Kitesurf Atlas, Kiteboarding Holidays, Kite Surf Lessons

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.

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.

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.

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!

(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!

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.

2008 MI Kiting Fall Climax, 26 October 2008

As bright blazing autumn foliage colors of golds, reds, and purples illuminate the shoreline with that unique glowing afternoon light, the watermen of Lake Michigan watch and wait eagerly for the winds and waves that arrive this time of year. The water is clear and cold, the waves are packing more power, the surfboards and the small kites emerge on the beaches like some primordial annual ritual. Rounding the last bend in the road to the beach hearts start to beat faster as the sand blows like smoke down the road, the snow fences and front-end loaders engaged in a futile battle against nature - one property owner posts a sign inviting people to take some "free sand" and in neighborly competition at few houses down "free-er sand" is advertised... This is my favorite time of the year here in West Michigan, and before heading South for the winter, I love riding here - as long as I can keep my fingers warm!

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Gorge & NW Pacific Coast Float Plane and Kite Expedition , 28 September 2008.

September winds on Lake Michigan had been somewhat of a disappointment so an impromptu trip to the Pacific NW and Gorge seemed like an excellent idea. Although the forecasts for the Gorge and coast areas were not much more encouraging, this would be a great opportunity to explore, test logistics and Cam's new float plane for future kite trips, and enjoy some new scenery in the process.

Our sailing & kitesurfing trip thru the Sea of Abaco (NE Bahamas) was nothing short of a “trip of a lifetime”.

Day 1: We arrived in Marsh Harbor and ferried over to Hopetown to board “Kathleen D.”, the Maine Cat 41 from Abaco Multihull. After a day of provisioning and dinner ashore and roaming the quaint streets of Hopetown , we relaxed on board this incredibly roomy boat for the first night. Early the next day we went for a check-ride with the charter operator and then headed North toward Great Guana Cay.

Muskegon to Harbor Springs and Back, 20-31 July 2008:

Early the morning of 20 July 2008 I began final preparation of “Crusader” (a Cal 39) for a solo cruise north, and at around 0900 I slipped the dock lines and headed west toward the Muskegon entrance channel. My plan was to intercept the Chicago-Mackinaw Race fleet as they sailed north - and then to meet Mike (racing in the Mac) and Meagan at a harbor somewhere along the way. The purpose of this sail was to get to know the boat as a solo sailor and do a bit of a “shake down” of all the rigging and systems.

The kiting since I returned here on May 12 has been spectacular. July 15 marked the 50th session since I got back 75 days earlier. That works out to 68% of days kiteable, or roughly 5 days/week! And total kiteable days 12 May thru 11 August: 63 days!

The big lake water did not warm up much until mid-June, and there were many days when water temps were in the high 40's!! but for some reason it didn't seem to bother me at all – I guess all the good kiting kept me warm...plus an Ocean Rodeo Pyro Pro drysuit with lots of fleece layers, a hood and booties.

It began as a strange winter here in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, FL area. The weather had been very difficult to forecast, especially for lesson scheduling.

December was very unusual with difficult wind conditions, many lessons lost over the holidays as a result. It was either too cold, too windy or not windy at all. Rideable days: only 6 or 7! Most used kite: 10m.

January was an improvement, however there were many very cold days when lessons had to be cancelled. Rideable days: 19 out of 31 Most used kite: 10m

I’ve been riding some of the new 2008 Spleene Boards: 34 Rip, 38 Rip, 54 Door, 39 Session. The construction is very different from last year and the feel of the boards is different as well. At first I was not sure if I liked them as much as the 2007 boards (which were a little more flexible throughout the length of the board) but I am now really liking the new feel, which is mostly due to the dampening effect of a thin wood core. They feel so solid! I think the boards are even better with respect to early planing and upwind performance. And the finish is beautiful…very simple and clean looking. Improved pads and straps also allow for really good adjustment for all foot sizes, and super secure grip. If you want to purchase or demo a board please track me down.