Kitesurf Atlas

Ireland Part 3 - and epilogue

Thursday: Session 14
On the day of my 14th session the waves were smaller (2-3m) and pretty clean so I was actually a bit relieved to have a break from the super intense conditions we had the other day. The wind was "light" (WNW at 25+ kts) so still good with the 7.5 Kahoona. This was one of the 5 or 6 sessions that I chose to ride strapless with the Aviso 5'-8" fish. Much of the riding up until this point was in extremely windy and somewhat rough seas, and I felt more comfortable riding the strapped board in those conditions. The Aviso (which is so lightweight) would have literally gotten blown away from under my feet many of those other session. But this day turned out to be perfect for riding strapless and although it was a bit fluky I really enjoyed the change. There is something liberating about riding strapless and the "feeling" of the surfboard is so much more pure for some reason.

Ireland 2009! Part II

Tuesday, 3 November, WILD WILD SESSION # 13
A cold, stormy sky and churning seas welcomed us into Lahinch this morning. It was just me and Wojciek, no other takers...Alan and Robbie had to bail. The tide was out - way out - further than either of us had seen it, and that was the “green light” to get going without further ado. We parked to launch near the graveyard and were pelted by driving rain and hail as we donned thick neoprene by the roadside and pumped our kites up on the long grass. An unbelievable session was in store for us today in 7m waves and WNW 30-40 kt cross-on wind, with my 7.5 Kahoona kite very lit. I headed out first, with the 7.5m K and stayed upwind waiting for W, playing in some of the "small" head high sets, tuning myself up, as they rolled toward the river mouth. Wojciek launched a 9m kite, and I had a feeling he would end up being overpowered if the forecast was to become true.

Ireland 2009! Part I
After many years of researching and dreaming about this trip I finally pulled the trigger and set the wheels in motion during early October - I'm soon off to the Emerald Isle. The fall kiting session in Michigan was proving to be a frustration for many. Wind and waves seemed less consistent than memory recalled and I was becoming more and more obsessed with riding some real waves. In an amazing alignment of stars and opportunity I hastily packed 3 small kites, harness, a surfboard and a strapped directional for a trip originally planned as a 3 week adventure.

I am kite Surfing all the way round the Big Island of Hawaii! : )http://kitesurfingaroundthebigislandofhawaii.blogspot.com

Summer/Fall 2009 Synopsis: an unusual season

As I wrap up the West Michigan summer/fall kiting season for 2009 I look back and think…“how odd”! The weather systems on the Great Lakes, as well as many other regions like the East Coast, seemed off-kilter. Listening to recent weather discussions by meteorologists it is all starting to make sense, but the scientific explanation will not be of much comfort to the many wind starved kiters who endured a season of unreliable wind.

The 3rd Oct 2009 saw the biggest and best kitesurfing party yet. With epic wind conditions during the afternoon the day was blessed by the wind gods, with the wind cranking up to 44 knots. Tide and dusk made way to beer and the famous Camber Kitesurfing LIMBUCA!! some gonzo mix of sambuca and limbo.
A good time was had by all and the band Under the Covers rocked the night away... Plans are already afoot to have not only more events next year, but also to make them bigger and better all the time.
Stay tuned for details!!
www.camberkitesurfing.com

Michigan 2009: Mid-Summer Synopsis and the Sail North

Upon my return to the shores of Lake Michigan in mid-May I was greeted by a solid run of good “small kite” conditions...but June 2009 turned out to be somewhat disappointing and uncharacteristically calm – although it was still possible to ride 14 out of 30 days. It seems that the June/July weather patterns around the entire country were somewhat out of whack: cold and wet in the Midwest and Northeast...but lots of wind in Western Florida!!!

So far July has yielded 15 out of 25 days, so you can't complain about that. However these have not been the typically reliable forecasted winds we expect, but rather the kind of winds you need to “be there” for when it's happening – which makes it awfully nice to live 3 blocks from the water. Still with slightly less kiting than normal it has been a great season for sailing boats - regular 7 to 12 kts winds makes for perfect big-boat conditions.

To squash the winter-blues as they begin to rear their ugly head, Hooked-on Kitesurfing is running a trip to the awesome Dakhla kitesurfing paradise, Morocco, in association with IKSurf Mag.

With a huge flat water lagoon and a fantastic wave spot 5 minutes away, Dakhla offers something for all levels of kiter. Its tranquil setting next to the Sahara, along with consistent winds and warm temperatures makes it a no-brainer choice for an Autumn kiter's getaway near to perfection.

Awesome session after the lessons yesterday. I used a 9m Liquid Force Hifi comp, its awesome, soooo much pop, put it on the wakestyle setting and the lines become too slack, loads of power when you unhook, best wakestyle kite ive tried by far. Did a couple of loops as well, comes up so fast, keeps pulling all the way through.

We use Liquid Force in the school as well. I have been very pleased with the havoc and session, both great for lessons and hire. Really stable, loads of depower and very easy relaunch which are all great for the students. I love the simple bar and the build quality is fantastic, loads of re-enforcement and no breakages yet this year.....unlike last year when I used North!

Check out my kitesurfing school in the South East UK:
Kitesurfing school & kitesurf Lessons Camber Sands South East England UK

Striking Gold in the OBX- May 2009 - a 10 day “Windferno”...plus Kitefix.com!!!

As my 5 month winter/spring teaching season was over I departed Florida on the 30th of April bound for the OBX/Cape Hatteras, my annual stopover there – and based on the latest forecasts the wind gods were clearly answering all of our prayers. The forecast for the following week was almost too good to be true – wind (and lots of it) every day for the entire week. I arrived in Nags Head on the 1st of May to a relative calm, which was to break into an all-out “windferno” beginning the next morning and lasting for the next 10 straight days, offering warm water and air temperatures the entire time!

A tour in HANOI is to steep yourself in history, tradition, and legend in a capital that has been inhabited continuously for almost a millenium. Visitors often note that the city is quieter, greener, and "cooler" than other big cities of Vietnam. Indeed, Hanoi itself, and the Northern Vietnam, have quite clear four seasons, and October to March are lovely pretty cool months whilst other towns southward just have dry and rainy times. It probably influences in the mentality of the inhabitants and the city seems attract more intellectuals and artists, while Saigon is great for entrepreneurs and hustlers.

(or..the Season of the Down Winder...or Year of East Coast Mission for Waves):

OK, now we're talking!!! March and April '09 have been off the hook, making up nicely for the the early winter here! These two months really carried the season here...yielding 45 good kiting days in 2 months. Warm weather and warm water finally arriving with great winds, great kiting, great sailing...I almost need a vacation from this...(alright maybe NOT). March and April have delivered over 70% of good rideable days. The total for the season, from December 1st 2008 thru April 30th 2009: 76 legitimate riding days, or around 50%. In addition to that I was able to enjoy 30 days of sailing on the catamaran - which, together, put me on the water, powered by the wind, almost 5 days/week for 6 months! Can't complain!

We are a group of artists and kiters. We are working on a project using old kites rather than seeing them thrown away.

Please contact us if you have an old or torn kite that you are no longer using – help us give it a new life!
Federico
used.kiteproject@gmail.com

Florida Winter 2009
& The Worldwide Crisis

As the worldwide economic crisis began sinking its teeth in earnest during the late fall of 2008 I pondered what the winter season would turn out like in Florida. Sadly, as expected, the kiting industry has been hit hard – gear sales are way off hurting all manufacturers; lesson traffic is way down hurting all the instructors; travel and vacation budget have been all but eliminated for many people worried about their finances. My own lesson traffic has been down 60%! and very few kites and boards sold.

The winter here (December thru February) was colder than I ever remember it from past years– and to make matters worse – much less reliable wind. I remember 2 years ago when we had 17 consecutive weekends of great wind – and this year we have had maybe 2 or 3! Could there be some strange connection between the global economy and lack of wind?! It certainly feels that way.