is more personal The side fins should be pretty straight up and down, meaning Fins: same length when under tension. All new preference than anything else. Most often, the fins that came with your board will not a lot of pitch. Towsurfing fins work great. Don’t be afraid kites come with pre-stretched lines, but Symptoms of stretched lines: work perfectly fine. to experiment with different fins – they make a bigger • Kite is flying more to one side or the other when the bar is sheeted all the way in. Problem: One difference than you think. after a few sessions, your lines will stretch a little and need to be adjusted and tuned. outside line is longer than the other. • In flat water, you can ride with no fins if you are learning how to do handlepasses • Kite is flying more to one side or the other when the bar is sheeted out. Problem: One front line is

or hitting a slider. In large chop or in the surf, you could use a fin up to four inches, Footstraps: Set your straps up so they hold your feet in, longer than the other. but most people prefer fins close to two inches as this size works best for all but are slightly loose. This will help you jibe easily and your • Kite tends to stall, crumple and fall when flying. Problem: Your front lines are too long or your back lines around riding. feet will be able to come out of the straps if you fall. tips are too short. These can be adjusted on the go by engaging the depower strap, therefore shortening the • Everybody has their opinion, but I would avoid boards with more than four fins. If Your bar should be 90º to the front lines. your board feels too loose or you want to travel slower, add bigger fins. If it feels fixed point. If not, either lengthen like it is holding in too much, try smaller fins. Photo Wayne Griswold/ECK the short side or shorten the long Photo Ryan Riccitelli side with the use of pig tails or the Stance: Ducked out to an even 13 to 15o works best for most people. The width knots on your leader lines. of your stance is going to be determined by your leg length. Stand over your board and figure out what feels right to you. Stance is measured from inner insert to inner Start letting the pressure off of insert. For most riders, a 15 to 20 inch stance will work best. As a rule of thumb, you bar and make sure both front set your stance about as wide as your shoulders. Play around with a few set ups and back lines fall at the same rate. and ride what feels most comfortable to you. If your front lines start to fall first, they are too long and vice versa Footstraps: The footstraps on a twin tip style board should feel snug when they with you back lines. Once again, are dry, as they will loosen up a bit when they get wet. Riders with small feet may adjust the length using pig tails or leader lines until all lines fall at the need to create extra holes in the footstraps in order for them to fit. Remember that even if your kite is new, it becomes used after your first session. same rate. Check your lines often, and your gear will always ride like new!

46 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 47 The Kiteboarder Handbook setting up your kite know your knots

By Chris Moore Setting up your kite should never be rushed. Mistakes made during set up can not only 1. cost you more time, but could put you in a dangerous situation. There are two main 4. Words and Photos by The Kiteboardr Staff ways of rigging up your kite lines: you either It’s never fun when things break but being lay your lines upwind or downwind from your prepared when it happens can get you back kite. Both ways work well but it is best to 2. on the water instead of cutting your session stick with the same way each time if possible, short. Whether your lines break, you need especially when learning. Basic 1. Bitter end to replace your chicken loop, or if you need 3. to tie new knots to tune your bar, there are 2. Bight 3. Loop a few basic knots you need to know. Before pick your spot 4. Standing end we start, you need to know the parts of a You should fully evaluate your launch area to determine line: the bitter end, a bight, a loop, and the the best way to set up your kite. Setting up an inflatable standing end. kite requires adequate room not only for the kite, but also the space needed to fully lay out your lines. Bowline How to Inflate Your Kite The most commonly used knot is the Bowline. It’s used to attach your chicken Start by inflating the upwind strut. Be sure to remove loop to your trim strap. any sand from the tip of the pump nozzle to prevent Photo Jody MacDonald (1) Start this knot by threading the bitter end through the trim strap and making sand from getting blown into the kite bladders as it can an overhand loop on the standing end. create punctures. Fill each strut firmly from upwind to downwind, and double check the valves for a solid closure. Don’t forget to securely close the Velcro. Now you (2) Then, thread the bitter end from underneath through the loop. are ready for the leading edge (LE). Secure your pump leash to the center of the LE and begin pumping. As the (3) Next, go around the standing end and come back through the loop. LE inflates, move your position and the kite so that your back is to the wind and the kite rises up to form a big “taco” shape. Once the kite is fully inflated and the valves are secured, flip the kite over with your leading edge (4) Give it a nice tug to cinch the knot down, and make sure to check the down and into the wind, and weigh it down with sand or a sandbag. overall length of your lines since you might have shortened or lengthened your 1 2 4 center lines.

Photo TKB Staff Upwind or Downwind? • Depending on the launch site, you may need to set up your lines upwind or downwind of the kite. Pick the double fisherman appropriate direction based on the launch site. Starting at the kite, unroll your flying lines completely. If you The Double Fisherman’s knot can save your day if one of your lines snaps. are upwind of the kite, lay the bar down according to how you would fly it. If you are downwind of the kite, flip (1) Begin the Double Fisherman’s knot by laying the two broken lines down, one the control bar over so that it is upside down. above the other. Work with one line at a time. Take the bitter end, and lay it • Walk your lines out from bar, separating each so that they are straight with no crossovers. Place them on the underneath the second line. ground with plenty of separation so that when you pull on them to connect to your pigtails, they don’t tangle. (2) Next, take the same end and bring it back over the top of the standing end. Most newer kites are color coded and also have a male/female type connector to make attaching the lines (3) Go back under again and make a second loop. very simple and make it difficult to make any mistakes. If you don’t have this type of feature, remember the (4) Then, simply thread through the loop. 1 saying “Front and Center” for front lines on the center of the bar or “Outback” for outside lines (on the bar) to (5) Cinch it down and repeat for the other part of the broken line. Make sure the back of the kite. to leave about an inch of extra line, and tie a stopper so the lines won’t slide through. Once both sides are done, pull the two standing ends apart. Before you launch, recheck all larks head attachment points to be sure that they are free from sand, secure, and (6) You need to readjust your other three or four lines (including your fifth line) the same on the right and left side of the kite. If you are unsure of anything, stop and double check! as best as you can. The broken line will be shorter and will affect your kite’s performance. Use the pigtails on your kite first. Hook up the unbroken lines as close to the kite as you can get and the shortest line to the knot furthest away Upwind Method Pros/Cons 3 5 from the kite. If that’s not possible, adjust the lines at the bar. Best for: Larger areas, windy unprotected areas, C-kites. Pros - You pick your bar up and fly you kite with the bar the same way up (no spinning the bar); easier to lay out lines as kite lines are laid out going with the wind. Cons - Harder to double check your lines visually; when someone picks up your kite they may pass the kite through the lines causing a tangle. figure of eight The Figure of Eight knot is the easiest knot to learn and is used as a stopper downwind Method Pros/Cons for your lark’s head knot. It can be useful when you need to make some Best for: Smaller and restricted areas, bow or bridled kites, lighter winds and protected areas. knots on your pigtails. Pros - Easy to visually check your lines; easier to see and prevent bridle tangles. (1) Start this knot by laying down the line and making a bite in it. Cons - Bar must be rotated the right way up to fly the kite. Lines can have twists when launching. (2) Then, take the bite and turn it 360o. One way or another, it doesn’t matter. (3) Take the bitter end and thread it through the loop. Tip: Line management tools such as the Time Manager or Turbolauncher from Kitelauncher.com Photo TKB Staff can help you more quickly set up and de-rig your kite, or help in tight launch areas/boat launches. (4) Cinch it down and you are done. 1 3 4

48 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 49 The Kiteboarder Handbook

Drift Launching DRIFT LAUNCHING: Bows Not everyone has the luxury of having a nice, 1. Connect the lines to your kite, and do a thorough how to launch & land your kite wide sandy beach at launch. Drift launching is often preflight check. Do not wind lines onto your bar as when a necessity but can also be very dangerous if the drift launching bows, you must never engage the bar area is tight, leaving little to no room for margin until you are ready to launch. . of error. This launch technique should never be 2. Bring the kite down to the water’s edge. Hook in tried by beginners until they are at an intermediate By Paul Menta to the chicken loop and connect your safety to where Assisted Launch/Landing knowledge and riding level as the kite can often Photos Courtesy of Photoboat.com the kite will fully depower/flag out if engaged. Don’t launch very hot. The best way to learn this technique Your wind window travels with you, touch the bar! Make sure you have plenty of space and is to have an instructor or experienced kiter show wherever you are. You need to determine that there are no objects downwind of you and to practice on a light wind day, with lots of 2 wind direction and launch or land at the you and your kite or to either side of room around you. edge of the wind window so that you are your wind window within at least two not violently catapulted across the beach or, line lengths. even worse, into something solid. If your C-kites: Connect the lines to your kite, do a thorough preflight kite is too far downwind, it could result in a 1. 3. Put your kite leading edge down into check, and, if needed, wind lines onto the bar. “hot launch.” Too far upwind, and your kite the water, keeping your back to the could roll through the wind window to the 1 3 wind. Turn your kite so it is sideways, 2. Bring the kite down to the water’s edge. Hook facing away from the beach. This will hot launch position. 3. When you’re ready to land, make sure you 1. Generally, it is best to launch and land with your in, attach your safety to the 5th line, and grab your help your kite drift to have the area to do so, then signal to someone kite towards the water. Get your kite assistant to bar. If you wound your lines on your bar, carefully either side of the wind 3 To determine your wind window, stand who understands how to land a kite by tapping carry your kite to the edge of the window, holding unroll them. window and not straight with your back to the wind with your arms your head with a flat hand. the kite from the center of the LE without any downwind. fully extended out. When you feel equal tension on the lines. 3. Keeping your back to the wind, put your kite into wind pressure on both arms, that is your the water with the leading edge sideways so the 4. Let go of the kite, wind window. Sight down your arms, and kite has a better chance of drifting to the side of the and walk upwind to the this will show you the edge of the window, wind window, and not straight downwind. opposite side of the where the kite should be positioned when 4. Let go of the kite and let the kite drift away from window facing your kite, launching and landing. you until the lines are fully laid out, while walking keeping an eye on it at upwind to the opposite side of the wind window all times to make sure it to prepare to launch. Make sure you have plenty doesn’t power up. 5 of space and that there are no objects downwind 5. When the lines tension of you and your kite, or to either side of your wind and the kite is open, grab your bar and you are ready to go. If your kite is on its nose with ribs 2 4 window, within at least two line lengths. facing you, pull on an outside line OPPOSITE of the direction you want to launch to get it in launch 2. When the assistant is in position, walk 4. Have the assistant stay in one spot and raise 5. Use your 5th line to open the kite up to get it position. If in doubt, be prepared to immediately pull your safety. upwind to tension the lines, and visually check their hands, then bring the kite down to them, in the launch position and bring it up as slowly as lines to ensure they are connected correctly and nice and slow. Once they have the kite, they possible. If in doubt, be prepared to immediately pull Drift launches can be extremely dangerous. While realizing that the technique is often not crossed. Double check your safety and give can work their way to the center of the LE as your safety. a necessity, The Kiteboarder does not advocate this method for launching. Do so at your launcher the international thumbs up sign you walk towards the rider to take tension off your own risk. the lines. SELF LAUNCHING: Bows to signal you are ready for launch. Bring your 1. Secure your chicken loop firm on the kite up slowly and in control. beach or to an object that will solidly hold Self Landing it. The key here is to make sure the C-Kites: chicken loop is firmly secured! If your kite doesn’t have a fifth line attachment point, get Self Launching it modified at a kite repair shop. The cost is nominal and the C-Kites: 2. Walk your kite to the edge of the benefits are tremendous. wind window and put the kite in the 1. Holding your kite by the center of your LE, launch position. Let go of the kite, wait bring it the edge of the wind window. Grab a 1. Make sure there is nothing downwind of you and your leash a minute or so to ensure it is stable, wingtip, letting the rest of the kite follow the is secured only to the fifth line. Bring your kite down to the edge then walk upwind to the opposite side direction of the wind. of the wind window, unhook from your chicken loop and release the bar. All tension will transfer to the fifth line. of the wind window of the kite, keeping 2. Secure the wing tip you are holding to the an eye on it at all times to make sure it beach by folding it over at least one strut, and 2. Walk hand over hand up the fifth line until you reach your kite doesn’t power up. pile a generous amount of sand or sandbag on and secure it to the beach. 1 2 top of it.. Make sure your lines are clear and 3. Hook into your chicken loop without Bows: touching the bar or any lines. not caught on anything. IMPORTANT NOTE: The techniques 2 4 1. Bring kite down on beach or water’s edge, let go of bar and let kite rest in this described here DO NOT work with every 3. Walk to your bar, and position yourself on the 4. When you are ready to launch, grab position. You can unhook if desired, but leave your safety attached. kite out there and are recommended as opposite side of the wind window from your kite. Watch it the entire time to make the bar and slowly sheet in to give general guidelines that can be used on sure it stays secure. For maximum safety, launch unhooked whenever possible but 2. Without touching your bar, begin to walk downwind while pulling on the top tension to the lines. many kites. You must consult your local always make sure your safety is connected before launching. center line. dealer, shop, or rider who can show you 5. When the kite gets tension and is 3. As the kite starts to fall over, pull the top center line very hard towards you so the proper techniques for self-launching open, launch the kite as you would in 4. Reconfirm that you are positioned correctly by slowly pulling the bar to tension the it drops the leading edge down on the beach and into the wind. 2 and landing that are approved for your an assisted launch. lines and kite. If it is luffing, move upwind. If it is filled with wind but turning into the particular kite. Make sure to try self wind and toward the sand, you are too far upwind. 4. Unhook and go and secure your kite. launching and landing with a friend This method also works for some 5. Once you are in the correct position, firmly pull the bar towards you to release the standing by until you feel comfortable SLE or hybrid kites that have total Again, this method also works on some SLE or hybrid type kites that do not have sand or bag, slowly bring the kite up, grab your board, and head out! trying it on your own. Also, when self or depower when the bar is fully fifth lines. Don’t guess! Ask your local dealer, shop or rider who has the same drift launching, it is critical to make sure extended, pushed out. Don’t guess If you have an SLE or hybrid type kite with a more swept back trailing edge, you gear. When in doubt, don’t use this method. you check your lines to ensure there - ask your local dealer, shop or may want to pull a little sand on the inside of the kite for extra stability before are no tangles and that they cannot get rider. When in doubt, don’t use you fold over the wingtip. This method does not work with all kites, so ask your It is good to practice self launching and landing in lighter winds, so you will know 5 caught on anything such as debris on the this method! local dealer, shop or rider for advice. the reaction of your kite and the timing before heading out in stronger winds. Remember, you can always activate your safety if you feel there is a problem. 3 beach, bridles, pulleys, and struts.

50 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 51 The Kiteboarder Handbook how to switch directions effIciently how to stay upwind

By Whit Poor By Jay Crawford Directional Board Photo Broneah.com Most kiters will agree that staying The first skill every kiteboarder learns is how to get up and ride their board. The If you want to kite in the surf, directional changes are a complete necessity. upwind is the key to the start of having second skill you will quickly need to learn is how to go the other way, and to do Sooner or later, a head high wave will break right in front of you causing you to great sessions. It is the ability to go that, you have to change directions. The easiest way to do this is to stop, and then need to change directions in a hurry, or take a pounding. upwind that allows riders to start trying start again in the new direction. jumps and tricks, as well as the first To get the hang of switching directions more efficiently on a directional board, requirement for renting equipment in twin tip board practice in flat water first. Before you attempt to smoothly change directions, foreign countries. Being able to stay 1. Slow down by shifting almost all of your weight to your back foot. Slowly move work on being able to ride heelside and toeside in both directions. The easiest upwind is what separates the beginners your kite to the top of the window. way to change directions on a directional is to just simply redirect the kite from the intermediates. 2. As you slow to a stop, shift a little more than half of your weight to your to the opposite direction and then chase the kite with the nose of your board. front foot (soon to be your back foot). Do not worry about changing your feet; simply exit the turn riding toeside. Start If you have been wakeboarding or 3. Dive your kite in the new direction and follow it with your board. If you time slowly and do not redirect your kite quickly, otherwise your kite will generate a snowboarding, you already have some of it right, you should be able to slow to a stop, and then take off in the new new huge amount of power while you are turning. Once you have this mastered in flat the skills you need as both sports require direction without sinking. water, take it to the waves. back foot pressure as well as the need to set a rail in order to ride continuously in a Photos TKB Staff straight line. In order to get both of these concepts down, there are three things we must look at: kite position, body position and speed control.

Photo Ryan Riccitelli straight and lean your whole body away from the kite. Directional board transition tips: Keep your elbows at your side, rotate your hips in the • You do not have to move your feet. Simply ride toeside half the time. direction you are traveling and look at where you want • Keep your kite high and slowly start your transition until the board is pointed in downlooping: to go. Don’t let yourself bend over at the waist and the direction you want to go, then dive your kite in the new direction. You can downloop your kite if you focus on driving the pull from the kite into the board • If you do not want to ride toeside, try switching your feet before or after you need to change directions in a hurry. through your back foot. turn, but not during. Do it when your kite is high so that you are light on your feet. There is still a myth out there that Switch your feet with two quick and confident steps. downlooping is only for pros. Anyone speed control • Don’t rush your transitions, or you will be ripped off the board. can do it as long as you commit. You can master kite and body position, but still not This maneuver can really help when make it upwind without proper speed control. This riding in the waves or if you need a is accomplished not only through powering and quick directional change. With your depowering the kite, but through board control and kite high, pull the bar with your front the angle the rider takes into the wind. By cutting too hand, and keep pulling. Follow the hard into the wind, the rider will lose speed and sink kite with your board until you end up back into the water. By traveling too far downwind, riding in the new direction. Go out Photo Ocean Rodeo kite position the rider has a tendency to gain too much speed too Photo Tracy Kraft and try it. It’s easy, functional, and Photo Kim Kern By keeping the kite in the same position, the rider can focus quickly. This causes you to go downwind in a hurry looks cool. on what is going on with their body and board, rather than and leads to an out of control rocketship ride. The rider their kite. Center your hands on the bar and move the kite as has to travel downwind to get speed, and then slightly little as possible, holding the kite at a steady 45o angle to the depower the kite to allow control and stability while water. If you hold your kite too high, it will pull you up and edging the board upwind. Once the rider is effectively make it difficult for you to set your edge. edging against the kite, then they can control their riding etiquette power with the bar and board. If you cannot stay body position upwind consistently, practice it until you can. Devote General Guidelines • Kiteboarders who cannot yet stay upwind should Body position is the key to riding upwind. With your front a portion of every session to kiting upwind until it • When two riders are approaching each other from launch and ride downwind of the experienced kiters. leg straight and your back leg slightly bent, keep your back becomes second nature. different directions, the rider with his right hand forward has right of way. This means he should keep The most important part of riding in a crowd is to be on going, while the rider with his left hand forward aware of what is around you. Most kite tangles could cont. gets out of the way. have been avoided if one or both riders simply looked riding etiquette Take the dangle jumps out to sea or away from the you did something stupid, don’t be surprised if you • When two riders are traveling the same direction, the best waves. get a stern talking to back on the beach. Take the where they were going. Avoid problems by spotting surf Guidelines rider who is further downwind has the right of way. • Follow a circle pattern when in the waves: ride the time to learn the rules of etiquette before your next them early and taking action. If you notice that you • The rider (or surfer or windsurfer) closest to the • You should never jump without at least 150 feet of wave downwind, and then work your way back upwind session. If everyone followed the rules, we would are riding straight at another rider from 100 yards peak of the wave has the wave. Everyone else should room downwind of you. outside of the waves. If all riders followed this, every all get along. That would mean more waves for away, don’t wait until you are ten feet away to do back off and let him ride it out. By Paul Lang • Never jump within 100 feet of the beach. wave could have a kiter on it and no one would get in everyone, and the world would be a better place. something about it. • Do not get onto a wave when someone else is One of the questions most often asked • When two riders cross paths, the further upwind the way. already on it. Get your own. by new kiters is, “how do you not get rider should keep his kite as high as possible, while • If you are riding back and forth (kiteboarding in the When you take your sessions to the waves, you • If you are learning, do not get in the way of others. tangled up with someone else?” I have the downwind rider flies their kite as low as possible. waves, not on the waves), stick with riding outside of need to not only follow the kiteboarding etiquette Go upwind or downwind away from the crowds. also talked to beginners who showed up • Look behind you before you change directions. rules listed above, but you also have to follow the waves. to the beach on a perfect day, only to be • Stay away from the launching area when riding. Give • Never jibe onto a wave downwind of another kiter. the rules for wave etiquette. The rules for wave In addition, if all kiteboarders followed the next too intimidated by the crowds to get on riders room to get on the water. etiquette have been around for much longer than few rules in the surf, everyone would catch the water. With a little knowledge, crowds • Do not launch your kite until you are ready to get You have to remember that there are only so many waves kiteboarding has, so follow them if you are in the more waves: are a lot less intimidating. Here are the wet. Flying your kite on land takes up space and can out there to be caught, and many kiters take wave riding surf, even if that means you have to yield to a surfer • Never ride through a pack of surfers. kiteboarding etiquette rules for flat water be dangerous. very seriously. If you ruin another rider’s wave because Photo Realkiteboarding.com or windsurfer. • Do not jump where people are riding waves. and kiting in the surf.

52 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 53 The Kiteboarder Handbook everything you need to how to take Care of your gear know about board leashes Photo TKB Staff By Daryl Drown Photo Ryan Riccitelli Spring is here and summer is coming. Before the season is upon us, take the time to take care of your gear so it will INSTRUCTIONAL BIOS By Paul Lang last the whole season. Here are a few For the most part, kiteboarders should avoid board leashes whenever tips to prolong the life of your new toys Paul Lang/Assistant Editor possible. The average kiteboarder can safely ride without a leash 99% and to service your equipment if you have Paul’s strong background in kiteboarding of the time, even if they are just learning. Many riders use leashes as a been off the water all winter. instruction comes from his years as a sailing shortcut to avoid learning proper technique, and are only hurting their skill and windsports instructor. He is the Assistant progression by using one. Editor at The Kiteboarder, the technical engineer for the ASnews.net podcasts and manages an kite aquatic center in San Diego, CA. www.thekiteboarder.com Beginners like to use leashes because it keeps the board close. However, • If you have a kite with a single inflation point, check to make sure the connections between the struts that’s also the problem with leashes. When you crash, the only solid object and leading edges are not chafed, dried, or cracked. If in doubt, use the replacement connectors that came Hunter Brown – Blowing in the Wind near you is your board. You want to be as far away from it as possible, not with the kite. Hunter Brown is the owner of BITW/Gokitesurf. attached to it. When I learned to kite, I used a board leash because that’s • Check your canopy for small tears. If you find any that are ten cm or less, they can be easily be repaired com in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, what everyone did. Everyone who learned to kite back then knew someone with rip stop from your local shop. Clean and dry the area before applying the tape to both sides of the NC. BITW was established in 2000 and is a who was injured by their board leash. At the time, we just didn’t know any tear. Tears over ten cm need to be repaired by a professional. full-service shop offering gear from many top brands, demos and repair service. Known for honest advice and better. The real danger with a board leash is the possibility that your leash Despite the dangers of using a leash, some riders still choose to use one. There • Check the high wear areas, particularly the leading edge, for abrasions in the Dacron. If you have a SLE- could stretch like a rubber band causing the board to slingshot back to you. are a few special cases that may warrant their use. If you are kiting in the professional lessons, BITW is “Your local shop no matter where type kite, check the bridle carefully, particularly the sections near the pulleys. Sometimes, the pulleys cease you ride,” www.gokitesurf.com Without a leash, you simply leave the board behind when you crash. If it’s waves, you may choose to wear a leash if the shoreline is rocky to keep your to roll freely due to sand contamination, which can increase the wear on the lines. If they are visibly worn, nowhere near you, it cannot hurt you. board from ending up in pieces. If your local spot has extreme current, a leash replace the section if possible, or order a bridle replacement kit from your local shop. Daryl Drown – Extreme Kites could be useful. However, you should never jump with a board leash. That is • Examine all your pigtails carefully for wear. This will require loosening them to check where they make Daryl has been into power kites for about 20 If you find it impossible to ride without a board leash, the simple answer just asking for trouble. contact with the kite, a location that tends to wear the fastest. years and opened Extreme Kites in 1999 in a 600 square foot retail shop in St. Augustine, FL. One is that you are not yet ready for the board. If you have good control over • To increase the life of your quiver, store your kites in a dry location and don’t leave your gear inflated the kite and have been taught the proper techniques, body dragging back to If you do decide to use a leash, you absolutely must wear a helmet. Choose or sandy. Your bladders can pop from overheating, and the sand can rub against the canopy of your kite of the first online retailers, he has since moved your board is easy. If it is difficult, you need to work on your kite skills some a reel leash, as they are less likely to slingshot the board at you. For helmet to a nicer location, doubled his space and expanded his selection causing added wear. When you are on the beach, don’t leave the gear baking in the sun or flapping in the of gear and accessories. www.oceanextremesports.com more. Don’t use a leash to make up for your lack of skill. recommendations, see the March/April07 issue of The Kiteboarder. breeze for more than 20 minutes. Rick Iossi – FKA general care Rick started kiteboarding in 1998 and • Rinse and dry as much of your gear as often as is practical. Keep sand away from all of your gear as founded the Florida Kitesurfing Association, much as you can. If you wash your gear with fresh water, it must be completely dry before you put it away, Inc. (FKA) in 2001. The forum is a wealth otherwise it will cause mildew. of information on weather, safety, accident how to body drag back to your board • Dry your soft goods (wetsuit, harness, etc.) after every use. There is nothing worse than having to crawl analysis, and what’s happening in Florida and the Caribbean. into a stinky and damp wetsuit. Rick and his wife Laura live in SE Florida where he is employed as an engineer. www.fksa.org • Get a board bag. You would be amazed how much wear and tear happens to your board when you are not using it. Whit Poor – Kite Wind Surf By Hunter Brown Photo Ryan Riccitelli • Fix or replace problems as soon as you see them. There is no reason to ride ghetto gear and it’s not safe Whit Poor is an instructor for Kite Body dragging back to your board is one to ride gear that could self destruct at any moment. Wind Surf, a full service kiteboarding, of those skills that every kiteboarder • Put together a kiteboarding repair kit and always keep it with you. windsurfing and surf shop in the San should learn early on. Leashes are • Treat your gear like an investment. Have you ever bought anything that cost over $1000 that you threw in Francisco Bay area. One of the largest dangerous so the quicker you get the sand and dragged through the mud? schools in California, the shop has an extremely away from them, the safer you will be. knowledgeable and friendly staff who are all passionate Everyone falls and loses their board. The bar & lines about watersports. www.kitewindsurf.com quicker you can get back to your board, • Check each line for abrasion or knots. Knots will weaken the lines considerably and should be Chris Moore – Kitty Hawk Kites the more time you will spend riding, removed. Soak the line in water and work the knot out with your fingers, using a needle if necessary. Chris pioneered the PASA Kiteboarding improving your skills, and learning new Make sure that the fibers were not compromised. If these lines have seen a lot of sessions, consider Division, and developed a teaching method tricks. Body dragging back to your board getting a replacement line set. It is better to be safe than shark bait. Never expect to get more than still in use by the organization today. He is not difficult; it just takes practice and oneto season wash from a set or of lines.not to wash manages Kitty Hawk’s kiteboarding center knowledge of a few simple tips. • Examine both your chicken loop QR and your kite leash QR. Inspect the chicken loop carefully. On many on the Outer Banks of North Carolina where they conduct systems, the bar will tend to wear the spectra line. If this goes unnoticed, you are going to be swimming lessons and ride 390 square miles of flat shallow ‘sound’ waters almost year round. www.kittyhawk.com in one day. Jay Crawford – Outer Banks Kiting The basics of body dragging back to your board surface of the water, effectively using your whole Look Over Your Shoulder pump Jay has been immersed in kiteboarding are easy. When you fall and lose your board you body as one large fin to help you stay upwind or Here’s a great tip to judge whether you will reach • Unless you are Dizzy Gillespie, you will need a pump to inflate your kites. Without regular care and since 1999. He learned and worked with need to body drag from side to side, trying not even gain ground upwind. your board on a tack. If you are body dragging proper usage, manual kite pumps are prone to breakage. Use a pump leash and keep both hands on the pioneers of Cape Hatteras before to go downwind. Your board will drift downwind away from your board to the right and you can the pump. One-handed, off-axis pumping will lead to an early demise of your pump or loosen the ever branching out on his own with Outer and you will get back to it. So how do you best Learn the Right Way to Fall comfortably look over your left shoulder and see desirable tight seal. Lubricate your shaft regularly using McLube SailKote and keep it clear of sand. Banks Kiting, the newest school on the island. Jay’s your board, you should be able to get it on the next school utilizes modern teaching methods, boats, jet skis, achieve this? When you fall, the kite wants to pull you beaches and water to give a complete understanding of tack back. Knowing this helps you do longer tacks downwind away from your board. To minimize the sport. www.outerbankskiting.com Going Side to Side this, you should immediately go into a sideways that will get you back to your board in a minimum to wash or not to wash? amount of time.. Paul Menta – The Kite House body drag. This will help you to get back to your Paul Lang To body drag side to side, fly your kite with one Paul is one of the original kiteboarding hand to one side at about 45o off the water with board quicker. There is a debate out there as to whether kiters You really do not need to worry about washing If you follow these tips you should be able to pioneers in the USA. He helped develop the moderate power. Too much power will drag you should wash their gear or not. The truth is that it the salt from your gear after every use, but first formal instructional programs for Wipika downwind, so depower your kite if needed. Longer Tacks fall into a sideways body drag, look over you never hurts to wash your gear with fresh water. you should treat sand as the enemy. Folding and PASA. Paul lives in Key West, Florida. Extend your other arm, which is your lower arm, Every time you tack to get back to your board, you shoulder and know you can get your board, However, if you do, you must completely dry up a wet and sandy kite and cramming it into With several locations, The Kite House offers instructor using it as a rudder to guide yourself to one side. will lose ground and get pulled downwind a bit. and turn around and get the board on the next your gear before you put it away. Fresh water its bag is the equivalent of sanding your kite training and kite lessons year round at locations in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. www.thekitehouse.com You want your body to be straight and stiff while Doing longer tacks in one direction will get you tack. This will result in more time riding on the will cause mildew if you ever put it away wet. with 80 grit sandpaper. Washing your gear will keeping your back and chest perpendicular to the back to your board more quickly. water and less dragging through it. Salt water does not have this problem, so it’s ok definitely make it last longer, as long as your to put your gear away slightly damp if it is wet. gear is completely dry before you put it away.

54 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 55 posed

Southern California Session. San Diego may be known as the light wind capital of the world, but that doesn’t mean that it never gets good there. John Romais finds time to show off for the camera on the perfect Southern California day. Photo: Kim Kern

Punked. Sick of the typical freestyle events, PKRA world champion Aaron Hadlow and his close friend Ruben Lenten decided to create their own competition format and had Red Bull foot the bill for a state-of-the-art fun park in La Manga, Spain. Aaron won the Kite Punk title by throwing huge moves like this handlepass off the kicker. Photo: Christian Black/RedBullphotofiles

56 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 57 posed

Shipwrecked. We saw this photo of Jaime Herraiz doing a handlepass with this old rusty ship in the background and thought it looked really bad ass. One can only imagine what it would be like to lose your kite and have to swim in next to this rust bucket. Photo: North Kiteboarding

Bottom Left Iceberg Jumping. If you have ever been to Grand Haven, Michigan in the summer, it is a beautiful sandy beach on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan filled with beachgoers and bikini clad girls. As you can see the winter kiting is a bit more extreme, but Andy Bolts charges anyway and boosts a few icebergs while they are in season. Photo:Steve Negen/MacKite.com

58 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 59 Soul Surf Shot. Our feature interview this month is on Stephen Whitesell, the photographer who shot this photo of Melvin Houakimian smacking the hell out of this section. The coolest thing about “Whitey” is he will shoot the local, non pros and capture their moment of glory. posed “Whitey” claims this is one of his favorite photos of the year. Photo: Stephen Whitesell Critical Mass. Facial expressions often reflect the determination and focus of a rider at that moment of critical mass when things can go really good or bad. At 20 feet up, Jeremie Tronet is determined to pull of this crazy unhooked, superman kiteloop. Photo: Alex Kiebanska/Ocean Rodeo

Tropical Shower. Sometimes the best way to end a long day on the water is with a nice shower. Bruna Kajiya reminds us that just because you are on a kite trip doesn’t mean you have to be filthy. Photo: Papa Tronolone

60 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 61 posed

Burned Out. What would you do if you found yourself a thousand miles south of the border with a burned out truck and a pile of crispy gear? Probably sit down and look as dumbfounded as Brian Caserio does in this ultimate “what do I do now” moment. Photo: Ryan Riccitelli

Super Launch. Dimitri Maramenides is known for his crazy kiteboarding stunts. One time he ended up breaking a few bones when he came up short on a tree jump in Greece. On a recent trip to Morocco, in Dakhla, Dimitri decided to hot launch off the top of a 60 plus foot sand dune. Needless to say, he landed perfectly and kited away. Photo: Clark Merritt/Solosports.netli

62 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 63 ANALYZE THIS

Standout Features: Standout Features:

Powerstroke Bar: The T2 bar is an amazingly well Light Bar Pressure: The GK Trix has very light bar designed control system and comes standard with a pressure and is easy to handle unhooked. state of the art safety release. The stopper donut along Inflation System: with depower cleat mounted on the chicken loop are a Slingshot Kiteboarding Single pump, these guys had it first Excellent few of the bells and whistles that set it apart. Control Bar: globe kites Product: Turbo 2 Very comfortable and well thought out Excellent Product: GK Trix Type of kite: Bow Control Bar Accessories: Type of kite: Hybrid SLE Sizes: 5, 7, 9, 11, 14m Stopper donut is a great innovation Excellent Inflation System: Safety System: Sizes: 7, 9, 12, 15m From the manufacturer: The newly re- Single pump, very easy to use Above Average Centerline kill and chicken loop release Excellent From the manufacturer: The GK Trix is a Sup- Control Bar: No pulleys on the bar, very basic Average designed Turbo 2 is a 4-line bow kite with its own Bridle: Long bridle, loop to loop attachments Average ported Leading Edge (SLE), low aspect, hybrid profile, Control Bar Accessories: proprietary DNA. The kite delivers all the rider re- Stability: Very stable and well balanced Above Average Improvment from last year, very basic Average 4-line kite with 100% depower capability. It’s specifically quirements of range, instant depower, boosting, easy Power: Steady power Average Safety System: Centerline and chicken loop kill Average Turning: Turns like a sports car Excellent designed for beginners and waveriders with incredible sta- relaunch and stability making it a great all-around Bridle: Simple bridle with A-KPO Pop: Decent pop Average bility and smooth power delivery. The kite’s deeper profile adjustment capability Above Average A-KPO: For those techies who like to change up kite for riders of all levels. The Turbo 2 features a Bar Pressure: Medium bar pressure Above Average makes for very steady, predictable torque and axis-carv- Stability: Very stable and well balance Above Average the settings, the A-KPO gives you several options to redesigned swept leading edge and canopy shape, Depower: Huge range Excellent Power: Nice low end power Above Average ing turns for a direct feel in kiteloops or bottom turns. The customize the feel of the kite. Turning: The T2 turns like a sports car and is Neoprene seam guards (an industry first), wing tip Relaunch: Easy to relaunch Above Average Turning: Smooth turning Above Average Durability: Solid construction Above Average simple yet effective bridle design allows the rider to tune extremely responsive even with one hand. scuff guards, a no stretch bridle system with 2 to 1 Pop: Very good pop Excellent Kite Bag: Nice looking, but you better roll up the bar pressure and turning radius to suit individual pref- Bar Pressure: Light bar pressure. easy unhook Excellent pulleys on the bar, no wear spectra pulley and leader your kite nice and tight Average erences. The Trix is perfect for beginners needing a slower, Depower: Average depower Average lines, and a new bar. Pump: Nice aluminum shaft pump Above Average Relaunch: Very easy to relaunch Excellent stable kite with easy relaunch; or for expert wave riders Durability: Excellant construction Excellent The Kiteboarder Report: wanting stability, responsive turning and instant depower Kite Bag: Big & roomy, easy to stuff kite in the bag Excellent We were lucky to be able to test the 9m Turbo 2 in powered up conditions. The first thing we no- for tearing the waves apart with confidence. Pump: Nice aluminum shaft pump Average ticed was the attention to detail on their inflation system. SS was the first to bring the one pump inflation system to market and the T2 inflated rock hard with little effort. SS even came up with a special little plastic fitting that slides over the leading edge bladder valve stem to ensure it doesn’t Solid Construction: The GK Trix is a very well The Kiteboarder Report: blow out. The kite construction appeared rock solid as are most of the Slingshot kites. The T2 made kite. The triple reinforced leading edge seam We tried the GK Trix 9m on a moderately windy day. Right out of the bag, you could tell the kite One Pump: The T2’s one pump system is extremely control system was state of the art with their innovative chicken loop safety release and depower and double reinforced shoulder patches make the kite was very well made. The single pump inflation system was easy to use and the kite felt solid once efficient. SS included a plastic fitting to slide over your cleat which is conveniently placed on the chicken loop. The T2 bar was very well thought out in- bomb proof. LE bladder valve to prevent high impact blowouts. cluding the little stopper donut that easily slides up and down the center lines and allows you to inflated. The GK Trix bridle is very short, which is a plus for relaunch as it can’t wrap around a set the bar where you want while riding. The T2 bridle is very long, but SS claims the swept back wingtip. The pulleys are on the bridle rather than the bar, and their patented A-KPO allows you to wingtips and “loop to loop” bridle attachments prevent snagging during relaunch. We crashed move the attachment point forward or backwards to change up the bar pressure. The overall con- the kite several times and had no problem relaunching. The bar pressure was medium and a huge struction of the kite is impressive. GK took bomb-proof construction to the next level with their improvement from last year. The overall power felt solid and the kite had reasonable pop. We triple reinforced leading edge seam and double reinforced shoulder patches. The bar system were very impressed with how incredibly smooth and responsive the steering was. This combined and safety system is a great improvement from last year, but still remains very basic. The GK Trix with the huge depower range make this kite ideal for riding in a variety of conditions and would is a very well balanced kite with super light bar pressure and it was easy to unhook with decent dominate in the surf. Overall, the T2 package is a very nicely built kite. Beginners will really like depower. The kite turned smoothly and generated good low end power, similar to the feel of a the easy depower, relaunch and premium safety system and intermediate to advanced riders will C-kite. Surprisingly, it had good pop and generated very nice lift. Overall, we were pleasantly love the responsive steering and well thought out bar system. If you are in the market looking for surprised with the entire package. Entry level riders will benefit from the stability, relaunch and Grunt: The Trix generates very good low end power Stability: The T2 was very stable and felt extremely a performance oriented bow kite with plenty of depower and all the bells and whistles, you should durability and intermediate to advanced riders will love the grunt, light bar pressure and pop. If similar to the feel of a C-kite, and has excellent pop well-balanced. definitely give this kite a look. you are bow lover looking to crossover to a hybrid/SLE, this is a kite you should check out. for boosting.

Prepared by The Kiteboarder Staff

64 thekiteboarder.comanalyze this thekiteboarder.com 65 PRODUCT WATCH FLEXIFOIL Ion 2 MYSTIC Firestarter Harness The Ion 2 is a new, hybrid kite for Building off the success of the Warrior harness, Mystic pulled out all intermediate to advanced riders. the stops with this high tech kiteboarding waist harness The 4-line mode is for freeriding or that combines performance, durability and comfort waves, and can be easily switched all in one unit. The Mystic Firestarter harness in a matter of minutes to a 5-line, uses new materials and techniques to ensure no bridle, C-shape performance comfort independent to the altering shape kite for freestyle and wake. The of the human body. Key features include safety is really simple; just let go kinetic back support, battle belt waist of the bar and the kite depowers closure, spreader-bar protector and down by 90% and sits at the edge of the system, an easily accessible safety knife, and window for effortless relaunch. The maximum range-of-motion through the unique 5-line mode helps to provide more low Firestarter Badge. Available in white, black and red. end grunt and the ability to load up more forces, enabling huge airs and full-on powered kiteloops. If you find yourself riding Sizes: XS to XL in gusty conditions or want to ride big waves, go for the 4-line MSRP: $229.95 bridled configuration. mystickiteboardingusa.com

Sizes: 6, 8.5, 10.5, 12.5, 14.5, 16.5m MSRP: Starting from $1349.98 complete OCEAN RODEO Rise flexifoilusa.com This is Ocean Rodeo’s SLE Hybrid kite and is the company’s easiest kite to F-ONE Legend fly, right out of the bag. Designed to This product was misidentified in the last relaunch readily and deliver a traditional issue so we are running a correction. F-One C-Kite feel with SLE depower, the wide introduces a new shape this year that wind range is achieved through OR’s Supported combines the advantages of a directional Leading Edge Power Control Bridle which maintains for carving, and a twin tip so you don’t need a constant back line tension no matter what your trim to jibe. It can be ridden as a directional, but setting is, for maximum control of the kite in all wind only if you choose! Features include x-core conditions. The Rise comes with the new SLE control bar, wood reinforcement, comfort monopad, two built to work with any SLE, flat or bow-style kite. 7cm G and two 4cm G10 fins, and super soft Photo Jody MacDonald symmetrical footstraps. Sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16m MSRP: starting from $810 Sizes:163 x 44cm oceanrodeo.com MSRP: $795 complete bayareakitesurf.com 07productwatch SLINGSHOT Fuse AIRUSH LITEWAVE LWD Golf Limited Slingshot board designer John Doyle has taken Chop Top his 25 years of board shaping experience to This board combines the wave abilities of a CAUTION Pads and Straps New for ’07, Litewave’s new golf travel bag create a directional kiteboard that makes its surfboard with the throw around factor of a skim Caution’s ergonomic footpads with convex carbon fits two boards and two kites home on waves or wind swell. The unique board or wake skate. A unique concave deck plate are glue-free and easy to take on and of comfortably. The high quality bag shape and directional rocker line of the Fuse makes strapless riding accessible to everyone. for traveling and/or tweaking to find your perfect is made of rugged black cordura make it easier than ever for anyone familiar Strapped configuration is ideal for windy stance. These pads are very comfortable and built with a fully padded exterior and with riding a twin tip to enjoy waves without onshore or side-onshore wave conditions. The to take the beatings. Compliment them with the a handy, easy to acess Velcro the learning curve. If you want a surfboard-type wide tail and flat rocker is good for light wind new adjustable contoured footstraps and you have pouch for accessories. Features feel and performance but don’t want to learn to too. This board is a new dimension in combining one sweet, easy –to-use system. include an oversized, smooth sliding zipper; jibe or ride toeside all the time when switching many aspects of riding styles. large wheels and an integrated skid plate so your bag doesn’t rip Sizes: one size fits all apart when dragging over uneven surfaces; molded rubber end grab directions, check out the new Fuse. Sizes: 5’- 4” x 18.75” (164 x 47.5cm) MSRP: Ergo Pads $50/pair; Footstraps $45/pair handles with center cinch straps; and a large “Golf Limited” graphic Sizes: 4’11” MSRP: $699 complete cautionkites.com on the exterior to slide it by airlines that charge fees for board bags MSRP: $750 complete airush.com -- just keep it under 50 pounds! sskiteboarding.com Sizes: 61” x 18” ECLIPSE Nano MSRP: $139 BEST Yarga Hybrid SLE The Nano is a new kite concept designed litewavedesigns.com WINDWING The new Yarga Hybrid SLE is a high exclusively for the needs of wave riders, Batwing The Batwing is Windwing’s newest performance, extended depower C- freeriders, snow kiters, and world travelers. creation, named for its unique profile kite, that gives riders 4-line, 5th line The Nano sports the Switch System Bridle LIQUID FORCE Recoil The Recoil boards were designed in and the company’s new X-Ply material that and SLE style micro-bridle set up which enables the rider to change the conjunction with legendary shaper Jimmy scallops the trailing edge. The new material and performance options. Available dynamics of the kite’s performance by simply Redmon and European board designer acts like dimples on a golf ball. It dampens the micro with three different rigging options, switching knot settings. Its unique design has Anders Borg. Fast, quick-to-plane and flutter of the canopy, assisting the recapture of the laminar relaunch and depower set-ups, the enabled the kite to deliver incredible low end grunt with good pop, they excel in a variety of airflow resulting in a smoother wake, livelier “slippery” Yarga is for riders who want to throw –for instance, the 6m Nano is the equivalent of a flat-water conditions and in small waves. feel, and faster flying kite with more lift, better upwind the most powered unhooked loops modern 9m kite. The stability of the Nano along For beginners to experts, design features performance and enhanced durability. The unique cutout at and require the feel and handling of a C-kite. If you with the Switch System Bridle enables schools include a super thin rail profile, single the center of the Batwing is designed to give riders a high aspect want the flexibility of multiple kite styles, hardcore and beginners to excel with this kite. concave, lightweight construction, and a feel with low aspect power. Other innovations include unique wingtip competition tuned handling, and ease of use, then give specialized flex profile. battens and an optional multi-inflation-system. it a try. Sizes: 3, 6, 9m MSRP: starting from $729 complete Sizes: 127 x 38, 130 x 39, 133 x 40, Sizes: 9, 12, 15.5m Sizes: 7, 9, 11, 13m eclipsekites.com 136 x 41cm” MSRP: starting from $1300 MSRP: starting from $998 complete MSRP: $469.99 with fins and hardware windwing.com liquidforcekites.com

66 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 67 (a)u n i v e r s e to our own...... By Jeff Kraemer Lens: Jody MacDonald

ur captain, Gavin McClurg, is an

admitted Star Trek fan. He likes to quote

Captain Kirk of the Enterprise with a twist,

“to boldly kite where no one has gone before.” Shannon Best tears across the crystal clear flats of Barbuda. This is actually a great way to describe my

experience on Offshore Odysseys’ maiden

voyage which brought us from Grenada to the land of pirates, rum and free spirits. This area aboard. We were never scared or even worried up a bit by the coral. Fortunately, the ship’s is described by many as the “South Pacific of the with Gavin and first mate Jody McDonald at medical personnel (Gavin) addressed it quickly St. Lucia, and everywhere in between. Caribbean.” It is wild beyond the imagination. the helm. and we were able to kite the next day. Do you No land farers would know a sailing life like this remember hurricane Ivan? It stands for “it’s vast even existed. Say to someone, The Grenadines, FEB 10: FIRST IMPRESSIONS and nasty.” A direct hit devastated Grenada and and they will probably hand you a sugary drink. On the very first night of this journey we even hit the United States twice, three years ago. THE ADVENTURE The most dominant and life changing factor came across a 500-pound, Leatherback turtle This area of our universe is still under repair Being on a 60-foot Catamaran sailing through for me wasn’t that I was kiteboarding with world laying eggs on the beach. She was as large as as Ivan destroyed or damaged 90 percent of the Grenadines was truly like being in outer superstar Clinton Bolton, or that the water was a Volkswagen! This happened right at our first all structures. Grenada is known as the “spice space traveling from port to port on the most warm and pristine, or even that the meals were port, Grand Anse, Grenada. island,” because there are more varieties of herbs, astonishing spaceship ever, Discovery. This 5-Star in any Zagat guide; but that I was in On day two of the maiden voyage of The spices, fruit, and vegetables grown here than on majestic ship set sail in early February on a 15- awe of the captain’s sensibility, knowledge, and Best Odyssey, Gavin brought us to Hog Island, any other Caribbean island. day journey to distant lands, foreign to everyone experience of handling such a large and beautiful on the south side of Grenada. This island has no After a beach party Sunday night, I went back to onboard. The course is remarkable, taking us vessel. Sailing is always unpredictable. Things permanent residents and no sign of fellow kiters. Hog Island to take some starscape photos via the through the windward chain of the West Indies, break, sand is the enemy and winds dictate life Several of us on our “space walks” got banged ship’s escape pod, the kayak. I came upon continued next page. ...FROM GRENADA TO ST. LUCIA, AND EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN 68 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 69 Chilling out after long days of exploring new places are continued from page 71. often the most memorable moments of a trip like this. a massive amount of bioluminescence in the water. I have seen it before in other parts of the world, but this was absolutely unreal! I called back to Discovery on the two-way to let them in on my secret. Everyone was up for hours playing in the brilliant, greenly illuminated water.

FEB 13: MOVING ON Day three we took an automotive transporter on the island in search of the best beach and the strongest wind to kite while Gavin and our chef, Trisha, sailed Discovery up the leeward side. Nationalism is contagious on Grenada and it shows. Many of the island’s population are descendants of African slaves who were brought over by European settlers so every sign, bridge and roadway is painted fully in the colors of that nation -- red for blood, gold for the sun and green for the earth. We toured the windward side of Grenada and finally landed in a spot called Sugarloaf Island. This was our first wide expanse of a Caribbean beach with white sand and crystal clear waters. As the ship’s videographer, I wanted to go up the mast to do some shooting. Twenty feet up, a splice in the halyard (the line holding me up) broke and I was suddenly faced with a dizzying drop. Everyone watching shrieked, but luckily I grabbed onto the lazy jacks tightly and was able to climb down. I wanted to try it again when we reached the Tobago Cays, a group of five tiny, uninhabited islands just north of our starting point. Instead, I climbed to the top of Petit Beteau, one of the teeny islands, a much safer alternative. Day four we anchored off the south end of Clinton Bolton jumped on board and Carriacou, near Saline Island. It was perfect for ended up staying for three weeks. diving, snorkeling and more importantly for us, kiteboarding. We woke up to 27 knots with some perfectly protected flat water. Clinton boosted repeatedly over both the dingy and stern of Discovery, much to the delight of those onboard. I never imagined I would kite in such a paradise. Our schedule dictated we stay on the move, so from Saline we sailed an easy distance north to Mopion, which is a tiny “motu”, Polynesian for a small island. We found soft sand, a lone palapa and nothing else. This was our lunar landing, a tiny isolated spot devoid of life other than our own. We claimed it for ourselves and sent three spacewalkers out to kite under a spectacular sunset. “CANOUAN WAS A PINNACLE STOP ON OUR JOURNEY.” continued on page 74. (a) TO OUR OWN 70 thekiteboarder.com u n i v e r s e thekiteboarder.com 71 continued from page 72. FEB 19: HIDDEN TREASURE Canouan was a pinnacle stop on our journey. This magic and permission to board the island was Jody’s watch around 3am. Next thing I knew it island is unspoiled and virtually undiscovered. granted! Frequenting celebrities include Princess was daybreak, and we were in St. Lucia; not far We came ashore in our Zodiac and were quickly Margaret, Bill Gates, Mick Jagger, Johnny from Anse de Sable kiteboarding beach. surrounded by locals competing for our attention Depp, Kate Moss, David Bowie, Bryan Adams What a remarkable beach – with miles of (fine print – money). I was invited right away by – you get the picture. If you are accepted, the white sand, side-on wind, and many local kiters “Bobby Shawn” to come and have dinner with his minimum nightly fee at the Firefly Hotel is to help launch and land. The first day there wasn’t family, for a price of course! I never got his real $1000 US. No cell phones, babies or cameras great wind, but the next morning it was blowing name, but his mother Viola King cooked some of are allowed in the common areas. We got the 20 knots. Clinton and I rigged as the others had the finest Caribbean food I’ve ever tasted. It was evil eye from the concierge and were prompted already departed. He was performing aerial tricks just chicken, but it was delicious. to leave. No problem, as the Discovery cabins right off the beach and blowing away all the We traveled up the windward side of Canouan are large doubles complete with oversized heads lookie-loos and even the local pros. I regret that and fell in love with Carenage Bay. Discovery was (shower/restroom), DVDs, flat screens, and air I didn’t film any of this, but I sure had a great anchored all alone in less than six feet of crystal conditioning; along with a huge amount of time on the water! Jody finally had to pull me clear water protected by a barrier reef, providing storage and cabinet space. off and get me packing to take me to the other killer waves for those inclined and butter flat water side of the island where I was to catch my flight on the inside. We were all up and rigged by 7am; FEB 23: FINAL DAYS home – a reality I’d been trying to avoid. I found the sky a kaleidoscope of Slingshot and Best kites. We headed northward and Clinton got in a very terra firma strange beneath my feet and one last Alas, our good fortune was cut short as the Trump sketchy session over a shallow reef near Bequia, look at Discovery left me already anticipating our resort kindly insisted that we depart at the end of too scary for any of us mortals to attempt. We next mission to exotic lands and wilder escapes. the day, wary of a lawsuit. Apparently, a kiter had then embarked on our longest sail past St. Vincent Living off the land and sea is not as mangled himself on the reef some weeks earlier. all the way to St. Lucia. Gavin and I were the bad as it sounds on the Discovery. only ones on deck as we sailed through the night. FEB 22: ON TO MUSTIQUE I was up because I wanted to learn more about Jeff Kraemer is the owner of Eclipsefilms. Mustique is an enchanting, exclusive island. the sailing life. But Gavin was more accustomed com and is producing a video of his Although the island is part of St. Vincent and to these night sails, and I couldn’t keep my eyes adventure. To follow more of the places the Grenadines, it is wholly private. Through open past 1am so I decided to adjourn to my and people involved in the Best Odyssey, some finagling, our trusty captain worked his rocking bed. I left Gavin to sail on his own until see www.offshoreodysseys.com

Exploring mysto spots often means launching off the Discovery.

Clinton pioneers a new kite beach somewhere near Bequia.

clockwise: caption goes here. caption goes here. caption goes here. caption goes here. Professional land boarder Alex Brown “MILES OF WHITE SAND AND SIDE-ON WIND” hopped on board for a week of R & R. (a) TO OUR OWN 72 thekiteboarder.com u n i v e r s e thekiteboarder.com 73 WORKBENCH

t o o l b o x G e a r Spare screws for your footstraps and fins.

Extra bladder plugs, one-pump hoses, and zip ties.

Spare parts for your bar: Some items on your bar will never wear out, but keep spares anyway. If something breaks you might lose parts.

1/4-20 and 10-24 taps: You can use these to clean threads on almost any board and fin.

Baby powder and line for installing bladders. Parking Lot Spare bladders: I only carry two spare bladders – one the size of the largest rib in my big- gest kite and one the size of the smallest rib of my biggest kite. With these I can replace Repair Kit Words and Photos Paul Lang any rib on any of my kites. You can also carry a replacement LE bladder for your bread and butter kite, but I find I can usually repair it instead of replacing it.

If you have never had any gear problems, then you Extra fins, especially if you ride a surfboard. probably haven’t been kiting for very long. There is nothing more frustrating than broken gear, especially Spare kite leash: I don’t know why, but I lose these all the time. since it seems most likely to break on the epic days or Replacement pump hose. when you are pressed for time. The only way to avoid A complete spare bar: I always have a spare bar with me as this is your most likely piece sitting on the beach is to have the tools handy to fix the of gear to have problems. problem. I do about half of my kiting south of the border, very far from anything resembling a kite shop. If I break FCS installation kit and spare plugs: This item may seem excessive, but I can use it to repair fin plugs that have been ripped out of my board. gear in Baja and can’t fix it, it ruins a whole trip instead of a single session. Duct tape: It fixes everything. Don’t put it on your kite unless you absolutely have to though! Spare straps for your harness. Over the years I’ve learned what is important to have and what can be left behind. Here’s a look at what’s in Sail repair tape: Good sail repair tape can temporarily fix tears up to about three feet long. my kiting tool box that can fix almost anything, short Bladder repair material. of a completely shredded kite. Get a tool box that has Solarez: This stuff is available at any surf shop and is a great product that anyone can use small divided sections built into it. If you can’t keep your to repair dings and chips on your board. spare parts neat, you’ll never even be able to remember what you have. Superglue: If you have it, you will find a use for it. Basic tools: You only need a few tools to work on kite gear. You should have screwdrivers (I especially like the ratcheting ones with interchangeable ends), scissors, a razor knife, pliers, The best way to fix gear is to never have it break in the first place. Take a set of allen wrenches, and vise grips. Also carry spare fin keys for your surfboard. care of your gear and inspect it often. If you see a problem, don’t use it until it breaks. Build yourself a repair kit and always have it in your car Spare spectra line: Carry enough spectra to replace the leader lines on your bar. – it doesn’t do you any good sitting in the garage at home. With the right Spare chicken loop: This might be the piece of kite gear that fails the most. repair kit, you can fix problems that would send other riders home for the day. Learn to fix your gear when it breaks and you will never have to miss Spare lines: You can also count the lines on your spare bar as an extra set of lines. an epic day because of gear problems.

74 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 75 YARDSALE KITE PAGES Zach Kleppe gets a mud bath, smack down at Packery Channel. Photo Ryan Riccitelli California Fuze Kiteboarding Action Watersports (303) 683-5033 CO (318) 827-2233 CA PKS Aquan Watersport (970) 376-3159 CO (650)593-6060 CA Connecticut Bay Area Kitesurf CA Orbit Marine Sports (415) 573-2619 (203) 333-3483 CT Board Sports Tri State Kites (510) THE-WAVE CA (800) 510-0865 CT Board Sports Florida (415) 929-SURF CA Emerald Coast Kiteboarding CaliKites (850) 235-2444 FL (619) 522-9575 CA Learn 2 Fly Captain Kirk’s (386) 986-9637 FL (310) 833-3397 CA 7 Kiteboarding Delta Windsurf Company (305) 664-4055 FL (831) 429-6051 CA Ace Performer Helm Sports (239) 489-3513 FL (650 )344-2711 CA Big Kite Miami Inflight Surf and Sail (305) 303- 4107 FL (562) 493-3661 CA East Coast Kiteboarding Kite Country (954) 295-5778 FL (619) 226-4421 CA Extreme Kites Kitesurfari (904) 461-9415 FL (562) 596-6451 CA Extreme Sports KiteWindSurf (321) 779-4228 FL (510) 522-WIND CA Jupiter Kiteboarding Live2Kite (561) 373-4445 FL (415) 722-7884 CA Ft. Lauderdale Kitesurfing Co. Long Beach Windsurf Center (954) 410-5419 FL Josh Griffiths about to get served after a kite loop gone wrong. (562) 433-1014 CA Hydrotherapy Photo Carol Bolstad Mako Surf Skate Snow (850) 236-1800 FL (949) 367-1300 CA Island Style Wind & Watersports Malibu Kitesurfing (941) 954-1009 FL (310) 430-KITE CA Island Surf and Sail Manta Wind & Water Sports (954) 927-7002 FL (858) 270-7222 CA Kite Surf the Earth Mission Bay Aquatic Center (888) 819-5483 FL (858) 488-1000 CA Kite World Monkey Air (321) 725-8336 FL (310) 457-6896 CA Liquid Surf & Sail Murrays (850) 664-5731 FL (800) 786-7245 x23 CA KiteMare THE TOP CRASHES Offshore Surf Co (877) 829-0015 FL (760) 729-4934 CA Miami Kiteboarding Inc. OOTO Kite School (305) 345-9974 FL (808) 873-0015 HI (650) 960-1721 CA Sandy Point Progressive Sports Maui Kiteboarding Lessons (808) 242-8015 HI Got a great wipe out shot? Email [email protected] Soul Performance (386) 756-7564 FL (310) 370-1428 CA Sea & Sky Sports Naish Hawaii Sky Kitesurfing School (850) 598-3735 FL (808) 262-6068 HI Caution Kites experiementing with new inflat- (925) 455-4008 CA Ski Rixen Off Da Lip Ben Chambers does the one legged dangle. Photo Jon Malmberg able technology. Photo Josh Marinos VELA (954) 429-0215 FL (808) 255-6255 HI (800) 223-5443 CA Tampa Bay Kiteboarding Second Wind West Coast Kiteboarding (727) 798-2484 FL (808) 877-7467 HI (619) 813-2230 CA Waterplay Vela Maui Wind over Water Kiteboarding (800) 841-1225 FL (800) 223-5443 HI (650) 218-6023 CA Watersports West Idaho Windsport (888) 401-5080 FL Groud Zero (619) 488-4642 CA Xrated Kiteboarding (208) 265-6714 ID Kite Island (888) 401-5080 FL Fly Sun Valley (925) 212-2915 CA Georgia (208) 726-3332 ID Xdream Sportz High Tide Surf Shop Illinois (858)481-9283 CA (912) 786-6556 GA Windward Sports Xstreamline Sports Locus Kiteboarding (773) 472-6868 IL (310) 518-1972 CA (404) 509-4229 GA Chicago Kiteboarder Xtreme Big Air Hanag20 Kiteboarding (312) 804-5482 IL (805) 773-9200 CA (912) 223-7856 GA Massachusetts Colorado Hawaii Air Support Kiteboarding Colorado Kite Force Action Sports Maui (866) Kite-Cod MA (970)4853300 CO (808) 871-5857 HI Kitesite.net (508) 398-1333 Mike Danish cringes as he’s dragged within six inches of GAYLAN’S Aloha Kiteboarding Academy Skyhigh Kiteboarding School some razor sharp oysters. Photo Ryan Riccitelli (720) 887-0900 CO (808) 637-5483 HI Into the Wind Caveman Kitesurfing (508) 259-2728 MA (303) 449-5906 CO (808) 389-4004 HI Wind, Snow and H20 (508) 775-7756 MA A San Diego kiter gets rolled on the shoreline at Tourmaline. Larson’s Ski and Sport Extreme Sports Maui Photo Paul Lang (303) 423-0654 CO (808) 871-7954 HI Maryland Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport H2AIR Productions (808) 871-4981 HI (302) 227-1105 MD Hawaiian Watersports Michigan (808) 262-KITE HI Broneah Kiteboarding Hawaiian Surf & Sail (231) 392-2212 MI (808) 637-5373 HI Detroit Kiteboarding Kailua Sailboards (248) 245-5016 MI (808) 262-2555 HI Grand Bay Kite Co Kite High (231) 929-0607 MI (808) 637-5483 HI Great Lakes Kiteboarding Kiteboard Center (586) 822-6511 MI (808) 276-2667 HI MacInaw Kite Co. Kiteboard Maui (800) 622-4655 MI (808) 870-2554 HI Sharkless Kiteboarding Hawaiian Ocean Sports (269) 639-SURF MI (866) 488-5483 HI Uncle Doug’s Kiteboarding Kitesurf Maui (810) 985-3732 MI Kyle Stich shows off his kite line battle scars. Photo Paul Lang 76 thekiteboarder.com thekiteboarder.com 77 KITE PAGES

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